Naomi and Iris rushed ahead towards the noise they had heard as they searched for Xena. After running for a bit the two made it to the small clearing where Xena had been fighting Echidna. They peered through the bushes and spotted the creature holding Xena in her grasp.
IRIS
There they are.
Naomi scowled.
NAOMI
So that's the thing that's been killing my people. Damn it's still got her.
IRIS
Xena's not moving.
NAOMI
I noticed. Hopefully we didn't get here too late. We better move fast.
Iris drew her sword from her hip as Naomi readied her spear. After a few words for strategy
NAOMI
Ready?
Iris nodded. Naomi gave quick instructions for the best way to handle the situation and on her signal the two yelled as they ran out of the bushes and towards Echidna as they split up to distract and confuse the creature. Hearing the yells Echidna turned her attention away from Xena as she saw Iris and Naomi beginning to circle her.
ECHIDNA
Oh look more Amazon's who are running towards their end. Good I was pretty much done with this one anyway.
Echidna tossed the unconscious Xena to the dirt as she moved towards Naomi and Iris.
IRIS
We better be careful. If this monster was able to out match Xena it must be very powerful.
Naomi and Iris cautiously moved as Echidna slithered around as if she was trying to decide which one to attack first. Finally after a few tense moments Echidna lunged for Naomi. Naomi dove and rolled out of the way as Iris ran in and swung. Her sword connected but didn't even break the creatures skin.
ECHIDNA
That won't work on me.
Echidna swiped at iris who ducked out of the way and moved back. The creature was distracted by Iris when Naomi thrust her spear into the creatures snake body only to have it bounce off Echidna as it was unable to pierce her flesh.
NAOMI
What the...
Naomi was cut off as Echidna swung her tail and knocked her away.
IRIS
Naomi!
NAOMI
I'm okay.
Naomi stood up after being thrown to the ground. The two regrouped as they moved close to one another to restratigise.
NAOMI
I don't think we can actually hunt this thing.
IRIS
But look she has multiple wounds on her body.
NAOMI
So I've noticed.
IRIS
Do you think Xena some how did that?
NAOMI
It wouldn't surprise me
IRIS
But how?
The two dodged an attack from Echidna as they moved and came back together to continue trying to figure out what to do.
NAOMI
I have no idea. Maybe she knows something we don't or just got lucky. Either way we need to either chase this thing off or get Xena and run. But something tells me that this creature isn't going to allow us to do either one easily.
Echidna swiped at Naomi with her claws. Naomi put up her spear in a defensive position and blocked. Iris took the opening and tried attacking Echidna but once again the creature took no damage. Annoyed, Echidna swung her tail and knocked Iris away. Iris hit the ground as Echidna grabbed Naomi with her tail and began to constrict around her. Naomi yelled in pain as she felt herself slowly being crushed.
IRIS
Naomi!
Iris didn't know what to do as she looked on. They couldn't do anything to this monster. So what could she do to to save Naomi? Iris looked at Echidna and at the multiple wounds on the creature.
IRIS
(Thinking to herself) How did you do it Xena? How were you able to injure this monster? What do you have that we don't? Is it just you? Are you truly that amazing?
Iris thought as she looked at Xena trying desperately to come up with something. Then she spotted Xena's chakrum and sword laying on the ground and got an idea.
IRIS
I wonder.
Though she wasn't exactly sure how to use it Iris got up and quickly grabbed Xena's chakrum. But dropped it when she cut her hand on it.
IRIS
Ah! That's sharp. How does Xena hold and catch this without getting cut?
Iris then picked up Xena's sword as she hoped that would work and ran at Echidna. The creature continued to squeeze Naomi and the Amazon screamed as Iris ran up and swung Xena's sword. She was shocked when this time she was able to actually hurt the creature as the sword cut into Echidna's skin. Echidna yelled as she threw Naomi at iris, sending them both to the ground. The monster looked at her new wound and sneered.
ECHIDNA
(Angry tone) Damn you. How?
Naomi looked at Iris as they got up.
NAOMI
That's a very good question.
IRIS
It might be Xena's weapons. But we can't really use one of them.
Iris showed the cut on her hand that was caused by Xena's chakrum.
NAOMI
Then we do what we can with what we can use.
With that Naomi decided to act as a distraction and give Iris an opening to strike. She ran at Echidna and the creatures took the bait as went after her. As Echidna closed in Naomi took her spear and used it to vault over the creatures attack. Without wasting a second iris followed up immediately and swung Xena's sword as she readied Echidna. The blade cut the creature as she yelled. Echidna swiped at Iris who blocked with the blade. However the creature over powered Iris and knocked her away. Echidna was about to pursue Iris when Naomi rushed back in as she jumped and kicked Echidna. The creature turned her attention back to Naomi who dodged a swipe of her claws. Echidna followed up with a few more attacks when she felt a sharp pain. She yelled as she looked back to see that Iris had burried Xena's blade into her lower half. She whipped her tail and threw Iris off of her.
