Chapter 8: Visions of Betrayal

Xena sat in the dimly lit room, leaning against the wooden wall near the window. From her vantage point, she could see the streets of Potidaea stretching below, busy with the usual morning activity. But she wasn't interested in the people—she was scanning the layout, searching for what she needed.

Borias had told her about the weapons hidden in this village when his army raided, back before she ever rode with him. He said the weapons were hidden beneath the village, stockpiled in secret caches by merchants who supplied both soldiers and warlords. Yet as she stood there now, scanning every structure, she saw no sign of anything useful. No heavy defenses. No sign of hidden storage. Just wooden huts and lazy traders.

A frown formed on her lips. The place looked weak, but she knew better. There was more to it, and she needed to find out exactly where the weapons were—without drawing attention. She needed someone to unknowingly lead her there.

Gabrielle.

Her fingers idly tapped against the table as she considered her next move. Gabrielle was persistent, that much was clear. And she clearly wanted to talk. That gave Xena an idea. She would be easy to manipulate. Xena could already see the scenario playing out—a few friendly words, a little curiosity, and Gabrielle would gladly lead her through every important corner of the village.

She smirked slightly and rose to her feet. If Gabrielle wanted to talk so badly, then Xena would let her. But this time, she would be the one asking the questions. She wasn't here to make friends. She was here to gather everything she needed to supply her army and then burn this village to the ground.

Xena descended the stairs at a relaxed pace, her expression neutral but her mind focused. The tavern was livelier now, with more people going in and out, filling the air with quiet chatter and the clatter of dishes. She spotted Gabrielle and Lila still seated at their table, speaking between bites of food.

Gabrielle noticed her first, nudging Lila. "See? I told you she'd come back down."

Xena approached them, stopping at their table with a small nod. "Mind if I sit?"

Gabrielle smiled warmly. "Of course."

Lila, however, barely glanced up. "I guess."

Xena smirked, pulling out a chair and settling in. "So, you're from around here?"

Gabrielle perked up at the chance to talk. "Born and raised."

Xena glanced toward the window as if just now taking in the town. "Seems like a quiet place."

Gabrielle nodded. "It usually is."

Lila snorted. "Boring, you mean."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes but didn't argue. "Not much happens here. Well... aside from that one time."

Xena lifted an eyebrow, pretending to be concerned. "What one time?"

Gabrielle hesitated for a moment before answering, lowering her voice slightly. "Years ago, when I was small, the village was raided by a warlord and his army. My parents never told me his name, but it's something the elders still talk about."

Xena leaned forward slightly, her expression changing just enough to appear interested. "Did they take anything?"

Gabrielle sighed. "Food, supplies... weapons too, apparently."

Xena tilted her head, glancing around as if looking over the village again. "Weapons?" she asked, her tone doubtful. "I don't see an army here, and there's barely enough steel in that forge for farm tools. Where would these weapons even come from?"

Gabrielle shrugged. "There used to be an armory here, but it's barely anything now. After the raid, the village never really rebuilt it."

Xena hummed thoughtfully, filing that away for later. She let the conversation change naturally, not pushing for more. Instead, she glanced around the tavern. "I was thinking about stepping out for a bit—get a better feel for the place." She turned back to Gabrielle. "How do I get to the market from here?"

Gabrielle smiled. "Oh, that's easy. Just go out the door, take a right, pass the well, and keep walking until you see—"

Xena held up her hands, palms facing Gabrielle as if to slow her down. "Whoa, slow down," she said, her tone light but amused, as if overwhelmed by the flood of directions.

Gabrielle laughed. "Okay, maybe not as easy as I thought."

Xena leaned on the table, shaking her head in defeat. "Sounds like I'll be wandering in circles."

Gabrielle grinned. "I could show you, if you want."

Xena hesitated, then gave a small, sheepish smile. "If you're sure you don't mind."

"Of course not," Gabrielle said, already pushing her chair back. "Besides, Lila never wants to walk anywhere with me."

"That's because you talk the whole time," Lila muttered.

