Xena fought back the urge to rush over to where Lyceus stood and embrace him, knowing that this was nothing more than a vision of her brother that had been killed many years ago. Hearing that Xena had spoken his name a moment ago, Gabrielle looked at her.

GABRIELLE
Xena is that really Lyceus?

The spector smiled at Xena as she stood there unsure of what to say or do.

LYCEUS
What's wrong Xena, not happy to see me?

Finally Xena pushed down her shock and spoke.

XENA
I would be. If you were actually my brother.

LYCEUS
What makes you so sure that I'm not?

XENA
Because Lyceus has been dead for years.

The spector smiled as before either Xena or Gabrielle knew he had vanished and then was directly behind Xena.

LYCEUS
And who's fault is that, sister?

Xena didn't look back at him as she lowered her head in shame and regret.

XENA
Mine.

GABRIELLE
Xena don't say that.

LYCEUS
That's right it was.

Gabrielle turned around and scowled at the spector that had taken the form of Xena's brother.

GABRIELLE
Hey Lyceus chose to fight to save his home. Just like everyone else that day.

LYCEUS
Yes but I was Xena who rallied them. He, like many others might not have been killed that day if it weren't for her actions.

GABRIELLE
(Angry tone) And how many more people would have died if Xena hadn't taken a stand against that attack?

LYCEUS
So you say her actions that day were justified?

GABRIELLE
I think that they were.

"Lyceus" smiled.

LYCEUS
You may be right Gabrielle. But what about what happened afterwards?

The area around them suddenly changed as Gabrielle, Xena and the spector of Lyceus stood inside of a house watching as a new scene unfolded before them. This time it was Xena's mother Cyrene and a younger vision of Xena herself. It didn't take long before both Xena and Gabrielle knew just what they were watching.

CYRENE
(Crying) He's gone. No. My son is dead.

The younger vision of Xena looked down sadly as tears streamed down her face.

YOUNGER XENA
I'm sorry mother. I don't know what happened. I just wanted to protect the village.

Both the actual Xena and Gabrielle jumped slightly when they saw the spector of Cyrene storm over and slap the younger version of Xena hard across the face.

CYRENE
(Angry tone/ crying) He was your brother Xena! And because you couldn't just leave well enough alone, you got him and so many others from our village killed.

YOUNGER XENA
If we didn't fight, Cortese and his men would have killed everyone. We stopped them.

CYRENE
(Angry tone/ crying) At what cost? The lives of your friends? Your own brother? My son?! Lyceus was so young. He had his whole life ahead of him. But you took that away.

YOUNGER XENA
(Sad tone) Mother I'm sorry I...

CYRENE
(Angry tone/ crying) You're sorry. Sorry isn't going to bring my son back Xena. Or anyone else who was killed today.

YOUNGER XENA
(Sad tone) Mother...

The younger Xena tried to reach out to Cyrene who just moved away.

CYRENE
(Sad tone/ crying) Don't Xena, just don't.

Xena and Gabrielle watched as the spector of Cyrene turned her back to the younger version of Xena.

CYRENE
(Sad tone) Leave.

YOUNGER XENA
(Sad tone) mother please, I...

CYRENE
(Sad tone) Don't make this harder than it already is Xena. Please, just go.

Without another word the younger Xena turned around and wiped the tears from her eyes as she left and Cyrene broke down and sobbed. Meanwhile the actual Xena wiped away her own tears as she felt the emotional pain of having to relive such a heatwrenching time of her life. Gabrielle lightly squeezed Xena's hand in hers getting Xena's attention.

GABRIELLE
I'm sorry you had to live through that again Xena. I know it took a long time but you and your mother are a family again. You've both forgiven each other. And I know that Cyrene loves you.

Xena managed a small smile at the welcomed reminder.

XENA
Yeah. I know.

LYCEUS
Yes but that was only how it all began wasn't it? Because soon after you were the one with the army on the attack. Sure at first it was to defend your home village that you were no longer welcomed in. But before long you had completely forgotten your original reasoning as you yourself became the very type of person that you had first set out to protect your village from.

