"To Find the Light"

by

Debir

Chapter Four: "Repercussions"

WARNING!: GRAPHIC SCENE FORTHCOMING!

Slinking away like a thief in the night, Deerdra leaves the village and its horrid memory behind. Approaching Margret's house, she's greeted by the acrid smell of burnt wood. All that remains standing is the fireplace.

"Damn fools. You deserve everything that comes your way." She chuckles, "Just wait until you see the present I left you."

She walks around the charred remains of the once magnificent house and heads up to the scenic overlook she discovered no more than a day earlier- before this part of her life went up in flames.

At the overlook, the half moon's light shimmers across the valley. Deerdra closes her eyes then takes a deep breath. Margret's smiling face appears in her mind. She whispers, "Margret." The smiling face slowly melts into a skull then fades away. Deerdra falls to her knees and sobs.

The day breaks over the village as Allen, a seasoned stable hand begins his day. With feed bucket in hand, he opens the barn door. Nothing seems out of the ordinary, until he looks up. The bucket clangs to the ground and in a hushed voice he exclaims, "By all that is holy." Allen dashes out the door and yells at the top of his lungs, "Help! Somebody!" He grabs a young boy, scarring the wits out of him. "You! Go find the village elders and bring them here! Now!"

Soon, all of the men of the village gather outside the barn. The elder of the group, Elwood parts through the mass and approaches the still shaken Allen, "What's the commotion about? Speak up, man. We all have business to attend to. This isn't about a dead horse, is it?"

"N-no, sir. It's...it's-."

Elwood is an impatient man. "Stand aside." He swings the doors open and understands Allen's reaction. "By Oden. It's Kuhhirt!"

Gasps wash over the onlookers as Kuhhirt's body comes into full view. His shirt has been torn off and hands and feet are tied together and bound behind his back. His neck bent back at such an angle that it too is tied to his hands. The whole jumble hoisted up over a beam and hanging in the middle of the barn. The piece de resistance: the vertical slit running from his collar bone down to his pelvis exposing the inner workings of his body. Gravity, with a little help from a certain immortal warrior, has pulled his intestines out and exposed them so all the flies can see and have a nice little meal. Yes, Kuhhirt has been hung and gutted like a pig at slaughter.

Elwood recovers from the initial shock and ventures closer for a better look, "What's this?"

A note has been pinned through Kuhhirt's chest. Elwood reads the perfectly scripted words to the onlookers: "Our blood, our innocent blood has forever stained your hands. May your conscious keep you awake at night and may God take mercy on your souls."

When he finishes, a snow white feather floats down from the rafters and lands in the pool of blood formed under Kuhhirt's body slowly turning the white scarlet red. Gasps wind their way through the crowd. Panic and paranoia grip the villagers. "It's a sign!" "We are to pay for our deed!" "The witches have put a curse on us!" "I'm not going to die like him!" "Me either! I'm taking my family and leaving this place!" Various shouts of agreement erupt from the gathered men as they peel away to gather their families and leave this cursed place. Everyone leaves, with the exception of Elwood and Allen.

Elwood contemplates what to do with the dead man. "Well, he might not have been a Gods fearing man, but he deserves a proper burial. Help me get him down so we can do just that."

"Yes, sir." The gears in Allen's mind spin as he tries to think of a way to accomplish the task without looking at the mutilated body.

Meanwhile, back at the overlook Deerdra wakes from her nap. She stands and wipes the muddy tracks off of her face and looks out over the lush scene one last time. "I do hope that you get to see this one day, Gabrielle. And in case you do," she spots a good sized flatish rock then using a fluffy weed as a paintbrush, draws Xena and Gabrielle's sai holding chakram symbol then sets the ink well on a rock beside her artwork, "you'll know that I saw it as well."

Her melancholy doesn't last long. She rounds a corner along the road that leads away from the village and runs right into the Archangel Michael. He's standing in the middle of the road, arms crossed, and a scowl on his face.

Deerdra isn't surprised, "I was wondering when you'd show up."

Michael doesn't reply, which irks Deerdra, "Well, what are you waiting for? Let me have it."

His stance and expression does not change, "However understandable and humanly natural your actions may have been, we are NOT pleased. Do you still wish to be our champion?"

