With the rain falling over them, everyone looked on with heavy hearts as Gabrielle cried, heartbroken that despite the goddess Artemis returning her soul to her body, Xena was dead. She cradled Xena's body in her arms as she tried to figure out how she would go on without Xena by her side. With a saddened expression, Artemis crouched down in front of Gabrielle again.
ARTEMIS
I'm so sorry Gabrielle, I wish there was something more I could do for her. I truly do. But even us gods have limitations on what we're capable of.
The goddess reached over and gently wiped some of the tears from Gabrielle's face.
ARTEMIS
Good or bad, Xena was certainly a one of a kind person. And though I didn't have very much iteration with her, I have a feeling that she wouldn't want to see you like this. For a woman who was typically fairly stoic, it was plain to see just how much she loved you, Gabrielle. Just as you love her. And while it may hurt now, someday you'll be able to look back at your time together with her and smile.
Gabrielle lowered her eyes, as she didn't see how that could be possible. As in her grief, it seemed impossible that she would ever be able to smile again. Sensing that her words weren't reaching Gabrielle's broken heart, Artemis continued.
ARTEMIS
You know Gabrielle, when I held Xena's soul I saw a lot of her memories. Many of them of her time with you. And what Xena told you those some years ago was true. Even though she might physically be gone from your life, you'll never be without her because she'll always live on, in here.
The goddess placed her hand over Gabrielle's heart.
ARTEMIS
As soul mates, the two of you are one. So no matter where you go or what you do, Xena will always be with you.
Gabrielle didn't respond as she quietly wept, and Artemis took her hand away before standing up to leave Gabrielle to grieve. The goddess looked around at the village that was smoldering from the fire being put out as she saw just how destroyed it all was. Artemis sighed to herself at the lengths needed to go to in order to stop Alti and shook her head in disbelief.
SKYLA
Artemis?
The goddess looked over to where Skyla was still sitting with Clover. She walked over and crouched down in front of them. She saw the sword embedded in Clover's back and held her hand over her.
ARTEMIS
Here, this I can fix.
A white light radiated from her hand as the sword faded away and Clover's wound close as if it had never even been there to begin with.
ARTEMIS
There you go Clover. Good as new.
Hesitantly Clover tried to move and both she and Skyla were overjoyed when Clover raised her arm without any trouble. They looked at each other and smiled as Clover got up and helped Skyla to her feet as well.
CLOVER
Thank you.
ARTEMIS
Of course.
As the rain continued to fall, Artemis turned to look at the village again.
ARTEMIS
(Sad tone/ talking to herself) So much destruction, and all over a foolish quest for power. I thought the fountain would be safe here. Though it's clear that's no longer the case.
SKYLA
Artemis?
The goddess turned back towards Skyla and Clover.
ARTEMIS
Yes Skyla?
SKYLA
Can you really not do anything for Xena?
ARTEMIS
Sadly no. As I told Gabrielle, as much as I wish I could, Xena's soul is just too damaged from what Alti did. And as almighty as a lot of humanity might think we are, there are just some things that even us god's can't do.
SKYLA
You mean like destroying the fountain?
ARTEMIS
Yes. Though we created it, its power somehow became too great for us to destroy. Which was why I was tasked with finding a way to keep it from falling into the wrong hands, and chose the women of this village to be its guardians.
Skyla looked out at the destroyed village.
SKYLA
(Sad tone) It's too bad we failed to do the one thing that we were supposed to do.
The goddess gently turned Skyla's face back towards her.
ARTEMIS
(Soft tone) No, you didn't fail at all. Everyone here did everything they could to protect the fountain. You were even all prepared to sacrifice yourselves in order to do so. It was that very sense of devotion that led me to choose this tribe to be the fountain's guardians to begin with. I couldn't have asked for a better grasp of people to take on such a demanding and largely unrewarded task. The reason why it's remained safe for all their this time is because of all of you. And I couldn't be prouder.
The goddess smiled as Clover thought of something as she heard Skyla and Artemis' conversation.
CLOVER
Wait a minute. That's it!
Skyla and Artemis looked at Clover.
SKYLA
What?
CLOVER
The fountain. Couldn't we use that to bring Xena back?
Nearby, Gabrielle could overhear the conversation and perked up when Clover mentioned the fountain as did a few others.
Gabrielle
Wait, is that even possible?
Artemis looked at Gabrielle and sighed.
ARTEMIS
Honestly I don't know. That's why I didn't mention it. The fountain's powerful but when it c comes to bringing back the dead with so much damage to their soul like Xena, I don't see anything being that powerful. While the gods may have created humanity, the human soul is something that has become something that even surpasses the god's understanding So to my knowledge no, I'm sorry, but I don't believe that the fountain can do such a thing.
Gabrielle looked at Clover.
GABRIELLE
(Sad tone) Thanks Clover, I guess it was worth a shot.
FAUNA
Wait a moment.
