THE RIVERS OF TIME SEND OUT THERE ECHOES TO YOU

Xochiquetzal turned moving towards Xena and Gabrielle who now lay still on the floor. She looked at them for a long moment before meeting Huitzilopochtli sad gaze. "I'm going to take them back to my keep, your welcome to come." Huitzilopochtli turned sharply. "I can heal them in my temple, I owe it to them." Xochiquetzal shook her head sadly. "That is not a good idea." She turned looking at the damaged square. "You can not allow Gabrielle to wake up and see this, she won't be well enough to take the pressure of knowing that a part of her caused all this." She lowered her gaze. "That is if she remembers anything at all, a part of me hopes that she doesn't. May be then Xena can hide it from her, for her own sake."

She put a hand on her face. "You know as well as I do that there's no guarantee when it comes to what people do remember when they are brought back. Some remember nothing and it can take years for it to come back to them. Others remember gradually and some remember everything and they find it very difficult to deal with, I hope for your sake that for her it's very gradual." She looked at him for a long moment she found her words coming out in a rush. "Did you sleep with her, please tell me the truth?" Huitzilopochtli looked down slowly there was no point in lying about this one. "Yes I did." Xochiquetzal breathed in deeply feeling a twinge of pain. "I've heard that you can make your hummingbird warriors pregnant. Was her angelic side before she merged back with her counterpart?"

Huitzilopochtli turned fully to meet her gaze. "No she wasn't I asked her and she said she wasn't ready, I would never defy her wish, I love her." Xochiquetzal looked in to his sad gaze again he was being honest she could see it in his eyes. "Perhaps when she's well enough to pick between you and Xena, you will be able to tell her that if she remembers and put her mind at rest." Huitzilopochtli shook his head as he looked at Xena he could see Itzli leaning down next to her. "I feel she has already made that choice." Xochiquetzal put a hand on her chin. "She had to reconnect to Xena's soul no matter what, it was essential to her survival now that she's alive." Huitzilopochtli shook his head. "Stop it Xochiquetzal, stop trying to make me feel better."

He looked down slightly. "We both know that she came to Xena, she's already made her choice with out having to say it. If she wanted me she would have fallen in to my arms and not Xena's. It was her choice, her choice is her own and I will respect it even if I don't like it. I've already put her through far too much pain, because of my arrogance." He looked at the dead serpent. "That same arrogance has also cost my people far too much it will also take me time to fix my city." Chantico moved forward eyeing both fallen women before turning to Xochiquetzal. "Where would like me to teleport these two in your temple?" Xochiquetzal looked at her for a long moment. "Take them to my main keep."

Itzli stood up quickly looking at the fertility goddess. "I wish to come to Xena also has her winged horse here." Chantico turned eyeing Huitzilopochtli. "Where is Xena's horse?" Huitzilopochtli turned slightly. "I didn't hurt it, I put it at the top of temple the illusion on it wore off of its own accord." He turned catching sight of his head warriors who were both making their way down the temple steps. Chantico turned to Itzli. "I'll teleport you and them and then it'll come back for the horse…." She turned to Xochiquetzal giving her a soft smile. "I'll see you back at the…." Her words were cut off as one of the hummingbird warriors ran up to her closely followed by another living man. Coaxoch eyed the goddess as he came closer. "You're leaving?"

Chantico eyed the head hummingbird warrior before looking at the Xena and Gabrielle again. "Yes I'm leaving and they are coming with me." Coaxoch eyed the little dog in his hands before looking up. "Please take this dog with you." He turned looking at Blood Jaguar now in her living form passed out on the floor along with the Warrior Princess. They'd obviously managed to merge her and kill the grand serpent, he snapped out of his thoughts as he met Chantico's annoyed gaze. "It belongs to the Blood Jaguar." Chantico slowly took the small dog from his hand watching as it whimpered, she hated these little things. They were a joke, they looked more like vermin, she'd drunk from better looking things, she held it in one arm as she eyed him. "Fine…."