Gabrielle ignored her. "Come on, I'll show you around."

Xena stood, giving Gabrielle an appreciative nod. This was exactly what she wanted.

Gabrielle led Xena through the village, pointing out various spots as they walked. The sounds of daily life filled the air—merchants haggling over goods, the clang of a blacksmith's hammer, and the distant chatter of farmers unloading their carts. Xena's sharp eyes scanned everything, taking note of the way the village was laid out.

"So, this is the main square," Gabrielle said, motioning around. "It's where most of the trade happens. Farmers, merchants, travelers—this is where they come to sell their goods." Xena nodded as if she were only mildly interested, her gaze sweeping over the buildings. A few modest stalls were scattered near the well, where villagers exchanged food and supplies. She noted the positioning of the structures, the narrow paths between them—potential choke points if an attack were to happen.

"Looks small," Xena remarked.

Gabrielle laughed. "That's because it is. But it's enough for what we need."

She continued walking, leading Xena past the market. "Over there is the storage barn," Gabrielle pointed at a large wooden structure. "That's where we keep grain and other food supplies."

Lila trailed a few steps behind them with her arms crossed. She had insisted on coming along, though she didn't hide her skepticism. "You traveled all this way without knowing what's here?" she asked, glancing at Xena out of the corner of her eye.

Xena didn't miss the suspicion in her voice. She gave a small shrug, keeping her tone neutral. "I've passed through a lot of places, but I don't always get the chance to explore."

Lila frowned. "Most travelers don't stick around long enough to ask for a full tour."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "Lila, stop. She's just curious. It's not a crime."

Lila said nothing, but Xena could feel her eyes lingering. It didn't matter. She had dealt with warlords more intimidating than a cautious farm girl.

They passed by the blacksmith's forge, where metal glowed hot under the steady pounding of hammers. Gabrielle gestured toward the shop. "This is where we make our weapons and tools. It's small, but it keeps us going."

Xena eyed the few swords on display. Not enough to arm her army. If the people here had anything worth stealing, it wasn't in plain sight.

They continued toward the edge of town. Gabrielle gestured to a narrow dirt path winding through the trees. "This is one of our escape routes. If anything happens—fire, raiders, or even bad weather—this is how people get out fast."

Xena memorized the location. The trees provided enough cover for an ambush. Easily blocked.

Gabrielle pointed toward another path. "That one leads to the riverbank. If there's a real emergency, people take the boats downstream." Lila grabbed Gabrielle's arm, pulling her a few steps away from Xena. She kept her voice low, but there was an edge to it.

"Why are you showing her all this?" Lila asked, her eyes flicking toward Xena, who stood a few feet away, looking off toward the riverbank.

Gabrielle sighed, already expecting this reaction. "Lila, come on. She's just passing through."

Lila's brow creased. "And that means you have to give her a full tour of every escape route in the village?"

Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "She's not a threat."

"You don't know that," Lila argued. "You don't know anything about her."

Gabrielle folded her arms. "She's a mother, Lila. She's not some warlord looking to burn the village down. She's just—" She hesitated, glancing back at Xena. "I don't know. But she's not dangerous."

Lila didn't look convinced. "You trust too easily," she muttered.

Gabrielle gave her a small smile. "And you trust no one."

Lila huffed, crossing her arms tighter. "One of us has to be smart about it."

Gabrielle shook her head, brushing past her. "You worry too much."

Lila watched as Gabrielle rejoined Xena, her gut telling her that something wasn't right. But Gabrielle had already made up her mind, and there was no convincing her otherwise.

Xena's mind worked quickly. That escape wouldn't be an option once she set her plan in motion.

Lila watched her closely. "You're really interested in our defenses, huh?"

Gabrielle shot her a glare. "Lila—"

"I'm just saying," Lila interrupted. "Most people passing through don't care about safehouses and escape routes."

Xena gave a slow smirk, tilting her head. "Maybe I just like knowing how people protect themselves."

Lila's frown deepened, but before she could say more, Gabrielle pulled Xena along.

