LOOK UPON THE BLEEDING MOON AND AWAIT THE SILVER SUN

Itzli pulled the horses reins as the golden horse came to land full force on the platform near the main altar, he didn't think as he leaped out of the saddle. He could hear the Warrior Princess screaming above which caused him to flinch painfully. He had seen it happen and he couldn't believe it, he didn't want to believe it! He'd seen the Star Coyote push the sword right through Gabrielle's body. Why hadn't Gabrielle turned? It was as if she had been blind sided and had, had no time to react. He could see her terrible wounds which were still leaking blood and it chilled him to bone, her body was a mess. She endured so much pain and suffering and yet she'd still been standing right to her ever end.

He let go of the reins of the other horse who screeched as he pulled his weapon free. No one had taken any notice of him not even the gods they where all far to focused on the Star Coyote to care. He had come too late! He should have come earlier he shouldn't have thought about his gods words he should have ignored them. He had hesitated and now he was paying the price for his actions. He burst in to a run he would for fill Gabrielle's last wishes! Or he would die trying to for fill them! If she did survived this he would do everything to make sure that he got her healed by Xochipilli! He could do this he was with out fear and he knew now what honour and nobility truly meant! He felt his feet hit the stone steps as he dodged and jumped over the fallen men littering the keeps steps, who were ether coming around or holding bleeding wounds. He didn't care for them as far as he was concerned they were defeated cowards who would run away as soon as they came to and that made them someone else's problem!

8

Akemi smiled ignoring the Warrior Princess's screaming which slowly came to stop leaving only a cold silence. She leaned close to the other woman's ear again. "In the end I always win, that's how it works. Don't feel bad I'll take good care of Xena for you." Gabrielle snarled aloud as those words hit home she brought up her sai blade slamming it full force in to Akemi's upper back with the last of her dying strength. She groaned trying to focus as she pushed it in deeper ignoring the other woman's scream of pain as she came closer lowering her voice to a whisper. "You and your god…are going…to Tartarus." Akemi pulled away feeling the sai blade come free from her back, causing blood to flow. She pulled the Katana out from Gabrielle's body in a violent motion watching as her blood hit the floor. "You bitch!"

She held her shoulder trying to take the pain, which was only made worse because of her burn wound. She raised the bloody weapon only to see that Gabrielle was no longer looking at her. Her good eye was focused on the Warrior Princess who was looking back at her. She snarled aloud in disgust as she raised her sword higher she was going to severe her head from her neck! Tezcatlipoca roared in anger as he came closer, she'd taken away his kill! He had waited for so long for this and she'd taken it from him the little bitch! The Blood Jaguar was inches from death he could feel it! He didn't think as brought his hand around smashing it in to her side causing her to be thrown sideways he watched as she slammed in to floor close by full force on her side. "You stupid bitch she was mine to kill!"

Akemi didn't think as she pulled herself up on to knees ignoring the intense pain spiking through her body. She could already see Ehecatl was running towards her his weapon raised. She coughed spitting the blood out of her mouth as she stood up slowly bringing the Katana up as Tezcatlipoca came closer. "She ruined my life! It's a fitting end to the little blonde bitch's life!" Gabrielle felt her world stop all at once as she dropped one of her sai blades she raised her bloody hand to her bleeding mid section. On Lycaon's battle field she had been stabbed in this same way with a roman sword. It would have killed her but the Titan armour Horn Hind with its great deer antlers had given her infinite healing ability in both human and werewolf form.

She coughed feeling the blood as it began to come up in her throat. She could already feel the cold as it started to move through her body, she'd felt it more than once in her life. It was her body crying out as her life began to drain. Yet in this moment unlike in the others everything was so clear. That sword was supposed to bring about her death that day. She suddenly found her self smiling as everything started to blur in her good eye and her lover's light blue gaze slowly faded away. She could feel the blood as it leaked from her other wounds and from the huge wound on her back were a flayed symbol of her old tattoo had been made. Blood was running down her damaged shoulders and her outer leg where the other tattoo had once been. Yet she couldn't really feel the pain anymore only sense in everything.

This was the price she'd paid when she had turned back time both hers and Xena's destinies had been to die on the cross. She'd traded that destiny for another and in this one her own life was forfeit. None of this filled her with anger or even sadness she was willing to pay this price so her lover could live on. She stumbled back further feeling the cold which was chilling now it felt like ice against warm skin. It hurt to breath and there was no point in fighting anymore, she knew she would end Tezcatlipoca's reign, her death would be the beginning. She felt her feet slip as she finally lost all her strength she didn't feel the stone floor as she fell forward hitting it hard on her side. In one hand she could feel her remaining sai blade which she had no strength left to raise. She breathed in deeply feeling her good eye close as she tried to remember something that meant more to her, than her life. She could think off a million images but one seemed to come to her more than any other as the sound died all around her and the crashing waves breaking the shore of Apollonia filled her mind.

