PAINFULLY NIGHTMARES WHICH PIERCE THE DARKNESS
Gabrielle looked down as another skeleton dog ran past her feet this place was really starting to unsettle her. She watched as Itzli rose the fire torch higher showing light on to the dark main street which lay out in front of them. Despite the light from above the streets bellow were only partly lit up and she couldn't see certain corners or alley ways. There was something really wrong here and it wasn't just that this place was empty. She stiffened slightly no it wasn't that, this place wasn't empty and it had nothing to do with the ghostly figures running around them, no it was the feeling of being followed. She eased her sai blade up higher gods she hated being followed least of all in this place which sent shivers running down her spine.
They really weren't meant to be in this place, it felt forbidden and wrong on so many levels. They were here though and they'd have to see it through to the end. There was no turning back from here on in the just had to move forward. She flicked her sai blade slightly feeling the presence once more who ever was following them was getting closer. Xena eased up her sword slightly as she moved her foot trying to avoid a skeleton bird she didn't want step on anything in this vile place. From what she'd leant it was better to never touch anything unless her lover said it was okay to do so. She could shadowy ghost like figures with glowing red eyes in the windows these creepy beings looking back at her only to disappear in an instant.
It was just plain creepy and unpleasant here it wasn't just the smell or the ghosts or the skeleton animals the whole place was grim like it had no life with in it. She still wasn't used to feeling the fear that she was feeling but it wasn't going to go away she knew that for sure now. She was just going to have to deal with it. What was annoying her more was that she could hear heavy footed crunching in the distance to heavy to be any large animals it was one foot after the other and she could only just pick it up. She turned sharply meeting Gabrielle's agitated gaze keeping her voice low. "Some ones following us." Gabrielle twirled her sai blade. "I know."
Xena carried on walking trying once more to avoid a skeleton animal as it ran past. "Just how many dead things are there here in this place?" Itzli sneered as another skeleton animal ran under his feet. "Far too many!" He moved his foot again as he lowered the fire torch. "Are they all attacked to the light or something?" Gabrielle looked up slightly. "No it's like their running away from something." Xena watched as a rodent like animal landed on her boot she threw it off hearing it hit screech loudly as it landed in the darkness. She turned seeing that Itzli was looking at her in a confused manner. "What I hate rats!" Itzli turning meeting her light blue gaze. "Technically that wasn't a rat it's a Prairie Dog." Xena eyed him for a long moment. "I don't care what it is I don't want it on my boot!" Gabrielle moved her foot aside sharply as a large skeleton python slivered past its rib bones vibrating across the stone floor. "I'm really starting to dislike this place!"
"Well, well looks who's come out to play with us?"
Xena sneered inwardly finally who ever it was had decided to show themselves the fact they wouldn't show their faces was starting to annoy her. She eyed the figure seeing the red eyes glint in the darkness. Obviously ether Itzpapalotl or Quetzalcoatl had sent some one to kill them before they reached the temple. Gabrielle turned slightly seeing a figure in the darkness of the street, she felt her eyes dart she knew that male voice. It was distant to her yet so familiar. She eyed the figure for a second seeing the glowing red and yellow eyes narrow. "Who are you?" The figure moved forward his deep voice hitting the air. "I'm disgusted that you don't remember me, I thought you of all people would remember cutting off my arm!"
Gabrielle felt her body freeze oh gods she wasn't hearing this she watched as the man stepped in to the firelight. She recognised the face instantly how could she not remember it? It had haunted her dreams and haunted and her conscience for what felt like a life time. It was the face of her first kill the first kill of twelve which would concrete the name Blood Jaguar permanently in to Mexica's mind. She looked at her sai blade in the firelight Blood Jaguar or Eztli Ocelotl a part of her had hoped that this day would never come to pass. That was the problem though wasn't it? Nothing in Mexica was absolute life and death was as changeable as the tides. She closed her eyes for a long moment because life could be changed here was the very reason that she was alive right now and not dead.
