As Ira looked back towards Xena while helping carry Gabrielle's limp wolf form back to the temple, she saw Xena standing there, clearly breathing heavily until she threw her head back and let out a sound that was a mix between a yell of rage and anguish and an animalistic roar. Upon hearing this, everyone around Xena paused for a moment as many moved further away from her. The sound sent a cold fear throughout Ira's body as well as Joxer's who had heard the sound from the temple. Wanting to know what was happening, he carefully moved towards the sound and quickly met up with Ira and the other couple of priestess who had Gabrielle.
JOXER
What's going on? What was that?
IRA
I can't say sure, but I think it might've been Xena.
JOXER
Xena? Come on, I know Xena might be able to do alot of things, but that noise couldn't have been her. What ever made that sound didn't even sound human.
IRA
Exactly.
Ira and the others continued passed Joxer into the temple. As they went by, he saw the golden wolf that was now covered in crimson in their arms. He was confused as he had never seen Gabrielle in her wolf form before and the temple was too far back from the actual fighting for him to have witnessed any of what had happened during the battle.
JOXER
Hey what's with the wolf?
IRA
It's not an actual wolf, it's Gabrielle. And she's been seriously injured.
With that Ira and the others disappeared inside along with Joxer who upon hearing that Gabrielle was in trouble became very worried. Once inside the temple, the other priestess were momentarily confused when Ira brought in what they thought was a bloody wolf carcass.
HEAD PRIESTESS
(Stern tone) Ira what is the meaning of this? You know that our goddess doesn't like animal sacrifices being brought within her temple.
JOXER
This isn't a sacrifice. It's Gabrielle.
HEAD PRIESTESS
Gabrielle?
IRA
The smaller blonde Bacchae.
The younger priestess looked at Demeter, who was still there and opened her mouth to ask for her help when a loud roar echoed through the air. A number of the people within the temple including Joxer and Ira moved to the doorway and front windows. And as they looked outside, what they saw were the rest of the priestess scrambling away from a large dark figure that stood facing Bacchus's followers. Joxer gulped nervously dispite being inside as he layed eyes on what stood outside not too far away.
JOXER
(Nervous tone) Uh, where's Xena?
IRA
I'm pretty sure we're looking at her.
Joxer laughed nervously as he took in the terrifying sight.
JOXER
You know, I'm not sure if that makes me feel like we're all gonna be safe or completely doomed.
The feeling Joxer expressed was shared by everyone else there as many of them looked on while Ira and Joxer turned their focus to Gabrielle and trying to save her. There was another loud roar from outside as a number of the priestesses looked on. A tall figure stood before Bacchus's followers and bore sharp teeth throughout its mouth with a feral snarl. The figure was dark as a few of the priestess ventured slightly outside to get a better view of the unknown figure. As they did, the woman saw what appeared to be a large creature covered from head to toe in pitch black fur. It stood mostly upright and seemed to have the head and tail of a monstrous wolf. The creature's hand brandished large, sharp claws. As did its toes. From the top of its head seemed to flow a long black mane that, like the rest of the creature's shorter fur, shimmered in the light. The piercing eyes of the creature darted around for a moment as if unsure of its surroundings before turning focused as the creature let out another terrifying roar.
JOXER
I can't believe it. You're seriously telling me that thing out there is really Xena.
IRA
Yes Joxer. That creature really is her.
Meanwhile, unaware of the fact that she was being watched as her anger and grief had triggered her into a state of only wanting to rip apart anything within her reach, Xena's mind had become clouded by only thoughts of sinking her teeth and claws into whatever stood before her. Her conscious mind buried deep within the darkness that had taken over after seeing what had happened to Gabrielle. Now all that remained was a rage-fueled bloodthirsty monster. A truly terrifying sight for Bacchus's followers, as several that were closer to Xena, began backing away slowly. Some stayed in places, unsure if they should move or not. Others stood firm, unintimidated by the creature now standing before them. And some shook in their boots before hearing Xena let out another roar and charge at the closest to her, as several of the trembling worshipers finally decided to turn tail and run, hearing screams of agony and fear behind them as they fled the scene and never looked back. But for those unfortunate enough to be caught by Xena suffered a gruesome fate as she ruthlessly and ferociously used the incredible enhancement to her already natural superior speed and power to take down everything that came within her grasp. This monster wolf that Xena had become pounced on one of the attacking worshipers and raked her claws across his flesh, tearing it open. His agonizing cries for help filled the air as Xena ripped open more skin as blood began to spatter from her frenzied attacks. It wasn't long until the screaming stopped and Xena stood with her claws and patches of fur now coated in blood. Paying no mind to the now gruesomely gutted corpse, Xena rushed towards her next prey that she locked eyes on. More horrific screams rang out as Xena mercilessly slaughtered another one of Bacchus's followers, and then another. By this time, most of the priestess who had been looking on from within the temple had stopped watching, unable to stomach the gruesome manner of which many of those who had fallen were killed. The slaughter continued until as the last of the few surviving Bacchus worshipers ran off and faded from view as a painful gasped rang out from the final Bacchus's worshiper that had been caught by Xena who had buried her claws deep into their stomach. Then with a swift motion of her arm, Xena's claws tore a long, gapping wound across their stomach. Blood began to flow from their mouth as their insides began to spill out, and they joined the rest of the slain on the ground surrounding Xena who roared as she stood alone amongst the dead.
IRA
(Quiet/ stunned tone) Unbelievable. She took out the majority of the enemy by herself.
JOXER
I didn't even know that Bacchae could do that.
DEMETER
I've never heard of such a thing. Though Bacchae can take on various forms, so I suppose it isn't impossible.
JOXER
No kidding.
As they spoke, Xena's ears twitched as her extraordinary hearing picked up on the voices coming from within the temple. She sniffed at the air and growled as she turned towards the building. Blood dripped from Xena's claws as she moved towards the temple. Her sights set on her new prey.
JOXER
(Nervous tone) Is she coming this way?!
Realizing that now appeared to be in even more danger than before, the head priestess looked at the others in the room.
HEAD PRIESTESS
Hurry, lock the doors. Everyone, grab anything you can and block the entrance. If that thing gets in here, we're all dead.
Immediately, everyone began moving everything possible towards the doors that were shut and locked. Afterward everyone moved to the back of the room as they heard Xena pounding and clawing at the doors as she roared, snarled and growled while trying to get in. After several moments, the items that had been used to barricade the doorway began to fall from the pile as the beastly Xena was unrelenting in her pursuit of everyone inside.
JOXER
(Scared tone) There wouldn't happen to be another way out of here, would there?
IRA
Unfortunately no.
JOXER
(Sarcasm) Oh, that's just great. So I guess we just stand around and wait for Xena to get in and...
Before Joxer could finish, the doors burst open, and the wolf monster Xena stepped inside with a growl. She beared her teeth as she stalked her way towards the terrified, huddled group. With no way out and no one there to save them, all seemed lost for Joxer, Ira and the rest of priestess' as Xena roar once more before launching herself towards the group as horrified screams echoed from the temple.
TO BE CONTINUED...
