ASCENDING IN TO THE DARKNESS
The warrior slowly eased up his shield as he looked out over the city from his position in the mountains where the huge stone aqueducts were situated. These huge rivers of water fed in to the city from both sides. Crystal clear water spilled downwards from these huge aqueducts filling up rivers and fountains and drinking pools in Tezcatlipoca's city. There were two of these huge aqueducts both on ether side of the city, and both overlooked the main keep which looked very small from above. The air was also cold up here and the trek up to the mountain top had to be done with llamas, all to guard this carved out river. He narrowed his gaze slightly. "Nothing ever happens up here, so why do we have to guard it?"
The warrior opposite watched as the water moved past he looked up slightly. "Because it's our turn!" His companion sneered slightly. "Yeah well it's a boring as hell job!" He stopped still as he heard the stones rattle behind him. "What was that?" The other man eyed him again. "It was nothing! Now pay attention to the damn river." The first man narrowed his gaze. "Yeah well I heard something." He turned looking back at the water. "I know I did." He looked up as a screaming sound suddenly hit the air. "What the hell?" He watched in shock as a gleaming ring of steel appeared flying clean over them. It flew towards the rock face high above hitting it in a violent motion before turning back flying back over their heads.
The first man turned as he pulled up his weapon. "I told you I heard something but you never listen do you?!" His companion was about to say something but stopped as he heard a rumbling sound which was coming from high above them. He felt his blood run cold as rocks began to fall as the mountain side fell apart. Gabrielle watched in silence as the rocks from the mountain top hit the cliff side violently as they came down. She grabbed the Chakram in a swift motion as it came towards her. She could already see the men running as they avoided the heavy rocks which slammed down around them. They were trying desperately to get to higher ground.
Her gaze drifted to her horse who flapped its wings slightly as it tapped its hoof and shook it black mane she turning back watching as the rocks slammed in to the huge aqueduct sending water everywhere as they came down harder. She took a slow step back watching as the rock slide finally stopped she could see the now blocked river was covered in rocks which would take ages to move. The water behind was blocked completely, she slowly placed the Chakram back in its holder as her eyes caught sight of the two warriors scrambling up the wall to get to higher ground nether of them had seen her they were to preoccupied with getting away from the blocked river. She could see the panic and shock in both their faces.
She slowly leaned down pulling her sai blade free how unfortunate for them that they were both heading towards her. She stepped back further watching as they scrambled over the ledge on there hands and knees. Both men ignored her as they sat up trying to catch their breath. She twirled the weapon absentmindedly feeling a cruel smile form on her lips. "Nice day for climbing isn't it?" The first man looked up only to cry out in panic as he met her gaze, she didn't think as she brought up her knee slamming it full force in to his face causing him to hit the ground hard. The other man grabbed his weapon pulling it free as he got to his feet his cry of anger hitting the air. She felt the force as both their weapon clashed together.
The man snarled as he pushed against her his gaze slowly narrowed as his gaze fixed fully on hers. "Blood Jaguar!" Gabrielle pushed harder feeling her teeth grind together. She could already see the other man getting up and pulling his weapon free. "Yes I am." The man snarled as he looked at her. "Our god is going to have your head!" Gabrielle didn't think as she twisted the sai blade forcing the weapon out of his hand. She heard the other man scream in agony as it slammed in to his upper leg sending blood everywhere. "Your god is a fool!" She dodged his fist watching as the other man hit the floor crying out in pain as he tried to get the weapon out with his other hand.
She brought her weapon hilt around only to watch as impacted with her attackers face, he fell back his hands on his mouth as blood dripped down his chin. She didn't think as she brought up the hilt again watching as it impacted with head as he pulled his hands away. He slammed in to the ground hard on his knees. She brought up her knee slamming in to his face ignoring his scream of pain, she turned away watching as he hit the floor hard passing out. She slowly walked over to the wounded man who cried out in panic as he raised his hand. "Don't kill me! I beg mercy!" Gabrielle eyed him for a long moment before bringing her foot up and slamming it in his chest. "Tell your god the Blood Jaguar sends her regards." She brought her weapon down slashing it across his chest ignoring his cry of pain. She pulled back seeing the fear in his face as he looked down at his wound in confusion. She brought up her foot full force slamming it in to his face. She narrowed her gaze watching as he fell back passing out instantly, she leaned over looking at his red clothing.