Over hearing the conversation, Fauna came over.
FAUNA
You said that even the gods weren't powerful enough to get rid of it, isn't it at least possible that it might work to bring Xena back?
ARTEMIS
Like I said its power has grown beyond what we had ever imagined it would when it was created. So I suppose it is within the realm of possibility.
SKYLA
Then isn't it at least worth trying? We know that no one outside the village is supposed to use it, but given everything that Xena and Gabrielle have done for not only us but we've heard of what they've both done for our people all over. I think they both have earned the opportunity for us to at least try and bring Xena back.
CLOVER
Skyla's right.
FAUNA
I agree.
Gabrielle looked around in awe as every single able-bodied Amazon within earshot reiterated that they should see if the Fountain Of Youth could revive both Xena's body and soul. Finally, as more and more women spoke up, Artemis raised her hand to silence them. A moment later, after everyone was quiet, the goddess looked at Gabrielle.
ARTEMIS
Gabrielle, I truly don't know if it'll work, and I don't want you to get your hopes up, but if you would like for us to use the fountain to try and heal Xena's soul and bring her back, then I agree to allow it.
Gabrielle's eyes lit up slightly at the fact that there might've been hope that Xena could come back.
GABRIELLE
Really?! I mean, yes, of course I wanna try. Thank you, Artemis.
Gabrielle looked around.
GABRIELLE. Thank all of you. I don't know what else to say. You don't know what this means to me.
Skyla and Clover looked at each other for a moment and smiled before looking back at Gabrielle.
SKYLA
Actually I think we do.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, I guess you do.
Artemis smiled.
ARTEMIS
Okay let's get over Xena into the fountain.
With a snap of her fingers Artemis teleported Gabrielle, Xena and all the rest of the villagers, including the non-native Amazons to the base of the waterfall within the village.
WILLOW
Woah what in the world are we doing here?
AMARICE
I have no idea.
CORA
(Amazed tone) Artemis.
Ephiny held Aurora in her arms as she too found herself surprised to be standing among all the other villagers at the base of the waterfall. She then saw Gabrielle holding Xena in her arms and felt terrible for her friend as she wondered why Artemis had gathered everyone together the way she did. Gabrielle looked around at the familiar scenery that she had seen on nearly a daily basis for the past few years and found herself confused.
GABRIELLE
Artemis why are at the waterfall? I thought you were bringing us to the fountain.
ARTEMIS
Oh but I did.
Gabrielle looked around, but didn't see anything that even remotely resembled a fountain of any.
GABRIELLE
Where? I don't see it.
The goddess giggled slightly.
ARTEMIS
Oh my dear Gabrielle, you're looking at it. In fact I'm sure that you've seen it on basically a daily basis since your arrival here.
Artemis walked over to the lake where the waterfall poured into and quickly tapped one fingertip onto the water's surface. Gabrielle then watched in awe as the water rippled and a beautiful light blue glow began to radiate from the waterfall and lake.
GABRIELLE
(Amazed tone) Unbelievable. This whole time the fountain of youth has been right in front of my eyes and I had no idea. I don't know what I thought it would look like but..
ARTEMIS
You thought giving the name it would look like an actual fountain.
GABRIELLE
Yeah kinda.
ARTEMIS
Well you see Gabrielle though the gods couldn't destroy it, we could change its appearance. Which is what I did in order to better conceal it, this way if anything like what happened today came to pass, anyone without knowledge of its form being altered would have an extremely difficult time finding it. Thus protecting it even further.
Gabrielle looked at the others.
GABRIELLE
Then if it's practically unnoticeable to anyone from the outside, why still burn the village?
ARTEMIS
It was my request that they do so. Because though it's highly unlikely that it would be discovered, there was still a chance. And with something so powerful, that is a chance that comes at far too high of a risk to take.
GABRIELLE
I get it.
Gabrielle looked at the waterfall and lake as she took in all of this new information and understood why such drastic measures to protect the fountain needed to be taken.
ARTEMIS
Okay let's get Xena into the water and see if it'll work.
Gabrielle stood at the water's edge as a few of the villagers lowered Xena's body into the water, completely submerging her beneath the lake. The women then waded back to shore as everyone stood by quietly and anxiously waiting to see if the magical, healing water would have any effect. The water began to glow brighter and brighter for several moments, until the light slowly faded away, and the lake returned to appearing as though it was just a regular body of water. Gabrielle watched for any movement within the lake, but to her disappointment and heartbreak, the water's surface remained still. After waiting a little longer, Artemis placed her hand on Gabrielle's shoulder as she stood beside her.
ARTEMIS
(Somber tone) I'm sorry, Gabrielle. I wanted it to work, I really did. But sadly, it seems that Xena truly is gone.
Gabrielle cried, as did many others as they stood by the lake and mourned the loss of Xena. Which was something that none of them, especially Gabrielle, would soon forget.
TO BE CONTINUED...