I WOULD GIVE YOU ALL THAT I AM AND MY EVERY ABSOLUTION

Xena breathed in feeling the intense pain again she looked up watching as blood started to run down from under the shackle. She couldn't feel her hand anymore and her fingers wouldn't move the pain was now travelling along her wrist and under the chains. She couldn't see what the Jaguar god had done to her hand his huge clawed was blocking everything from view. She was starting to feel light headed and she wanted to throw up again, her feet were still barely touching the ground. She couldn't stop screaming she hated to scream it made her feel weak yet she couldn't help it. She was in so much pain and yet all he'd touched was her hand. Tezcatlipoca smiled slowly meeting her gaze which was filled with pain. "It's unlike anything you've ever felt isn't it?"

He felt more skin peal away under the shackle which held her gauntlet. "You can feel every glorious moment of pain can't you? That is the beauty of flaying it's so painfully. Any punishment your gods could give you would be quick you'd feel death but it would be with little suffering." Xena looked up sharply what was flayed?! Tezcatlipoca smirked slightly. "You don't know what flaying is, do you? So your lover didn't tell you about it, what a pity." He pulled her up watching as the chains holding her feet went taught as they left the ground fully. "Flaying is having your skin removed inch by inch Warrior Princess and I have to say for all you're bravery you're not doing so well. You're still screaming like lesser men and women before you."

Xena watched as more blood ran down her arm she found herself crying out as the agonizing knives came again. Tezcatlipoca sneered slightly. "That's it scream for me…I want your lover to hear your voice." He turned watching as a skeleton warrior came running up on to the main keeps platform. He was missing his arm and his shoulder bone had been cracked length ways. Ehecatl turned sharply walking towards him. "What is it?!" The skeleton warrior looked at him and then Amimitl. "The Blood Jaguars here! She's coming up the steps!" Tezcatlipoca turned slowly watching as the warriors all pulled up there weapons instantly. Ehecatl turned sharply. "How many are fighting her down there?" The skeleton warrior turned hearing the battle bellow. "I don't know I didn't see."

Ehecatl turned sharply looking at his living and un-dead warriors. "You hit her hard and fast! Every thing you've heard is the truth she is fast but she's not as big or as strong as any off you, her strength is her speed. It makes her hit harder and dodge you faster, do not let her gain any speed!" Xena turned sharply she could hear the fighting bellow getting louder and closer. The sound of weapons smashing weapons was almost a wonderful sound, it helped block out some of the agonizing pain she was feeling. Tezcatlipoca was keeping her raised in the air his attention was now fully focused on the steps. Itzpapalotl was watching in silence close by her eyes were focused on the steps waiting patently for her lover's arrival.

She ignored the pain as she looked up again she felt her gaze widen as seven men and two skeleton warriors ran up the steps and on to the keeps platform. All had bleeding wounds or in the skeleton warriors cases missing limbs and smashed bones. She could see the panic in there faces as they tried to ready themselves for what was coming. Her whole body stiffened she could feel her as if she was in front of her, her breathe got caught in her throat as an Aztecs axe flew upwards spinning through the air. It smashed directly in to the face of the skeleton warrior closest to edge of the keep sending bone everywhere. The skeleton warrior hit the floor hard his limbs flying outwards as the red light in his shattered eye sockets went out.

Gabrielle felt her feet hit the floor as she looked at the men above her. There were three lying around the bloody altar all were unconscious with numerous wounds. She could see the last set of steps leading up to the main keep right in front of her as clear as day. She snarled aloud as it home what the warriors were doing above, all seven were creating a line to block her passage to the temple. Their weapons were forward which would make it very hard for her to get through them. She could feel the cold blood dripping down her upper shoulder. She roared in anger as she grabbing one of the long poles with a flaming torch at the end. She pulled it down yanking the flaming touch free then threw it over the side of the temple in to the darkness bellow not caring where it landed.

She had lost her axe but it didn't matter she moved back slowly raising the pole which was staff height as she readied it. She could already see their confusion as she backed up further. She'd pole vaulted more than once in her life but never like this, there was only just enough room for a run up and it would be cutting it incredibly fine. She felt her grip tighten she had to get this right otherwise she was going to break her neck. She didn't think as she backed up slamming her foot in the floor. The next moments came in a rush as she ran forward raising the staff higher as she got ready to slam it in to bottom step. She closed her eyes feeling the staff hit the stone hard.