Coaxoch stepped back as the goddess burst in flames vanished from site in an instant taking both the Warrior Princess and the Blood Jaguar as well as Itzli with her. Xochipilli moved forward watching as Huitzilopochtli's golden eyes slowly followed him. "Allow me to stay and help you heal your people." Huitzilopochtli folded his arms, he wanted to say no but he knew that wasn't possible now and he'd look bad if he did. He eased up hand eyeing the smaller man. "Very well." He turned grabbing Ares as he walked by with violent force. He ignored the look of disgust the lesser god was giving him. "As for you, I believe we need to have a little talk!"

Ares sneered slightly. "Will we be talking about how much of an idiot you are, since it's been the grand topic of the day?" Huitzilopochtli didn't think as he grabbed hold of his shirt with violent force lifting him up so his feet were moving through nothing but air. He ignored Xochiquetzal's shocked gaze. "Unless you wish to leave here with out your bones broken I suggest that you be silent lesser god!" Every part of him wanted to make good on that threat. Ares felt his teeth grind together. "Go ahead idiot." Huitzilopochtli didn't think as smashed his fist in to the lesser gods face watching as the blood flew out of his nose. He paused for a second only to hit him even harder watching as his dark eyes rolled back as he passed out from the force of the blow. He didn't think as he threw him against the nearest wall watching as his limp body smashed in to the floor.

Xochiquetzal watched her brother shook his head as he sighed she turned back to Huitzilopochtli. "Was that really necessary?" Huitzilopochtli turned to her feeling the anger melt away. "When you have time you should ask Chantico about him, since she found him before any one else. She'll tell you just how much of pain he is." Xochiquetzal blinked as she looked at the fallen lesser god. "I'll do that, are you just going to leave him there?" Huitzilopochtli sneered slightly. "I'll pick him up when I'm good and ready." He eyed the fallen lesser war god he couldn't wait to get rid of him he had been far more trouble than he was worth.

8

Akemi eyed the golden skull watching as its eyes lit up red as it spoke its harsh tone hit the air. "As you wish Star Coyote, where would you like to go in the echoes of time?" Akemi ignored his remark as she eyed the floating gold rings which gleamed in the low light. "I want to go to a time where swords are meaningless." The golden skull's red eyes glowed brighter. "There are three time frames that would suit your requirement which do wish to see?" Akemi smirked as she stepped away. "I want to see all three!" All fourteen skulls spoke in union as their eyes glowed brighter. "We will show you what you desire we will consume the stars for you and bring our light to all the heavens and the hells."

Akemi watched as the light burst outwards from the spinning calendar which began to spin again. Silver light shot upwards in a massive flaming white spire heading through the opening in the temple's roof moving towards the sun above. She smiled as she heard the crack of thunder as the spire smashed through the clouds causing them to turn inwards as they did in a hurricane. Another spire of red light smashed through the temple's floor as it headed downwards disappearing from sight. White light burst out of all of the skulls mouths hitting the calendar behind her. The calendars golden rings stopped spinning once more as three golden doorways floated forward busting in to multicoloured light as they opened showing people in time as they moved around.

The light stopped as all the skulls shut their mouths while the two spires of light carried on pulsing causing the gold calendar rings to shine brighter. The golden skull spoke again. "Here are the three times we give you." Ehecatl didn't think as he grabbed Akemi's arm. "What about C'thulon isn't this going to wake him up?!" Akemi laughed as she met his glowing red eyes. "He won't wake up, not yet at least he only wakes up when he's senses time being changed, but by then this place will be to strong." She eased up her hand pointing to the spire of flaming white light. "This godly device draws its power from heaven and hell it's self, every god, man, beast and monster will see this spire."

She laughed watching as he blinked. "They'll see this and no that they are powerless to stop it." She patted his skeletons fingers. "So don't worry, no ones going to stop us." She turned back looking at the first image of men running across a grassy plain wearing strange blue long sleeve shirts which opened in the centre and had an inner white shirt. They all had white dirty and bloody trousers and black boots, they also carried long staffs which had dagger attached to the end. Their strange helmets were black and high with red and blue plumes. The counter army which were lining up opposite wore blood red long sleeve shirts which had thick white stripes running across both sides of the chest.

