The area seemed so peaceful and serene as Xena and Gabrielle moved through the spirit realm. Unsure of where they were going or what they might find Xena remained on alert as she examined their surroundings.
GABRIELLE
Xena do you know what might happen here or where we should go?
XENA
Unfortunately I don't. I haven't done this sort of thing in a very long time. Plus it's different every time you come here. So that makes it near impossible to predict what might happen while we're here.
GABRIELLE
Oh.
(Thinking to herself) There you go again Gabrielle, depending on someone else for everything. You just complained that Xena didn't think you can handle yourself. And once again you're proving both her and everyone else who's thought that right.
Noticing Gabrielle becoming quiet, the feeling that there was something wrong ate away at Xena even further. She was about to say something when Gabrielle spoke.
GABRIELLE
Hey look up ahead. It looks like a giant waterfall.
Xena looked up atop a hill that they were coming to and saw that there was an enormous waterfall at the top. Though it looked more like a wall of rushing water than anything since it stretched out to either side as far as Xena could see. She looked back for a moment and saw that there wasn't anything of note behind them. Looking forward again, Xena began walking towards the flowing water as Gabrielle walked along side her.
XENA
I don't see anything else around here so it's a safe bet that we're supposed to do something with this.
GABRIELLE
That was my thought too.
Reaching the waterfall they both stood in front of the cascading water as they examined it. Cautiously Gabrielle reached out to touch it.
XENA
Careful Gabrielle in a place like this we don't know what might happen.
Gabrielle gave Xena a disapproving look as without breaking eye contact, she then proceeded to shove half of her arm directly under the water. After a moment of nothing happening Gabrielle retrieved her arm from the waterfall. Holding it up they both saw that all that happened was that Gabrielle's arm had gotten wet. Gabrielle smirked and lowered her arm as Xena scowled.
XENA
(Irritated tone) That was unnecessarily risky.
GABRIELLE
We needed to see if it was safe to touch. So I did.
XENA
(Irritated tone) By shoving your whole arm in like that. It could've gotten burned or cut off or who knows what here.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) And what would you have done Xena? I know you. You would have done the same thing.
XENA
(Irritated tone) I would've used the tip of my finger to test it first. Not just put my whole damn arm on the line.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) That's exactly what I was going to do before you stopped me.
Xena found herself becoming more angerd as she realized what Gabrielle had done.
XENA
(Irritated tone) So you did something that reckless just for spite?
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) Well if you had trusted my judgment in the first place I wouldn't have done that.
Xena took a breath as she pushed down her urge to continue trying to make her point of how reckless Gabrielle's actions were.
XENA
Fine let's just forget it then. Nothing happened so we're fine. Besides I'm sure that standing here arguing isn't going to help our case when it comes to our viability to be married.
Gabrielle smirked.
GABRIELLE
Glad you see it my way. Come on let's keep going.
With that Gabrielle walked ahead and went through the waterfall. Xena sighed as she shook her head in disbelief.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) I'm gonna have to have a good, long talk with her later.
Xena then followed Gabrielle through the falling water. Once on the other side Xena found herself on a ledge overlooking what appeared to be a battlefield. There were men fighting everywhere as they cut each other down. Her eyes scanned the area as Xena realized where they were.
XENA
(Talking to herself) No. Why here? Why this?
Hearing Xena speak Gabrielle walked over from where she was watching the scene and stood beside her.
GABRIELLE
Xena?
Hearing the pain in Xena's voice and seeing it in her eyes, Gabrielle gently touched Xena's arm to get her attention. Feeling Gabrielle, Xena turned away from the scene and looked at her. She was a bit thrown off when she saw that Gabrielle was back to wearing her green top and brown skirt that she typically wore when not with the Amazon's.
XENA
Gabrielle. your clothes.
GABRIELLE
My clothes?
Gabrielle looked down as for the first time noticed what Xena just had.
GABRIELLE
That's strange I had my Amazon stuff on before I walked through the waterfall. Huh I wonder why it changed.
XENA
(Distracted tone) I'm sure we'll find out.
Gabrielle looked back up and saw that Xena was no longer looking at her but watching the scene before them.
GABRIELLE
What is this? Wait a minute I've seen this place before. Xena isn't this...
XENA
Amphipolis. Long before we ever met.
GABRIELLE
Amphipolis? But it looks more like a battle field than a village.
XENA
That's because on this day it was.
Gabrielle saw Xena's fists clench tightly at her sides as she could feel the strange sense of fear, pain and regret coming from Xena. Realizing what this must've been Gabrielle gently took Xena's hand in hers as they stood watching the scene play out.
GABRIELLE
Xena we don't have to watch this. I know how much of an affect your brother's death had on you.
As much as Xena wanted to look away she kept her eyes fixed on the vision from her past as it played out just as she remembered it.
XENA
No. Lyceus's death is a part of what made me the way I was. So there must be a reason for why we're being shown this.
?
That's right Xena there is.
Gabrielle looked around as she heard a voice echo around them.
GABRIELLE
That's not Cora's voice. Who is that? It sounds like a man and he knows your name Xena.
Gabrielle saw Xena's eyes go wide as she looked away from the fighting to find the source of the voice.
XENA
It can't be.
Both Xena and Gabrielle stood and watched as a young man stepped out from behind a tree. Xena's heart skipped a beat as she layed her eyes on the man standing before them, never thinking that she'd see his face again.
XENA
(Disbelief) Lyceus?
Gabrielle saw him smile, confirming that this was indeed Xena's deceased younger brother. Or at least a vision of him anyway. He smiled as he looked at Xena and Gabrielle.
LYCEUS
Hey there sis. Long time no see.
TO BE CONTINUED...