Xena looked up watching in surprise as her lover suddenly appeared flying through the air towards the line of men. Her knees already bent backwards as her hands moved through the air. She blinked in surprise seeing the red Aztec clothing which seemed surreal to her as she was so used the forest greens that the younger woman had grown very much attached to since time had been taken back. She could see the long blonde hair flowing just under the Eagle headdress which hid part of the younger woman's face. It's red, orange and yellow feathers swayed as she flew through the air. An Aztec collar covered her old leather bodice while an Aztec skirt covered her old red velvet one it was a truly frightening image to see.

Because Just about everything matched the memories she'd been forced to see by the other gods, with the exception of the light brown leather gauntlets which were from her other outfit. They broke the image as they didn't match anything and were so out of place. She could see the younger woman's dark brown front lacing leather boots coming in view as she readied herself to land. Gabrielle breathed in sharply she had messed up, the distance for her to land was less than she'd predicated. She had wanted to land behind the men not on them. She watched as the closest man looked up as the realization struck home that it was too late for him to move. She felt the pain as they both collided with each other she winced as her knee impacted with his chest causing him to fall back.

Everything was a painful blur as they both hit the ground hard she felt the pain as his fist impacted with her jaw causing her to be thrown off his body. She hit the floor hard on her knees. Her fingers moved across the ground as she grabbed hold of his fallen shield which was slightly blurred. She shook her head trying to clear it as she brought the wooden shield down hard smashing it in to the fallen warriors face before he could react. Her whole body swung in to action as she slammed her foot out taking the warrior closest clean off his feet. She brought the shield throwing in to the face of the other opposite watching as he cried out in pain. Her hands moved as she grabbed both sai blades bringing them forward so the points were high as she twirled them.

She snarled as she pulled her self up bring them outwards as the skeleton warrior closest came at her only to fall over as the sai blade's hilt smashed his jaw off. Her foot slammed in to his ribs sending him flying backwards so he crashed in the man behind him. She ducked down as one of the axes flew over her head. She stepped sideways avoiding the other shield as flew past her face. She twisted on her heel smashing her foot in to another warriors face as she slammed the sai blades hilt in to the chest off the other who fell back his pain showing. She narrowed her gaze slicing her blades point across the last mans leg causing him to stumble.

She pulled herself up fully smashing her weapon hilt across his face watching as blood flew through his teeth. She could already another group of living and un-dead warriors coming at her. Time didn't seem to matter any more nether did the cries of the head warriors as they moved the remaining warriors forward. She was starting to feel the pain of battle in her limbs but she found herself ignoring it as she slid her feet in to position once more. Xena breathed in deeply, watching as the sai blades went in to play again only this time her lover pace was quicker. She ran towards the men coming at her with out fear her scream of anger hitting the air. Every move was meant to bring someone down or wound them. Bones were being shattered and skulls were being smashed from necks while skeleton limbs were also severed.

The normal men were screaming in pain as the sai blades sliced across their arms, or took them off their feet or disarmed them. Their weapons were missing her as she dodged them every single time it was pure poetry in motion. She didn't care for her pain she just had to watch it because at this moment she'd never been so proud. She had never given the younger woman enough credit when there were times when she deserved it. She hadn't always seen her grow because she'd been too focused on other things which she'd always regretted. Yet if she had ever wanted to see the fruit of her training it was at this very moment, when the world had slowing down and she was the one who was truly being saved.

Gabrielle pulled back watching as the sai blade sliced across a man's chest she watched him stumble back. She swung smashing the hilt of the other in his face causing him to fall to the ground. She felt the pain as his axe shot up slicing across her knee causing her to cry out in pain. She didn't think as she brought up her foot slamming it in to his face, his head snapped back as he hit the ground unmoving. She could see the fallen men around her who weren't unconscious were trying to crawl away or regroup. The second group of warriors was being forced forward and now she could finally see the Tezcatlipoca. He was behind the last line of men his cat like eyes watching her from this safe point. He wasn't alone ether Itzpapalotl was standing near by.