They also had smaller dark helmets which had a gold symbol at the front and white feathered tuffs at the top. White decorative patterns could be seen on the red sleeve shirt all their dark trousers were mud stained as were their black boots. They held the same strange quarter staffs with daggers at the end. She turned eyeing the golden skull. "What is this joke?" The golden skull eyes glowed red again as it spoke. "This is the Napoleonic War this war lasted twelve years and many of the great empires battled each other." Akemi sneered in disgust. "This is pathetic show me something more interesting." Her gaze darted as the gleaming round ring moved allowing another to come forward. Its inner image showed men covered in fully gleaming with huge swords, maces and axes. They were on what looked like armoured war horses.

She narrowed her gaze watching as they clashed on the battle field the screams and blood could be seen as armour smashed armour and swords and maces hit their mark. "What's so interesting about this?" The golden skull spoke sharply. "The mighty knights of later centuries were principal warriors through out empires, until they fell in the face of a weapon beyond them." Akemi folded her arms watching as the knight closest suddenly fell of his horse as something hit his armour piercing a wide hole which caused blood to spray outwards. His whole armoured body hit the floor hard lying completely still and un-moving as the battle carried on around him. She looked up sharply. "What just killed him?"

The golden skulls eyes began to glow white. "The weapon that will shape the later world the muzzle loaded musket and it smaller counter part the hand held musket." Akemi raised an eyebrow, now this was interesting. "Did this musket you speak off ever enter Mexica?" The last gold ring moved in front of her as the other two moved back. The gold skulls eyes glowed red. "Destruction came on swift wings in the form of the conquistador Hernán Cortez who wanted to conqueror all of Mexica." Akemi stepped closer watching as large burly man came in to view. He had a long dark thick beard and his short black hair was short. He had dark eyebrows as well as dark brown eyes, his smile was manic and it showed of his shining canine teeth one of which was plated with gold.

His skin was a dark bronze shade, he had a thick heavy helmet which was protected most of the head but stopped just bellow the ears. A very heavy rim went around it from back to front. There was what looked like a thick fin of metal that went over the top and a thick red plume could be seen on coming out from one side. Heavy plated armour covered his shoulders, wide chest and back. A thick material dusty red and blue covered his arms and he had thick leather cloves. He also had dark brown coloured trousers and heavy black knee high boots, and he had a sword in his heavy brown leather belt. She watched as face turned to disgust as he eyed the warrior in front of him. His deep voice hit the air and she understood what he was saying perfectly. "You can tell king Cuauhtemoc that I shall give him no quarter!"

The eagle warrior who was surrounded by Cortez's men stepped back his head dress swaying as he raised his axe higher. He grinded his teeth together as he spoke. "The jaguars claws will strike you down and Quetzalcoatl will descend up on you invader!" Cortez didn't think as he eased the musket pistol free from its holder on his belt, he slowly pulled the flint lock back as he pointed it at the confused warrior. "Your god can't fight me savage." He didn't think as fired it watching as it hit its mark sending blood outwards as the lead ball hit the warrior's chest causing smoke to drift through the air from the pistols barrel. The eagle warrior's body slammed in to the floor shaking as death took over, he sneered as he looked at his men who said nothing before looking at the dead eagle warrior. "I'm a god here savage and you're just rotting flesh."

