CHAPTER 8

"I'm saying get us out of here...Get us out of here."

Americe's screams echoed in the deepest depths of the dark dungeon. She was hitting the iron bars where they were imprisoned with all her strength. But there were no one around. She kept shouting for a while longer.

"Let us out or you will regret it. When the Carian army comes to rescue us, they will make you pay for all that you have done."

For a long time, they had been living in peace without even having to fight at all. However, what had happened now was that they had been thrown into a dungeon from the world like this fairy tale in an instant.

Finally, exhausted from screaming, she collapsed to the ground.

"Enough, your shouting won't do any good anymore," Virgil said.,

He put his hand on Americe's shoulder as if to console her.

"Don't bother yourself any more, they don't hear us. Calm down."

"What are we going to do, sit here with our hands tied like this?"

Americe looked at Gabrielle, who had been standing there for a long time with her eyes fixed on the wall in silence.

"Gabrielle, say something, what are we going to do.?"

"…"

"I say, Americe, calm down, of course there is a way."

"But you are also very calm, Virgil."

Gabrielle broke her long silence with a deep sigh.

"Americe, I'm trying to find a way out, just like you. But I know that we're not going to get anywhere by yelling and kicking around like this. We must not beat ourselves up while waiting for them to get us out of here, otherwise we will not have the strength to participate in any struggle or win."

"Gabrielle is right," said Virgil, "Not that way, Americe."

"So what are we going to do? Do you really believe that the Carian army will come to rescue us?"

"Yes, they have already sent an envoy to Caria."

"So how will they come to save us? Who will lead the army, who will plan?"

"If Xenia had been a little older, we could have trusted her with this to the end, but she is very young and inexperienced."

"Believe me, I don't know at all, Gabrielle," he said.

"You have to fight, Gabrielle. "

"The war is wrong."

"It is also wrong to lose Caria."

"Maybe the Enlightened One can do something."

"But he has no talent and foresight for war. Being a fighter is a talent, and not everyone has it."

"You're right, but believe me, I don't know right now."

"But you always knew what we were going to do. You have always shown us the way."

"Sometimes a person does not know what to do and how to follow a path."

"So?"

"So we have to wait for a miracle to happen."

"I can't wait. I can't wait for a miracle. I don't believe in miracles. We have to get out of here by our own efforts."

Americe had a warrior spirit. She was impatient, she was always like that. Finally, she couldn't stand it and started screaming again, punching the iron bars.

"I'm telling you, get us out of here. You will regret what you have done. The general of the Carian army has sent us news. He is about to set off with his powerful army!" she lied.

She was screaming as hard as she could.

"They will kick your…! They will destroy all of you! Just wait and see!"

# # # # # # #

Meanwhile… #^#^#^#^#

Xena couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was it possible? Didn't Solan die in her own arms? Now he was standing in front of her as a big grown man. His proud and childish gaze had never changed. Would she have the chance to spend time with him that she couldn't? She was standing in front of her only beloved Solan, and the only meaning of her life was telling her that her Gabrielle was in danger. It was not the time to wait any longer, it was time to pull herself together. Her eyes suddenly became fixated on her Chakram, which had been hanging on the wall for a long time. It hadn't been used for years. Maybe it was never needed. But now it was time for it to return to the real owner. The adrenaline rush she was experiencing had already made her much stronger than necessary. She had not fought for 20 years, she could not use her strength. But now it was time. She didn't care about the rules or the price she would pay. If not now, then when? She went and grabbed her chakram off the wall. She put his cloak on and pulled down her hood so as to hide her face. The time was short. Whatever is going to happen, it should have happened sooner. She couldn't lose her again when she was so close to Gabrielle.

She slowly opened the door and entered the room where they were. At that time, Solan and Xenia, who were evaluating those who were in a panic and desperately trying to come up with a solution, suddenly fell silent. They were very surprised by the imposing cloaked person who unexpectedly suddenly walked in the room. Xenia didn't know what to say when she saw Xena coming out. She looked at Xena and Solan with surprise.

"I didn't know you had a guest," Solan said.

Xenia stammered.

"Well, she's not a guest."

"Isn't she? Does she live here?"

Xenia was never good at lying. Besides, she hated lying.

"Not really?"