Deerdra's surprised by his question, "Yes. My life is empty now. Serving your God will fill that void and give me a purpose." *sigh* "I do wonder if I'm destined to walk this life alone."

Michael understands and softens his tone, "That I do not know. What I do know is that you must once again prove your worthiness to carry The Sword of Light."

"Yeah, I figured as much." Deerdra straightens up, "What do you want me to do?"

"Relinquish The Sword and any other weapons you have and defeat the demon that resides below that mountain." Michael points to a snow capped peak behind her.

Deerdra thinks, "That sounds too easy. There has to be a catch." So she makes sure she heard him right, "Just so we're on the same page. You're saying that you want me to fight a demon without using any weapons?"

Michael halfway grins, "Not exactly. I want you to kill a demon without using any of your weapons."

Deerdra's sarcasm is intact, "Oh, is that all? You're not going to strip me of my clothes then blindfold me first?"

Michael pauses, "No, taking your weapons will suffice."

"Whew, you had me going there for a moment! This shouldn't take long. I'm packing light. Just The Sword and a dagger today." She hands them over to him, "By the way, does this demon have a name?"

Michael's expression turns stone serious, "Death."

Deerdra studies his face to see if he might be joking. He's not. "You want me to defeat Death? That's appropriate seeing how I've been cheating him all my life."

"Indeed you have. Are you ready?"

"Yep." She winks at him, "I'll be back before dark."

Michael has a sly grin on his face as he watches her disappear into the forest, "I have no doubt."

A glittering form materializes next to him, "Margret. There was no reason for the two of you to die as you did."

"How I wish that were true." She looks in the direction Deerdra entered the forest, "You know her type responds best to pain. That's how they learn and grow." *sigh* "And she's grown a lot over these past several weeks."

"That is true, and she is not through learning."

"You're confident that she can defeat this demon?"

Michael smiles, "Yes. She shares one important trait with Xena-both refuse to accept defeat, even when the odd are against them. They thrive on the challenge and enjoy silencing their detractors. That is what makes Deerdra perfect for this quest."

Thinking about what the journey that lies ahead for Deerdra weighs Margret's heart with sadness, "I know. I just wish her life didn't have to be so hard...and lonely. Will she ever love again?"

Michael clears his throat, "Deerdra will never want for female companionship."

Jealousy twangs Margret's sad heart, "That goes without saying. I mean real lasting love, like what she could have had with Gabrielle."

Michael does feel a little sympathy for his chosen warrior. He places his hands on Margret's shoulders, "That I do not know, but we can hope."

"She does need someone, Michael. Working for your God and the greater good will only satisfy her for a while. She needs someone here, on Earth to remind her of just what she is fighting for."

That hadn't occurred to Michael, "You may have a point there." He rubs his chin, contemplating a solution, "Hmm. That just might work."

Meanwhile, Deerdra has made it to the bottom of the mountain and is poking around in the bushes looking for an entrance. Frustrated at how long it's taking, she rams her poking stick into a clump and promptly tumbles head over feet inside. Dusting off some cob webs, she says to no one, "Looks like I found the way inside."

The entrance is more like a cubbie hole, just deep enough for one person to lay down in and just tall enough for said person to stand in. A narrow path leads to the center of the mountain where all of the

action is about to take place.

Deerdra readies herself then heads down the path and into the ink black darkness, "Okay, Deerdra. Time to put up or shut up." She turns sideways and presses her back against one wall not only to feel her way, but because the path is that tight. Like all good mysterious walkways, this one has twists and turns along with dips and drops. More than once Deerdra falls, scraping her chin and tearing her shirt. "I hope Michael has a clothing allowance."

One more turn and she pops out into another world. If Deerdra hadn't just squeezed through the crevasse, she would have sworn she was on top of the mountain instead of inside.

The inner cavern isn't just huge, it's a whole entire ecosystem-albeit a dead one.