They reached an older building near the outskirts of the village. Gabrielle pushed open the heavy wooden door, revealing a dimly lit storage space. "This is where we keep extra supplies," she explained, stepping inside. "Mostly food and tools, but—"

Xena's gaze locked onto something in the shadows. Weapons. Racks of them. More than she had expected.

Gabrielle followed her gaze and chuckled. "Oh, those? Yeah, after the last raid, some of the men decided to start storing weapons here. Just in case."

Xena kept her expression unreadable, but inside, she was already forming a new strategy. This was it. This was the key to everything.

Lila raised an eyebrow. "You look impressed."

Xena turned to her smoothly. "Just thinking it's smart to be prepared."

Lila didn't seem convinced, but Gabrielle brushed it off. "Well, that's pretty much everything."

Xena nodded. "I appreciate the tour, but I should probably get going."

Gabrielle looked slightly disappointed. "Already?"

"I'll be around," Xena said with a small smile. "We'll talk again."

Gabrielle smiled back, but Lila wasn't so easily convinced. Xena could feel her watching as she turned to leave.

She had exactly what she needed. While she rode out of Potidaea, she kept her pace steady, her posture relaxed, and her expression unreadable. To anyone watching, she was just another traveler moving on to her next destination. But beneath that calm exterior, her mind was sharp, running through everything she had learned.

The village was weak.

The blacksmith's forge was small, barely enough to arm a handful of men. The guards—if they could even be called that—were farmers with dull swords, not warriors. The escape routes were predictable, easy to cut off. But the weapons she found in the safehouse... that changed everything.

She hadn't expected that many. Whoever was stockpiling them had been preparing for something. A future attack? Defending against raiders? It didn't matter. Now, those weapons belonged to her.

Xena smirked slightly, the thought fueling her excitement. It would be so easy. A single strike, well-timed, and this place would crumble. She could wipe out everything and take what she needed without resistance. The very village that once turned its back on her would serve her army now, whether they wanted to or not.

Her grip tightened slightly on the reins. They should have helped her when they had the chance.

The wind picked up as she rode farther from the village, the sounds of life fading behind her. She didn't look back. There was no need. She had everything she came for.

Now, it was time to return to her army.

Borias rode away from Tara's village, pushing aside the thoughts of Poma and whatever trap she thought she had set for him. His children were safe—that was all that mattered. But Xena? Xena was another problem entirely. He knew she had left. He could feel it. The only question was when.

He smirked to himself, imagining the look on her face when she woke up to find him and the children gone. Serves her right, he thought. Let her sit with the same frustration she's put me through.

No matter where she had gone, there was only one route she could have taken. The rest of the terrain was too steep, too unpredictable. There was only one safe pass, and if he knew Xena, she would take the fastest path possible.

Which meant all he had to do was wait.

He guided his horse toward the narrow pass, the place where the rocky landscape forced all travelers through a single route. Dismounting, he led his horse into the cover of the trees and crouched down, getting comfortable.

The sun moved steadily through the sky. Hours passed, but Borias remained there, sharpening a small branch with his dagger. His hands worked on instinct, shaping the wood into something that vaguely resembled a dagger. Solan would love this, he thought. He'd probably run around swinging it like a sword.

A sad chuckle left him as he imagined his son toddling around, waving a stick like he was a great warrior. He should be there with him. Instead, he was out here—waiting on a woman who had no idea how much he still loved her.

The sudden snap of a branch pulled him from his thoughts. His head jerked up, and his heart pounded as his eyes locked onto a lone rider emerging from the trees.

Xena.

A slow smirk formed on his lips. Finally.

She rode past him, her focus locked ahead, completely unaware that she was being watched. He let her go, slipping through the trees on foot, tracking her silently.

For nearly an hour, he stayed back, moving with the skill of a hunter. The way she held herself, the direction she rode—she wasn't traveling aimlessly. She was heading somewhere with a purpose.

And then he saw it.

