Chapter 32: Soraya
The sunlit afternoon was filled with laughter and chatter as the employees of Godly Gains gathered for the surprise picnic Ares had arranged. Colorful blankets were spread across the lush green grass, and the air was filled with the delicious aroma of various treats.
Xena and Gabrielle joined the lively crowd, enjoying the festive atmosphere. As she and Gabrielle walked around to the various food trucks and purchasing everything they thought they wanted, Xena felt her stomach tightening, but she tried to ignore it. Ares noticed Xena's expression change and asked softly,
"Everything okay, Xe?" She attempted to downplay it.
"It's really nothing," she replied modestly.
"Probably just indigestion, nothing to worry about." Not believing her, he replied,
"You sure it's nothing serious? Maybe you should sit down."
Xena rubbed his arm lightly, reassuring him that she was just fine. The trio walked to a nearby table with their food and drinks in hand. Ares sat Xena's belongings on the table and then helped her have a seat on the bench. Once he sat down beside her, she suddenly tensed, her hand gripping Ares' shoulder tightly. A worried look flashed across his face as she clutched her stomach with the other hand.
"Xena, what's wrong?" Ares inquired, panic increasing across his features. She winced,
"Feels like a contraction." Gabrielle and Ares looked at each other with panicked faces. It was too early for her to be experiencing contractions. Within moments, Xena grabbed Ares tighter while a sharp cry escaped her lips. Ares knelt beside her, his hands hovering over her in uncertainty.
The joyous atmosphere of the picnic transformed into one of shock and concern as Xena's distress echoed through the gathering. Employees exchanged worried glances, and the festive chatter changed to worried whispers as they watched in fear.
"I'm getting you to the hospital, sweet!" Her voice strained with pain, she called out his name,
"Ahhh, Ares!" Fear gripped him as he scooped her into his arms.
"Hold on, Xena. I've got you." Ignoring the curious glances from the gathering crowd, he carried her towards his car. Gabrielle swiftly followed Ares. Her steps matched his, and she reached the car just as Ares gently placed Xena inside.
"I'm coming with you," Gabrielle nervously said, as she positioned herself in the car, ensuring Ares didn't leave her behind. Ares nodded in acknowledgment.
Xena's screams echoed through the air. Gabrielle pulled her into her embrace and tenderly ran her fingers through her hair. Ares' heart was racing. He started the engine while thinking of the fastest route to the hospital. Amidst the chaos, he managed to reassure Xena,
"We'll get you there, Xe. Just hold on." The car pulled away, tires burning rubber, as he left the picnic behind.
~XA~
Ares and Gabrielle sat by Xena's bedside, each holding one of her hands. The room was filled with the soft hum of medical equipment, and Xena lay there, her eyes closed, while pain medication flowed through her I.V. The blackened circles beneath her eyes awoken worry within Ares and Gabrielle's hearts. Worry etched on their faces, Ares and Gabrielle exchanged concerned glances. Just then, the doctor entered the room, breaking the uneasy silence.
"We've conducted several tests, and everything appears to be normal," the doctor explained.
"We couldn't find anything wrong with Xena or the baby. It's possible she might have experienced heat exhaustion. We'll continue to monitor her closely." After two hours, Xena was discharged but she was still sleeping. Ares carried her into the house, to their bed, Gabrielle on his heels. He carefully tucked her underneath the covers. Gabrielle crawled in the bed with her.
"Why do you think she hasn't woke up yet?" she asked with deep concern, as she stroked Xena's hair. Ares holding her hand to his face replied,
"I have no idea, but something isn't right," he kissed her hand and stared at her hoping for some kind of reaction.
"You're right, she has been acting different ever since we found that amulet." Ares' eyes shot wide, breathing harder,
"What amulet, blondie?" he asked with irritation. Why was she just now saying something after all this time? Gabrielle went downstairs to retrieve the artifact. It didn't have its eerie glow. She handed it to Ares. It softly started to pulse light, weakly. Ares got up to pace and he examined the item. The light pulse stopped once he walked away from Xena. As he got closer to her again, the pulsing began. Ares noticed this and decided to test it out. He held the amulet directly over her body and the amulet lit up full power.
"This thing seems to react from Xena and I'm going to find out why." He tucked the amulet in his back pocket and carefully lifted Xena in his arms. Gabrielle grabbed his arm, stopping him,
"Wait, where are you taking her?" Ares, slightly annoyed from being questioned, answered,
"I'm taking her to Demeter," and disappeared without another word.
~XA~
Xena was laying on the bed as Demeter was using her powers to examine Xena and the baby. Ares sat by her side, attentive to Demeter's every move. He noticed the sadden expression on her face. He swallowed hard, trying to hold his tongue while she examined.