She pushed one her sai blades back in to her boot as she pulled the Chakram free in a swift motion, she should've known, the un-dead bitch would be with him. She was a truly evil goddess and everything about her was vile and disgusting, she was also another one of the gods who wanted her dead and would make a deal with anyone to get her wish. She could see now that her lover had been chained by her feet and her arms to two wooden posts. Tezcatlipoca had her pulled up in the air by her arm she could see blood flowing down her bronze skin on to her armoured shoulder. She narrowed her gaze she didn't need to know what the bastard was doing she knew already that he had started to flay her.

She could feel the intense anger as it burned in the pit of her stomach, her lover was in terrible shape. Her body had bandages on it and dried blood could be seen in places as well as bruises. Her long dark hair was damp with sweat and it looked as though her skin had been darkened from being in the hot sun to long. She could see her blood shot light blue eyes filling with pain as they tried to stay focused on her. She raised the gleaming weapon higher narrowing her gaze as met the Jaguar gods gaze again. A cold silence was spreading through the air as if no one dared to speak. She could feel her fingers twitching as she got ready to throw her lovers weapon she sneered slightly waiting for the next line of men and skeleton warriors to come forward.

Ehecatl blinked in shock he couldn't believe this was happening! This one single person had taken out two of his best units one right after the other just like that! How any one could beat this woman she was completely with out fear? He snarled seeing the last unit of men raise their weapons getting ready to move forward, he could also see the temple priests who had been outside running in side the keep out of fear. Amimitl stepped forward something wasn't making sense the Blood Jaguar was injuring and knocking people out but she wasn't killing people. It made no sense what's so ever, she normally liked to kill and torture or so the myth had always stated. She had her ring of silver yet she seemed to be hesitant to throw it which made even less sense. He raised his hand. "Kill Her!"

Tezcatlipoca roared as he slammed his clawed foot down causing all the remaining men to turn. "Get back now slaves!" He watched as they all turned in confusion. Amimitl stepped forward. "But great lord we have enough warriors to take her on again!" Tezcatlipoca snarled as he eyed him. "You do as I command slave!" Amimitl stepped back watching as all of the warriors slowly backed away from Tezcatlipoca moving to the edge of the keep. All kept their weapons high in the air. Tezcatlipoca watched as the path became clear what was the point of his slaves when he could deal with the Blood Jaguar himself? Why not torment her with the thing she wanted most and make it more interesting?

He slowly raised his clawed hand eyeing her. "So nice to see you again Blood Jaguar it's been so long." He watched as the green eyes slowly froze over, he sneered slightly. "Looking younger I see was that C'thulon's gift to you?" He turned as more skin was burnt away from the dark haired woman's arm he pulled her up savagely ignoring her scream of pain. "I believe this is yours." Gabrielle took a slow step forward lowering the Chakram slightly. "You bastard…." Tezcatlipoca smiled slightly looking at the Warrior Princess. "Now that I have your full attention lets talk." Gabrielle slowly narrowed her gaze. "What do we have to talk about?" Tezcatlipoca looked up slightly "We have a lot to talk about Blood Jaguar! More than you realize!"

He raised his clawed hand. "You stole my wife from me!" Gabrielle eyed him for a long moment. "You didn't deserve your wife." Tezcatlipoca snarled aloud meeting the Warrior Princess's gaze, he looked up slightly. "You changed time for this pitiful woman I fail to see what you find so special about her. Maybe you could tell me what it is and satisfy my curiosity." Gabrielle sneered slightly. "You would never understand and I wouldn't waste my breath trying to tell you." Tezcatlipoca felt his teeth grin together. "You should tell me…I'll make your death a lot quicker if you do." Gabrielle narrowed her gaze slowly. "I'd rather die than answer any question you ask…." She turned hearing Itzpapalotl's cold laugh hit the air.

Tezcatlipoca eyed Itzpapalotl who was laughing slightly. "What are you laughing at!?" Itzpapalotl looked up slowly. "You should for fill her request after all once you're done I get to send her the seventh hell." Gabrielle turned to meet her gaze. "I won't be joining your hell." Itzpapalotl leered slightly. "Well we'll see about that won't we Blood Jaguar?" She felt her hand form a fist. "After all it would be a worthy punishment for you, since you destroyed my temple!" Gabrielle snarled aloud eyeing her. "I would destroy every temple you have if I could. It would give my great pleasure to watch them all fall." Tezcatlipoca sneered as he turned back meeting the Blood Jaguars cold gaze. "You can not defeat me in battle you no longer have a godly tattoo to protect you!"