A massive camp stretched before him, filled with soldiers moving in disciplined formations. At first glance, it looked like any other group of mercenaries. But Borias knew better. The way they stood, the way they moved, the way they responded when Xena entered—it was too disciplined. Too organized.

This wasn't just some group of raiders. This was an army.

Xena moved through them like a leader inspecting her ranks, speaking to men who looked at her with unwavering loyalty. She wasn't a visitor here. She was in command. Borias' chest tightened.

She had built this behind his back. She had been leading this army while coming home to their children, sleeping under the same roof, pretending like she had left this life behind. His hands curled into fists. He had seen enough.

Stepping into the open, he deliberately let himself be seen. The men on watch noticed immediately, their hands flying to their weapons. Before they could react, he raised his hands in surrender. They rushed forward, grabbing his arms and forcing him toward the center of camp.

"Look what we found sneaking around," one of them sneered.

Xena turned, her gaze settling on Borias. For a moment, she just looked at him, unreadable as ever. Then she scoffed and waved them off.

"Cut him loose," she said. The soldiers hesitated, glancing at each other.

"You sure?" one of them asked.

Xena's eyes darkened. "I said cut him loose." Without another word, they sliced the ropes binding his hands. Borias rubbed his wrists, stepping closer to Xena.

"Come with me," she muttered under her breath, grabbing his arm and pulling him past the trees, away from prying eyes and ears.

The second they were out of sight, Xena moved fast. Before Borias could react, she pulled a dagger from her belt and pressed it against his crotch, her grip steady, her eyes burning into his.

"Where in Tartarus are my children?" she hissed. Borias stiffened, his body tense, but he met her glare head-on.

"They're safe," he said evenly. "With Doria and Tara."

She scoffed, her disgust clear as she glared at him. "Doria? You left them with Doria?" She laughed bitterly, shaking her head. "She lets everything slide like it's no big deal. She doesn't even keep up with Tara half the time."

Borias' expression remained firm. "It's not Doria watching them. It's Tara."

Xena's eyes widened, her grip on the dagger tightening. "Tara?" Her voice dropped, sharp with disbelief.

Borias barely had time to react before Xena shoved him harder against the tree. "You mean to tell me you left my children with that reckless, irresponsible girl?"

"Tara isn't—"

"She does whatever she wants whenever she wants," Xena cut him off, fury burning in her eyes. "It's no telling who she might leave my babies with while she disappears to run wild with whoever catches her eye that day."

Borias clenched his jaw, meeting her gaze. "Tara's not stupid. She wouldn't—"

"You don't know that," Xena snapped. Her chest rose and fell heavily, her nostrils flaring. "You don't know anything. And you had the nerve to act like I'm the problem. I told you I don't trust them," she snapped.

"What if something happens? What if someone comes through that village looking for an easy target? What if they decide they've had enough of my children and toss them out like scraps?"

Borias didn't flinch. "They wouldn't."

"Says who," Xena shot back, shoving him in his chest. The dagger pressed harder against him. "If anything happens to my children, Borias, it will be on you. And you will pay for it."

Borias exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "They're safer there than they are with you."

Xena scoffed, yanking the dagger away and stepping back. "Safer?" She let out a cold laugh, eyes flashing. "If you really believed that, why not stay home with them? Watch them yourself instead of running after me like a jealous lover?"

Borias' jaw tightened. He knew what she was doing—turning it back on him, making him the reckless one. He wasn't going to bite. Not yet.

He gestured toward the camp behind them. "This is what you've been sneaking off to do?" His voice was laced with accusation. "Building an army behind my back?"

Xena crossed her arms, tilting her head. "I'm securing a future where no one will ever threaten our family."

"You're planning a war."

Xena smirked. "I'm winning before the war even starts."

Borias clenched his fists. "You're putting our children in danger."

Xena's expression didn't change. "No. I'm making sure they have a future where no one can touch them."

She stepped closer, her voice lowering, her gaze steady. "You and I both know what it's like to be hunted. To have enemies waiting in the shadows, looking for weakness. If we're not the ones on top, we'll always be looking over our shoulders."