Nothing bright and cheery about this place. The land is barren, dotted by small pools of lava and what remains of previous challengers. There is a sky. A sky turned dark gray by a large lava pit churning and bubbling in the center of the 'room'. Molten fingers snake across the ground and disappear into the looming distant dark. Large vultures dot the sky, whooshing among and through the clouds of smoke, waiting for their next tender morsel to fall amongst the rock and dirt. One lights on the branch of a once grand tree, now long dead and cocks its head curious about this living visitor. The putrid odor of death hangs in the stale humid air.

"Yep, I'm in Hell."

"And in Hell shall you stay." The words echo throughout, coming from everywhere and nowhere.

Deerdra spins about searching the horizon, then melting out of the shadows He appears. Death is dressed appropriately: Shiny black armor, horned helmet, iron clad feet- The polar opposite of a knight in shining armor. He holds a bloody scythe in one hand and a wide bladed short sword slung over his shoulder. To finish off his menacing countenance, his sits astride a jet black muscular horse standing eight feet at the shoulder. The two stand over Deerdra, Death's glowing red eyes piercing right into Deerdra's very soul.

Deerdra takes it all in, awe-struck. Then, true to form, she grins and asks, "Nice horse. Do I get one or are you coming down here?" confident Michael wouldn't have sent her here if he didn't think she could win.

Death is amused at her cockiness. His laugh reverberates off the walls and causes the hair on Deerdra's neck to stand at attention. As he dismounts, one of his massive boots steps on a human skull, instantly reducing it to dust. Deerdra looks up at him and her confidence wavers. She looks and feels like a mouse standing before a Brahma bull.

"So, you're the infamous Deerdra Reese, Michael's newest warrior. I've been trying to meet you for some time now."

Deerdra's snark has returned, "I didn't know you cared. I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting."

He smirks, at least Deerdra thinks it's a smirk, "I'm not the only one. When an entity as powerful as Dahak is put in its place, everyone in the underworld takes notice."

Deerdra puffs up, "And when I defeat you, they will also quake at my name."

He roars with laughter, "Your ego is bigger than you are. Do you think that you're the only one who has made that boast? Look around and see the bones of all those who have tried and failed."

Deerdra's grin is big and wide, "I'm not like everyone else." She steps closer and states matter of fact, "I will defeat you."

There is an unnerving silence then the big guy bursts out laughing. Deerdra joins in, for a moment then seizes the opportunity fire the opening volley. She rears back and sucker punches him right in the gut. His armor, and Deerdra's right hand, crack. The cheap shot takes him by surprise. He is even more surprised when it knocks him off balance forcing him to take a step back.

His eyes burn with rage and he lets out a deep guttural growl that slowly escalates into a battle cry. He charges scythe first. Deerdra tumbles off to the side, taking care to protect her broken hand. She ducks behind a tree just as he swings the scythe, the force of which deeply embeds the blade into the tree. While he tugs on the handle, Deerdra swings around the tree feet first, hitting him square in the chest knocking him backward.

Now it's Deerdra's turn to charge. She intends to jump up and kick him again. Bad move. He anticipates the attack and catches her mid-kick then flings her toward the scythe embedded tree. She hits back first, snapping the tree in two and freeing the scythe. The tree does little to stop her momentum. She does eventually come to rest face down at the base of the charred remains of another tree.

The force of the hit knocks her out for a brief moment. Long enough for Death to unsheathe the short sword, pick up the scythe and saunter over to her, but not long enough for him to strike the finishing blow. She comes to just as he raises the scythe to remove her head from her body. With no time to waste, she zips between his legs then kicks the back of his knee. Being top heavy, he falls to the ground allowing Deerdra to plant an elbow to the back of his neck softening him up for a choke-hold.

Trying to free himself he begins rolling across the dirt and bone landscape. With her hand completely healed, Deerdra's grip never loosens. They eventually stop rolling and his massive body ends up pinning her to the ground. Her grip isn't so tight that he can't hiss out a threat, however. "You were right, you are not like the others. You have more fight in you. That will make your death all the more satisfying."

His weight combined with the sword's sheath squishing her lungs does cause her to stop choking him.

She musters a tough sounding, "I'm not dead yet."

The lack of air is weakening her. A wave of panic washes over her before she has a flash of inspiration. She reaches around and pokes him in his eyes. That did it! He yells then rolls off of her.