That was destiny though for one thing you always paid with another, and now she'd have to face the last of her inner demons. She opened her eyes looking up slowly at the man in front of her. "Quetzalcoatl brought all of you back didn't he?" The head warrior smiled it was dark evil smile. "Your so perspective Blood Jaguar." Gabrielle slowly stepped forward feeling the calm over take her all at once. "How did you find me?" The leader raised his axe slowly. "We can hear the whispers of our god mind, we felt his anger over the theft of his prize and that his prize had been taken here. We merely changed direction and came in to the elder gods city, we knew that you'd come."
He raised his hand. "You are after all predictable we also knew that you'd bring your tall stupid lover here. Tell me is it because you can't get a man that you screw her daily?" Gabrielle took another step forward as her calm words hit the air. "After all this time I would have thought that you'd have a better insult for me rather than one about my sexuality." She laughed slightly ignoring his look of annoyance on his face. "Do you have any idea how old those insults get? Seriously it's not even original anymore it's just annoying." She turned slightly. "I' would think after all the time you spent dead after I killed you that you could come up with something better than that."
She narrowed her gaze watching as the leader moved forward coming fully out of the shadows. She was right it was the leader the same leader whose katana she'd taken. Her gaze darted as eleven more figures came out the darkness all their red and yellow eyes glowing unnaturally in the dim light. "I see that your god brought you back differently." The leader raised his hand. "Yes he did we are un-dead and so much stronger now, we are strong enough to tear you in half along with your bitch of a lover and your slave!" He stepped closer his gaze narrowing. "Before we kill you though I do have one question?" Gabrielle eyed him for a long moment watching as her lover's hand moved to the Chakram. "What's that?"
The leader sneered slightly. "Where is my prized katana you little bitch?!" Gabrielle looked at him in disgust. "I threw it away, the Star Coyote found it if you want it back she's in C'thulon's temple." The leader raised his axe eyeing the temple before looking at her. "I see well I'll just have to kill her when I'm done with you then won't I?!" Gabrielle felt a cold smile form. "That's it though isn't it you can't get in to C'thulon's temple can you?" She put her sai blade behind her back motioning with it to her lover hoping that she'd pick up the signal. She eyed them watching as a number of them turned to the leader questioningly. "You don't have permission do you?"
Her gaze drifted sharply to the temple which was in front of her none of the twelve were blocking their path, they were all behind it. They'd have one chance and it was best to take it because it would be the only opportunity. Her smile widened. "They call you the twelve elite and yet you don't even know if you're allowed in side the elder god's temple, you not knowing that make's you look bad." She signalled with her sai blade again. "It shows just why it was so easy for me to kill you the first time around." Xena looked up she understood the signal perfectly she grabbed hold of Itzli shoulder keeping her voice to a whisper. "When I tell you to run, you run." Itzli nodded as the plan became clear it was very risky but that was just the way they both worked and he loved it.
He watched as the smaller woman stepped back further tensing as she got ready. Gabrielle gave the leader a wide smile. "The fact that Quetzalcoatl's resurrected you all so you can come after me." She looked around her eyeing the other warriors. "Really shows that he must be desperate right now." Xena looked up eyeing the twelve warriors she didn't need to ask how they'd come back to life she was really getting the idea that death was truly meant nothing here in this land. She eyed the temple seeing her lover take another step back she knew what the plan was now. It was to run to the temple because obviously these bastards couldn't get in to it.
At least was where she hoped Gabrielle was coming from, ether way they had no time to take on these warriors. The temple was much more important right now. She smiled eyeing the elite warriors seeing where her lover's words were going. "She has a point I mean you all must be lacking in something, I believe its talent." The leader turned eyeing her in disgust. "I didn't ask for your opinion whore! You are not the Blood Jaguar you're your just her bed warmer!" Xena raised an eyebrow. "Yes and I'm very privileged, I get to make love to the finest warrior in all of Mexica. Whose reputation exceeds her and who's a legend because she killed all off you."