Borias let out a sharp breath, shaking his head. "You're so focused on what you think you're preventing that you don't see what you're creating. You can't trust these men." He motioned toward the camp. "They may look disciplined, but they're still killers. The second they see an opportunity, they'll turn on you."

"They wouldn't dare."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I command them."

"That's not enough," Borias said, his voice edged with frustration. "These men follow you now, but what happens when something goes wrong? When there's a bigger army? A bigger prize? You think loyalty is enough?" He stepped even closer, his voice dropping.

"Whatever trouble you're brewing, it's going to follow you. Have you even considered what happens when that day comes?"

Xena scoffed. "Of course, I have."

Borias studied her carefully, watching for any sign that she was lying to herself. "And our children? Where do they fit into your grand plan?"

Xena held his gaze, and for the first time, she hesitated.

Borias caught it—the crack. It was brief, but it was there. He pressed further. "Solan? Lexa? Are they supposed to be raised in an army camp? To become soldiers in whatever war you're starting?"

Xena exhaled through her nose, forcing the hesitation away. "I could hire help," she said finally, her voice sharp again. "Gold is never a problem, and it never will be. Thanks to me."

Borias shook his head. "You really believe that?"

Xena walked closer to him, tilting her head slightly. "What I believe," she said smoothly, her voice softening into something more dangerous, "is that if we led this army together, no one would dare cross us."

She stepped into his space, her fingers brushing over his chest. "We would rule, Borias. Not just lead. Rule. No one would dare cross us then."

Her fingers trailed along his chest, her touch slow, teasing. "Imagine it, Borias. You and me. Ruling something greater than we ever have before."

Borias clenched his jaw, but he didn't pull away. Xena smiled. She could feel the fire still inside him, buried beneath whatever new life he was trying to force himself into.

Her tone softened, her hands trailing lower, smoothing over his belt. "We were unstoppable once."

Borias stiffened. He knew what she was doing.

"You think being a father and a builder makes you stronger?" Xena whispered, pressing her body against his. "You were a legend, Borias. Now you're just a caretaker." His hands balled into fists.

"You're pretending to be something you're not." Her lips brushed against his ear, briefly licking it before she pulled away.

"But I know who you are." She kissed him slowly, teasingly, her hands sliding over his chest, pressing firmly against the muscle.

"You miss it," she breathed against his lips. "The power. The fire." Her fingers moved lower, tracing the edge of his belt before slipping into his pants, her nails lightly scraping over his skin.

Borias' breath hitched. His body betrayed him, reacting to her touch even as his mind screamed at him to resist.

Xena smirked against his skin, feeling his walls break. "You and me," she whispered, grinding against him, her body molding to his. "We burned through kingdoms together. We were unstoppable."

She reached for his hand, guiding it to her hip, then trailing it between her legs, her own breath catching slightly at the contact. "Tell me you don't remember how good we were," she said, her voice heavy with promise. Borias' grip tightened instinctively. His body remembered, even if his mind tried to fight it.

It had been over a month since he'd touched her, kissed her, buried himself inside her. Over a month since he'd heard his name tumble from her lips in that way only she could say it. Xena had always been insatiable, just as much as he was, if not more. He hated how easily she still had this effect on him, how quickly she could unravel him with just a look, a touch, a whisper.

Her body pressed against him, her warmth sinking into his skin even through the layers between them. The scent of her filled his head—leather, sweat, and something uniquely Xena. His breathing deepened, his pulse pounding.

He loved her. He needed her.

His hands flexed against her hips, aching to pull her closer, to claim her again the way he used to. His body was already giving in and she knew it. He saw the glint in her eyes, the slow smirk curving her lips. She felt it, the way he hardened against her, the way his fingers twitched. She adjusted slightly, rolling her hips against his just enough to make his restraint shatter.

"Say yes," she murmured, her lips brushing against his jaw. Borias' throat felt dry. His fingers curled into fists, forcing himself to resist. Because if he gave in now, if he let himself fall into this again, he wasn't sure he'd ever be able to stop.