She crawls away from him gasping for air desperate to catch her breath. In the process, she turns her back to him. Another bad move.

While she's still on all fours, he kicks her in the ribs, sending her sailing. She lands stomach first on top of a large rounded boulder. What little air she had left whooshes out. She slides limp as a noodle down the side and ends up in a heap next to the boulder. A boulder that prevented Deerdra from being burnt alive again in lava filled crevasse. She wheezes and coughs up blood, much to his delight.

He has his swagger on, "The great Deerdra Reese, freak offspring of a bunch of washed up gods, lies crumpled on the ground like a discarded piece of parchment from her would-be lover. What would your precious Gabrielle think of you now?"

Wrong thing to say. Deerdra's body overflows with rage. She slowly stands and faces him. "She'd wonder what took me so long to do this..."

She leaps up and grabs a passing vulture by its legs then shoves the panicked bird flapping and squawking into Death's face and holds it there. Swatting at the bird, he stumbles backward and ends up teetering at the edge of a bubbling pool of lava.

Deerdra hooks one of the bird's claws in a gap in Death's armor to keep him occupied so he can't see her next move and devise a counter. She takes a couple of steps back then launches. One final drop-kick and it's over. He lands in the angry lake of lava with a huge splash. As the molten liquid absorbs his unholy form, his screams bounce from one rocky wall to the other vibrating the earth above down to the sides below.

Michael hears and feels the demon's demise and smiles.

When all is calm, Deerdra walks over and peers into said pool. Not a single trace of the evil giant can be seen. Deerdra grins, "De-nied, again." She looks around and yells out a warning to who or whatever may be listening, "I am Deerdra Reese! Remember my name and be forewarned all who challenge me! If you dare utter Gabrielle's name to me you too shall meet this same fate!" She raises her fists in the air and lets out a deafening, "Aahhhh!"

Death's mountain of a horse walks over to her. "Hey, there. You want to come with me or stay here?"

The horse eyeballs her for a moment then lowers himself to one leg, allowing her to hop on. "I was hoping that would be your answer." She hoists herself onto the animals back. "You do know another way out of here, right?" He bobs his head yes. "Good. Now let's go get my sword."

Michael waits for Deerdra, calm and cool on the outside but inside, he's anxious for her to arrive and officially get her started on her tasks. When she and the beast lumber toward him, he crosses his arms and scowls. The horse stops before him then kneels to let Deerdra slide off his massive back. All of her wounds have healed however, her clothes are tattered and she is covered in a mix of dirt and dried blood.

Michael hopes she has learned her lesson, but knows otherwise. "It would have been acceptable for you to use one of his weapons."

Deerdra thought as much, however, "Yeah, I thought as much but I wanted to make sure just in case it was a trap. Beside, Death being done in by an opportunistic bird seemed appropriate. Although, that wasn't really Death, was it? He was more like a guard in Hell's waiting room, wasn't he?"

Michael half smiles, "Was he now?" He isn't going to satisfy her curiosity. "Do you still wish to be our champion?"

If it were anyone else, Deerdra would think he was making a joke. "What do you think?"

Michael puffs up, "Good. Before I give The Sword back to you, know that each and every time you break a rule-any rule-you will face an opponent such as this demon, each one more difficult to defeat than the last."

"I understand." Deerdra grins, "I look forward to the next one."

Michael shakes his head. He knows she's only half kidding. "Do you intend to keep the horse?"

She pats the horse's chest, "Just until I can trade him for something more my size." The horse kneels and Deerdra hops aboard, "Well, goodbye, Michael. It's been real."

Michael has mixed feelings about sending her off on her journey. He's confident she will succeed, but at the same time concerned. What if he was wrong and she fails? "God speed, Deerdra Reese. Keep in mind that as long as you do not underestimate your opponent, you will never lose."

Deerdra can't figure him out. He comes across all serious then the next, he appears to be joking, "Is that a promise?"

He has his serious face on, "It is the truth."

"Huh." She gives Michael a wave then steers the big horse down the road leading away from Margret's village. "Giddy up, Equuleus. Time for me to save the world. No, strike that. I'm going to wash off this grime first then I'll save the world." Equuleus whinnies in agreement.

*CONTINUED*