8

Gabrielle turned only to feel Xena grab her waist as they both fell back on to the soft sand rolling over it. She laughed slightly trying to free herself from the taller woman who held her tighter refusing to let go. Xena pulled her lover in her lap enjoying the sound of her laugher which filled her with calm. "No you're not going anywhere." Gabrielle tried to struggle slightly only feel the grip around her waist tighten. "Xena please…." Xena grinned slightly not caring if anyone could see them. Why should she care? The villa in Apollonia was so secluded they had this beach all to themselves. Only the odd fisherman came up to the beach every now and again.

She eased one hand free keeping the other tightly in place as she slowly ran her hand over the dark green halter tops shoulder and then moved it gently though the long blonde hair. "You have to answer the question." Gabrielle turned slightly meeting the warm light blue gaze, which was filled with mischief and pleasure. "I'll only answer it, if you answer my question first." Xena let go of the other woman's waist watching as she turned to face her. She could see the sun light hitting the green of the other woman's eyes causing them to come alive in didn't shades of lighter green. She looked down as she swept the sand of her lower leather bodice before meeting the intense green eyes again. "Okay."

Gabrielle looked down slightly she wanted so desperately hear the answer to this one question which had been haunting her. Maybe because memories from her past had been playing on her mind she'd pushed them all under and she hadn't told her lover anything. She was too afraid of the dark shadows that still hadn't left her soul. They had promised so long ago to not hold back secrets but this one she knew she wasn't ready to talk about. Even though it haunted her dreams and gave her nightmares. Nightmares that reminded her of just how evil and twisted and violent she could truly be. She looked up slowly meeting the curious light blue gaze. "If I became evil and did truly cruel things would you still love me?"

Xena felt her gaze widen what an odd question for the younger woman to ask. She found herself laughing slightly at her lover question which sounded like joke. Gabrielle narrowed her gaze as she leaned forward. "I'm being serious!" She felt her teeth clamp together instantly as her terrified emotions started to race, she had said that far too sharply and with to much anger. She lowered her gaze slowly looking at the sand why couldn't she just keep that to herself? Why couldn't she just let this haunting past go? Xena blinked now that was stupid, she could be so foolish at times and unfeeling. Gabrielle's question had been a very serious one and she'd seen it as a joke. This was one of her old habits that she was going to spend her new life time burning out along with never apologising when she did things that were wrong.

She slowly moved closer using both her hands to gently ease the younger woman's head up so she could see her eyes. The green eyes were filled with a dark inner pain for a moment before they turned to look at her. She leaned forward so she was with in inches of her lover's face. "I'm sorry that was wrong of me, I want to answer your question." She smiled slightly as she leaned even closer. "I don't see you as evil Gabrielle or cruel but know this if you ever became that way I wouldn't love you any less." She gentle kissed her enjoying the warmth of the soft kiss, she pulled away slightly feeling the next words as they came out softly. "I'll love you forever."

They were such deeps words yet they slipped out with such ease. She had been wanted to say them ever since she'd been brought back by C'thulon but her courage had left her on both the other occasions that she'd tried. She'd said something else instead so she didn't feel foolish. This moment though had just seemed so right, the beach their vacation in Apollonia and the calm all around her. Gabrielle slowly leaned forward trying to catch her breath as her heart started to beat faster. If anything that was one of the most profound things Xena had ever said to her. She'd said it once before but it had been in Julius Caesar's twisted alternate world. In the stress and turmoil of the moment it had hurt because she was being dragged away be roman soldiers as Xena was dragged to the cross.

Now the warrior was saying these words not because it was goodbye, she was saying them just to say them. She raised her hands gently running them through the long dark hair smiling slightly. She could see the unsure look in her lover's light blue gaze. "Thank you." She leaned forward gently meeting her lips again not wanting to break away. She wanted to loose herself in the moment more than other. There were so many things she wanted to say but the truth was all she wanted to do was show her sincerest love and devotion and this was the only way she knew how. She could feel the other woman's hand running through her hair as the kiss became deeper and more wanting, which caused a sensation to run though her whole body that was a strong as the waves crashing against the shore close by.

8

Gabrielle looked up with her good eye began to see again in the sky above everything was turning to beautiful white and gold light. It was spreading across the sky towards her. It was so beautiful, so glorious she could see a silver tunnel opening up slowly. It glowing inner light drawing her inwards and upwards as it called to her. She couldn't feel any pain just pure bliss she felt her fingers slowly close fully around her remaining weapon. Tezcatlipoca came closer watching as the Star Coyote stepped back. The Blood Jaguar had finally fallen and he couldn't capture her soul because his blow hadn't been the one to bring her death! He had been cheated out of his prize by this mortal! He stepped closer eyeing Ehecatl stopped talking hold of the Star Coyotes shoulder as he lowered his weapon. "Get back slave!"