She ignored the surprise as it spread across her lover's face. "That makes me the luckiest woman alive, wouldn't you agree?" She smiled enjoying the look of anger as it spread across the leaders face. Gods she loved it when she got rub in the truth, even more so when it was to resurrected idiots like these. Gabrielle watched as they started looking at each other she didn't think as she bolted in to a run feeling her feet slam in to the floor. She watched as both Xena and Itzli ran after her. She found herself no longer caring as she stepped on bone animals as she ran for all she was worth towards the huge temple which was causing the light to dim even more due to its shadow.
She turned hearing the in human roars from the twelve elite as they burst in to a run following them. She leapt over a skeleton dog trying to go faster she could feel her heart thumping against her rib cage. Her eyes could see the faint outlines in the deep pitch black darkness of the opening which was far up ahead, the elite were getting closer she could see it. They were leaping in human distances like werewolves trying to gain ground. She turned seeing that Xena and Itzli were running by her side. She ran harder, she was so close but in this moment she could feel the uncertainty as everything around her fell in to complete darkness as the temples shadow encompassed everything.
All she could hear was her feet and her own breathing as she moved towards the faded outline of the temples entrance. Gods she wished she could see Xena right now because if she could she would give her a smile an honest smile and one that said all that she felt. She looked up finally seeing the entrance's deep engraved outer features knowing in an instant that, that smile would have to wait. Akemi turned looking at the blood trails on the floor she eyed the golden portals which were now filled with red light. Her gaze turned to Lila who was now clutching her chest the pain showing in her face. "You should be flattered you know your going to do a real great service to time itself. You will change history for the greater good."
Lila winced in pain as she looked up trying once more not to throw up. "My sister…told…me about the greater good." She coughed painfully. "It's about things worth dying for…and that hold a higher meaning than your own existence." She breathed in painfully. "Nothing your doing is for the greater good…its all for the greater good of yourself!" Akemi sneered as she eyed her for a long moment before turning to the spinning calendar. "Open the portals in to Gabrielle's life!" The golden skulls eyes flashed red for a moment. "Be careful what choices you make, they can set a future you won't like in to motion." Akemi snarled as she eyed the centre piece. "Open the portals now!"
The golden skulls jaw grinded together. "As you wish..." Akemi turned watching as the portals red light slowly faded away she ignored the cry of pain from the young woman. She looked down seeing that her blood which was weaving over the floor was now glowing. She smiled carefully reloading the musket pistol. She could see images appearing in the windows, she stepped forward eyeing them. The first one which was showing an image which was of Gabrielle sitting in Xena's lap on a beach, she eyed the golden skull in disgust. "I don't want this!" The golden skulls eyes flashed white. "I see, so you don't want what you can not see? Then the vision of Apollonia is not for you."
Akemi narrowed her gaze. "Show me the next portal you bastard!" She watched as the second portal moved forward showing an image which made even less sense. She could see a huge golden wolf like creature running through a dark alley way on all fours. It stopped still shaking it's mane of golden fur before walking up to someone's door to look at a pile of apples in a basket. She blinked turning to the centre piece. "What the hell is this? This isn't Gabrielle and this isn't what I wanted!" The golden skulls eyes flashed white. "You are mistaken all you see is your rivals life stretching out before you. We are giving you, your desires we are giving you windows in to her life using the soul of her sister."
Akemi eyed the younger girl who was doubled over in pain her red blood a glowed more intently as steams of red light rose up from it . "I want twenty one seasons ago during early winter before she be born!" She watched as the portal moved back showing another. It had people walking through the snow with two small children following them she could tell instantly that it was Gabrielle and her younger sister. The portal moved aside as another came forward showing a young blonde woman who was heavily pregnant. She was wearing a dark purple and blue dress as well as a thick fur skin coat and fur skin boots. Her green eyes were looking around as she waiting anxiously in the empty market square which was covered in thick snow. The woman had to be Gabrielle's mother there was no doubt about that.