8
Xena looked up sharply feeling herself blink she wasn't sure if she was hearing things. May be it was her fatigued mind playing tricks on her. Maybe it was the pain from the chains it wasn't like she could feel her arms anymore or her wrists, it also felt like her legs were starting to give out as well it was painful just to stand. She'd heard rumbling from somewhere behind her in the mountains it was so distant that her ears had barely picked it up. She breathed in deeply the hot sun was beating down on her and she could feel the sweat as it dripped down her face. Her lips felt dry and her tongue felt heavy in her mouth it also hurt to swallow.
She wanted to drink something just to get rid of this awful feeling, she turned watching as a servant girl came out of the temple's inner keep. She slowly took a large water jug putting it in the stone pool close by, before pulling it out and putting it on the floor carefully. She could see the sun glinting of the crystal clear water in side the filled jug. She looked up watching as the water which was coming out of the stone funnel in to the stone pool suddenly stopped. The two guards turned seeing the servant's surprise. The first stepped forward. "What's wrong girl!" The young woman looked up her panic showing as the skeleton warriors came closer. "It's the water…it's stopped."
The first guard narrowed his gaze as he stepped forward banging the stone funnel hard with his fist. "What have you done girl?" The young woman backed away in fright. "I didn't do anything! It stopped on its own!" The skeleton warrior hit the stone funnel hard with his axe hilt. "Something must be blocking the temples water system." He turned slightly his anger showing. "I'll tell Ehecatl and Amimitl they'll get someone to fix it." He turned moving towards the inner keep leaving the other warrior still guarding the Warrior Princess. Xena raised an eyebrow what a wonderful thought, maybe if she got lucky they'd all die from a lack of water.
Not that, that would ever happen but she could always dream. She watched as the young girl picked up the water jug moving it closer to her. Her brown eyes wandered over her as she looked up. "Is this the Warrior Princess?" Xena narrowed her gaze trying to talk only to stop because of the raw and painfully feeling in her throat. The skeleton warrior looked up slightly. "Yes and you should stay away from her, she's dangerous." The girl looked up sharply. "She doesn't look dangerous, she just looks sick. She also needs water, or this heat is going to kill her." The skeleton warrior snarled aloud as he eyed her. "She's meant to die that's the whole point!"
The girl shook her head. "Well she'll be dead before the mornings over if she doesn't drink something soon." The skeleton warrior narrowed his gaze as he raised his hand. "Fine I'll allow the Warrior Princess to drink, but nothing else!" The young girl slowly pulled up the water jug she eased out a small wooden bowl from her robes. She carefully dipped it in to the water jug then looked up watching as the blood shot blue eyes opened fully. Xena felt the water as it was brought to her lips. She slowly began to drink it enjoying the feeling off the ice cold water as it poured down her throat. She breathed in deeply as she finished the small bowl.
The bowl was refilled and brought to her lips again, she swallowed quickly. She'd rather have water given to her by this girl than Akemi who would probably blackmail her with it. She finished the bowl watching as the girl gave her a smile. "Thank…you." The young girl stepped back. "See she's not dangerous she's even polite." Xena laughed slightly but it was a hysterical laugh even to her own ears she watched as the girl turned to meet her gaze. "He's right I am…dangerous…but not to you, just to him. Because if I ever get free I intend to smash that skeleton face of his so far down his spine that he'll need to use a wooden bar to pry it out of his pelvis."
She gave the girl a wide smile trying to make it as gentle as possible the girl blinked as she stepped back the fear showing in her eyes. Xena breathed in deeply, her appearance never helped matters and it probably didn't help that she was feeling so worn down ether. She also had dried blood on her face and her hair was damp with sweat which made her even more terrifying to look at. She heard the skeleton warrior snarl as he came to stand in front of her, he grinded his jawbone as he raised his weapon. "Why does the Blood Jaguar waste her time with you? You're an irritating bitch!" Xena looked up slightly feeling her teeth grind together. "It's because she loves me, you stupid bastard!"
She narrowed her gaze. "Maybe she'll be the one to jam your ugly skeleton face in to your pelvis." The skeleton warrior looked up slightly. "You'll be dead and she won't get around to rescuing you! None of our enemies have ever gotten in to this city and lived to talk about it! They all died horrible deaths which were incredibly painful. " Xena grunted aloud. "If I'm not mistaken my lover, the Blood Jaguar as you call her walked right in to the feathered serpents keep, killed his twelve elite and then walked out of his city unharmed." She paused seeing his jaw bone grind in disgust. "So I have to ask what chance do you have of surviving past today if she gets in to this city?"
