With a fierce roar, the monsterous wolf-like creature that Xena had become lunged for the huddled and terrified group of Joxer, Ira and the rest of Demeter's priestess'.
JOXER
(Terrified tone) Xena no!
Suddenly, a bright light flashed, and the goddess Demeter appeared between Xena and the others. She raised her hand as Xena lept through the air at her. But just before Xena could reach the goddess, she found herself stopped and held in midair. She growled and snarled ferociously at the goddess as she struggled to get free with no success, which only seemed to enrage Xena further. Unaffected by the beastly form before her, Demeter moved closer to Xena as she remained suspended. Meanwhile, Joxer, Ira and the other women looked on as many breathed a small sigh of relief as they saw Demeter. The goddess stood right in front of Xena who continued trying to get loose but was unable as Demeter reached and placed a hand atop Xena's fur covered head. Immediately, Xena growled as she attempted to move her head away and attack. But found herself completely immobile.
DEMETER
It's okay. I can help.
Then after the goddess spoke, a light began radiating from her hand. It began as a soft glow that could barely be seen within the black fur. However, it took just a couple seconds before the light began to shine brighter. And continued to do so. As the light grew in brightness, it also began to spread out from beneath Demeter's palm and flow across Xena's body. It wasn't long before the light coated Xena entirely. All the while continuing to grow brighter and brighter. Because of this it wasn't long until the light completely engulfed Xena leaving only a blindingly bright silhouette of the wolf creature. Once this happened, Demeter held her hand in place for a few more seconds before pulling it away and standing there. The light then grew even brighter, forcing everyone except the goddess to squeeze their eyes shut. Then as the intense light filled the temple, the glow surrounding Xena's body burst into tiny bits that scattered around and quickly faded away as everyone opened and unshielded their eyes to see Xena standing there looking like her usual self. She stood there for a moment and lifted her hands slightly in front of her and looked at them, seeing that they were normal once more. Her mind becoming clear, Xena looked up from her hands and at Joxer, Ira and the others, who were now much more relaxed after seeing Xena revert to her natural state. She then looked at the goddess, who smiled.
DEMETER
There we are. Back to normal, just as I said.
Xena lowered her hands.
XENA
Thank you. I don't know how that happened, I just... Gabrielle, she...
As soon as Gabrielle came to mind, the panic of losing her hit Xena hard as she turned and immediately started looking for her.
XENA
Wait, Gabrielle, where is she?
After a moment, Xena spotted her laying on an altar where she had been placed just before the doors were barricaded. Quickly, Xena hurried over and stood before her.
XENA
Gabrielle?
Xena slowly reached out and put her hand over Gabrielle's furry neck. She saw her eyes were closed and didn't open when Xena touched her.
XENA
No... no, please. Gabrielle.
Xena could feel the tears welling up in her eyes as she tried to find some kind of pulse or heartbeat beneath the blood covered fur. As she did so, Demeter walked up to stand beside her.
DEMETER
She means a great deal to you, doesn't she?
Xena looked over at the goddess as a couple of tears escaped her eyes and fell.
XENA
More than anything I could ever say.
Demeter looked at Gabrielle for a moment.
DEMETER
The both of you did defend my temple and its priestesses.
Xena watched as Demeter moved her hand to lay it on Gabrielle's side. Then, as with Xena, it was only a matter of seconds before Gabrielle's body began to radiate with light. Before long the light had grown increasingly bright until, like the others, Xena was forced to shut and shield her eyes. After a moment it began to fade and Xena returned her gaze towards Gabrielle and saw that, though still engulfed in the fading light, she was no longer looked like a wolf. Instead, Xena saw the familiar features that she had grown to love so much. As the last bit of light disappeared, Xena saw Gabrielle's eyes still closed.
XENA
Gabrielle?
Hesitantly, Xena slowly reached and brushed some of Gabrielle's hair away from her face. She lightly brushed her thumb against Gabrielle's cheek as she cupped her face in her hand.
XENA
Hey can you hear me?
Xena watched anxiously as a pair of green eyes finally opened slowly and saw her looking down at them, before a big smile crossed her face.
GABRIELLE
Xena?
Xena assisted Gabrielle as she sat up and locked around to see that they were back inside Demeter's temple. She then noticed Joxer, Ira and the other priestess all looking at her with relieved and happy looks on their faces.
JOXER
Gabby, you're okay.
Joxer gave a slightly nervous look Xena's way, who just stepped back before he moved in and pulled Gabrielle into a hug before pulling away after a long moment.
JOXER
You are okay, right?