"Ares, something is draining your child's life force. The energy being emitted is very weak. Xena's body is working overtime trying to replenish what is being drained from the child. If this continues, she may never wake up."
"Ares...," she stood and grabbed his hands, "...you must find out what entity is doing this and put a stop to it. They don't have much time." Ares' heart sank to his feet. Her news crushed his soul. He was prepared to do whatever it took to save his family. He pulled the amulet out his pocket,
"Do you know anything about this? This is the culprit." Demeter took the item from him and carefully examined it.
"I've never seen anything like it, but I will try to find out something for you. As for now, all I can suggest is try to keep Xena as comfortable as you can. I'll be back in a flash." Ares has never felt this worried in his existence. This was too much for him. His Xena, laying there so helplessly. He then noticed her face was glistening. He placed a hand on her and felt that she was sweating. Materializing a bucket of cold water and a cloth, he began to lightly pat her skin. Demeter returned 15 minutes later.
"This amulet is cursed. I found its history. Let me tell you about it," she advised as she took a seat next to him.
"The origins of the amulet trace back to an ancient sorceress named Soraya, known for her dark arts and insatiable thirst for power. Soraya, consumed by a desire for immortality, sought to harness the life forces of powerful beings to sustain her own existence."
"Centuries ago, Soraya created the amulet using forbidden rituals and dark magic. Its purpose was to serve as a vessel capable of extracting and storing the life force of the unborn children of powerful couples. The curse woven into the amulet is intricately tied to Soraya's malevolent ambitions. She enchanted it with a dark spell, binding it to the life force of the unborn children. The curse ensures a gradual and relentless drain of the child's essence, channeling the extracted energy to Soraya, who lies dormant in a realm between life and death." Ares gulped noisily.
"How do I break this curse?" he asked with hope in his voice.
"You must find Hecate. She's the only one that can conjure the spell needed to break the curse." Ares shook his head. He had no idea where to find her. He materialized back to the house with Xena. Gabrielle was still there, downstairs. He laid Xena down in the bed, his heart breaking with every move.
"Blondie!" he called with full power, his voice bouncing off the walls. Gabrielle charged upstairs.
"The amulet is cursed. It's draining the life force of our baby. Watch Xena, make sure you keep patting her skin with this cool water." Gabrielle gasped and placed her hands to her mouth.
"How can we break it?" she asked while grabbing the damp towel.
"I have to speak with Hecate, Goddess of Magic and Witchcraft." Gabrielle gave Ares a sincere hug.
"Please hurry back." He disappeared.
~XA~
In his desperate quest to save Xena and their baby, Ares went to Apollo for assistance. However, upon arriving at Apollo's dwelling, the God of Light initially rebuffed Ares, displaying a dismissive attitude.
"Why should I waste my time on a mortal just because she's got you wrapped around her finger?" Apollo's lips curved with a hint of amusement as he remarked. Feeling frustrated, Ares took a deep breath and spoke with determination.
"Apollo, I'll carry the sun across the sky for you for all eternity if you help me this once. I need to find Hecate and break the curse on Xena and our child." Apollo saw the sincerity and desperation in Ares' plea and looked at him more seriously.
"You're really going to owe me for this one, brother," he replied, eventually giving in.
"Fine, I'll tell you where to find Hecate. But remember, this is a one-time deal." Relief washed over Ares as Apollo disclosed the information he needed. With newfound determination, Ares set out on the quest to locate Hecate and, with any luck, save Xena and their baby.
~XA~
In the hushed atmosphere of her bedroom, Xena's once-vibrant complexion now mirrored a ghost, her skin drained of its usual warmth. Beads of sweat lined her forehead. A fever had settled. Xena's distressed moans filled the air. The mood in the room grew tense as Xena's labored breaths worried Gabrielle, each one more ragged than the last. Feeling the will of Gabrielle, Aphrodite materialized.
"Oh, this is so not groovy," she exclaimed, glancing at Gabrielle, who was desperately trying to ease Xena's suffering.
"We need to do something, like, yesterday!" she exclaimed, as she frantically paced the room, biting her nails. She cast worried glances at Xena and then at Gabrielle. Gabrielle tried to remain calm, as Aphrodite was only adding to her anxiety, but she knew her intentions were good. Gabrielle frantically patted Xena's body in the cool water. She had the windows open so the cool air could fill the room. All the blankets were off the bed.
"I don't know what to do, Aphrodite. She's getting worse, and the baby... I can't feel any movement," she confessed softly with a sadden expression. Aphrodite approached Xena's bedside.