The skeleton warrior stepped back his hand forming a fist. "I'll survive longer than you Warrior Princess!" He turned to surprised girl. "Get back to work!" He watched as sped in to action instantly picking up the water jug and taking it in side the inner keep. He stepped forward meeting the ice over blue gaze. He raised his weapon poking it in her stomach in a savage motion. "Your courage won't save you." Xena sneered slightly as she leaned forward. "Nether will yours." The skeleton warrior pulled back seeing that the other guard was coming back. He turned to face him. "What's going on?" The first warrior turned slightly seeing that two living warriors and a priest were making there way up to the keep. He eyed them as came to a stop. "What is it now!?"
The first living warrior swallowed as he looked around. "All our waters stopped on the north east side of the city." The other warrior turned slightly raising an eyebrow in confusion. "Our waters stopped as well on the east side." The priest turned looking at them both before turning back. "All the waters stopped on the south east side as well…we have two temples which are getting no fresh water at all." The head guard turned in shock staring at them all. "What! You can't be serious? You're telling me that from the north east to the south east there is no fresh water!?" They all stepped back in fear before nodding slightly he narrowed his gaze eyeing them in anger. "I want all the cities lower aqueducts checked now! I want to know what the hell is going on here!"
8
Itzli stepped forward feeling himself breathe in deeply he was free, he moved up the main temples steps slowly seeing the other warriors bow there heads out of respect. He had been to see the Blood Jaguar's carving and could see that he was on it he was as much an icon as she was. He'd always wanted this to be a warrior who was known by his name. So why wasn't he happy about it? Why did it feel so hollow and meaningless? His whole future was to be a guard post at the moon temple yet that now felt even more meaningless. Instead of feeling joy he was angry and sad and he already wanted his scars back. He had spent part of his life being by the Blood Jaguar's side and he didn't want to stop her servant.
Being her servant had been glorious some of the best battles he'd ever had and seen had been with her. Why was she doing this now? Why wasn't she allowing him to finish his journey with her? The truth was that he could now see her true face fully and that true face was selfless and caring and didn't want to cause him anymore suffering. He looked down slightly maybe he could talk her out of it, even help her not as her servant but as a friend. It was funny to think that he wanted to call her friend. He'd spent so long hating her and loathing the monster who he called the Blood Jaguar. The Blood Jaguar wasn't her true face her true face was that off Gabrielle that was her name, her real name.
He'd heard Xena call her by her real name many times, he'd once said to her when they'd met that he didn't care what her real name was. It was funny because looking back he now felt sorry for her. She had been like a wounded animal reaching out for someone to talk to and he'd spat it back in her face, because he was so torn up over the death of his brother. He'd blamed her for it when it wasn't all her fault both him and his brother had started this. They had both drugged her and taken her to the temple altar to be sacrificed. She'd escaped but they'd run after her, in that moment before the winged serpent had risen out of the lake she had been on her knees giving in to the impending death blow which his brother was about to give her.
He looked down slightly she had been completely lost and broken in side wanting someone else to kill her. She was two proud a warrior to put her own weapon in to her chest, in her eyes that was the quick way out but not the meaningful one. She wanted the noble death or no death at all. He should have taken pity on her, not hated her. He'd hated her so much and she'd begun to hate him back, in hind sight he'd just made her awful life even more miserable. She'd begun to explode mentality and emotionally. He'd seen the border line insanity in her eyes so many times, it was as if she knew that she loosing it as well but she had no strength or will to stop it.
As far as the Warrior Princess went her devotion for the other woman was endless, she'd get down on her knees and do anything for her. It all made so much more sense now the loss of her lover had been such a crippling blow emotionally. The Blood Jaguar had been created from all that turmoil, and the real person had been lost. Maybe he could talk her out of going alone, it was a suicide mission maybe he could make her see sense. They could both rescue Xena with out her having to throw her life away. He walked up the steps catching sight of the gold winged horse, he narrowed his gaze where was the other horse? He turned slightly eyeing a warrior close by who bowed out of respect. "Where is the Blood Jaguars horse?"
The warrior looked up slightly. "She took it with her when she left great Itzli." Itzli pulled off his head dress in a violent motion. "When she left, where did she go?!" The warrior stepped back slightly. "I don't know, I was told that our god wishes to speak to you about the matter." Itzli looked at him for a long moment. "Thank you." He turned moving quickly down the inner keeps steps he turned seeing that Huitzilopochtli was seated on his throne. There was another dark haired foreign man wearing leather clothing lying on the floor close by passed out. Itzli moved forward he slowly kneeled down in front of his god who turned to look at him as he broke out of his deep thoughts. "You sent for me great sun god."
