BLOODY TRUTHS THAT TEAR OUT THE SOUL

Xena turned eyeing the last twelve elite in disgust as they stepped towards the portals. The first man in the remaining group turned eyeing Lila he slowly raised his weapon as an evil smile formed. He spoke keeping his voice low. "Now isn't this nice a poor defenceless young girl." He heard the others laugh as he raised his weapon. "Touch any of us and she dies!" Xena eyed slowly easing the dagger out of her boot, flicking it slightly. "Touch her and I'll kill you!" Lila looked up watching as the axe was raised higher over her head, she wanted to be sick again gods everything hurt so much. Amoxtli laughed as she eyed the man his was another vile face which she recognised, he had always been the bastard laughing in the corner. "No please go ahead."

She watched as the other woman's ice blue eyes fell up on her, she looked up keeping her voice to a sharp whisper. "Trust me." She stepped forward laughing mockingly. "Go ahead and kill her we don't care." She eyed the man who suddenly looked confused. "What's wrong, now that your mortal you don't have the stomach for violence? I'm not impressed." The man's face turned to anger as he swung his weapon down the moment the blade hit the barrier it sent red light outwards. Xena blinked in shock as the blue and white fire blasting outwards from the glowing red barrier tearing the man's body apart sending blood spattering against the walls which caused the remaining two warriors to cry out in horror.

Tlaloc turned eyeing the Blood Jaguar's lover who was staring at the scene in shock he turned eyeing the remaining two smiling. "Problem is there's a really powerful barrier stopping anyone from getting near that young girl, apart from those with godly pendants. Such a shame about your bastard friend I guess he didn't think about that, now he's painting the walls." He laughed only to stop as both of the warriors ran at them screaming in anger. Xena turned throwing the dagger watching as hit the elite woman's neck opposite causing her to gag as blood flowed free, she fell sideways hitting the floor hard. Ehecatl turned on the last warrior grabbing him by the throat he didn't think as he smashed his head against the wall with all his might.

He roared in anger as he smashed his face against the wall even harder hearing his jaw shatter. He didn't think as he sliced his weapon through his exposed neck. He stepped back watching as the man fell to the floor death instantly taking over. He breathed in deeply as he walked up to the woman who still had Xena's long dagger in her neck he didn't think as he pulled it out ignoring her dying scream of agony. He sneered eyeing the bloody dagger in disgust as he turned to face the Warrior Princess kicking the warrior's dead body out of the way. "This has been all very entertaining but you and I have unfinished business." He stepped forward feeling an evil smile form he knew he was about to go against Akemi's plan but he didn't care!

He felt his teeth grind together as he eyed the other two warriors who were raising there weapons. "You should stay out of this…this is between me and Xena!" He stepped forward. "Akemi wants you in another time so killing you in this time won't mean a thing!" Xena looked up slightly raising her sword. "She doesn't love Ehecatl!" She put a hand through her hair in frustration how stupid was this bastard? She paused feeling her anger fade away and pity take over, he was being used and played like a fool, his anger had made him blind and he'd lost sight of everything. She'd been there herself playing up to Akemi's whims like a love sick puppy.

She flipped her blade slightly keeping her voice even. "She will never love you. She's never loved anyone. Do you honestly think she ever loved me? Because if you think that then your wrong, she loved sleeping with me because that's the depth of her love it all boils down to sex. As long as you can give her it how she likes it, then she's happy but beyond that there's nothing." She lowered her voice speaking more gently. "You don't have to do anything she says, you don't have to play along with her game, you can be a better man you can find some one who truly loves you." Ehecatl breathed in deeply eyeing the dagger in his hand. "I know what you're trying to do your very clever Xena but I don't buy your lies. She loves me!"

His words were cut off by a sudden shock wave as it blasted outwards from the red glowing portal which caused the dead bodies all around them be thrown across the floor. He pushed his feet down trying to stay upright as the shockwave passed by he looked up watching as the Blood Jaguar's sister screamed in agony. He turned seeing that the Warrior Princess was now looking in the same direction the concern in her eyes for an instant as she eyed the Blood Jaguar's sister this look changed to confusion was she looked at the red portal which was now pulsing as if it was trying to get rid off who ever was in side it.

Xena felt the uncertainty hit her she had no idea who was about to come through the portal. She eased up her free hand with out really thinking about her action's trying to feel for her lover. Her gaze darted as she felt a presence it was different in that it was so strong and she could feel it tingling through her whole body, it was such so intense like a crashing wave. She pulled her hand back watching as it started to shake involuntarily, she found herself breathing in as the sensation swept through her whole body which was boarder line orgasmic. She found herself closing her eyes as she clutched her weapon tighter trying to stay focused despite that a part of her just wanted to sink in to the feeling which was a mixture of sexual ecstasy mixed with the feeling of floating.

