Xena dropped to the ground as Iris and Naomi hurried to her and Echidna simply watched the situation unfold in amusement.
IRIS
Xena!
Xena slowly sat up as she held her hand to the deep gashes across her stomach that were made by Echidna's claws. Iris and Naomi crouched down to examine Xena's new wounds.
NAOMI
Those are pretty deep.
Xena grimaced in pain as she attempted to make light of her condition.
XENA
It's not as bad as it looks.
Knowing that wasn't true, and that Xena was trying to put on a brave face, Naomi looked at the others.
NAOMI
Quick someone get me something to bandage her up with. Hopefully it'll be enough to slow the bleeding until we can stitch her up.
ECHIDNA
Why bother I'm only going to kill her anyway.
Iris stood as she turned towards Echidna as the others worked on helping Xena.
IRIS
We won't let you.
Echidna laughed a little before slithering a bit closer to the group.
ECHIDNA
How funny that you think you can stop me.
Willow carefully stepped forward.
WILLOW
You won't think so when you're dead monster.
ECHIDNA
You're awfully brave for someone that can hardly walk after I barely even got my claws into you.
Willow scowled.
WILLOW
Only because you used the cheap tactic of hiding in the shadows when you attacked me. But now that we can see you face to face that won't happen again.
Echidna smirked.
ECHIDNA
(Sarcasm) Yes because that obviously worked so well for her, didn't it?
The creature motioned towards Xena. The group glared at Echidna Knowing that if she was able to cause that level of damage to Xena, that she was clearly extremely powerful. Echidna slithered a little closer as those in the group who weren't tending to Xena held their weapons ready.
ECHIDNA
And just what do you plan on doing with those hmm? You can't hurt me.
Xena winced as Iris wrapped some cloth that they had gotten from a pack that they had with them. Unfortunately there wasn't time to stitch Xena's wounds so Iris hoped that the bandage would be enough for the time being, as Xena spoke.
XENA
She's right. The only thing that can hurt her is my sword, chakrum and maybe myself.
Mia scoffed.
MIA
(Sarcasm) Well aren't you special.
Naomi didn't say anything but shot Mia a very disapproving glance.
ARIA
Even if that's true we don't care.
AMELIA
Exactly we'll find a way to stop you once and for all...
(Talking quietly to herself) Somehow.
Dispite Amelia lowering her voice for her last statement, Echidna still heard her and smiled.
ECHIDNA
Ah so the truth comes out. You really can't defeat me and you know it. That one there is your only hope.
No one said anything which caused Echidna to become even more confident that she was right.
ECHIDNA
Good then nothing is stopping me from ripping all of you apart.
Echidna looked the group over who stood together and then her eyes focused on Xena. The creature couldn't help but feel anger build within her as she thought of how Xena was able to injure her. A pathetic amazon and mortal able to actually hurt her. That didn't sit right with Echidna and she was determined to make Xena pay for that. Which gave the creature an idea.
ECHIDNA
Hmm but perhaps we can strike a deal.
Naomi stepped forward as she held her weapon.
NAOMI
(Disgusted tone) What kind of deal could you possibly propose that would remotely have any interest to us?
Echidna slithered around her as she spoke.
ECHIDNA
Simple. You give me that one.
Echidna pointed to Xena.
ECHIDNA
And I'll allow the rest of you to live.
NAOMI
Let me get this straight you want us to give you Xena and you'll just let the rest of us walk out of here.
ECHIDNA
Precisely.
NAOMI
And what about the attacks on the people in the surrounding areas?
ECHIDNA
I'll continue to do as I please. But I suppose that might not satisfy you so tell you what, leave the one you call Xena with me and I'll leave your village alone.
NAOMI
And if we don't?
ECHIDNA
I'll kill you all right here and then I'll head straight for your village next.
NAOMI
And what makes you think that you know what village we're from? There are several in this area.
ECHIDNA
Then I guess I'll just have to go from village to village and kill everyone I see. So tell me Amazon, do we have a deal?
Naomi scowled knowing that this likely wasn't simply making an idle threat. She clearly had some kind of special hatred towards Amazon's. And she very obviously had the ability to follow through on such a threat. But still simply handing Xena over to this monster was just something that Naomi couldn't do. Even if it cost Naomi her own life, she refused to simply stand by and allow this monster to do as she pleased. And she certainly wasn't about to sacrifice her queen to this creature who more than likely wouldn't have kept her word and still attacked the rest of them anyway. So knowing full well what the consequences of her answer would be, Naomi stood boldly in front of Echidna as she gave the creature her answer.
NAOMI
I refuse to sacrifice anyone to you monster. So no deal.
Echidna growled.
ECHIDNA
Foolish amazon. You would doom everyone you know for one woman. Perhaps you should ask what you're fellow Amazon's want before you sentence them to a horrific death. I highly doubt that they want to die a pointless death when they have a far better opinion.
WILLOW
That's where you're wrong.
Willow used her spear to help her walk as she stepped forward next to Naomi.
WILLOW
Xena's not only my queen but my friend and I'd gladly lay down my life to save her.
IRIS
I couldn't agree more. I won't let you have Xena.
Iris walked up and stood with Naomi and Willow. Amelia finished doing what she could for Xena as she and Aria joined the others as they showed their support for Xena.
ARIA
Xena has my full support. The only reason she's even here and ended up in the shape she's in is because of us. So the least we can do is fight for her the way that she fought for us.
AMELIA
I don't care what she might've done in the past, anyone who would face the likes of you on their own to protect others and survive is obviously something special. And besides I've been wanting to get a piece of you for all of my sisters that you've killed.
NAOMI
It looks like you're out numbered creature.
Echidna sneered.
ECHIDNA
That means nothing. I've taken you down before and I'll do it again. And this time no one will be able to save you.
MIA
You know for a monster you really do talk too much.
The group of women all turned slightly as Mia joined them and stood beside Naomi.
NAOMI
(Sarcasm) Nice of you to join us. Or did you come to offer Xena to this thing?
Mia gave Naomi a disapproving glance.
MIA
Please if that was the plan I would've done it already.
Naomi smirked.
MIA
Don't give me that look. I still don't like Xena one bit and I refuse to acknowledge her as my queen. But I'm not about to stand around and let this creature to continue to attack and slaughter our people. And since none of you are going to give Xena up I don't really have much choice but to fight here do I?
NAOMI
Fair enough.
Echidna sneered as Xena looked on in disbelief that everyone there was standing up to Echidna instead of handing her over to the creature.
XENA
Wait you can't just fight her. She'll kill you. Without some kind of special weapon or power Echidna can't even be injured.
Naomi looked at Xena and smirked.
NAOMI
Good thing we have someone here who seems to be able to do just that.
Naomi returned her focus forward as she spoke to the others and Xena stood as she gathered her sword and chakrum.
NAOMI
Looks like this is it folks. Move quick and keep her distracted. We just need to get a good opening and then this nightmare will finally be over.
Everyone else except Xena gave some kind of indication that they were ready. Naomi looked at Xena.
NAOMI
Any final words of encouragement from our queen, Xena?
XENA
Yeah. Thank you. And don't get yourselves killed.
Naomi smirked.
NAOMI
I think that was the plan already. But I'll make sure we do our best to follow that order.
Echidna growled angerly.
ECHIDNA
(Angry/ Sinister tone) Enough of this. You Amazon's are fools, all of you. But you'll be sorry soon enough when the ground all across the land runs red with the blood of your people. And I'll start here with all of you.
TO BE CONTINUED...