ECHIDNA
(Angry tone) I don't know how you're able to suddenly actually hurt me, but if that's how you wanna play I'll just take care of you first.
Echidna lunged at iris who was just barely able to get out of the way. Naomi came back at Echidna and jumped onto her tail.
ECHIDNA
Get off me!
The creature whipped her tail but Naomi held on. While dealing with Naomi, Echidna didn't have time to react as Iris landed another strike on the creature. Echidna was becoming infuriated and whipped her tail, throwing Naomi into Iris. As the collision knocked Xena's sword out of iris' grip and out of reach. Echinda growled as she looked at the multiple cuts on her body.
ECHIDNA
(Angry tone) You'll pay for this Amazon's. All of you.
Echidna raced towards Naomi and iris who barely dodged her. With Xena's sword too far out of reach both women were now left defenseless. And they along with Echidna knew it.
ECHIDNA
Looks like you've out of options. Now you're mine.
Echidna advanced towards Naomi and Iris who backed away as they both tried to figure out what they were going to do. Naomi looked around for anything and spotted Xena's chakrum but knew that she couldn't actually pick it up. Then she got an idea. She had no idea if it would work but it seemed like their only option. So she knew that she had to try. She refused to allow this monster to take her out without a fight. Naomi quickly took off running and Echidna followed her.
ECHIDNA
I'm not letting you escape.
NAOMI
Like wise.
Just as Naomi said those words she reached the spot where Xena's chakrum layed and kicked it at Echidna who ducked and the weapon went flying past her.
ECHIDNA
Nice try Amazon.
NAOMI
Damn it I missed.
Echidna charged at Naomi as Xena's chakrum bounced off of several trees as it unknowingly ricocheted around the area.
ECHIDNA
Now you're mine!
Echidna swiped at Naomi and threw her to the ground. Iris ran in to defend Naomi but was also easily knocked down. The two looked up as Echidna loomed menacingly over them. The creature raised her clawed hand to strike when Xena's chakrum suddenly came flying back in and cut the creatures arm. Echidna yelled, backing off as the weapon bounced off a nearby tree and came back at the monster, cutting her again. The chakrum continued to bounce around and cut Echidna several more times as it flew past her. After repeatedly getting cut Echidna decided it wasn't smart to stay around and made a hasty retreat into the bushes and trees as she tried her best to avoid getting hit. Once Echidna was gone iris and Naomi stayed low to avoid Xena's chakrum that still bounced around until it got stuck in the truck of a tree, bringing the weapon to a stop.
NAOMI
I can't believe that actually worked. Well good enough anyway.
The two stood up.
NAOMI
But I highly doubt that we'll get that lucky again.
With the danger gone for the moment iris and Naomi hurried over to where Xena layed. As they crouched down Naomi checked Xena for a pulse.
NAOMI
Good, she's alive.
Iris breathe a sigh of relief.
IRIS
Xena can you hear us? Xena?
The two begin trying to wake Xena as they hoped that she would be okay.
EPHINY
Well?
The village healer gave a sad sigh as she finished her brief examination on Gabrielle who had remained unconscious for some time now.
HEALER
I'm sorry Ephiny but there's nothing I can do. Gabrielle's hearts growing weaker by the day. She really doesn't have long. I'd say a matter of days at the most.
EPHINY
There has to be something. Xena's not back yet. Who knows what she'll do if she realizes that she couldn't make it back to be with Gabrielle for her final moments.
HEALER
I know. But that's just something that unless she makes it back in the next couple days, she's going to have to deal with it. It's no one's fault but...
The healer didn't know what else to say.
EPHINY
It's okay I understand. It'll be hard but eventually Xena will too.
There was a heavy silence in the room as they both looked at Gabrielle who's labored breathing had become increasingly worse after she had fallen into the coma.
EPHINY
So what do you suggest we do.
The healer sighed as she heard the sadness in Ephiny's voice dispite her trying to hide how emotional she was at the thought of losing such a good friend.
HEALER
I suggest that we begin making the funeral arrangements. It won't be much longer now.
With a heavy heart the healer left as Ephiny stood by Gabrielle's bed for a few moments. She brushed away the few tears that she wasn't able to hold back before turning away and leaving the room to begin making the necessary arrangements for the funeral . Even tthough Xena was now technically the ruler of the Amazons, to honor her dear friend and knowing that's what Xena would want, Ephiny was still going to make certain that Gabrielle's funeral ceremony would be fit for a queen.
TO BE CONTINUED...