Obviously in their youth Gabrielle and her mother had both looked very similar. She eyed the square it was dimity lit and from what she could see and that made her smile it was much easier to take advantage of someone in the darkness. She pulled out her dagger looking at it oh yes so much easier and all the more fun as this was no warrior, she was no more than a weak peasant woman. She turned eyeing the younger woman who looked up her eyes blood shot from the pain. "Your mothers really easy on the eyes, seems such a shame to hurt such a pretty thing but that's life I guess." Ehecatl laughed enjoying the mocking sound. "Yes you always end up hurting nice thing even if you like them."
Tlaloc sneered in disgust as he eyed the Star Coyote. "Your reputation is spot on you're a disgusting excuse for a warrior, if you were half the warrior the Blood Jaguar is you'd take her on battle." Amoxtli shrugged her painfully shoulder. "He's right you would but instead you choose to attack a vulnerable woman and her unborn child." She looked up slightly. "You're pathetic, no your worse than pathetic your scum just like the twelve elite." Akemi turned sharply getting ready to say something only to stop as she heard the pounding off footsteps on the stairs. She stepped away from the portal ignoring the other two portals as they floated down showing more images.
Who dared to come here? It had to be someone stupid because there was no way in hell they'd get through the magical barrier. She smiled rumour had it that that the rooms golden barrier would blow people in to nothing but guts flesh and bone if they tried to force there way in, she raised her eyebrow she couldn't wait to see it action. Gabrielle turned feeling her feet touch the solid stone steps of the entrance. She found herself blinking painfully as one of the torches opposite lit up by its self sending white light in to her eyes all too suddenly. She stumbled only to feel someone grab her arm keeping her moving as she ran up the steps which could now see clearly in front of her as her eyes adjusted to the intense light.
She turned sharply seeing Xena's hand on her arm pushing her forward in to the light as Itzli followed them. She looked up they were so close and yet so far she could hear the footsteps of the twelve right behind them. She felt her feet smash the steps harder as she carried on upwards feeling the hammering off own heart against her rib cage. Xena looked up sharply ignoring the pain from running she could see the huge open which led in to a huge room of some kind. She grabbed Itzli's shoulder while keeping hold of her lovers. She was sure that she could see gold light drifting upwards in steams from the huge opening. She didn't think, she didn't need to think as she forced them both though the light along with her.
Gabrielle felt the vibration in her chest as they smashed through the gold light all together she felt the pain as she hit the floor hard on the front. Her gaze turned sharply her pendent which glowed with white light for an instant before it faded away. She eased herself slowly on to her knees seeing the golden light of the barrier change to white. She breathed in sharply as the twelve elite appeared running at the white light which was faded away turning back to gold. They hit it full force only to be thrown backwards which caused them all to hit the steps hard crying out in agony. A part of her would have laughed if she wasn't in such a hurry to get up.
Akemi stood still feeling the shock hitting home as she watched the people stand up one after the other. She felt her heart skip a beat when Xena's light blue eyes came in to view. It was her she could tell even from where she was standing she watched as a sneer form on the tall warriors face. She wanted to say something but a part of her wasn't sure what to say. She felt her smile fade as another person slowly stood up their green eyes burning in to her own, she could tell who it was but she couldn't believe it. She didn't want to believe it! Since she'd put a katana through her stomach and killed her out right! She could feel her hand shaking as it clutched the dagger the searing anger surged through her system like fire in a narrow tunnel.