Itzli turned sharply realizing there was something wrong with Xena who looked like she was on another plane. He could tell by her face that she was having some kind of experience which she had no control over. He didn't think as he raised his weapon standing in front of her keeping his eye on Ehecatl who was looking at the portal. Akemi blinked as the red light swept past her like a tide in the darkness she could see the glowing green eyes burning in the blackness some distance from her. Everything around her seemed to flash and just for an instant she could see something terrifying which she couldn't describe. It was a huge wolf like being with jaws wide open showing of its razor sharp white teeth.

It had golden fur which had a deep red hue as well as a huge pair of stag horns coming up from the heads thick main. There was a long scar on its right eye which went right through it. She blinked what the hell was going on? What was this? It made no sense to her what so ever, she groaned suddenly not feeling so good. She grabbed her weapon tighter as the tunnel turned to darkness once more. The next moments turned to agonizing pain as her back hit the solid floor. She tumbled across it painfully coming to a stop in the centre of the room. She breathed in feeling slightly dizzy with the sudden heat of the room which turned her stomach she found her self dropping her weapon.

She couldn't stop herself as she threw up on the warm floor. She tried to open her eyes only to close them again as everything went in and out of focus. She grabbed the fallen katana hilt trying to ignore the pain it felt like her head about to crack open. She breathed in feeling the pain slowly start to dissipate. She looked up watching as everything came back in to focus, she groaned turning just in time to see the portal pulse even harder causing red light to blast outwards. She eyed Lila who was taking the pain her eyes fixed on the portal which pulsed ever harder as if trying desperately to get rid who ever was inside it.

She watched as Gabrielle came through the blonde woman hit the floor tumbling across it coming to a stop next to her sister. She could see one sai blade in her hand while the other was still in her hand with her pendent. She blinked eyeing her for a long moment she was herself which confused her since she'd seen that strange being in the portal. She turned sharply seeing that the Xena was standing close by and seemed to be enjoying something. The dark haired woman wasn't focusing on anything. She turned seeing Ehecatl step slowly back along with the other two warriors all of them looked uncertain as to what was going to happen next.

Lila looked down seeing her sister lying on her side next to her, she looked unconscious she leaned over despite her pain seeing bleeding wounds on her body, she turned eyeing Akemi who was also bleeding, They had both been fighting each other that was obvious, she looked up seeing that Xena wasn't paying attention it was as if she had been drugged. She eyed Akemi who was starting to come around she felt the anger take over as she grabbed her sister shaking her body with her good hand. "Get up Gabrielle! You have to get up now!" Gabrielle groaned feeling the pain for a moment, it felt like she had been floating she winced as her stomach twisted as her floating high was destroyed.

She could feel her body being shaken and someone screaming in her ear. She breathed in feeling the sudden heat of the room she winced dragging her self up on her knees as everything came back in to focus. She fell back down hitting the altar back first as she put a head on face leaning forward trying not to throw up. She felt the hand shake her again only harder she opened her eyes slowly seeing that it was her sister who was shouting at her. She winced as the sound came back to her ears fully. She looked up seeing the shock spread across her sister's face as she stopped shaking her. She turned seeing that Akemi was getting up the woman threw off the fur coat and boot covers as she stood up.

She grabbed the altar forcing herself to her feet as the light headedness faded away she took in a deep breath refocusing herself. Akemi sneered pulling herself up ignoring the pain and the blood she had not come this far to be beaten by this bitch! She turned eyeing Gabrielle who was leaning on the altar the blonde haired woman turned her eyes slowly open revealing glowing green once more. Itzli didn't think he turned shaking Xena hard he had to snap her out of this what ever it was he found himself shouting with all his might. "Xena snap out of it!" He watched as her eyes snapped open their blue colour glowing for just an instant before it faded away. Xena blinked as the feeling faded away and she looked around her feeling confused and disorientated.

She looking sharply meeting Itzli's concerned gaze. "What in Tartarus just happened to me?" Itzli looked at for a long moment he looked down. "I don't know what just happened to you, it's like you were on some kind of drug trip." Xena shook her head eyeing Akemi and then Gabrielle who was leaning against the altar she blinked seeing the glowing green eyes narrow as Akemi got closer. Akemi raised the katana as she eyed the fur coat which had begun to disintegrate away in to nothing. She smiled getting even closer aiming the blade between the other woman's shoulder blades, she was so looking forward to this! Gabrielle looked down breathing in deeply seeing her sister's face turn to panic.

