Chapter 1: Battle Within

Xena sat in an old wooden chair under the shade of a large oak tree, peeling an apple with her knife. The sound of the blade slicing through the fruit mixed with the laughter of her children. Borias was holding Bellexa, their 3-month-old daughter, while she babbled with delight. Solan, their 1-year-old son, swung high on the rope tied to the tree, giggling as Borias pushed him higher.

Xena's lip curled slightly as she watched. Borias looked so happy, the fool. She scoffed, shaking her head and placing another piece of fruit in her mouth. How could he be so content with this life? He had once been just as hungry for power as she was. Now, here he was, playing in the dirt with their children, pretending that this life was enough.

She glanced at the house he had built for them. It was small, simple, and... peaceful. She scoffed again. This wasn't what she had in mind for her life. A warrior didn't belong in a house like this. A warrior belonged on the battlefield, where power was earned through blood and conquest, not in the quiet corners of a home.

Solan ran toward her, his tiny feet kicking up dust. He jumped into her lap, reaching for the apple. She handed it to him, and he eagerly took a bite as best as he could. Xena's expression softened for a brief moment before the frown returned. Borias walked over, holding Bellexa in his arms. He gently handed her over to Xena, who took the baby without hesitation.

"You're getting soft," Borias said with a playful grin, watching Solan snuggle into her. Xena raised an eyebrow and handed the apple back to Solan.

"Don't mistake kindness for weakness," she replied, her voice steady. Borias smiled and leaned down to kiss her. Xena turned her head away from him just enough for his lips to land on her cheek. He sighed, throwing his hand up in frustration.

"You never make things easy, do you?" he teased. Xena smirked, adjusting Bellexa in her arms.

"Why would I? Someone around here has to keep you on your toes." Borias laughed softly, though there was a slight edge of frustration. He glanced at the small house he had built with his own hands.

"This life, Xena, it's a good life. Better than what we had before." Her smile faded as she glanced at him, then back at the house.

"Maybe for you," she muttered. "But I'm not done with who I was." Her eyes drifted toward the horizon.

"You may have found peace, but I haven't." Borias rolled his eyes at her as Xena gently set Solan down on his feet, allowing him to run off and play again. Without a word, Xena stood up from the wooden chair and walked toward the edge of the cliff. She gazed out at the river flowing below their house, her mind elsewhere. The peaceful scene did nothing to settle the storm inside her.

Bellexa began to stir in her arms, and Xena instinctively adjusted her top, pulling it down so she could nurse her daughter. She looked down at Bellexa's tiny face, her heart softening as she gazed at the baby's serene expression. Bellexa was beautiful. She stared back at Xena with her big blue eyes. Xena smiled tenderly, running her hand over her daughter's small head, feeling the warmth of her tiny body. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to be consumed by the tenderness of the moment.

Then, just as quickly, her thoughts turned dark. Damn Borias! How dare he try to push this life on her, this peaceful, domestic existence. She wasn't cut out for this. A warrior's life, a leader's life—it wasn't meant to be this quiet, this... normal. She clenched her jaw, feeling her anger growing. She was still meant for more, still destined to be the Destroyer of Nations.

Borias had been the one who did this to her. He had gotten her pregnant with Solan, trapping her in a future she hadn't wanted. She hadn't been ready to settle down. She hadn't been ready to be anything other than a ruthless leader, conquering and commanding. But then, once she had been healed, once she had gotten back on her feet, prepared to reclaim control of her army and her power, Borias got her pregnant again. Damn him to Tartarus!

Why couldn't he just let her go back to who she was? He didn't understand. To him, a family was enough. But to her, it was boring. Solan, sweet and innocent, had changed everything, and now Bellexa too. She looked down at her baby again and smiled. She would give her life for her. But in the quiet of the night, when the weight of her responsibilities as a mother and a partner threatened to crush her, she felt suffocated.

She wasn't meant for this. Well not just this.

And Borias... he had no idea how much she resented him for giving her this life. A life she never wanted. She looked down at Bellexa once more, her thoughts tangled between the love she felt for her daughter and the pull of her darker ambitions. She couldn't let go of her past, and Borias knew that better than anyone. But he refused to see it, to understand that she could never truly be happy with this life he wanted for them.

The night was calm, the quiet rush of the river below the cliff mingling with the rustling of leaves. The moon cast a soft glow over the cliffside, its light reflecting off the blanket where Xena and Borias sat. Their fourth bottle of wine sat nearly empty between them, the warmth of it flowing through their bodies.

Xena leaned back on her elbows, her hair falling over her shoulders as she watched Borias pour another glass. His features seemed softer in the moonlight, the usual sharpness in his eyes replaced with something more relaxed. She smirked, taking another sip from her cup.