Ehecatl looked up sharply, he no longer cared he was done with his god, all he cared about now was the Star Coyote! He waited to long to have what he wanted and the seventh hell no longer frightened him. "I refuse!" Tezcatlipoca looked up as his hand formed a fist. "You dare to defy me! I am your god you will get on your knees slave and worship me!" He turned watching Itzpapalotl moved towards the Blood Jaguar's body. "Take her soul and I will destroy you!" Itzpapalotl turned eyeing the Warrior Princess whose head was hung over in defeat as everything truly sunk in before turning back. "You did not kill her which makes her soul mine! It's not my fault that you can't control the Star Coyote and your head warrior!"

She moved closer. "Her soul is going to be mine and that of her lover's! I'm ready to kill you Tezcatlipoca and your army. If it means I get what's mine by right!" Akemi looked up slightly as she saw something in the jaguar god's collar it was hidden by all the hanging gold but it was now obvious even to her what it was now. It was the Naui Quiahuitl pendent which was fixed in place by the other gold, she recognised the design from the scared scroll she'd read in the library. It also meant that the one in the temple was a fake because the design was different. She was going to take that pendent from that bastard, it was meant to be hers! She could change her destiny with it!

Itzpapalotl moved a step closer the Blood Jaguar's fallen body only to stop as she watched green light start to rise up from it, it looked like smoke as it drifted upwards. The Blood Jaguar's soul was about to leave her body. She smiled raising her hand only to stop as the sound of rolling thunder came from the sky above. She looked up slowly only freeze as the silver and blue light lit up the clouds above. The light started to shower down like snow as a white light appeared high above. The light started to part revealing its gold and silver lit tunnel. She knew what it was and it filled her with utter terror, as well as hated. She turned stepping back seeing the green light rise up higher from the blonde's woman's body.

Tezcatlipoca pulled back in terror he eased up his hand trying to stop the tunnel opening, only to realize that he was powerless to stop the heavenly gate opening! He turned eyeing Itzpapalotl. "Stop it opening!" Itzpapalotl backed away fully as green fire blasted outwards engulfed the blonde's body fully. "I can't it's my grandsons doing I have no power over it!" Xena looked up, what in Tartarus was happening!? She could see green fire rising up from her lover's body and the sky above which was filled with white light as the huge silver and gold tunnel widened as it opened further. She suddenly felt nauseous, her body didn't feel right. It felt like she was being stretched thin the pain in her chest was getting worse.

She couldn't keep her eyes open, all her strength was draining and her head was starting to pound like a drum. She could feel Gabrielle's presence slipping away from her. She couldn't stop herself as she fell forward hitting the floor hard on her knees. She could see blue light rising up all over her body like smoke as she raised her hand undamaged arm towards the rising green flames which were getting higher and brighter. She wasn't sure if she was awake or dreaming she wanted this to be a dream she wanted wake up! She groaned painfully she couldn't fight this draining feeling anymore. She fell forward hitting the floor hard on her front, everything suddenly blurred before turning to darkness a darkness which felt cold and harrowing.

Itzli looked up just in time to see a green fire rise even higher as his foot hit the platform of the main keep. He could see the huge tunnel and he knew now that he couldn't stop what was going to happen next, only Huitzilopochtli himself could stop it and he wouldn't! The sun gods warriors were going to ascend and they would collect her soul which was leaving her body and destroying it in the process along with her weapons. The Hummingbird heavens gates were now wide open waiting for her soul which was now in its unrestrained form. He had never seen this happen only read myths about it in scrolls and seen images on temples walls showing it. The truth was very few people ever got to see this in their lifetime. If the myths were true only Gabrielle's skull would be left behind.

It was the piece of her body which was the window in to her soul and the cradle between life and death. For life itself was contained in the eyes sockets which housed the soul itself, which looked out in to the world behind the wall of flesh and bone. After death these empty socket remained as the thing that could bring back life, or so the ethereal myth said. He no longer cared ether way he was going to take her skull the moment after she ascended. He would not allow Huitzilopochtli or any other god to take it! He looked up sharply as the green flames suddenly split turning in to tentacles of green fire which swung outwards. They swished sideways violently taking on a life all their own as they became even brighter.

They suddenly flew outwards past the jaguar god as they smashed against the wooden pole closest wrapping around it violently. The green fire burned causing the embedded Chakram to hit the floor near the Warrior Princess's flayed hand. He could see blue waving fire coming up from the dark haired woman's body, he watched as it tried desperately to reach towards the green flames. All this was happening and yet Xena wasn't even conscious, the green flames moved slamming to the shackles wrapping around all four of them. He blinked in shock as they were pried open fully causing the woman's hands and legs to fall free. The chains and shackles hit the floor all at once as the fire threw them violently aside.