She wanted to scream she wanted to curse yet all she could do was grind her teeth together as the hated started to burn. The stupid bitch was alive! She looked up slightly catching sight of her servant as he stood up looking at the golden light before turning to look at the room the shock slowly spreading across his face. Akemi raised her dagger ignoring his shocked look as she turned back to Gabrielle. "Well isn't this a pleasant surprise, I thought you were dead Gabrielle!" Gabrielle moved a step closer she looked down she could see her sister lying on the floor next to a golden altar doubled over in pain. Blood was running out in glowing streams towards six golden portals all of which had images showing in side them.
She felt her gaze drift to the huge calendar which was spinning it had thirteen crystals skulls shared between the spinning golden calendars rings while a golden one was in its second ring, there was merged pendent in it's central ring. Akemi slowly raised her other pendent ignoring the shocked looks from Quetzalcoatl's warriors and Ehecatl. She twirled the dagger. "As you can see I've been busy." Gabrielle stepped closer looking at the tower of red light going downwards and the massive spire of white light going upwards. "Give me my sister now!" Akemi moved closer. "I don't know how you came back from the dead but you don't make the rules here Gabrielle I do!"
Tlaloc blinked staring at the young man in front of him in shock, he slowly lowered his weapon feeling the confusion hit home he was here? How and why had he come? Had the Blood Jaguar order him here? He narrowed his gaze something wasn't right though he had no scars on his face the Blood Jaguar's marks were gone. The words came out before he could stop them. "Little brother?" Amoxtli blinked in shock she recognised who the younger woman instantly. She felt her eyes dart as she carried on staring. Itzli blinked looking in to his big brother eyes it felt like another life time since they'd seen each other a life time when he'd been a very different person.
He raised his hand. "Tlaloc?" Ehecatl swung the musket around pointing it at the Blood Jaguar's servant. "This is all very nice but your little family reunion can wait!" Xena looked up sharply ignoring the twelve warriors as they smashed against the golden light behind them again only to be thrown back once more. She eyed the other warrior whose voice she recognised though it was hard believe this was the same person as he had skin now. She raised her sword slightly. "Ehecatl, well, well I didn't expect that you'd still be here drooling after Akemi. I guess my advice really didn't make though your thick skull at all."
Ehecatl felt his teeth grind together he eyed Akemi who gave him cold look he breathed in choosing his words carefully. "Your advice meant nothing to me I know that she cares about me, she told me." Xena raised an eyebrow. "I see did she tell you that as well as how powerful you'll be? She tends to start saying things like that after she's had sex with you." She ignored the pain as it flashed across Akemi's eyes. "Or has she already gotten to the part where she says that she'll keep you around forever?" Akemi looked up trying to hide the pain. "I love you, I've always loved you! You're my beautiful Warrior Princess." Xena turned watching as Gabrielle grinded her teeth together.
She sneering as she met Akemi's gaze. "You have never loved me you just wanted to own me." Akemi laughed slightly. "Oh yes you say that but you and I know that you enjoyed having sex with me." Xena stepped sideways. "Oh please, you were just a distraction and not even an interesting one at that. You're just like all the other distractions I've had you spouted your illusions of power along with your delusions of grandeur." Akemi eyed Gabrielle before turning back to the tall dark haired woman. "I'm sure she spills out the same things!" Xena turned sharply. "That's the thing you see, she doesn't she tells she loves me from the heart. She makes love to me with all her heart and soul which is some thing you'll never be able to do Akemi, not now and not ever."
Akemi breathed in painfully. "No you see that's where you are wrong, as I said before I make the rules." She eyed the portal behind her before turning back. "These are my rules, I own time and I'm going to have everything I want! So you say what you want but soon enough your whole existence will be playing by my rules!" Gabrielle moved closer looking at her sister. "I'm not going to ask you again give me my sister!" Akemi eyed the young girl. "Well it's been nice catching up with you both, but have a date with destiny which I'd like to keep." She eyed the others. "I order you to attack the Warrior Princess and the Blood Jaguar!"