"After all this wine, you're actually starting to look delicious," she teased. Borias raised an eyebrow, setting his glass aside.

"Is that so?" he asked in a low voice. Xena didn't answer. Instead, she got onto her knees and slowly and sensually crawled towards him, her eyes locked on his. Her smirk widened as she placed her hands on his shoulders. She leaned in close, her lips hovering near his ear.

"You don't stand a chance," she whispered. Borias grabbed her waist, pulling her into his lap.

"I'm not complaining," he said, his voice rough. He kissed her deeply, his hands sliding up her back as he pulled her closer. Xena's fingers slipped under his shirt. She pushed it up and over his head, tossing it aside as her hands explored his chest. Her touch was slow as she traced his muscles. Borias' hands moved to the ties of her dress, loosening them until the fabric fell away, leaving her naked beneath the moonlight.

His eyes roamed over her. Without a word, he reached for the flask of scented oil he brought out. He poured it onto his hands, rubbing them together before smoothing the oil over her shoulders. His touch was steady as he moved to her arms, her back, her stomach. Xena's skin gleamed under the moonlight while he held the flask over her, letting the oil drizzle.

Borias' hands moved lower, gliding over her hips and thighs. He leaned in, pressing soft kisses along her collarbone, down to her stomach. Xena closed her eyes, letting the sensation wash over her. She felt his hands exploring her body, the warmth of his palms sending shivers through her.

"You're breathtaking." Xena didn't reply. She pushed him back onto the blanket, straddling him as her hands pressed against his chest. She sank down onto him, gasping at the feel of him inside her. She began to move, her hips rolling slowly as she set the rhythm.

Her skin glistened underneath the moonlight. Borias watched her, his hands gripping her hips as she rode him. Every movement drew a soft moan from her lips. Her head tilted back, her hair cascading down her back. She was lost in the sensation, her body responding to his in ways she couldn't control.

Borias let her set the pace, his hands sliding up her sides, guiding her movements as she moved. Xena's breathing quickened, her body trembling as the heat between them grew.

When her moans grew louder, Borias grabbed her waist and flipped her onto her stomach. Xena let out a soft gasp as he positioned himself behind her, his hands sliding over her back. He leaned over her, pressing his chest against her slick skin. The oil and sweat mingled, making her body shine like a goddess under the moonlight.

He slid back inside her, his thrusts deep and steady. Xena gripped the blanket beneath her, her body arching as he moved. The weight of him pressed her into the ground, grounding her as their bodies moved together. His lips found her shoulder, kissing her as he drove them both higher.

The sounds of their love filled the night air. Xena's moans mixed with his low groans as they pushed each other closer to release. Borias tightened his grip on her hips, his pace quickening. Xena's body trembled beneath him, her head falling forward as she cried out, her release washing over her in waves.

Borias followed, his body shuddering as he buried himself inside her one final time. He let out a deep, guttural moan, his breath hot against her skin. They stayed like that for a moment, their bodies still locked together as they came down from their high.

Borias lowered himself onto her back, his chest pressing against her as he wrapped his arms around her. Xena's breath was still heavy, her body warm beneath him. She felt his lips on the side of her face, then her ear, then her neck.

"If you keep doing me like that," she murmured, her voice husky, "we're going to have a house full of kids." Borias laughed softly against her ear.

"I'd want nothing more," he whispered. Xena scoffed lightly, though there was no bite to it.

"You sound like a fool," she said, her eyes half-closed.

"No," his lips brushing her ear. "I sound like a man in love." She shifted slightly, laying her head on her arms.

"I'm going to sleep," she muttered. Borias didn't move. He stayed laid over her, his weight comforting, his breath warm against her skin. He kissed her again, his lips trailing softly along her cheek. Xena didn't stop him. She liked the way he felt, even if she wouldn't admit it.

Xena slowly drifted off to sleep, her body relaxed under Borias. His mind, however, refused to follow her into slumber. As he rested on her, memories of Solan's birth crept in, vivid and unsettling...

Borias had been laying out the back of the carriage with soft blankets, smoothing them over the rough boards. Xena was in her tent. Satrina had given her a potent herb to dull the pain and send her into a deep sleep. Her moans had ceased, leaving only the crackle of campfires and the rustle of wind in the trees.

Focused on preparing for the journey, Borias barely noticed Satrina circling around him. She watched him carefully, her gaze sharp and calculating. He paid her little mind, assuming she was tending to Xena. Confident that his attention was elsewhere, she moved to the far side of the tent and quietly set the tent on fire. The flames caught quickly, devouring the fabric and sending thick smoke billowing into the night sky.

