Spread out across the field in front of the village the epic battle waged on. Xena blocked a strike from Callisto's blade and shoved her away as out of the corner of her eye she saw a ball of light coming her way. Quickly Xena swung her sword and sent the orb back the way it came causing it to hit the one who threw it originally threw it square in the chest, that being Ares, Stunned from being hit with his own godly power, Ares scowled at Xena as she carried on fighting off everything that came her way. Meanwhile, Gabrielle was busy with her own battle. She dropped Arsen as she kicked his knee from under him and followed up with a few hard shots with the bottom of her sais to his face. She then flipped one of them and prepared to drive the point into his neck but suddenly found herself being thrown back by an unseen force. Gabrielle landed on her back several feet away and looked up to see Hope walking towards her. Several weapons that had been laying on the ground began to levitate around her as she walked by them. Gabrielle's eyes widened in fear as Hope gave her an evil smile.
HOPE
Goodbye mother.
Without even moving Hope sent the weapons at Gabrielle who scrambled to get out of the way as Hope launched the barrage of deadly weapons towards her. Axes, swords, spears, and maces all came flying Gabrielle's way as she did everything she could to avoid being hit. Multiple weapons stuck into the ground around her as Gabrielle just managed to dodge the continued assault. As the weapons kept coming in Gabrielle heard a yell behind her and speedily moved to the side as Arsen brought down his battle axe and just missed hitting her. She threw out a swinging kick to his midsection and made him stagger back for a moment. But Gabrielle's attention returned to Hope as she heard her demonic daughter yell as more weapons came at her. With the projectiles coming fast and no time to move Gabrielle dove to the ground as the weapons were propelled over her. She then heard a quick, painful groan and turned her head towards the sound. It was then that she saw Arsen impaled by some of the weaponry. Including a dagger that was lodged in his throat. Gabrielle watched as Arsen stood there for a moment and made a horrible gargling sound before falling back and staying down as his consciousness once again disappeared from the mortal realm and his soul returned to Tartarus once more. Hope glared at Gabrielle as she got back up to face her evil offspring.
HOPE
You always were a clever one. But that won't be enough to save you this time Mother.
The chaos continued with Alti's army kept up their push towards the village as they kept pushing their way through the villagers. The fact that the enemy could only be stopped for good by hitting vital points was beginning to become more and more of a problem for the villagers as hitting the weak spots was easier said than done in the heat of battle. Not to mention that the fighting had been going on for some time now and the women of the village were beginning to grow fatigued where as their opponents didn't seem to tire or even feel pain.
WILLOW
I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. It seems like there's no end to them.
Willow swung her spear in a wide sweeping motion as she knocked back a few of the oncoming enemies.
CORA
We have to keep going. The enemy can not be allowed to reach the village. Otherwise, it'll be the end for far more than just us.
Cora dodged another enemy that came at her and gave them a quick shove as she sent them right towards Willow who impaled her spearhead into their chest as she drove them to the ground. Then in one swift motion, Willow used the momentum to vault through the air and drop onto another oncoming opponent and plunged her spear into their chest as well, taking both enemies out for good.
CLOVER
Heads up!
Iris ducked as she heard Clover's voice and saw her axe come flying over her head and lodge itself into the chest of one of the multiple enemies that were charging straight for her. Iris stood upright again and looked back at Clover who just gave a quick wave as she hustled over and tackled another enemy to the ground as she began pummeling them with her fists before being thrown off by another enemy and swarmed by several more. Skyla cut down another enemy as she saw Clover being mauled.
CLOVER
Damn it get off me.
SKYLA
Clover!
Skyla began fighting her way towards Clover as Willow began trying to get to enemies off of her. Skyla used her sword to cut down several enemies in her way as she then heard a loud, angry yell.
CLOVER
(Angry tone) I said, get, off!
With a burst of strength, Clover managed to shove all of the swarming enemies off of her as she emerged from the group with multiple scraps and cuts on various parts of her body but didn't appear to have any serious injuries otherwise.
CLOVER
(Angry tone) That's it I'm sick of this crap. You bastards have officially pissed me off.
Clover then ran to where her axe was, grabbed it, and swung upwards at an enemy slicing right up their torso and dropping them. She then continued onward by kicking another in the stomach and as they bent forward she brought her axe blade down on the back of their neck and right after they dropped to the ground with their head separated from the rest of their body.
XENA
Aren't you sick of doing this Callisto?
Xena's sword locked with Callisto's.
CALLISTO
You mean trying to make your life a living nightmare like you did mine? Not even a little. You forget I live to make you suffer Xena.
XENA
But that's the thing you're already dead.
CALLISTO
Oh details, details. The point is that I'm here now and when I finally kill you and we both go to Tartarus we can fight forever.
XENA
You know it's starting to sound like you enjoy this.
CALLISTO
Oh please Xena you know that because of you I don't enjoy anything.
XENA
Is that supposed to make me feel sorry for you after everything you've done?
CALLISTO
No, because your sympathy or pity means nothing to me, Xena. No all I want from you is to see you in as much of any kind of pain that can possibly be inflicted.
Callisto shoved Xena back and swung at her. Xena dodged her blade and countered with a swipe of her own sword. The two went back and forth with attacks, blocks, and parries. Then with her senses picking up on something, Xena quickly dove to the side as a ball of energy flew by and just missed both Xena and Callisto.
XENA
(Irritated tone) What kind of so-called god of war needs to resort to cheap tactics?
ARES
You call it cheap, I call it smart strategy.
Ares threw out another attack and Xena dove and rolled forward to get out of the way. But as she rolled back to her feet she was met with an attack from the former great Amazonian council member, Alanis.
ALANIS
This time I'm gonna make sure you pay for what you've done Xena.
CALLISTO
Then you had better get in line because Xena's mine.
ARES
(Sarcasm) Now aren't you popular?
XENA
(Sarcasm) Lucky me.
Xena grabbed her chakram and threw it out at the group. They all dodged as Xena leapt at them swinging her sword. The small group scattered as she landed in the middle of the three and caught her chakram as it came back before putting it back on her hip. Xena stood tall and looked between the three as she held her sword ready.
XENA
Well, come on. Three on one, I like those odds.
TO BE CONTINUED...