Akemi turned back a cruel smile forming. "I want to go there." The golden skull's eyes began to glow red again. "Then you are truly doomed, should the elder god awaken." Akemi smirked as she eyed him. "I don't care what you think you're a dead centre piece. You had your chance to twist time and you messed it up." The golden skulls lower jaw ground against its upper gem stone teeth before it spoke again. "You will not be able return you will need to take the pendent from that time. Once you have it, you can travel back here and then to another time should you wish it. As you are a traveller all languages will be understandable to you." Ehecatl stepped forward feeling the fear if he had any guts he'd know that his stomach would be churning with panic right now. "I don't think this is a good idea." Akemi turned eyeing him. "Shut up Ehecatl!" She blinked as something hit home she turned eyeing the golden skull. "You dead golden bastard if I'd jumped through the other times there would have been no time pendent waiting for me would there!?"

She sneered slightly. "I would have been stranded in some other time with no way home." The golden skull red eyes glowed brighter. "The time pendent is always awaiting you even if you have to cross seas and empires to find it." Akemi turned away sharply. "Oh well I'll be sure to pick it up when I visit Cortez!" The golden skull was quite for a moment before it spoke. "Destroying the Aztec empire will not ease the pain of your vengeful heart Akemi." It paused again before addressing the skeleton warrior. "Ehecatl you are a noble warrior who has done great wrongs. Do not do this for love, you would not be the first to fall to Akemi."

The golden skull ground its lower jaw again. "The Warrior Princess's was the first and her death brought fourth the Blood Jaguar who bled these lands with her claws and broke the order of the gods with her sorrows. What will you break with your sorrows and your wanting because of a love you can not obtain?" Ehecatl felt the anger start to burn he'd heard this once already and he was in no mood to hear it from an un-dead relic. He could win Akemi's love, Xena had, had Akemi's love which meant that he could have it! Akemi just didn't realize it yet, she'd come to realize that she needed him in time. He felt the fear melt away he didn't care what he had to do to do it he would obtain her love!

He turned eyeing the golden skull in disgust. "My choice is my choice what you say means nothing relic I will follow the Star Coyote and nothing you say will change my mind!" Akemi turned eyeing the golden skull. "Open the door way now!" The golden skull was quite for a long moment. "As you wish mortal fool and un-dead warrior, your deaths will be your own making." Akemi turned walking towards the gleaming ring of gold. "I've been dead centre piece nothing scares me anymore, I have nothing to loose." She watched as Ehecatl followed slowly her. Ehecatl ground his lower jaw bone. "Nether do I, I've been dead to long care for your opinion guardian of time!"

Akemi didn't think as she jumped in to the glowing light, only to feel the hard ground as she smashed in to it on the other side. She looked at the grass under her finger tips only to feel pain as Ehecatl landed hard on top off her causing her face to hit the floor. She groaned as she pulled herself up again looking at the morning sky as it streamed sun light down up on her. She could see the grassy plain stretching out in front of her she turned sharply watching as the white ring of light faded behind her. Ehecatl could feel her underneath him the feel of her warm skin was so wonderful. This was the closest he'd ever gotten to her and a part of him was enjoying it far too much.

He wished he could see what her breast looked like she always covered them. He didn't think as he used his fingers just feel the edge of the soft skin close to them what he wouldn't give to have his man hood back then he could really give her real pleasure. All his thoughts stopped as he felt intense pain as her elbow came up smashing him in his jaw bone. He pulled himself off her ignore her look of anger as he sat back on the grass. Akemi got up lying back on the grass eyeing him, watching as he blinked before checking his jaw bone. She looked down trying to ignore the odd sensation which was travelling down her stomach and lower. A part of her wanted to hate her self for liking the sensation.

She breathed in deeply trying to refocus her self she was just sexual frustrated it had been a long time since she'd seen to her personal needs. Truth was you could have sex in Mexica easily but here she'd never gotten rid of her frustration fully. She breathed in again a part of her wanted to curse Ehecatl but he was probably having the same problem as her except he'd had to deal with it for much longer. She looked down not bothering to say anything, what was the point she knew how much he was suffering in that department. It mirrored her own suffering, at this moment in time. She put a hand on her face, by the dragon gods! She was going soft she was being total fine about being touched up by a rack of bones.

End of part 84

Silvermoonlight

Sorry this is late guys I had an accident and pulled my wrist, so I couldn't write for while.