Solan glared at Xena from head to toe. But he couldn't even tell if she was a woman or a man.

"Who is it?"

Xenia did not know how much to say what to say to the Enlightened One. In fact, she was sincerely glad that Xena decided to come out.

"Actually, she can help us. She's a warrior!"

Solan approached Xena. He was trying to understand her.

"Is that so?"

"Yes"

"So what is she doing in your house, I hope there is nothing wrong. "

He was looking at this stranger, who had hidden herself with the hood of her cloak, with a pale anxious face. Or was this stranger here to use this lonely your Xenia for her evil ambitions? Solan had a thousand and one questions in his head. When Gabrielle was away, he felt that Xenia's responsibility fell on him. He should have protected her. He was staring at this person who could pose a threat to Xenia. Normally, he was never in favor of violence, but if he realized that Xenia was in danger for any reason, he would definitely do everything in his power to protect her. The person with the cape started walking towards them slowly. Solan felt obliged to do some things now.

"What is your friend's name?"

"Her name is… um… Her name… is…"

Xenia could not answer.

"Don't come any closer or you'll regret this," Solan said to the cloaked stranger, "What's your name? Tell me!"

She did not speak and was moving towards them. Solan should have switched to defense. What if this person is a very dangerous person and suddenly attacks or harms Xenia? Gabrielle had entrusted Xenia to him. He should have protected her at the cost of his life. He should have attacked and stopped the stranger. Or at least he should have been intimidated. Against this stranger, who was still walking towards him, he took out his dagger, which he had hidden in his belt against all kinds of dangers. He shouted in a firm and confident voice:

"Don't come any closer, or you'll get into trouble." said Solan as he raised his dagger towards her.

Solan was about to swing his dagger at her when the stranger came closer to him. But suddenly the stranger caught his hand. Solan could not move his arm as this strong hand caught him. But he felt very strange. His eyes were fixed on the hands he had seen from the edge of the cloak. He was just staring with his eyes fixed. He had a very strange expression on his face. Then this expression became very pathetic. Suddenly he whispered in a trembling voice:

"Mother?"

The dagger in Solan's hand had fallen to the ground. As the hands of the two joined, Xena slowly lowered her cloak and embraced her beloved son with great longing and love. She was pressing him to her bosom as if to take out the pain of the years. Solan was still repeating himself in tears.

"Mother... Mom... My mother..."

Xena was crying with a sound mixed with moaning as she cradled her son. The sight at that moment was truly heartbreaking. The longing that had lasted for years was over.

Xenia couldn't believe what she was seeing. What had happened in an instant. She muttered in astonishment.

"Your mother? What? How?"

But at that moment, a strong light appeared and suddenly Solan turned into a big hawk amid screams.

# # # # # # #

It was a cold morning in the Persian Kingdom. Even the sun had not yet fully revealed was really difficult to wait to be rescued in a dungeon that didn't get any sun even in the midday heat. They were snuggled up to each other so that they could warm up. The sound of the wind could be heard through the battlements like a whistle.

Americe was sleeping leaning against Virgil. But suddenly she was awakened by the opening of the rusty iron door with a loud creak. One of the King of Persia's men entered.

"Oh, so you're comfortable, then. Since you've been sleeping soundly."

"What do you expect us to do?" said America angrily.

"Tough girl. You're so angry. Calm down a little."

"I can't. Let us go."

"Go? You are very funny."

"You will be very sorry when the general of the army of Caria arrives."

"Which general?" Virgil whispered.

Gabrielle broke the silence she had maintained for a long time.

"Look, we are here for peace. We can't come to a conclusion like this. You've been keeping us here for days."

"Yes, we are holding, and no one has come to save you. What a pity! Our king is tired of this game now."

"A game? You've been keeping us in a dungeon for days without seeing the sun. No bed, no proper food, no water. This is torture."

"We do not offer luxurious facilities to those we take prisoners, ma'am."

"Let us settle this in peace."

"Don't be funny, lady. "

"I mean what I say. I beg you not to disturb the happiness and peace of the people of Caria."

"Are you begging?"

The man entered the dungeon cell thoroughly and knelt down next to Gabriell. He looked at her face to get a good look at her.

"Are you sure that you are Gabrielle, who once fought with the great warrior Xena?"

