GABRIELLE
Xena, wait.
Gabrielle hurried after the warrior, who refused to listen to her as they exited the cave.
GABRIELLE
Xena.
Still ignoring the bard, Xena continued to march toward where she had left Argo, leaving Gabrielle to chase after her.
GABRIELLE
(Slightly annoyed tone) Would you stop for a minute and just listen to me?
Feeling the blonde grab her arm, Xena angrily spun around to face the other woman, who quickly continued to speak before the warrior had the chance to speak.
GABRIELLE
Look, Ares came to me. He called in the debt I still owed him from when he got me to Chin before you. And because of a deal he made with the fates, if you kill Hope, your life would end too. I wasn't protecting Hope. I was trying to save you. Xena, if I hadn't stopped you, you were going to die.
XENA
(Irritated tone) Don't you get it? I would gladly die a thousand times over if it meant riding the world of that… thing.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) Well, I don't accept that. I had to do something. I couldn't just stand by and let you die.
The bard's tone softened as she continued.
GABRIELLE
I just couldn't stand the thought of losing you.
Xena sighed as she rubbed her forehead in frustration, knowing that there wasn't much point in arguing about things at that time. Not when Hope was still out there somewhere, and likely getting stronger by the moment.
XENA
Well, even though we didn't stop Hope from being re-born, and she's clearly more powerful now, she is still half-human. Gabrielle, whatever happens, I have to stop Hope. And if I need to die in order for that to happen, I will. Understand?
GABRIELLE
No, there has to be another way.
Xena scowled.
XENA
This is more important than just you and me, Gabrielle. You know full well what's at stake, and the amount of people that will suffer if Hope is allowed to live. You have to put your feelings about me aside and think about the greater good. If giving up my life is what it costs to stop Hope, then that's the price that I'm willing to pay. And that's the end of it. Understand?
The bard lowered her eyes sadly.
GABRIELLE
(Sad/ quiet tone) I understand.
XENA
Good.
The two stood there in an uncomfortable silence for a moment, before the warrior spoke again.
XENA
Did you get a good look at her?
GABRIELLE
I did.
The raven-haired woman shook her head in disbelief as she sighed.
XENA
I swear, it's as if this is some kind of sick joke being played on me that the one I hate more than anyone I've ever known looks completely identical to the one person I love most in all the world.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
CALLISTO
Well, I suppose it's a good disguise, and it'll attract less attention than walking around naked, Though I still don't get why you wanna look like her. She's nothing but an annoying little bitch who's only good quality is that I can use her to torment Xena.
Hope smoothed out the skirt she now wore, which along with the rest of her outfit, including a staff, was identical to Gabrielle thanks to Callisto's powers.
HOPE
Attracting attention isn't a problem. Now that I'm back, the faithful will come by the thousands. And the blood of innocents will pave the way for Dahak to enter the world.
Callisto rolled her eyes.
CALLISTO
(sarcasm) Yeah, yeah. Glory, hallelujah, and all that crap. Good for you.
But, first things first. You remember our arrangement? I help you come back, and you remove me from all existence. So come on. Kill me.
HOPE
Why choose oblivion when you could become a leading soldier in Dahak's army instead?
CALLISTO
Yeah, sorry, not interested. Now, our deal?
HOPE
Oh, don't you worry, once I'm finished with you, you'll have your reward, just as promised.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
In a room lit by ceremonial torches, Ares bent to one knee as he bowed his head to a gigantic skull sitting on an altar.
ARES
Once you enter this world, the pantheon of gods will fall on your arrival. And in exchange for your mercy, I will remain your humble servant, O'Dark One.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
It had been a relatively quiet, yet tense ride since leaving the cave as in their search for Hope, Xena and Gabrielle found themselves at the entrance of a village. The bard, unable to believe the chaos and horror before her, shook her head in disbelief as Xena swiftly dismounted from her horse to intervene.
GABRIELLE
Dear god's they're killing and taking people as hostages.
The bard looked around as numerous followers of Dehawk and Hope, who had descended upon the village and were now rounding up and slaughtering innocent townsfolk, Men, women, the elderly, and even children, were all in the fanatical cultists' sights.
XENA
For blood sacrifices. All for the glory of Dahak.
The warrior's fists clenched in righteous anger as she drew her sword, ready to defend the innocent lives now in mortal danger.
GABRIELLE
We have to stop this, Xena.
The horrific reality of what stopping the warrior from killing Hope when they had the chance now playing out right before her, weighed heavily on the bard's conscience.
GABRIELLE
All these innocent people, and who knows how many more, are gonna suffer and be killed because of me. If I had let you kill Hope, then none of this would…
XENA
Save your regret for later, Gabrielle. Right now, stopping these maniacs is far more important.
Not waiting for a reply, Xena rushed in to face the followers of Dehawk as the bard stood immobilized by her guilt. Silently questioning if what the warrior had said before was true, and she was letting her love for the woman cloud her judgment and preventing her from doing what deep down she knew was the right thing.
As her sword cut through one enemy after another, Xena was too preoccupied with protecting the villagers to notice that Gabrielle hadn't followed her into battle as the bard stood at war with herself. As her head and heart pulled her in opposite directions over what she should do the next time she and Xena encountered Hope.
?
She never gives up, does she?
