A bright light beamed as Gabrielle squeezed her eyes shut on reflex as she prepared for the end. And then all fell quite as the light faded, and the earth stopped shaking. Terrified whimpers could be heard amidst the silence, followed by various gasps as Gabrielle peeked opened her eyes and realized that she and the others weren't dead. But why? It was then that she heard more shocked murmurs among the villagers. As the destruction that she was creating was brought to a stop, Alti scowled as she looked around to try and figure why the quaking had abruptly ceased. It was then that she spotted someone standing not far from her. She scowled at who she perceived as an intruder.
ALTI
(Angry tone) You... How are you here?
From where Gabrielle sat with Xena she had to strain a little to look over some debris that had fallen in front of her during the chaos in order to see who Alti was taking to. And as she did, Gabrielle didn't think that she had ever been so relieved to see any supernatural being in her whole life.
GABRIELLE
(Quietly talking to herself) Artemis...
The goddess gave Alti an extremely hateful look as she took in the death and destruction around them.
ARTEMIS
You might have gotten lucky and caught me off guard, but you didn't think that trick of yours was going to hold me forever?
Out of the corner of her eye, Artemis saw some of Alti's army coming her way and scowled as she held her hand palm up in front of her lips and blew. As she did so, thousands of miniscule specs of light scattered from her palm and were carried by the breeze to the undead army. The villagers looked on in amazement as when the specs of light came in contact with the remainder of the oncoming army, the enemies stopped dead in their tracks as their whole bodies became engulfed by light that a moment later burst into even more particles before fading away to nothing, not leaving a single trace of the enemy that the light had touched behind. And just like that, in only a matter of seconds the entirety of Alti's army was gone without a single trace of them remaining. As the last specs faded away, Artemis returned her attention towards Alti who sneered at the goddess.
ALTI
You think that getting rid of my army will change anything now? Look around you, goddess, you're too late. Though since you're here now, you can tell me where you put it.
ARTEMIS
And what in all creation makes you think I would tell you that?
ALTI
Because if you don't, I'll show what happens to anyone who stands against me. Mortal or god.
Artemis looked at Alti for a moment, as suddenly Gabrielle noticed the goddess' demeanor change to a very serious scowl.
ARTEMIS
(Calm/ angry tone) Wait a moment, I remember you now. You were the catalyst for the destruction of my Amazons to the far north. And now you dare come here to do the same.
ALTI
Technically I didn't do anything to those Amazons.
Alti smiled an evil grin as she pointed towards the lifeless Xena who Gabrielle still held in her arms.
ALTI
She did. But don't worry, as you can see, I already took care of her for you. See for yourself.
Alti pulled out the orb of multicolored light that was Xena's disembodied soul.
ALTI
Now, I'm sure yhat the soul of the woman who has caused so much suffering to your Amazons is worth quite a bit to you.
Artemis looked at the orb for a moment as she shockingly appeared to be considering Alti's offer.
ARTEMIS
How do I know that what you're holding is in fact Xena's actual soul?
Alti smiled.
ALTI
Why don't you just see for yourself?
A number of the women couldn't believe what they were witnessing when Artemis held out her hand and Alti Smiled as she casually tossed the orb containing Xena's soul to the goddess, who effortlessly caught it. After witnessing the exchange, a number of the Amazons began to think that their patron goddess who had chosen their village to guard the fountain of youth so long ago would simply trade such extraordinary power that even the god's couldn't destroy for a single human soul.
FAUNA
(Quiet/ terrified tone) No, Artemis, why?
IRIS
(Quiet/ terrified tone) This can't be happening.
GABRIELLE
No, please Artemis, don't do this. I know that Xena's done horrible things to the Amazonian people in the past, but you can't honestly think that giving Alti the power she wants is worth getting whatever kind of revenge you might be able to get with Xena's soul. And besides, if you held this much hatred towards her, why would you have done everything you have to help her?
Artemis looked at the orb of light for a moment before tucking it away in her clothes, as she glanced over at Gabrielle for a moment.
ARTEMIS
I wouldn't.
Suddenly in a quick flash of light Artemis disappeared and before anyone had time to register that the goddess was gone, she reappeared barely inches in front of Alti who looked down as she felt a warm heat in her stomach as at point-blank range, Artemis sent a powerful shot of her godly power directly into Alti's body.
ARTEMIS
This is the last time you will ever harm any of my Amazons Alti.
The shamaness screamed as she found herself unable to move and, just like what had happened to the rest of her army, Alti's body began to beam with a bright light that quickly completely blanketed her. Then with a final painful and rage-feuled yell, Alti's body burst into countless particles of light. Her scream echoed for a few moments as the specs of light began to float off and fade away into nothing. Everyone who had just witnessed what had happened was standing speechless for a moment, before every able-bodied woman dropped to a knee before their goddess. Artemis stood there for a moment as her expression softened to one of sadness as she thought of all the lives lost due to Alti and once again looked at the still burning village. She then reached into her clothing and pulled out the orb that held Xena's soul. Artemis looked at it for a moment as smiled as she then walked over to where Xena's body laid in Gabrielle's arms. The goddess squatted down in front of them.
ARTEMIS
Sorry about worrying all of you like that. But I figured you would want this back before it got destroyed.
Gabrielle looked at the Xena's soul and then at the goddess.
GABRIELLE
Again I don't know what else to say to you Artemis but thank you. I'm sorry, I thought you were going to turn your back on everyone here.
Artemis smiled and chuckled a bit.
ARTEMIS
That's okay, I needed to be pretty convincing in order for me to get Xena's soul back without Alti damaging or destroying it.
The goddess motioned to Gabrielle.
ARTEMIS
Here, why don't you lay her down, and I'll put Xena's soul back where it should be.
Gabrielle looked at the still burning village around them.
GABRIELLE
What about the village?
ARTEMIS
Always such a wonderful queen. You let me worry about that. First, we have to get Xena's soul back into her body. Disembodied souls like this don't last long in this mortal realm. And with the strain I'm sure Alti was putting on it, that only shortened the time we have to bring Xena back significantly.
GABRIELLE
Okay then please do what you need to do to bring Xena back.
Artemis smiled.
ARTEMIS
Of course. Anything for my chosen queen and her warrior princess.
With that, Artemis took the orb containing Xena's soul and pressed it to the center of her chest. As she did so, the orb began to glow brightly as Gabrielle raised one of her hands ro shield her eyes from the intense light. Then after a moment the orb passed into Xena's body and the light faded. Gabrielle lowered her hand as she looked down at Xena. She waited several moments for Xena to do something, but when nothing happened, Gabrielle looked at Artemis with a worried expression in her eyes.
GABRIELLE
Does it usually take this long for someone to wake up after having their soul returned to their body?
ARTEMIS
(Somber tone) if they're going to at all, no.
The goddess stood and raised her hand to the sky and a second later thunder rumbled over head as the clouds and sky above grew dark and rain began to pour down on the destroyed village and gradually put out the raging inferno. And as the rain fell, so did Gabrielle's tears as she heard Artemis say the very words that Gabrielle had always dreaded she would have to hear.
ARTEMIS
(Somber tone) I'm sorry Gabrielle, but there's nothing more I can do. Xena's gone.
TO BE CONTINUED...