With bodies from both sides littering the ground the epic battle for the village carried on. Spread out among the chaos, individual fights were still waging onward. One of which was Amarice versus the other deceased Amazon council member Nova. The two Amazon's swords clashed as they fought for dominance. Nova pushed Amarice back and followed up with a swipe of her blade. Amarice hopped back as she avoided the strike. She then launched her own offense with a series of slashes with her sword. Nova avoided the hits and countered with a swift kick to Amarice's stomach and then another to her face. Amarice fell back and looked up as Nova stood over her.

NOVA

Huh, you seem vaguely familiar. Have we met?

AMARICE

Not directly. Though I did fight in the war between the Amazons.

NOVA

Oh yes, I think I remember seeing you. You chose to side with Gabrielle and Xena and their supporters.

AMARICE

Of course, I did. Gabrielle's a good queen and none of what happened back then was her fault.

Amarice kicked Nova away and then hopped to her feet.

NOVA

Ha, you must be joking.

Nova swung at Amarice and the two exchanged multiple rapid sword strikes and blocks.

NOVA

Just look at what's happening now. This village that was supposed to be hidden and protected is in chaos. And why, because an enemy of Xena and Gabrielle tracked them down and then discovered its secret. And now All Amazons as well as everyone else are in danger.

Amarice took a swipe to her upper arm and backed off slightly as she grimaced in pain from the fresh cut as a bit of blood began to run down her arm.

AMARICE

If you're so concerned about the Amazons and the village then why are you helping to attack it?

NOVA

Because once this village falls then there will be no denying the negligence of that shame of a queen Gabrielle and the danger that both she and Xena pose to the Amazon people. Then if they somehow survive this there will be no choice but to take action against them and any of their loyal followers.

AMARICE

You're wrong. Both Gabrielle and Xena are some of our people's greatest allies. And both of them along with the rest of us are gonna protect this village.

NOVA

You're welcome to try.

Nova charged back in and she and Amarice continued their battle. Elsewhere on the battlefield Iris and Fauna were still facing off against their former Amazonian sister and friend Kai.

FAUNA

You need to stop this Kai.

Kai swiped at Fauna with her sword.

KAI

Why should I? This is what happens when you desert one of your own.

FAUNA

You're attacking your own people over something that you were rightfully banished for. You tried to kill our queen just to make Xena suffer.

KAI

(Angry tone) I was doing what was right for our people. We've spent our whole lives in this village together Fauna, but still, you and the others choose those two over one of your own.

IRIS

That's not true and you know it. You were my friend Kai and I'm sorry but you can't blame any of what happened on anyone but yourself.

Kai scowled.

KAI

(Angry tone) How can you seriously stand there and say that? After what happened?

IRIS

Because it's the truth.

KAI

(Angry tone) I'm dead because of them!

FAUNA

You're dead because you kidnapped Gabrielle and Xena's child and tried to kill them both again. No one made you do that. Just like no one made you join Velasca in her assassination attempts on Gabrielle. Which was the whole reason you were exiled in the first place. Everything that happened to you was the direct result of your own actions.

KAI

Fine. Then I guess the same can be said for all of you. This could've all been avoided if none of you trusted Xena in the first place. So I guess what I'm saying is that everything that happens after today is really a direct result of "your own" stupid actions in aligning yourselves with her.

Kai stabbed at Fauna who parried and countered with her own sword strike as the two continued their fight. More fighting continued as Ephiny's battle against Velasca carried on. The two fought as they exchanged punches, kicks, and slashes of their weapons. During the fighting Ephiny landed a hard blow to the side of Velasca's head, staggering her as she backed off. But before Ephiny could capitalize on her advantage she was struck from behind and thrown to the ground. She shook off the hit and moved quickly as a weapon came down at her. She put some distance between herself and her attacker and stood to see Velasca being joined by another familiar face. Ephiny held her sword ready as she looked at her now two opponents.

EPHINY

This probably isn't exactly the place for a family reunion. Or did you two already meet up in Tartarus before you were brought back?

CELINE

(Irritated tone) Is that supposed to be a joke?

VELASCA

(Irritated tone) Now come on Ephiny we all know that you aren't funny.

EPHINY

Who said that was a joke?

Velasca and Celine scowled at Ephiny before looking at each other for a moment and returning their forces forward.

VELASCA

And just when I thought I couldn't like you any less.

Velasca raced towards Ephiny and swung at her. Ephiny blocked but was knocked back by an attack from Celine.

EPHINY

So much for fighting fair I guess.

VELASCA

We all know that life's not fair Ephiny. If it was I would be queen right now and not fighting as part of an army of the dead.

EPHINY

(Frustrated tone) Oh for the love of... yeah Gabrielle became queen instead of you. So why don't you stop acting like a petulant child and get over it.

VELASCA

I'll be over it when she's dead.

Velasca came at Ephiny again and their weapons clashed multiple times as Celine soon joined in and Ephiny fought to keep them back at bay.

HOPE

Come on mother is this the best you can do?

Gabrielle dodged another projectile that Hope sent her way. She then ran at Hope and swung at her but as Hope looked at Gabriellle's hand it suddenly stopped on its own. Gabrielle tried to propel her arm forward but was unable to move it at all.

HOPE

What's the matter mother, having trouble?

Hope gave a sinister smile as she watched Gabrielle try to get free from the unseen force that was keeping her in place. Hope reached out and lightly touched Gabrielle's cheek and Gabrielle pulled her head away as she looked at her half-demon daughter with a scowl.

HOPE

You know it never had to be this way. If you had kept me when I was born maybe things would have turned out differently.

GABRIELLE

After you were born I wanted to keep you so badly you know that.

HOPE

Oh yes, but Xena was convinced that I was evil. So instead of leaving the woman who wanted to see your child dead, you got rid of me instead.

GABRIELLE

But she was right. I only wish I had seen it then and did what I should've done before you...

Hope smiled as she saw that even after all this time Gabrielle still felt some guilt over the death of Xena's son.

HOPE

After I killed that bitch's precious little boy. I heard that she lost it for a while after that. I wonder what she'd do if I killed this daughter of both of yours too.

GABRIELLE

I'll die before I let you anywhere near Aurora.

HOPE

(Sinister tone) If that's what you want then so be it, mother.

Like before more weapons rose off of the ground as Hope used her demonic powers to control them. Gabrielle looked around and saw that she was surrounded on all sides by a plethora of deadly weapons as they hovered in mid-air. She fought harder to escape Hope's supernatural grasp but was unable to get away.

HOPE

This time you can't escape.

(Sinister tone) It's been so nice getting to see you again. Too bad this will be the last time.

With that Hope used her power to send the weapons towards the trapped Gabrielle who could do nothing as the deadly weapons came at her.

GABRIELLE

Hope!

TO BE CONTINUED...