The burning smell hit Borias before he saw the fire. His head snapped up, and he immediately rounded the tent to investigate. That's when Satrina struck. She came at him from behind, driving a blade deep into his thigh. Pain shot through him, but he remained steady, his instincts taking over. She hissed through clenched teeth,

"I can't let you take her away from me. Xena belongs here, with me."

Borias reacted swiftly. He backhanded Satrina with enough force to send her falling backwards, then followed with a hard punch to her jaw. She stumbled, but he didn't give her a chance to recover. Drawing his sword, he pressed the blade to her throat from behind, his voice low and dangerous.

"Try that again, and I'll run you through." Satrina's breathing was ragged as she nodded.

"Grab her things," Borias ordered. Without a word, she obeyed, rushing to collect Xena's belongings while Borias entered the burning tent. He found Xena lying motionless, her face peaceful despite the chaos around her. Carefully, he scooped her up and carried her to the waiting carriage, placing her gently on the blankets he had prepared.

Satrina threw the gathered items onto the carriage and stepped back, her hands trembling. Borias climbed onto the driver's seat, gripping the reins. He flicked them sharply, and the horses lurched forward. Satrina's voice broke the night.

"Wait! Borias, please!" She took off running for the carriage. He slowed the carriage just enough for her to catch up. She clung to the side, her face desperate.

"Let me come with you. Don't tell her what happened. Please." Borias glared at her, his jaw tight. After a long pause, he nodded.

"Fine. But if you cross me again, I'll make good on my promise."

With that, they rode into the night, leaving the smoldering camp behind as Xena slept, unaware of how close she had come to death.

Borias jerked the reins, stopping the carriage in front of a small tavern in Potidaea. He dismounted quickly, walking towards the door. Inside, there were only a handful of people—just the owner and a few workers. As Borias stepped in, the conversations quieted, and the eyes of the few villagers on the stools locked onto him. Their gazes were filled with suspicion and fear. They knew him. A warlord who had raided their village years ago. Borias approached the bar and asked for a room. The tavern owner, his face hard, shook his head without a second thought.

"All full," he said sternly, his eyes flicking nervously to the other men in the room. Borias glanced behind him, seeing several keys hanging on a board, clearly unused. The man was lying. He tried to explain, his voice low but urgent,

"My wife is outside. She's in labor." The owner's face didn't change. He didn't care.

"No room." Fury rose within Borias. He swept his arm across the bar, knocking over everything in sight, and stormed out. His boots thudded heavily against the floor as he rushed outside, knocking one door from the wooden hinge when he kicked it open. He didn't care about his injured thigh. His only thought was on Xena. Xena's pained moans reached his ears. Borias rushed to her side, his hand brushing against her sweat-drenched face.

"I'm looking for a room," he said, his voice low with frustration. Xena only nodded weakly, another contraction ripping through her.

As the carriage rolled through the town, Xena's moans grew louder, turning to screams she tried to hold in. Satrina tried to help her stay calm, but she kept staring at Borias, wondering if he was going to tell Xena about what she had done. The sound twisted in Borias' gut. He didn't know how much longer he could stand hearing her in pain with no one offering help. People glanced away as they passed, but no one tried to help.

Just as he was about to abandon the town and head to the next, he saw two girls waving him down. Their arms were outstretched, signaling him to stop. Without hesitation, Borias pulled the horses to a halt.

One of the girls—a young blonde—came around to the back of the carriage, her eyes widening as she took in Xena's condition.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. She gasped when she saw Xena's face contorted with pain.

"Get the bed ready," she shouted to her sister, who immediately ran into the house without another word. The blonde turned back to Borias, introducing herself,

"I'm Gabrielle, and that's my sister Lila. The villagers here aren't so friendly, but we'll help. Hurry, come inside." Borias, grateful for any help, nodded quickly.

"Thank you," he said, and without wasting another moment, he lifted Xena from the carriage and carried her inside.

Inside, the house was small but warm. Gabrielle and Lila quickly prepared a bed for Xena. Gabrielle explained where to put her down, and Borias gently settled Xena onto the soft blankets, but she hardly noticed. Her body was slick with sweat as each contraction hit her harder than the last. Gabrielle looked from Borias to Satrina with her brows creased.

"How long has she been in labor?" Satrina answered with a quiet sigh.

"Most of the day." Gabrielle nodded with determination, taking charge.

"Lila, go boil some water and get all the towels you can find. We need everything ready." She turned back to Borias, her expression soft but focused.

