With a small breeze in the air, Xena stood silently as she overlooked the scene before her. The events of the war between the Thessalians and Mitoans, and the events that took place at that temple were now a fading memory as Gabrielle walked to stand beside her.
GABRIELLE
So this is Cira. It's beautiful.
The warrior kept her eyes fixed on the open field stretched out ahead of them.
XENA
To me, it's the ugliest place on Earth.
Trying to comfort the dark-haired woman, Gabrielle placed her hand on her shoulder.
GABRIELLE
I know you blame yourself for what Callisto became, but I don't think you should keep punishing yourself for what happened.
XENA
I didn't come here to punish myself. I wanna understand why it happened. Why I was who I was. And how... if I can ever atone.
GABRIELLE
You're not that person anymore, Xena.
Gabrielle looked at the raven-haired warrior.
GABRIELLE
Look at this valley. Once it was a place full of violence and death. But now it's full of beauty and life. It's the same kind of change that's happened to you.
XENA
I wish that I could see it that way.
Xena moved to mount Argo.
XENA
I'm going down there.
GABRIELLE
You want me to come with you?
Xena looked down at the blonde from the mare's saddle.
XENA
No, I'll be okay. Stay here. I won't take long.
GABRIELLE
I'll be here.
Standing there leaning casually on her staff, Gabrielle watched as Xena rode away and toward the ruins of the village that had so long ago been completely destroyed by the warrior's army, prior to her leaving a life of war, pain, and destruction behind. The same village that, in turn, had created one of Xena's greatest enemies in Callisto, who, as a child, had been the sole survivor of the attack, and now had intern become a monster much like what she referred to Xena as. And felt herself justified in her actions due to the horrors she was forced to endure because of Xena.
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Riding back to where she had left Gabrielle, Xena stopped her horse as she looked around for the younger woman who she didn't see anywhere.
XENA
Gabrielle?
After not getting a response, the warrior looked around for any signs of Gabrielle, and when she saw no trace of the woman but her staff lying on the ground, Xena knew immediately that something must've been wrong, as Gabrielle knew not to go anywhere without her only source of defense. And especially when Xena wasn't around.
XENA
Come on girl.
Giving Argo a quick nudge with her boots, the mare kicked Gabrielle's staff up into the air, and after catching it, Xena got the horse moving and galloped off to find where Gabrielle could've gone.
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GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) If I had a Dinar for everytime I've been kidnapped and tied up...
Gabrielle looked at her kidnappers who were doing some type of ritualistic dance as she tried to free herself from the ropes, keeping her restrained. Unable to get free, the young woman let out a defeated sigh and leaned her head back against the tree.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Hopefully, Xena realizes I'm gone soon. I really don't wanna find out what these guys are planning on doing with me.
Gabrielle stood there silently for another moment until she heard a sudden rustling in the tree above her. She was just about to look up when something dropped out of the tree and landed in front of her.
XENA
You lose something?
Gabrielle smirked as Xena waved the blonde's staff in front of her, before drawing her sword and cutting through the ropes holding Gabrielle captive.
GABRIELLE
(Joking tone) 'Bout time you showed up.
Xena handed Gabrielle her staff back just as the two heard a man's voice.
CULTIST
(Angry tone) What's going on?! Stop them!
Turning to see the cultists leader had spotted her freeing Gabrielle, Xena stood ready to fight as a confident smirk crossed her lips.
XENA
You're welcome to try.
Before the cultists even had the chance to do anything, Xena grabbed her chakram from her hip and sent it flying from her hand. The weapon quickly traveled through the air, and after bouncing off of a tree, sliced through the ropes that were holding the other people prisoner, before returning to the warrior's waiting hand.
XENA
Gabrielle, make sure the rest of these people get out of here.
GABRIELLE
On it.
With that Gabrielle rushed off to free the other people the cultists had kidnapped, as Xena taunted the enemy group before taking off herself to join Gabrielle and the others as they made their escape.
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Gabrielle ran with the freed captives as she led them through the wooded area. They moved for a while before the blonde came to a halt.
GABRIELLE
Hold on.
The young woman motioned for the rest of the group to stop.
GABRIELLE
I think I hear something.
?
Hey, good to see ya.
Hearing a familiar voice, Gabrielle lowered her guard as she looked over to see Xena emerging from some bushes.
GABRIELLE
That was quick.
Xena shrugged as she walked over to meet Gabrielle and the rest of the group.
XENA
Meh, they weren't so tough.
CULTIST
There they are! Don't let 'em escape!
Turning around, Xena and Gabrielle saw the cultist's leader along with a group of others heading their way.
XENA
(Flat tone) Though, they are persistent.
Quickly, Xena prepared to face the cultists once more as Gabrielle moved to get the other people to safety.
GABRIELLE
Hurry. Go... Run!
As Gabrielle worked to get the freed captives out of there, Xena clashed with the enemy. Throwing a kick, Xena knocked one of the cultists that came at her away. She blocked another's attack with her blade, before pushing him back and sinking it into the stomach of a third, and letting that one drop to her feet. The raven-haired woman let out a yell as she dodged another taller, but scrawnier cultists and spun around, slashing him in his back and leaving him to fall, as she continued fighting. Suddenly, a small voice reached Xena's ears as she pushed away another cultist and looked toward the sound to see a little girl that had gotten separated from everyone else in the chaos.
CULTIST
(Angry tone) Get her!
Hearing the leader of the group shout, Xena turned slightly to find a battering ram coming straight for the little girl, and ran as fast as she could toward her.
XENA
Move, get out of the way!
With no time to lose but still several feet away, in a desperate move to save the little girl, Xena dove forward and shoved her out of the way just in the knick of time as the battering ram came through. However, unfortunately for Xena, the warrior was unable to get out of the way, and was slammed into by the ram, sending her crashing into the tree several feet behind her before dropping to the ground.
GABRIELLE
Xena!
Seeing the whole thing, Gabrielle ran up behind the cultist's leader as she swung her staff at the man's head, knocking him unconscious before rushing to where Xena had fallen.
GABRIELLE
Xena. Xena, are you okay?
Xena mumbled something that Gabrielle couldn't understand, as the younger woman tried to see what she could do.
GABRIELLE
Hold on Xena. You're gonna be okay.
(Talking to herself) Oh gods.
Panicked and unsure what to do, Gabrielle pushed Xena's hair out of the woman's face, and felt something warm and wet that caused her to notice Xena was bleeding. Gabrielle looked and found a large gash on the back of the warrior's head.
XENA
(Weak tone) The girl.
GABRIELLE
What girl? One of the captives?
XENA
(Weak tone) Only she can save me.
GABRIELLE
They're safe.
XENA
(Weak tone) Mount Nestus.
GABRIELLE
Mount Nestus? Why there? Xena, I don't understand.
XENA
(Weak tone) I need you to take me there.
GABRIELLE
I--I can't.. It's too far away. I don't even know how to get there.
Gabrielle watched as Xena's eyes slowly closed, then opened a few times as the warrior fought to stay conscious.
XENA
(Weak tone) Gabrielle... please.
Seeing the bad shape Xena was clearly in, Gabrielle knew that it wasn't the time for debate and agreed to Xena's odd request.
GABRIELLE
(Soft tone) Okay, Xena. We'll go to Mount Nestus.
So after whistling for Argo, Gabrielle helped the barely conscious warrior lay over the saddle, and led the mare away as they began their journey to Mount Nestus.
TO BE CONTINUED...