He pulled back slightly, just enough to put distance between them. Xena's eyes flashed, but she didn't move away. Her expression hardened, her lips curling into something between a smirk and a sneer.

"You're softer than I thought." Her voice was sharp, cutting. "If you don't want power, Borias, then just leave. I don't need you. There was no need for you to come here in the first place."

She took a step back, as if dismissing him entirely. She turned, ready to walk away, but her movements were a little too rigid. She was angry. He just watched her with his jaw clenched.

Just as Xena turned to leave, Borias reached out and grabbed her wrist, stopping her. She smiled to herself. Yes. She knew he couldn't resist this. But when she turned back to face him, her expression was unreadable, cool and composed.

Borias studied her for a long moment, something different in his eyes now—desire? He exhaled and said, "I'm not promising to lead by your side, but since the children are gone for now... I'm interested in what you've been planning."

Xena's smirk returned, satisfied. That's all I needed to hear. Without hesitation, she pulled out a rolled map and spread it open, motioning him closer. "You're going to love this," she said, her voice dripping with anticipation.

Borias stepped beside her, his eyes narrowing as he took in the familiar markings. His brow raised when he saw the name of the village she had mapped out.

"This place?" he muttered.

Xena's grin widened. "Yes." She lowered her voice, her eyes gleaming with something dark. "The very village you raided years ago. The same village that turned their backs on us, Borias, when we needed them."

Borias' jaw flexed. His own memories of that night burned fresh in his mind. The rejection. The tavern owner's refusal to help. The way they had been cast aside like filth. Borias' lips curled into a slow smile.

"I'm listening." Xena's fingers traced over the map, pointing out key locations as she began to lay out her plan. Borias leaned in, fully engaged, his interest no longer in question. And just like that, the fire between them reignited— as warriors who had once conquered together.

Alti sat cross-legged in the center of her darkened tent, the flickering candlelight casting shifting shadows over the bones and skulls strung along the ceiling. The air was thick with the scent of burning herbs and dried blood, a mix of power and decay that clung to everything inside. Small bowls lined the ground before her, each containing remnants of sacrifices—animal bones, darkened feathers, and thick, congealed blood. The walls of the tent were covered in stretched hides etched with ancient symbols, dark magic pulsing from them in waves.

She exhaled slowly, rolling her shoulders back as she pressed her fingers to the ground. The soil beneath her was warm, thrumming with energy, but something was... off.

The spirits had been restless for days, whispering warnings she didn't yet understand. Power had shifted, slipping from her grasp like sand through her fingers. She had spent years shaping Xena into the ruthless warrior she was meant to be, binding her in ways even Xena herself didn't fully realize. Yet something was changing. Something was wrong.

Alti's fingers curled into the dirt, her nails scraping against the earth as frustration built in her chest. She needed to see. She needed to understand what had shifted before it was too late.

She inhaled sharply, forcing her mind into the void. Her body remained still, but her spirit lunged forward, piercing through the veil of time and space, desperate to grasp the future before it slipped away entirely.

At first, all she saw was darkness. Then, the fog parted, revealing Xena.

Alti's breath hitched.

Xena stood at the heart of a grand palace, its towering golden pillars gleaming under the soft glow of lanterns. The architecture was unlike anything Alti had seen before—elegant, structured, powerful. Silk banners flowed from the balconies, painted with symbols of a land she didn't recognize.

Her armor gleamed under the torchlight, black and gold with intricate detailing, each plate molded to perfection, fitted to her form as if crafted by the gods themselves. The weapons at her waist were pristine, polished, their hilts inlaid with jewels. But there was something worse—something wrong. Xena carried herself with ease, with composure. She moved like a warrior, but not like a conqueror. She was in control. Disciplined.

Alti's fingers twitched.

Then she saw him. Borias stood beside her, his own armor just as refined, the same sigil carved into the chest plate. He wore it like a title, a badge of honor, standing tall beside Xena—not beneath her, not at odds with her, but as her equal. The way they moved together, the way their presence commanded the space, it was clear—they ruled here, together. And they weren't alone.