"Don't worry. We'll take care of her." Xena's breaths came in ragged bursts, her body trembling under the strain. She barely registered the presence of the women around her. As Gabrielle and Lila went to work, Borias stayed close, his gaze fixed on Xena. The pain she was in tore at him, but he could do nothing but wait for the birth and pray it went smoothly.

Borias held her hand tightly as she pushed. He could hardly process what was going on. Never in his life had he heard Xena scream like this. Satrina, Lila, and Gabrielle kept encouraging her, telling her to push harder. But Borias? He couldn't bring himself to say anything. He just gripped her hand firmly, staying close. Suddenly, he found his voice, blurting out,

"Is the baby even coming?"

All three women nodded, their faces lighting up with excitement. Borias didn't know what to expect next, but before long, the sharp cries of a newborn filled the room. His heart pounded as he watched Satrina walk towards him, holding the tiny, wriggling baby in her arms.

"It's a boy," she said softly, handing the baby to Borias.

He took him carefully, cradling the fragile little body in his arms. The baby was so small, his face red and scrunched up, but he was perfect. Borias felt a lump in his throat as he looked at his son for the first time. Xena still had her eyes closed, exhausted from the long labor. Borias moved closer, gently placing the baby on her chest.

"Look, Xena," he said quietly. "Open your eyes." Her eyelids fluttered, and she finally looked down at the baby. A tired smile spread across her face as she lifted a weak hand to touch his soft cheek.

By the next morning, Borias made sure to thank Gabrielle and Lila for their help. He left a small pouch of gold on the table as a token of his gratitude. Then, with Xena, Satrina, and their newborn son Solan, they set out on the road again, ready to find a place to call home.

Bellexa's cry stirred Borias from his thoughts. He got up quietly, leaving Xena undisturbed. Xena had kept extra milk on ice for moments like this, and Borias, still half asleep, lazily got up to grab her. He hummed a soft song to her as he fed her, the rhythmic rocking calming her for the moment. He checked on Solan next, watching as his son slept soundly in the small crib nearby. Once Bellexa was fed and settled, he returned outside, laying back on the blanket where Xena remained asleep, her face peaceful under the light of the moon.

By morning, Xena woke first. The air was warm, and the soft light of dawn cast a glow over the quiet world around them. Borias laid beside her, his arm draped across her waist. She carefully slipped out from under his grasp, stretching her limbs as she rose. Her eyes drifted to the river nearby, its surface glistening invitingly.

She made her way down to the water and waded in. The coolness of the river greeted her as she moved deeper, its gentle current rushing against her skin. As she swam, her mind began to wonder, her thoughts drifting to the life she had left behind.

Xena had spent most of her life conquering, controlling, and forging her name into legend. That was who she was—the Destroyer of Nations. Alti's prophecy had driven her every step, whispering dark promises in her ear, stoking a fire within her that refused to be extinguished. Power. She craved it. She needed it.

But motherhood… motherhood was pulling her in a different direction.

She paused in the water, her arms floating lightly at her sides as she looked up at the sky. The ripples around her seemed to mirror the turbulence within. She thought of Solan, his boundless energy and innocent laughter. Of Bellexa, her tiny hands and bright eyes that saw only love and safety. Xena loved them fiercely, but she couldn't ignore the feeling that they were anchoring her, keeping her from the world that once trembled at her name.

Borias, too, had changed. He was content with this quiet life, eager to leave behind the blood and chaos they had once thrived on. Xena could see it in every gentle touch, in every smile he gave their children. He was happy. And yet, his happiness only deepened the ache in her heart.

She dove under the water, letting it close over her. When she surfaced, she wiped the water from her face and swam back toward the shore, her strokes more eager now.

As she reached the bank and wrapped herself in a towel, her eyes drifted to the back of the storage bin where their weapons were. They were symbols of a past life, forgotten for now, but not forever. She itched to kill something, to hunt something. She felt a longing so fierce it nearly stole her breath—the thrill of the fight, the power of command, the fear that her very name once invoked.

She could not let it go.

Borias believed they could have peace, that they could raise their family far from the violence of their past. But Xena knew better. The darkness within her was not something she could cast aside. It was part of her, woven into her very being.

She looked back toward the blanket where Borias still slept peacefully. He was her anchor, the one who had shown her a different path. But he could never fully understand the battle raging inside her.

Xena clenched her fists at her sides, her determination hardening. She could love her family and still be true to herself. She would start back training, honing her skills for the day she would rise again. When that time came, the world would remember who she was. She walked back toward Borias, her face calm and unreadable. For now, she would play the role of mother and partner. But in the shadows, she would prepare. The Destroyer of Nations would not be forgotten.