GABRIELLE
Yes Joxer, I'm okay. In fact, I'd say that for whatever reason I feel better than I have in a very long time.
DEMETER
Well being releaved of something you've been carrying for a while will do that.
Gabrielle looked at Demeter.
GABRIELLE
Huh?
DEMETER
You held up your end of the deal by defending the temple so as I like to think that I'm a goddess of my word, I did as I said.
Gabrielle could hardly believe her ears as she looked at the goddess as she dared to hope that what she thought had happened was really true.
GABRIELLE
Wait, so you're telling me that you cured us. Neither Xena nor I are Bacchae anymore?
DEMETER
That's right. That was our agreement, after all. You defended my temple, so I cured you both.
Gabrielle smiled as she turned to Xena.
GABRIELLE
Xena we're finally cured. We're not Bacchae anymore.
Unable to contain her happiness, Gabrielle threw her arms around Xena who smiled and held Gabrielle in return as she smiled.
XENA
(Half joking) See I promised you I'd find a way to change us back, didn't I?
GABRIELLE
You did. Thanks for never giving up. Even when I did.
XENA
I was the whole reason we were even in this mess to begin with. So I was never going to stop searching for a way to change us back. One more wrong that I had to make right.
The two separated as Gabrielle remembered that they had been defending the temple before everything went blank as she looked to see that everyone was safe, and the temple was still standing before looking back at Xena.
GABRIELLE
Hey what happened with defending the temple and priestess' anyway?
Joxer and Ira all took turns explaining how the Bacchus worshipers were defeated and chased off. Afterwards Gabrielle stood there and looked at Xena not fully believing everything that had been said.
GABRIELLE
So you saw what happened to me, and then you became some kind of monster wolf creature and took care of the rest of Bacchus' followers by yourself.
Xena shrugged.
XENA
Yeah I guess so. Though after I saw you go down everything else gets a little fuzzy, so I don't really remember what happened. One minute I'm looking at you on the ground and the next thing I know I'm in the temple with Demeter standing in front of me.
JOXER
Well I know I'll never forget what happened, that's for sure.
Xena turned towards Joxer.
XENA
Listen Joxer for what it's worth I'm sorry for trying to kill you... again.
Joxer leaned casually against a pillar as he shrugged and tried to play off just how terrified he had really been.
JOXER
(Joking) You know Xena if you keep doing that I'm gonna start thinking you don't like me or something.
Xena smiled as she gave Joxer a light, friendly jab on the arm.
XENA
No you might drive me crazy at times, but I'm happy that I can call you my friend. Thanks Joxer, we wouldn't have been able to find Demeter if it weren't for you.
Joxer smiled as he straightened up.
JOXER
Nah it's no big deal. I'm just happy that all of this Bacchae stuff is finally over.
GABRIELLE
You can say that again.
Gabrielle turned her attention to Demeter and thanked the goddess for finally putting an end to their extended nightmare. Demeter smiled.
DEMETER
Well maybe after what happened here today, thanks to the two of you, Bacchus's followers will now think twice before attacking my worshipers.
IRA
Yeah, seeing your comrades get torn apart by a literal monster would probably be enough to scare off any sane person for good.
HEAD PRIESTESS
(Admonishing tone) Ira, don't you think that's a little rude to say?
Realizing that her comment was insensitive giving that neither Xena nor Gabrielle wanted those abilities to begin with as well as how traumatic it must've been for Xena to see what happened to Gabrielle for her to go through such a metamorphosis, Ira immediately regretted her statement and looked at Xena.
IRA
Sorry, I didn't mean to make light of what happened. I can't imagine what you must've been feeling.
XENA
Don't worry about it. And you aren't exactly wrong about the likelihood of not needing to worry about those guys anymore. So I suppose in the end something good did manage to from this whole mess.
GABRIELLE
And now it's finally over, and we leave this all behind once and for all.
Xena smiled as she put her arm around Gabrielle's shoulders.
XENA
Yeah. Now I don't know about you, but it's been a long day and I could really use a good meal and a long night's sleep.
GABRIELLE
I couldn't agree more.
So after thanking everyone for the help and saying goodbye, Demeter disappeared and Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer left the temple and found a small spot to set up camp for the night as it was nearly dark by the time that they had gotten there. After getting a fire going and settling down, Xena went and caught their dinner. Afterward all three worked to prepare the meal and let it cook. While cleaning up, Gabrielle looked at the blood on her hands before she washed them off and just wanting to make sure that she really wasn't a Bacchae anymore, she gave her hand a small lick and gagged immediately at the slightly metallic, salty taste. Hearing the noise, Xena looked over towards Gabrielle from her spot by the fire and asked if Gabrielle was okay.