Gabrielle scowled at the familiar voice, but didn't even look beside her when Ares materialized standing at her side.
ARES
Even when it's hopeless. A shame really. There was even a time when that was a quality I admired about her.
GABRIELLE
(Quiet angry tone) How's life as a slave to your new master, Dahak?
The god shrugged with indifference.
ARES
I consider it a partnership.
Not in the mood for any games, Gabrielle finally turned to face the god of war.
GABRIELLE
(Quiet angry tone) What do you want, Ares?
ARES
Oh, I just thought I'd stop by to bring you a friendly little reminder that our deal is still in place.
The blonde clenched her staff tightly.
GABRIELLE
Hope has to die, no matter the consequences.
ARES
Even if that means saying goodbye to your beloved Xena?
The god leaned closer to the bard.
ARES
Because I think we both know that given the choice, you would give anything if it meant that she stayed safe.
Then without another word, Ares disappeared to leave Gabrielle with her thoughts as she watched Xena continue to fend off Dahawk's followers, before forcing them to retreat.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
With an angry yell, the head of a statue of Ares exploded as Callisto launched a fireball at the figure that resided in a temple dedicated to the war god.
CALLISTO
I always wanted to do that.
ARES
(Sarcasm) Gee, why don't you tell me how you really feel, Callisto?
The woman turned to see the god as he kicked a chunk of the statue across the floor and sneered.
CALLISTO
Here for round two, Ares?
Callisto held her hands open at her sides as balls of fire began to grow in her palms.
CALLISTO
Well, come on!
HOPE
Callisto!
The woman looked over her shoulder at her name being called as, much to Callisto's dismay, Hope walked from the shadows to stand beside the god.
ARES
Looks like this time we're on the same side.
Callisto scowled at Hope.
CALLISTO
(Angry tone) What does he mean, "same side"?! You didn't tell me I'd be dealing with him.
HOPE
You're told what you need to know, Callisto. Nothing more.
CALLISTO
I'm warning you, Hope, you deal with him, and you're practically begging for trouble.
HOPE
Relax. Callisto. We all want the same thing. The one thing that can kill a god. The hind's-blood dagger. And I know where it is.
ARES
Once we have it, no god would dare raise a hand against neither Dahak nor against myself.
CALLISTO
(Irritated tone) Fine, then where is it?
HOPE
Nice try, but I still have use for you, Callisto.
Callisto scowled.
CALLISTO
(Angry tone) I've done everything you wanted, now quit jerking me around and give me the dagger!
In a fit of rage, Callisto launched a fireball toward the demonic woman, only to have it effortlessly deflected by Hope as Ares stepped in and sent his own ball of energy at Callisto. Using her sword, the blonde knocked the attack away, before letting out a furious scream as she charged the god and their weapons clashed.
CALLISTO
(Angry tone) You remember when I killed Strife, that look in his eyes?
Throwing a sudden punch, Callisto caught Ares off guard and as he staggered back, she pointed her blade at his chest.
CALLISTO
(Angry tone) You're next, Ares. I'll meet you in oblivion.
She then plunged her blade forward, ready to kill the mighty god of war, but just as she closed in, Callisto was suddenly thrown back into the wall, when she slid down to a knee as she scowled at the culprit.
HOPE
(Angry tone) Enough! Callisto, you will get the dagger when I say, not before.
The daughter of Dahawk then turned to Ares.
HOPE
And Ares, you and I have unfinished business.
She walked up to the god and pulled him into a carnivorous kiss that went on for several long moments before finally pulling away, completely shifting Ares' focus from his issues with Callisto to what was now happening in his pants.
ARES
You are so not like your mother.
Seeing where things were obviously heading, and not having any interest in sticking around for a show, Callisto sneered at the pair before angrily disappearing with a burst of flames.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
GABRIELLE
This is the third group we've seen. All headed the same way too.
The bard and Xena crouched looking down from a cliff at yet another group of people they had come across as they continued to track Hope, with the thought that if they tracked the groups of her followers, they would be able to locate the demon spawn.
XENA
They're all heading for Dahak's holy ground.
GABRIELLE
Shouldn't we do something?
XENA
Unfortunately, intervening here wouldn't do much good. There's likely hundreds of other groups just like them that are being led like livestock to the slaughter from all over. It would be impossible to free them all. We'll be able to save far more people by dealing with Hope directly.
GABRIELLE
I guess.
Her focus on watching the crowd below, the bard didn't notice the ground where she was coming loose from the rest of the cliff until it was too late and earth suddenly fell away from beneath Gabrielle's feet, and she yelled as she found herself unexpectedly plummeting from the cliffside toward the distant ground below.
XENA
Gabrielle!
No time to think, the warrior dove forward after the blonde, following her over the cliff as she reached out as far as she could to just barely catch the bard by the wrist.
XENA
I gotcha! Hold on Gabrielle!
One hand holding the blonde and the other gripping the roots of a tree that were sticking out from the side of the cliff, Xena tried to pull up toward her, but was force to stop when the piece of the tree she was clinging to began to crack, and she heard laughter come from above them. And as she looked up, Xena realized that their situation had yet again taken a turn from bad to worse as she laid eyes on Callisto, smiling down at her with a maniacal smile on her face.
CALLISTO
Why, hello there, Xena. How will you ever get out of this one?
TO BE CONTINUED…