She knew why she could hear the footsteps and see the katana in the corner of her eye as it was raised higher. She turned feeling her feet dig in to the floor as she ignored all her pain she would not be blind sided again by this bitch! She swung the sai blade around watching as it sliced across the other woman's face causing her to scream in agony. Akemi pulled back feeling the cold blood run down her face on the right side where the blade has sliced in to her cheek. She stepped back only to cry out again as the solid hilt came back smacking in to her face causing her stumble side ways. Gabrielle sneered as she pulled the pendent free from her weapon.

She eyed it for a moment before wrapping it tightly around her belt close to the Chakram so it was difficult to get to. Akemi roared in anger she didn't think as she turned on her heel seeing the blonde woman raise her weapon slowly upwards leaving her stomach area open. She screamed for all she was worth bringing the blade forward with all her might. Gabrielle watched the blade seeing it and its target she knew this she'd been here before! She felt her body move gliding as the blade swept past its edge just nipping her skin. She felt her hands grab Akemi's arms bracing them and stopping her swing. She felt a smile form as she met her shocked brown gaze. "I never fall for the same trick twice." Akemi sneered trying to force her arms free she met the glowing green eyes. She slowly turned her blade downwards so it was pointing towards the other woman's leg. "You know Xena's not trying to save you Gabrielle."

Gabrielle leaned closer coming shoulder to shoulder with her. "Xena doesn't need to save me from you." She twisted her sai blade bringing it around watching as slammed in to Akemi's shoulder causing her scream of utter agony to hit the air. She brought her hand around yanking the katana free as she smashed her knee in to Akemi's stomach. The other woman screamed as she fell back clutching her shoulder which now had her sai blade embedded in it. She twirled the sword bringing around in a looping motion it came to a stop against the other woman's throat. Akemi looked down eyeing the blade which was now up against her neck.

Gabrielle eyed the weapon in her hands every nerve ending in her body was firing. She breathed in feeling her anger refocus its self she eyed the blade no part of her wanted to use it. She hated this weapon it had tormented her and she didn't want its torment anymore. She was not that person anymore and she would not use the weapon that had given her, her name in these lands to kill another again. Akemi felt the blades tip which was nipping her skin causing a small blood stream to run free, she ignored the burning pain in her shoulder from the imbedded weapon as she met the glowing eyes which looked conflicted. "What's wrong Gabrielle don't you like feeling of your old sword in your hands?" Gabrielle slowly eased the katana's blade away from her throat ignoring her confusion.

She didn't think as she threw it to one side watching as it smashed in to the wall opposite before hitting the floor. "No I don't." Akemi breathed in she didn't think as she pulled the sai blade hilt out hearing herself scream in pain. She threw the weapon down watching as it hit the floor as she met the glowing gaze. "How disappointing, I always thought that you liked katana's." Gabrielle breathed in deeply. "Then you've made a mistake because I've never liked them." Lila ignored her pain as she eyed the fallen bloody sai blade which was now lying just out of her reach. She leaned forward trying to grab it only to feel it slip through her fingers due to the blood that was on its tip.

Gabrielle eyed Akemi for a long moment feeling her hand form a fist. "I enjoy disappointing you Akemi." Akemi laughed enjoying the mocking sound. "You're not going to…" Her words were cut of as the other woman's fist impacted with her face. She was thrown back which caused her face to impact with the hard stone. She pulled away from the stone feeling the stinging pain as she coughed bringing up blood. She watched as one of her teeth fell out hitting the floor, she turned eyeing Gabrielle whose face was unreadable. Gabrielle looked at the bloody tooth on the floor that had to hurt like Tartarus, she knew from personal experience.

She breathed in feeling her anger start to focus its self as started to burn even more brightly she had been holding back to long and now that holding back was about to truly end. Akemi turned only to be hit again with even more force which was enough to bring stars to her eyes. She groaned side stepping trying to pull her other loaded musket free from her belt. Lila looked up grabbing the sai blade sliding it towards her as she eyed Akemi's hand which was heading for her musket. She looked at her in disgust feeling her hand shake she'd never done this before and she felt a twinge of fear, only for it to be replaced with a purpose. She wanted Akemi to hurt! She wanted her to feel pain! She wanted her sister to win this fight!

She didn't think as she swung the blade around watching as it hit Akemi in the upper leg causing her to scream in agony. Gabrielle looked down watching as her sister sliced her weapon's blade across Akemi upper leg. Akemi winced pulling the musket free forcing the flintlock back in a violent motion Gabrielle didn't think as she grabbed hold of Akemi's collar before she could raise the weapon throwing her sideways sending her tumbling across the floor coming a painful stop on it. She heard the loud bang as the weapon was fired in her direction as Akemi got up slightly. The pillar's stone behind her was blasted apart as the shot missed her.

