With an agreement in place between Xena, Gabrielle and the goddess Demeter, it didn't take long until the temple was bustling with many of the women going about making the preparations that they had been given by Xena. However, only about ten minutes had passed when one of the priestess that had been sent outside to keep watch for Bacchus's followers came inside in a hurry.
PRIESTESS
They're here, they're here!
After giving a couple more very quick orders, Xena marched towards the doorway.
XENA
Okay, everyone knows what to do. We won't let those Bacchus worshipers near this building. Now let's move.
And with that a couple of the priestess' pulled open the large doors as Xena walked past Gabrielle and Joxer who along with a number of others followed Xena outside. Once everyone who was picked or volunteered to be on the front line were outside, the doors to the temple were shut and barricaded from within, as Xena had previously nstructed.
JOXER
(Slightly nervous tone) Gee, there's a lot more of them than I thought there'd be.
The group looked out at the incoming enemies that were not only numerous but also looked to be fairly well armed.
XENA
Not too late to change your mind about fighting with us and help hold things down inside.
Not wanting to seem cowardly, Joxer pushed down his fear as her cleared his throat as he put on a brave face.
JOXER
(Lying) What did you think I was gonna just sit inside like some kind of cowardly or something? Did you forget just who you're talking to?
Xena rolled her eyes, knowing that Joxer could sometimes be too stubborn in his heroic persona to think logically about his actual fighting abilities or lack there of to know when to stay out of a fight that he was obviously outmatched in. But Xena had expected this, so she decided to have Joxer stand guard with a couple others at the doors to the temple just to keep him away from the actual battle and still make him feel like he was doing something helpful without him getting in the way or putting himself or others in danger by mistake.
XENA
Just making sure. Now stay by the doors. You're our last line of defense.
JOXER
Got it.
Xena then moved forward with Gabrielle at her side.
XENA
Gabrielle make sure you stay close and fall back from the actual fight if things get out of hand.
GABRIELLE
You say that like I don't know how this goes already.
XENA
Just making sure.
GABRIELLE
You do realize I'm not the only one who needs to be careful. And you know what I mean.
XENA
I know. But there's nothing more we can do but try and get this over quickly.
GABRIELLE
Trust me, all of this couldn't be over with quick enough.
Knowing that Gabrielle wasn't only talking about the battle, Xena put her hand on Gabrielle's shoulder and gave her a small smile.
XENA
Don't worry it will be Gabrielle. It will be.
Gabrielle gave a little smile in return as she looked at Xena and placed her hand over Xena's. After a brief moment, the two were brought back to reality as they heard someone yelling.
IRA
Here they come!
With their weapons ready, the two then moved to the front of the small group and stood beside Ira, who had a pair of daggers drawn.
GABRIELLE
I'm still a bit surprised that so many of you priestess know how to fight.
IRA
Well we weren't born as priestess' you know.
GABRIELLE
Fair point.
And with that everyone's attention was draw to the task at hand as Xena yelled and released her chakram that she had grabbed from her hip and sent it towards the oncoming enemy. The round bladed weapon flew and slashed several enemies before bouncing off of a rock and hitting a couple more before returning and being caught by Xena. But undeterred, Bacchus's followers continued towards them as they broke into a full charge. Seeing this, everyone fighting to defend the temple did the same. The two sides clashed as the true fight began. Gabrielle ducked under a swipe of a blade and moved her staff in a low swinging motion as she took down her direct opponent and followed it up with a swift fever blow to the enemy's head to knock them unconscious, thus ending their participation in the fight. She then swiftly dodged an incoming attack as she heard Xena's unmistakable battle cry and quickly looked to see Xena almost effortlessly fighting off multiple opponents before returning her attention to her own battle. Xena's blade blocked an incoming strike as she shoved the enemy back and spun into a kick that dropped another that was coming after her. She then lept into the air as she flipped over a couple of the enemies and turned with a slash of her sword, cutting down the Bacchus worshipers in her direct reach. The fighting carried on for a bit as they did their best to defend against Bacchus's vengeful followers. One by one the bodies of the fallen began to add up as did everything else that came with a battle. Which included blood and plenty of it. Gabrielle brought her staff into the ribs of an opponent and dropped him before she herself went down to one knee. She began breathing heavily as her heightened sense of smell picked up on the scent of blood that surrounded her.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) No, not now.
While fighting, Ira noticed Gabrielle kneeling on the ground with her head hung low and, concerned that she was injured, hurried over to her.
IRA
Gabrielle are you okay?
Gabrielle took a breath as she kept her head bowed.
GABRIELLE
Get back Ira, you're not safe.
IRA
What happened?
Gabrielle didn't answer as she closed her eyes and tried to just breathe and focus on anything else other than the monster that was lurking just beneath the surface. And when Gabrielle didn't respond, worried she had been injured, Ira reached out and touched Gabrielle's shoulder.
IRA
Gabrielle?
Gabrielle swatted the Ira's hand away as she looked up at the priestess.
GABRIELLE
I said get away from me!
Ira backed away quickly as she saw the change in color of Gabrielle's eyes from green to yellow. Hearing Gabrielle yell, a few others looked in their direction including Xena who then heard one of the other women shout "Bacchae" and knew what had happened.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) No, Gabrielle.