GABRIELLE
Yup I'm good.
(Lying) Just swallowed a bug, that's all.
Gabrielle didn't want to admit to doing something so silly and figured it wasn't a big deal. Though unknowingly to her, Xena had seen her and understood that Gabrielle just wanted to make sure that they really were cured of being Bacchae. She thought that the lie was unnecessary, but Xena played along anyway as she knew that it would likely take some time for them both to readjust to living their normal lives without needing to worry about dealing with their Bacchae sides anymore.
XENA
(Joking tone) Well, don't fill up one too many, or you'll spoil your appetite for dinner.
GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) Funny.
It wasn't long after that the trio sat around the fire and ate. The night went on uneventful as morning came and after a bit of travel they soon found themselves at a fork in the road they had been idly walking.
JOXER
So now that you two aren't Bacchae anymore, what's the plan?
XENA
Don't know, but I'm sure we'll figure out something.
GABRIELLE
We always do. How 'bout you, Joxer?
Joxer made an exaggerated heroic laugh.
JOXER
The work of Joxer the mighty is never done. For wherever danger lays and people are in need of a hero...
Joxer carried on with his monolog as Xena and Gabrielle exchanged a look that said that it was time for them to part ways with their enthusiastic friend once again. Because as good of a person and friend that Joxer was, his tendency to fall into his over the top heroic persona and get himself into situations he couldn't handle because of that made being around him for too long a bit tiring for Xena and Gabrielle. Not that they didn't like Joxer the way he was, it was just better and safer for everyone if he didn't travel with them all the time. And so as joxer carried on, Gabrielle leaned close to Xena so Joxer wouldn't hear her.
GABRIELLE
(Whisper) I think it's your turn to come up with something.
Xena sighed as she quickly thought of a way to get Joxer to leave without hurting his feelings. She then pretended to hear something and went off to investigate the fake noise. After a moment she returned.
XENA
(Lying) Looks like we've got trouble.
Following what Xena was doing, Gabrielle played along.
GABRIELLE
What's wrong?
XENA
(Lying) Cyclopes' Big ones, and a good number of 'em too.
GABRIELLE
What do we do?
XENA
(Lying) Well given the direction they're heading I don't think they're going towards any villages, but I think it might be a good idea to trail them for a bit just to make sure.
Not wanting to jump right into yet another dangerous situation and possibly get pummeled into the ground by a giant cyclops, Joxer suddenly found himself needing to be anywhere but where he currently was.
JOXER
(Lying) You know I really wish I could stay and help you guys out with that, but I just remembered that I have to go attend mom's birthday party in a few days so if I don't get going now I'll miss it.
Xena smirked at the obvious lie that Joxer had also used last time he wanted to make a quick exit.
XENA
Well it would make you a bad son if you miss your own mother's birthday now, wouldn't it?
JOXER
(Lying) Yeah, so you understand why I can't stay and help you guys.
GABRIELLE
Don't worry about it Joxer. Go celebrate your mother's birthday.
JOXER
Thanks for understanding. I'll see you guys later.
Joxer began walking down one path of the crossroads they had been standing at before turning to wave back at Gabrielle and Xena.
JOXER
Until we meet again, my friends.
And with that Joxer hurried off as Xena and Gabrielle watched until he was out of sight to look at each other and laugh a little.
GABRIELLE
(Joking) You know at the rate Joxer's mother is having birthdays, I can only imagine how old she must be by now.
XENA
(Joking) Now come on Gabrielle, you know it's not polite to speculate about a woman's age.
The two laughed a bit as they began walking down the other road that was ahead of them that Joxer hadn't.
GABRIELLE
So where are we heading?
XENA
Who knows. Guess we'll have to see where this road leads.
(Joking) Maybe we'll get lucky and run into Empusa or something.
GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) Very funny.
Trust me, after everything with Bacchus and living with being a Bacchae for all that time, right now the last thing I wanna do is deal with some demon that preys on human flesh and blood.
XENA
(Joking) Oh come on Gabrielle, where's your sense of adventure?
GABRIELLE
Anywhere that doesn't involve monsters or demons of any kind.
XENA
(Joking) Oh, you're no fun.
Xena chuckled as Gabrielle gave her a playful backhand in her stomach. The two walked on with Argo as they at long last were able to put behind them all the trouble and heartache that had occurred since their encounter with Bacchas. As they laid to rest, everything that occurred that started by with just one bite.
THE END