Gabrielle was looking at him without saying anything.

"I grew up with your and Xena's stories. I admired you when I was little. I can't believe you're begging for peace in front of me now. Gabrielle used to fight when Xena was around. You've already lost the fight. I'm sorry for you. It will be a pity for a legend like you."

"What do you mean?"

"So I'm saying that the Persian King is tired of waiting."

"Waiting?"

"Yes. We have sent a message with our messengers that you are in our hands."

"Then?"

"We told them that if you don't give us your lands, you will never see each other again."

Americe was thrown into a rage.

"Then you're in trouble, my man."

The man laughed out loud.

"You think so. No one has showed. The messenger returned today. Shouldn't your people have taken action before the messenger?"

"How do you know they didn't?"

"You talk like a child. You are weak, you are cowards."

"You haven't seen our strength yet," cried Americe.

"Shut up, you dirty bitch."

"The bitch is your mother."

The man landed a big punch on Americe's face. America found herself on the ground.

"We will deal with you all later. But let's start with your queen first."

The man grabbed Gabrielle by the arm and dragged her out of the dungeon. Americe was shouting from behind.

"Fight, Gabrielle! Fight!."

Gabrielle turned her sad eyes to Americe. She didn't have the slightest desire in her to fight. She looked as if she was bored with this world. Maybe that was enough. Maybe she had filled her time in this world now. If so, there was no need to fight for it at all. Whatever was going to happen had to happen as soon as possible, and Gabrielle had to get out of the mess in this world and get her Xena back. Weren't they separated enough already? While the man was dragging Gabrielle, she was moving as if she were not in this world. It was a state of complete surrender. She wanted to get closer to the end. She wanted this pain to end. The man brought Gabrielle in front of a guillotine. The king of Persia and the people were gathered, eager to watch the execution of GABRIELLE. A family of children, young and old, was waiting callously to watch a person die.

"Kill her.. Kill her... " screams were rising from the crowd.

Gabrielle looked at them. A lot of people who have never met Gabrielle in their lives, who have never come face to face and talked to her once. Now they were making decisions about whether she should live or die. What rights did they have to this. When did people become so cruel?

"But what does it matter. I'm coming soon Xena! I'll be with you soon..."

Then suddenly Xenia came to her mind. She dreamed that she was looking at her sweetly and smiling.

"Oh, my dear girl. I'm sorry to leave you so early. We could have had so many wonderful days to live with you. But unfortunately fate has seen fit in this way. I wish I could kiss and hug you one last time. Fortunately, even though you still need me, you're not too young. You can handle yourself. I hope you can continue your life with someone who loves and takes care of you. I'll be with Xena until we get back together. Don't forget that I love you, my beautiful girl."

While Gabrielle was quietly saying goodbye to her daughter, she was suddenly startled by the harsh voice of the Persian king.

"Queen Gabrielle. We have been hosting you for ten days. But this stay has gone on too long and I'm bored. When my messengers take your severed head to the people of Caria, they will see how serious I am!"

"You are cruel," said Gabrielle.

"When your beloved Xena received the title of the Destroyer of Nations, believe me, she smeared the blood of more innocents on her hands than I did."

"You won't get results that way."

"I don't need the advice of a dead person. Is there one last thing you want to say?"

"Leave Caria alone. Those people are very happy there."

"Enough, this issue has gone on too long. Executioner! Do your duty!"

The executioner put Gabrielle on the guillotine. People were carefully watching what was going to happen. There was attention and silence around. The king was waiting with a triumphant smile on his face. Gabrielle wasn't scared at all. In fact, she even felt a strange excitement inside. Xena would be waiting for her where she was going, she was sure of that.

Maybe they wouldn't be separated forever anymore. This time… She knew that Xena would be just as excited to see her as she was. Gabrielle closed her eyes so that everything would happen as soon as possible. Suddenly, the horseshoes of horsemen were heard in the distance. One of the men shouted:

"THEY'RE COMING! THERE ARE COMING! SO MANY PEOPLE! SOLDIERS!"

An ambitious army was galloping after the distant hill. The horses adding dust to the smoke. In front of the army was a commander whose reputation spread around the world. The expression of revenge on her face could be seen even from a distance. That commander, of course, was Xena, The Warrior Princess.