He breathed feeling his every muscle freeze in shock so it was true. For one single moment in time an ascending warrior could do anything they wanted even pry open godly chains. He pulled back as the green tentacles of flame came back to the fire disappearing with in it. None of Tezcatlipoca's remaining men were daring to come forward or touch this green fire. What was the point anyway they all knew that the next moments would bring hell and they couldn't stop it. The green flames suddenly blasted upwards like spire towards the heavens. It disappeared in to the silver tunnel its fire some comet like tail disappearing last from sight. He didn't think as he grabbed her fallen bag which was lying close by, by its burnt strap he knew what was in it, it had seen in her orders what it would be.

He could see the skull sitting there on the ground of the main keep bleached completely white and still to the world. He moved forward grabbing it a swift motion putting it in the bag as he ran towards Xena seeing the blue light fade from body. Akemi screamed watching her pendent pulse with red light as she turning to Tezcatlipoca who was looking up at the silver tunnel. "Give me the time pendent you bastard!" She watched a comet of blazing red fire came down from the sky smashing in to Tezcatlipoca's collar causing him to stumble back in shock. She watched godly gold flew outwards as his gold collar came free from his neck. It flew through the air slamming in to ground hard she moved forward to grab it only to watch in shock as a skeleton hand shot forward pulling the broken godly collar out of her reach.

Ehecatl pulled up the huge collar as he turned meeting her horrified light brown gaze. He could see his god coming forward his clawed hand stretched wide. "Take me with you!" He would have her even if he had to black mail her! His gods city was about to be devastated by humming bird warriors. It was better to flee now than fight a loosing battle that his army would not win. Akemi blinked she could see Itzli running towards Xena in the corner of her eye. She breathed in painfully Tezcatlipoca was with in inches of her. She breathed in painfully it wasn't meant to happen this way! She needed Xena! She wanted Xena! She watched as the clawed hand came closer in what felt like slow motion.

She would not be able to defeat Tezcatlipoca it was impossible to do she had nether the strength nor the power. She breathed in deeply and painfully she could get Xena later. She turned eyeing Ehecatl in disgust as she raised her pendent, screaming in anger. "Fine!" Tezcatlipoca swung his clawed hand only to miss as the Star Coyote and his head warrior disappeared in a blast of red light. Itzli turned watching as swam of hummingbirds that were off every colour under the sun burst through the silver and gold opening. Everything was now going in to chaos. He had just seen the Star Coyote vanish along with the head warrior in a blast of red light as she'd teleported out but not before smashing the Jaguar god's gold collar off with one of her red stars and taking it.

Itzpapalotl was backing away from him he could see the confusion and horror in her eyes as it hit home that Tezcatlipoca was loosing control. It was suddenly all so clear Gabrielle had done this on purpose she had forfeited her soul for her lovers! She had died the honourable death so that the hummingbird armies would ascend up on this city and destroy it! He could already see the skeleton warriors all around him fleeing as terror and panic broke out. The first swarm of humming birds were descended up on the main keep in their thousands, yet this first group of tiny birds was no more than a single unit. He could see more silver and golden gateways appearing in the sky over the city which filled the dark sky with white light as millions more hummingbirds poured out of each. The moment they touched the ground they would become warriors and then they would go after every warrior off the apposing army human or skeleton. There had only two objectives to destroy them and then capture every innocent in the city.

Men, women and children, all would be taken back to Huitzilopochtli's city. None would be killed they just be converted and brought in as new worshippers. Huitzilopochtli didn't believe in sacrificing innocence's he preferred to bring them in openly so they could become part of his city. He believed it would make him greater and in doing so he'd make his enemies weaker by taking his followers. He'd seen it through out his training as a young boy but this capture would be unlike any other. His god would be bringing home thousands to the grand city. He had no more time left he had to get Xena out of here no matter what! Huitzilopochtli would be coming here soon and he didn't want to be here as his betrayal would be obvious. He knew already were he was going to flee to, he leaned forward grabbing the Warrior Princess's good arm. He growled aloud as he tried to get the unconscious warrior to her feet with his free hand as he grabbed the fallen Chakram hooking it to his belt.

End of part 47

Silvermoonlight.

The Ethereal myth is not a real myth I was trying to come up with a concept as to why the ancient Aztecs kept peoples skulls after their death. So my idea is that they see it as the vessel between life and death because the soul looks out from the eye sockets. It's also seen as the cradle for the soul itself and that makes it very prized.

Thank you, HAZMOT, Korkyra, Lucy Winchester and Bad Girl762 and Haxan for all your reviews and kind words.