She didn't think as she leapt through the portal not looking back she didn't have time to look back and there was no point. This was so much more important, the second part of her plan would not work if this wasn't done. She breathed in as the red light surrounded her causing everything to glow. Ehecatl snarled in anger as he watched Akemi disappear, he turned to the other elite warriors who weren't moving. "You heard her! Get them now before I Kill you!" Tlaloc eyed Amoxtli who wasn't moving he lowered his weapon eyeing Ehecatl. "Go to hell you stupid little bastard you think I'm going to be killed by the Blood Jaguar or her lover you can think again!"
Ehecatl watched as Xena came closer he raised the musket. "Oh no you're not coming any closer, allow me to demonstrate what will happen if you do!" He turned firing the weapon watching as the pillar opposite stone was blasted apart. He eyed the Warrior Princess who sneered slightly. "See that's what will happen to your face Warrior Princess, this weapon of the future is nothing compared to your sword!" Xena breathed in slowly easing the Chakram free eyeing the damaged pillar and the strange weapon wooden which was smoking. "You're an idiot Ehecatl." She eased the Chakram higher as he raised his other hand which had another strange godly weapon in it. She looked down as he placed the other weapon in his belt.
Ehecatl narrowed his gaze. "I'm going to enjoy putting a hole in that burnt out golden armour of yours Xena!" Xena didn't think as she threw the Chakram watching as it slammed in to the wall. It bounced off slicing past his weapon only to bounce of the other wall. She grabbed it out of the air as it came back. Ehecatl eyes the musket seeing the long cut across the barrels centre were the strange gleaming ring had gone past. He smirked as her eyed the tall dark haired woman. "I'm unimpressed Xena." He snarled firing the musket, only to howl in pain as the barrel shattered apart at the end. It sent fire and smoke backwards blinding him. He hit the floor hard on his knees clutching his face trying to take the pain as the musket dropped from his fingers.
Gabrielle didn't think she ran forward coming down on knees next near her sister who was dressed in a red and gold sacrificial dress. She could feel her heart pounding, gods she was so happy to see her again. She couldn't see any serious wounds only the one on her hand other than that there was damage. She put her hand on her sister's arm only to feel ice cold skin she leaned forward watching in what felt slow motion as her sister's blood shot blue eyes slowly opened. She found herself panicking as she looked at all the glowing bloody altar with its patterns of blood. "Lila I need you to relax, we are going to get you out of this."
Lila looked up painfully she'd heard everything. "Don't save me!" She coughed in pain ignoring her sister's look of surprise. "She's going after our mother, save our mother!" Gabrielle looked at her for a long moment only to turn just in time to see Xena's fist as it slammed in to Ehecatl's face sending him crashing in to the ground opposite. Lila looked up meeting her sister's gaze again. "She's going to kill our mother before we have both been born…you have to stop her." She shoved her sister off with all her strength trying to ignore the pain. "You have to go now and stop her!" She turned seeing Xena run forward coming to kneel down opposite Gabrielle.
Xena looked at the portals behind them and then her lover feeling the uncertainty in the pit of her stomach, she'd heard Lila's words clearly. They had no choice one of them had to go, it wouldn't work any other way. She looked up meeting her lover's uncertain gaze. "You have to go Gabrielle!" She eyed Ehecatl who was still on the floor holding his face. "Save your mother!" Gabrielle looked at the taller woman. "If I fail do what ever it takes and turn this time device off!" Xena looked at her for a long moment. "You won't fail, I know you won't." She grabbed hold of the younger woman's arm before she could get up. She eased the Chakram free pushing it in to her hand. "Take this with you." Gabrielle looked at the gleaming Chakram only to feel the other woman's lips meet hers for an instant before her lover let go off her. Xena looked up watching as the younger woman placed the Chakram on her belt clip as her green eyes darted. "Do what ever it takes to stop her!" Gabrielle nodded she turned running towards the golden portal which Akemi had gone through. She felt her feet leave the floor as she jumped in to the red light.
End of part 107
Silvermoonlight
Thank you everyone for your kind reviews.