Two small figures ran through the open courtyard of the palace, their laughter light, carefree. The children's silks were deep blue and rich crimson, flowing and delicate, the fabric so fine they could have been woven from clouds. Their hair was neatly kept, their little boots polished—untouched by war, untouched by suffering. They were thriving.

Alti's stomach twisted.

Xena turned toward Borias, her lips curving into something Alti had never seen before—happiness. He reached for her, pulling her into his arms, his grip strong, familiar, devoted. And then—

Alti's hands clenched as she watched Xena lift her chin, her lips brushing against his in a slow, lingering kiss. Then she whispered against his mouth.

"I love you."

Borias smirked against her lips, his hands tightening at her waist. His voice was deep, full of amusement, satisfaction.

"You better, woman. I am your husband."

Alti's vision shook.

Husband?

Xena was not just his lover, not his pawn, not a ruthless warlord at his side—she was his wife. She had chosen this. Chosen him. Chosen this life.

Alti gritted her teeth.

Then—another figure emerged. The regal woman stood at the top of a grand staircase, draped in silks of soft jade and ivory, her long hair pinned back in elegant coils. Power radiated from her—not the kind that screamed for attention, not the kind that devoured everything in its path. No, hers was quiet, controlled, effortless. Alti's stomach churned with disgust.

The lady descended the stairs with an air of command, and as she approached, Xena turned to her with something Alti never thought she'd see—respect. Obedience.

Lao Ma reached out, placing a gentle hand on Xena's arm, and Xena allowed it. She stood still, she listened, her sharp edges softened in this woman's presence.

Alti's nails dug into her palms. Xena was hers. Xena was meant to bring the world to its knees—not stand at the feet of some strange woman in a stranger land. Yet here she was, standing at the stranger's side, as if she belonged there. As if she believed in her. This was not the Xena Alti had seen in her visions. This was not the future she had shaped. Alti was nowhere to be seen.

Alti's spirit slammed back into her body with such force that she gasped, her chest heaving. Her vision blurred as rage consumed her, her breath ragged as she tried to steady herself. Her hands shot out, knocking over one of the blood-filled bowls. The dark liquid splattered across the floor, soaking into the earth like an offering to the spirits.

No.

No.

This cannot happen.

Xena was meant to be the Destroyer of Nations, not some tamed warrior wrapped in silks, kissing her husband, raising children in peace. And if Xena was in that land, that meant Alti never got the Ixion Stone. Alti's heart pounded violently in her chest. She needed that stone.

Alti needed Xena to find the Ixion Stone, to unlock its power, to bring it to her as promised. If Xena never became the force of destruction Alti had planned, then Alti would never get her hands on that power. She could already feel it slipping from her grasp.

Her hands trembled as she grabbed a jagged bone from the ground, clenching it so tightly that it bit into her palm. Her blood dripped onto the dirt below, mixing with the spilled sacrifice. This wasn't just about Xena's destiny—this was about Alti's survival. She wouldn't let Xena slip through her fingers. Not now. Not ever.

She jumped to her feet, the rattling of bones and charms around her tent echoing through the dim space. She couldn't sit here and watch the future turn against her. She needed to move. She needed to find Xena now.

Alti turned toward the back of her tent, where a wooden chest sat untouched for years. She knelt before it, running her hands over the aged carvings. The spirits had warned her about this moment. They had whispered of the day when Xena would try to break free.

She should have been more prepared. With a sharp pull, she yanked the lid open. A collection of Xena's remains— locks of her dark hair, strands taken from her during rituals a while ago. They still carried traces of her energy, still tethered her to Alti in ways even Xena didn't realize. Alti picked up a strand, rubbing it between her fingers. With this, she could reach Xena. She could pull her back.

She just needed one more ritual. One more sacrifice. And then she would find her. And Xena would remember who she belonged to. Alti's lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile. This future would never come to pass. She would see to that personally.