She felt her smile fade as the pain hit home she turned realizing that her shoulder was bleeding. What ever had been fired had not hit her but it had come past her somehow, the wound wasn't deep but stung like Tartarus. She watched as the blood started to trickle down her arm before eyeing Akemi who looked horrified that her shot had missed. Her focused anger seemed to return all at once, she was going to really hurt Akemi now and she didn't care what she broke in the process. The other woman sat up trying clutching her bleeding upper leg the agony showing in her eyes. She felt a smile form as she got closer ignoring the cold blood as it ran down her shoulder.

She didn't think as she brought her boot down smashing it in to Akemi's wounded leg causing her to scream as she hit the floor on her side. Akemi tried to take the pain as she tensed pulling herself to her knees. Obviously Gabrielle wanted to fight hand to hand and that was fine by her! She took in a deep breath looking around her. She could see every one standing there watching them but it was as if none of them wanted to get closer. As for Xena she was completely still just watching with an unreadable look on her face. She winced in pain dragging herself fully to her feet seeing Xena's face change as a very cruel smile formed as there eyes met for just a second.

She felt her hands form fists as she eyed Gabrielle who seemed to be waiting which confused her, why was she waiting? Her thoughts were cut off as the woman's fist suddenly smashed in to her side only to come up again hitting her on the other side. She cried out stumbling back she looked up only to see the fist as it headed towards her face. The blow hit home sending her in to daze which caused her to stumble back further the blows suddenly came faster in harder as Gabrielle's fist came through smacking her over and over again. She breathed in trying to take the pain as she brought up her fist up only for her blow be stopped as Gabrielle hand caught her fist.

She screamed in anger as she struck out hitting the other woman's stomach seeing the pain in her face. "Glowing eyed bitch!" She brought up her free hand only to feel Gabrielle's hand stop it. Gabrielle ignored the pain as she squeezed her hands shut bracing Akemi's as the other woman tried to force her way out of her grip. She squeezed harder putting all the pressure possible on the other woman's hands ignoring her scream of agony. "It's not nice to loose it is? It's not nice to see everything you desire be taken away from you!" She forced her weight down harder hearing the other woman scream again. "Now you know just how I felt every minute of every day after you took what was mine!"

She didn't think as pulled her hands free seeing the surprise in Akemi's face she felt her full rage hit home all at once as she brought her fist back and then upwards smacking it in to the other woman's chest with all her might. Akemi felt her feet leave the floor and then the solid floor as she slammed in to it full force which caused the wind to be knocked out of her lungs. Gabrielle looked at her hand seeing the bruising on her knuckles she winced moving her hand as she walked towards the other woman. "It's not a nice feeling is it?" Akemi coughed slowly raising her self to her feet trying to take the pain which was truly hurting now. She struggled trying to stay upright as she tried to stay focused.

The glowing green eyes looked in to her own intensely. "You call me deceptive but that pendent is helping you, its making you stronger other wise you might have normal eyes." Gabrielle eyed the pendent around her neck. "Then you're wrong because I wouldn't waste this pendant's power on you." She felt an evil smile form. "After all I really don't need it to kill you." Akemi blinked did she say kill? Her thoughts were cut off as the other woman's fist truck her in the stomach before she could react. She breathed in feeling the next strike hit her harder in the same spot the other woman's knee came up smashing in to her midsection.

She felt her stomach turn as she hit the ground on her knees, she breathed in feeling the exhaustion and pain as it finally hit home. She brought up her fist only for Gabrielle's hand to stop it holding it in place. She looked up only to see the other woman's boot, her head spun as it impacted with her face causing her to be thrown backwards. She could feel the tears of pain and the fear as she lay still on her back feeling blood run down her chin. She opened her eyes only for everything to go out of focus. She was in two much pain now everything stung and she couldn't pull herself to her knees. She looked up just in time to see everything come back in to focus.

Gabrielle looked down at the fallen woman, this was it wasn't it? This was the moment she'd been waiting for, for so long. She knew what had to be done so there was no point in delaying what was destiny. She came to stand over the other woman she slowly kneeled down so she was on top of her. Putting the pinch on this woman was far too easy and far too quick she wanted her to truly feel fear before she died. She wanted her to know what it was like to watch the light of your existence die around you and be helpless against it. She wanted to be looking right in to her face when that last agonizing and terrified breath came.

She felt her hands move of their own accord slowly towards the Japanese woman's exposed throat, it was easy wasn't it you grab hold and then you squeeze? She felt her fingers find the weaker flesh she knew where it was. She felt a part of her self sink to a haze as she wrapped both hands around the vulnerable areas. She moved her shoulders feeling her gaze narrow as she forced her whole weight down on top of the other woman seeing the panic and terror in her eyes. Her body started to struggle but it was a pitiful struggle, she felt an evil smile form as she started to squeeze feeling the other woman's hand grab at her shoulder as the truth of her fate was truly realized.

End of part 113

Silvermoonlight