"Hang tight, Gabs. Let's see what's going on with the little one," she said, gently placing her hand on Xena's belly. Concentrating, she sought out the faint heartbeat of her unborn niece or nephew. After a moment of intense focus, Aphrodite's expression shifted.
"The heartbeat is slow, but it's still there. We've got to keep her temperature down until Ares returns," she urged, glancing at Gabrielle with a sense of urgency. Gabrielle nodded. With Aphrodite's guidance, they worked together to make Xena as comfortable as possible, hoping that he would arrive in time to save them both.
~XA~
In the mystical realm of Hecate, Ares faced the imposing goddess. Ancient power filled the air as Hecate looked at him with curiosity.
"A god seeking my aid? Explain your purpose before I lose interest." Her voice echoed with an eerie, otherworldly sound. Fueled by urgency, he elaborated,
"Xena, my wife, carries our child, and Soraya's curse is draining its life force. I need your power to break this curse." Hecate remained unmoved by the god's desperation. With a dismissive gesture, she raised her hand.
"A mortal's troubles are not my concern." Ares refused to be deterred and said,
"Xena is not just a mortal; she's my wife. We are bound by the ties of marriage." Hecate scoffed,
"Mortal weddings hold no sway in the realm of the gods." He countered,
"Our marriage took place in front of the Fates. They acknowledged our union. We seek your aid to protect the life growing within her." Hecate enjoyed the god's desperation. She pondered her reply carefully.
"Power comes at a cost, war god. What are you willing to sacrifice for this favor?" Ares declared,
"Name your price. I'll pay any cost to save my family." A wry smile played on Hecate's lips.
"I want your godhood, Ares. Offer it willingly, and I may consider aiding you." Ares recognized the gravity of such a sacrifice. He nodded solemnly.
"Godhood it is. I'll relinquish my divine status to save Xena and our child." Hecate recognized the gravity of Ares' commitment. Reluctantly, she agreed.
"Very well. I shall grant you the means to break the curse. God of War, the consequences of your choices are yours to bear." With a wave of her hand, Hecate conjured a vial containing the potion capable of undoing the curse.
~XA~
Apollo materialized before Hecate. His golden hair shimmered in the divine light as he stepped forward.
"Hecate," Apollo spoke with grace and authority,
"I recommend you to reconsider your demand. Ares truly loves this mortal woman. Their union is bound by the threads of fate and sanctioned by the Fates themselves. Spare him the sacrifice of his godhood." Hecate looked at Apollo with a raised eyebrow, her eyes glinting in the mystical glow.
"Why should I spare Ares when he willingly offered his godhood for the sake of a mortal?" Apollo's expression softened, and he spoke with earnest sincerity,
"Ares' sacrifice stands as undeniable proof of his unwavering devotion. Plus, I prefer to have his entertainment around for the rest of time." Hecate sighed reluctantly. Finally, she agreed to spare Ares' godhood. Apollo vanished from her presence. Before he disappeared, Hecate warned him,
"Apollo, you owe me a favor, and I'll collect when the time is right."
~XA~
Ares stormed back into the bedroom. The air heavy with tension and the scent of worry. Gabrielle and Aphrodite waited for him with their faces marked with streaks of tears. One held onto hope, while the other trembled with uncertainty. Gabrielle's voice shook with emotion as she asked,
"Did you find it?" Ares held up the vial, clutched tightly in his hand, in the air for her to see. Aphrodite's gave him a worried look,
"What did it cost you, Ares? There's always a price for such things." Ares hesitated for a moment.
"The cost is no consequence compared to saving my family." Aphrodite's concern deepened as Ares' response left her with a lingering unease. What could Ares have sacrificed to obtain the vial, and at what cost?
As he began to prepare the potion, the room held an anxious stillness. Ares gently opened Xena's mouth and dispensed the potion on the side of her jaw, towards the back of her throat, massaging it down.
Time seemed to stop as Ares, Aphrodite, and Gabrielle anxiously waited for a sign from Xena. Gabrielle battled fatigue as she crawled into the bed beside Xena. Despite her exhaustion, she kept a vigilant watch over her friend.
"How long is it supposed to take?" Gabrielle whispered. Ares shook his head solemnly. The weight of uncertainty hung in the air, making each passing second feel like an eternity. Aphrodite and Ares took their places at the bedside.
As the room plunged into a restless silence, they counted the long hours, each tick of the clock intensifying the anxiety that gripped them. The fate of Xena and their child rested on the effectiveness of the potion Ares had administered. The air was thick with anticipation, and the only sound that filled the room was the haunting echo of uncertainty and the rhythmic sounds of Xena's labored breathing.