Xena then heard another shout from the direction that the Bacchus worshipers had been coming and turned as she ducked under another enemy's attack as she countered by driving her blade into their stomach before kicking them off her sword and rushing towards Gabrielle before the dying enemy even hit the ground. But as fast as she ran, Xena was too late, as she stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Gabrielle stand.
XENA
Gabrielle?
Upon hearing her name, Gabrielle turned around and Xena saw that she had transformed into her full Bacchae state.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) This isn't gonna be good.
Gabrielle, come on I know you're in there. You can fight this. I know you can.
Gabrielle hissed as one of Bacchus's followers came at them, not noticing Gabrielle's transformation. Then before Xena could react, Gabrielle lunged at the worshiper and brought him to the ground as she proceeded to sink her fangs into the man's neck. He screamed in agony and terror as Xena attempted to get Gabrielle off of him, knowing that Gabrielle would feel awful if she killed someone like this, as they had sadly done before. Finally, after some effort, Xena was able to pry Gabrielle away from the Bacchus worshiper and tossed her aside. But as Xena looked down, she saw that there was nothing that could be done. Even though this was their enemy, being killed by get feed upon or having your neck and throat torn apart was a horrible way to die. And before Xena knew it, the worshiper was dead. As she looked up from the body, Xena saw Gabrielle rush by her and take down another one of the enemy. She then swiftly moved on to a small group of Bacchus followers and Demeter's priestess' that were fighting. Xena ran after her as she saw Gabrielle use her Bacchae claws to slash at and cut down the enemy. As the Bacchus followers fell, Gabrielle turned to face the priestess. She slowly stepped towards them as blood dripped from her mouth and claws. She hissed as she bore her fangs and moved closer as the Demeter worshipers tried to back away. But it was no use as with a feral growl, Gabrielle suddenly launched herself forward, transferring into her wolf form mind flight.
XENA
Gabrielle no!
A couple of Demeter's priestess fell to the ground, and Gabrielle landed on top of one. The terrified priestess screamed, as Gabrielle let out a howl before jumping forward again and this time sinking her teeth into a Bacchus worshiper that had been coming up behind the priestess. The worshiper fell, and Gabrielle immediately went for his throat and killed him. The wolf form then set her sights on another pair fighting and again went after the enemy they had been fighting while leaving their ally alone before continuing on in this same pattern. And so convinced that somehow Gabrielle had managed to maintain some kind of control over herself to not attack their allies, Xena continued fighting as did everyone else though feeding uneasy about fighting alongside a fully transformed Bacchae. But in spite of the discomfort of the odd situation it appeared to be working as Xena, Gabrielle and the others were beginning to push back the attacking forces. As they began to gain the upper hand, the group as a whole proceeded to push forward forcing Bacchus followers to began being driven further away from the temple, with Xena and Gabrielle leading the charge. The fighting carried on as still in her wolf form, Gabrielle jumped at one of the Bacchus followers. The worshiper yelled as Gabrielle came at her. In a desperation and panic, he worshiper wildly swung her dagger. And just as she swung, Gabrielle jumped at her. It was only a couple seconds later when Xena heard a noise that sounded like a whimper and looked up ahead to see a golden colored wolf laying on the ground.
XENA
Gabrielle!
Xena quickly pushed her way past the enemies and got to where Gabrielle layed. She knelt down as Gabrielle whined while trying to lift her head to look at Xena.
XENA
Shhh.
Xena gently put her hand on Gabrielle's fur covered upper body.
XENA
Don't try to move.
Gabrielle whimpered again as she laid her head back down. As she did, Xena began pushing apart the blood covered fur until she found the large gash that ran up most of the length of Gabrielle's wolf body. And not only was the wound Gabrielle had suffered long, but it was fairly deep as well. So deep that if she wasn't worked on immediately, Gabrielle likely wouldn't make it. Xena felt her anger beginning to grow, which always had a direct impact on her Bacchae side. So knowing this, Xena quickly yelled to Ira who came over and stood stunned by what she saw.
IRA
Oh no... isn't that...
XENA
Yes.
Xena took a breath as she tried with everything she had to maintain her senses as long as she could but knew that it wouldn't be long.
IRA
Gabrielle...
XENA
Listen to me Ira, I don't know how much longer I can keep myself together so you need to pay attention.
Xena growled as she felt every bit of her Bacchae blood racing and pushing her closer to losing control.
XENA
I need you to take Gabrielle back to the temple. Ask Demeter if she can save her.
IRA
I can try, but I really didn't know if she'll just do that without something in return.
Xena snapped at Ira as her eyes began to change from blue to yellow, but what Ira didn't know was that this was a different shade than normal as Xena's eyes were becoming more of a golden color.
XENA
I don't care what she wants afterward. Just do it. Now go!
The sound of Xena's:voice along with the change in her eyes caused Ira to feel extremely fearful. So, not wanting to find out what might happen to her if she didn't do as Xena asked, Ira agreed. She called over another priestess to help her carry Gabrielle back to the temple and shuttered when she heard what sounded like a loud, distorted animal like roar. And when she momentarily glanced back at Xena a cold chill ran down her spine as she saw Xena's body beginning to shift and morph into what in a matter of moments would look like something that she couldn't even think to imagine in her worst nightmares. Which was what everyone who stood in Xena's way while she was in this new state would suffer, even in the afterlife that they would very quickly and brutally be sent to in only a matter of minutes.
TO BE CONTINUED...