Huitzilopochtli looked up slightly. "Yes I did please rise." Itzli stood up slowly looking at the dark haired man again. Huitzilopochtli followed his gaze. "Pay no mind to that pitiful man he is the Greek war god who is both foolish and arrogant." Itzli blinked staring at the fallen man he was the war god of Greece? He was from Gabrielle's birth place.
He stepped forward eyeing the Greek war god, how unlike his god he was, he'd heard all the lesser gods were pitiful shadows of the Aztec gods, why was this lesser god here? He'd been told that the lesser gods were cowardly. He shook his head he could think this over later it was better not to look rude in front of his own god. He turned back meeting his gods amber gaze. "What is the matter that concerns me?" Huitzilopochtli slowly picked up both the scrolls which the Blood Jaguar had written. "These are your last orders the Blood Jaguar wrote them out for you in detail before she left for Tezcatlipoca's city." Itzli slowly took both scrolls he eyed the decorative one which was sealed.
Huitzilopochtli looked up slightly seeing the shock in Itzli's face he breathed in deeply as he leaned forward. "Do you disagree with her decision?" Itzli looked up slightly. "Yes great sun god I do, I believe she's going to her death." Huitzilopochtli sat up slightly. "Why do you have so little belief in her skills as a warrior?" Itzli looked up slightly. "You misunderstand me great sun god, I believe in her skills more than anyone. Its just I know that her sense of honour would also see dying as the right thing if it meant freeing Xena. I find it sad because a great warrior like her doesn't deserve to die she should live on and be happy in her life."
He looked down slightly. "She should be allowed to settle down and have a family with the one she loves and find peace with in her self." Huitzilopochtli put a hand on his chin. "Why do you feel this so strongly? The Warrior Princess is not good for her she is a coward and undeserving of her love?" He sat back knowing that the edge of his voice was thick with jealously. Itzli looked up slightly he could hear the spite in his gods voice over the Warrior Princess as clear as day. "She wished the same for me when she freed me from her services I can do no more than wish the same for her." Huitzilopochtli looked up slightly. "She will never find happiness with the Warrior Princess only pain and suffering none of which she deserves from one who doesn't know how to love her."
Itzli looked up slowly off all the things his god could say that was the least expected it was sounded so jealous and unlike the god he worshipped. Xena was many things she was a moody bitch at times and a pain on many levels, but if anything she loved Gabrielle. He'd seen her be nothing but gentle with her, as well as kind. He was no fool he knew that was one thing between them that was certain and it was their love. With them both it wasn't about sex. It wasn't about control or who owned who it was all unconditional. Huitzilopochtli leaned back. "I'm sure the Warrior Princess manipulates the Blood Jaguar through means of violence and dishonour which she is most undeserving off."
Itzli looked up sharply the Warrior Princess had never raised a hand to her or forced her to do anything she didn't want to. He felt his eyes dart why was his god being so cold? He slowly looked at both scrolls. "I will carry out the Blood Jaguars final orders as she requests great sun god." Huitzilopochtli put a hand on his chin. "Yes you will honour these orders." He looked up slightly. "But if the Blood Jaguars last order is to save the Warrior Princess you will ignore it and you will let her die." Itzli looked up sharply feeling every muscle in his body freeze he couldn't believe he was hearing this! "That is not honourable great sun god, your laws of war state that to let one die by un-honourable means is dishonourable in its self."
Huitzilopochtli looked up smiling slightly. "You will do as I tell you, or I will see it as a betrayal." Itzli blinked in shock, he swallowed steadying himself as he narrowed his gaze. "Why do you command this of me great sun god?" Huitzilopochtli eased up his hand slightly. "Because the Blood Jaguar deserves a better love than that which the Warrior Princess gives to her, she deserves the love of one who truly loves her." He leaned forward. "She deserves my love this is what is truly right for her." Itzli looked up sharply he knew that his god had always liked Gabrielle but up until this moment he hadn't realized that it was love. He was no expert on love but this felt jaded and wrong on every level, it didn't sound like real love ether it sounded twisted and jealous.
To tell him to do this was shocking. He was going against her final orders because he wanted Xena dead and in his view it was honourable and perfectly expectable to do this, despite that it broke his own laws of war. The very laws that until a few days ago he hadn't understood in the way he thought he had and that he hadn't truly embraced until now. Huitzilopochtli looked up slowly. "You will carry out my orders Itzli and honour me by doing so. You will receive more than you could ever dream by carrying out this honour." He turned slightly. "You may go." Itzli turned slowly moving towards the keeps steps. Huitzilopochtli looked up slightly. "Itzli?" He watched as the warrior stopped slowly turning to meet his gaze. "I am doing what is truly right for her, no one loves her the way I do."
End of part 40
Silvermoonlight
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