Gabrielle smiled but it was cruel smile. "Why don't you come closer and find out if that's true." She twirled the sai blade in her hand. "I want to see your ugly face when I stick this in to it." Xena felt the pain as she was suddenly dropped the chains were forcefully unravelled causing her to slam in to the ground hard on her front. She screamed in agony as she tried to move her damaged hand as she pulled it up finally seeing the horror of the damage. There was no skin just muscle and tendons showing through. All the skin was missing across half her arm and her hand her blood was dripping on to the stone floor. She tried to move only to feel the jaguar gods clawed foot slam in to her back stopping all her movement.

She groaned painfully trying to take the pain which went through her damaged arm again like knives. She lowered her arm which she knew was beyond repair. If she did survived this she would have a permanently damaged arm for the rest of her life if it didn't have to be amputated first due to disease and infection. Tezcatlipoca roared with his might as he eyed the Blood Jaguar in disgust. "Tell me did you come to my grand keep to die?" Gabrielle looked up feeling a sudden calm fill her senses. "No…I came here to live with honour." Tezcatlipoca slowly pressed his foot in to the Warrior Princess's back enjoying her yelp of pain. "Enjoy your view of the Blood Jaguar Warrior Princess, this will be the last time you'll ever see her alive."

He turned eyeing Itzpapalotl as he removed his clawed foot. "Watch her!" Itzpapalotl moved forward she kneeled down grabbing the dark woman's hair pulling her up on to her knees. "Now don't slouch Warrior Princess we wouldn't want you to miss the show. After your lover dies it will be your turn to have the rest of your skin flayed off and your insides ripped out." She leaned closer to her ear. "I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to watching it." Xena eyed her feeling the rage as it started to boil and twist in her stomach. She snarled aloud ignoring the pain and effort every breath took as she made it. "I hope she destroys you and Tezcatlipoca…then sends you both to Tartarus…."

Tezcatlipoca moved forward slowly he calmly twitched his clawed hands as he eyed his men who had backed away even further giving him more to fight. "If any of you interferes I will kill you!" He watched as they backed away further. "Is that understood!?" Ehecatl nodded slowly. "As you wish…." He no longer cared for the outcome or the view, he just wanted this to be over so he could leave and find the Star Coyote. Amimitl sneered watching as the unconscious men were moved away so the main keeps floor was clear. He didn't see the point of this he had men he could have still brought down the Blood Jaguar. This was just a charade of power no more and no less and it didn't matter to him anymore, becoming leader of the armies did matter though.

Tezcatlipoca narrowed his gaze as he came closer he could blast the Blood Jaguar with fire and burn her body to its bones. He could make every muscle her body tense until they tore. He could make her stomach rupture and her lungs burst, he could even take away her ability to have children but what was the fun it that? Nothing could take away the pure pleasure of breaking and destroying all those things in the old fashioned way. He still couldn't understand why she was challenging him. She couldn't hope to win this battle the godly item around her neck gave her no power of any kind that could help her fight. He turned sharply the pendent had to be gift from Huitzilopochtli.

The soft pathetic fool would give her anything and this proved it, he had probably told her how to get in to his city. Yet the fool wasn't here to save her and he hadn't brought his living army to the gate. Maybe he'd send him her burnt out pelvis bone as a present. Huitzilopochtli dreamed of having children with her so wouldn't that be the ultimate way to spite him? He could have the very part of her body that was her vessel of childbirth and wouldn't be able to resurrect her as her bone would be no more than bone with out any soul in it. He would have her soul he would capture it in her skull for eternity. He would have this skull as a trophy for all to see until the end of time. Only when the end of time came would the world be purged with fire as it stopped spinning. The great stars in the night's sky would die out and all the souls of gods and men would return to C'thulon for the coming of the second creation of the world. Everything was infinite just like Ouroboros the serpent god who eat his tail, in destruction it would always begin again a new.

End of part 45

Silvermoonlight.

Ouroboros "tail-devouring snake" is an ancient symbol of a serpent or dragon swallowing its own tail and forming a circle. Is also a being which constantly re-creates its self.