The area around Xena, Gabrielle and the spirit that had taken the form of Lyceus changed once again. This time it was another battlefield. Gabrielle heard an angery yell and recognized the voice as Xena's. She saw a shadow on the ground in front of her and on instint quickly ducked as a figure dropped from over head and landed a few feet in front of her. She looked on as the tall figure rose and looked over their shoulder with an ice cold look in their eyes. Gabrielle couldn't help but feel intimidated as she readied who she was looking at when the figure turned around to face them. Xena felt Gabrielle's grip on her hand tighten slightly for a moment as they came face to face with the spector of the Xena that Gabrielle had only known about from the stories that she had been told. The Xena that had turned herself over to the darkness, the anger, the violence that raged within her. Gabrielle took a step back as she saw an evil smile cross this Xena's face and begin to move towards them.

LYCEUS
Don't worry none of these visions can see us. There can't be any interaction between you and what you're shown. They're nothing more than a visual manifestation of your past memories and events with no actual physical form or recollection of our presence.

GABRIELLE
But you can see and interact with us.

LYCEUS
Yes but I'm an actual spirit. These are nothing but memories. Think of it as if you're watching a dream

GABRIELLE
Oh, I think I understand.

Gabrielle let go of the actual Xena's hand and moved to the side as the vision of Xena's former self moved passed them. She cautiously reached out to touch the spector and saw her hand go right through as the Xena of the past continued onward without ever even noticing her. Confirming that the spector of Lyceus was correct. The actual Xena clenched her fist as she looked around at the battlefield.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) Damn I don't want Gabrielle to have to see this side me. It's bad enough that she not only knows about it but has been put in danger and suffered far too many times because of my past actions. But to actually be forced to witness it...

Xena moved to stand in front of Gabrielle's line of sight as she looked at the spirit.

XENA
Gabrielle already knows about my violent and destructive past. Is it really necessary for her to have to see it?

LYCEUS
I'm sure you must feel ashamed about many of the things you've done. And while it will no doubt be difficult, it is indeed necessary for you both to truly see everything that lays within the deepest depths of your souls.

XENA
(Irritated tone) But why. Forcing someone to watch this kind of madness is just cruel. What good could possibly come from it?

LYCEUS
Do you wish to stop this? Because if that's the case then all you have to do is say so.

XENA
Yes we're done. Now take us...

GABRIELLE
Xena no.

Xena looked at Gabrielle with a curious expression.

GABRIELLE
Remember if we stop before we've seen everything this place has to show us then we'll never be able to be married as Amazon's.

XENA
Gabrielle you know we don't have to be joined as Amazon's. We could just have a regular wedding if you really want to get married.

Gabrielle scowled.

GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) I knew it. You still didn't actually think that I can handle things. I'm not a child Xena.

XENA
I never said that you were.

GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) And yet you insist on treating me like one.

XENA
(Irritated tone) I'm sorry if I don't want to unnecessarily expose someone I love to the horrors of my blood filled past.

GABRIELLE
(Angry tone) Well it's not like I haven't seen plenty of violence and bloodshed already. Plus I'm already aware of most of that stuff anyway, so what's the difference?!

Xena scowled.

XENA
(Angry tone) Because maybe you're not the only one I don't want having to see this all again! I'm already well aware of what I've done!

Xena looked at the spector that resembled her brother.

XENA
(Angry tone) Now you. I don't care what kind of twisted test you think this is but you have some nerve to show up looking like this.

LYCEUS
I merely took the shape of someone who ment alot to you. Most find it more comforting to see a familiar face in this type of situation then some foreign entity. But if you prefer I could change to something else.

Xena looked away.

XENA
(Irritated tone) Forget it. It wouldn't make any difference now anyway. Now take us back. We're done here.

LYCEUS
Are you sure?

XENA
Yes now let's go.

LYCEUS
Very well. All you have to do is step through here and you'll awake back in your world.

The spector pointed to an opening that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It swirled with multiple colors as Xena stood before it and looked at Gabrielle for her to follow.

XENA
Come on Gabrielle, we're leaving.

GABRIELLE
So that's it you're just gonna give in this quick?

XENA
Yes now let's go.

With that Xena began to walk towards the portal only to be stopped when Gabrielle grabbed hold of her arm.

XENA
Gabrielle let go, it's not worth having to go through this. We'll get married a different way someday. Tomorrow even, if that's what you really want. I'll do everything possible to make sure that it's the wedding of your dreams when that day comes. But I'm sorry I just can't do this.

TO BE CONTINUED...