Sitting with Seraphin, Gabrielle continued trying to get through to her friend about the true nature and danger of Hope and Dehawk, but had begun to grow weary from the young woman's continual denial and seemingly out right refusal to see the truth.
SERAPHIN
We were told about the mother of the goddess, Hope. She's known as the betrayer, the one who selfishly killed her own daughter. But we never knew her name, because saying it was said to be blasphemy. Then come to find it's you. Which now that I think about it, makes complete sense.
Baffled by the statement, Gabrielle gave the other woman a very confused look.
GABRIELLE
How does it make sense?
SERAPHIN
She might have the power of Dahak, but she was born through a mortal. Through you. So in that sense the goddess, Hope is the balance of good and evil, and as a mortal she's one of us. So she can understand, better than any pure god, what's best for all of us.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) Seraphin, Hope is evil. That's what she is. Just like her father. Nothing more to it.
SERAPHIN
Yes, it's true that her father can be harsh, but that's why Hope was born of a good person, like you. So she can stand as a champion for mortals, and become the leader we've all been waiting for.
The bard scowled.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) She is a murderer. She doesn't care about any of us. Even as a child, she killed multiple people. You heard what Xena said about her son.
SERAPHIN
But how can you blame a child for not understanding the power that they never asked to be given? Maybe if she was actually given the love and guidance that a child should get from their mother, the tragedy involving your friend's son wouldn't have happened.
Seraphin's words cutting far deeper than the young woman had intended, Gabrielle sat there in silence as a new wave of guilt for Solan's death fell over her and the dangerously ill-informed blonde continued.
SERAPHIN
But after her rebirth, the goddess, Hope, will have the wisdom to know what's best. She is your daughter after all, Gabrielle. And I could never imagine any children of yours possibly being evil.
Not knowing what more to say, the bard just sighed and shook her head in disappointment and frustration as an uncomfortable silence fell between the two young women.
A few minutes of awkward silence later, Gabrielle looked away from the couple of birds that she had been idly watching in a nearby tree as she heard the sound of hooves against the hard earth to see Xena approaching on Argo.
Standing, the bard walked over to meet the warrior as she brought the mare to a stop and dismounted.
XENA
Ares has Hope.
GABRIELLE
You saw her?
XENA
No, not directly. She was in some kind of cocoon when I found her. But before I could do anything, Ares popped in and took her.
GABRIELLE
But why? I mean, that doesn't make sense. I thought he wanted you to get rid of her.
XENA
I don't know what kind of game he's playing, and honestly I really don't care. It changes nothing whether he wants Hope alive or not, because either way I will find and destroy her, even if I have to fight the gods to do it.
GABRIELLE
But where would Ares have taken her?
XENA
It would have to be somewhere secure. But there's no way he'd bring her to Mount Olympus because of the other gods. So that leaves only one other logical place where she'd be safe.
GABRIELLE
The Halls of War.
XENA
Exactly. So we have to get moving immediately. We'll need every bit of time we've got. So it means we'll have to travel through the night, but we should be able to make it there by morning.
GABRIELLE
And then what?
Xena sighed, as for the moment, she didn't have an answer to how she was actually going to deal with the now overwhelming triple threat of Hope, Callisto, and Ares all at once.
XENA
Let's just get there first. Go get your friend so we can get moving. We've got a long night ahead of us.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
In the Hall of War, Ares stood looking at the large cocoon. His arms folded across his chest as he spoke to the pulsing, fleshy mass.
ARES
I don't know if you can hear me in there. But if you remember, you and psycho wannabe god, Callisto, killed my brother, Strife. Then tried to kill me. But, as you've probably figured out, since I so graciously saved you, that's all water under the bridge now. But Xena on the other hand isn't quite so forgiving. And when she puts her mind to wanting someone dead, they tend to end up that way one way or another. So for your sake, I would suggest that you do something to discourage her. And fast.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Darkness had fallen as Xena, Gabrielle and Seraphin made their way through the woods. They had been on the move for hours, and with every step closer to where Hope waited, Gabrielle had begun to grow increasingly uneasy.
GABRIELLE
What was that?
She stopped as quiet whispers began to fill the air around them despite the trio being the only ones around.
SERAPHIN
The goddess.
Seraphin smiled.
SERAPHIN
She's speaking to us.
Suddenly a glow began to radiate from over the hill just to the side of them, and the woman's happy demeanor quickly shifted to one of concern.
SERAPIN
Hurry, Gabrielle. You have to go. They're coming.
GABRIELLE
Who's coming?
XENA
Them.
The warrior pointed as a group of villagers the size of a small army began pouring over the hillside with their sights clearly set on the trio as they screamed and ranted about the "Priestess of the Blood" and Gabrielle's eyes widened in horror.
GABRIELLE
By the gods.
The dark-haired warrior scowled as the large group rapidly approached them.
XENA
Hope's using these innocent people to slow us down. She knows I won't kill them.
She looked over to Gabrielle as she continued.
XENA
There was a hut on the other side of the ridge. Take Saraphin and go wait there. I'll meet you when I'm done here.
GABRIELLE
Come on.
Grabbing Seraphin by the arm, Gabrielle pulled the other young woman along as she ran off as Xena charged toward the group with no weapons drawn, to ensure that she wouldn't kill any of the villagers.
Xena punched, kicked and shoved the villagers back as they came at her with pitchforks, hoes, torches, and other various makeshift weaponry. She growled angrily to herself as a shovel smacked across her back and she pushed the man who had hit her away only to be hit again by another person and then another. In response, the warrior woman grabbed the shirt of one attacker and tossed them into the other, knocking them both to the ground. However, the pair of villagers were only incapacitated for a moment as they slowly stood back up and continued to come after her along with the countless others as Xena began to become overwhelmed by the numbers and was forced to switch to the defensive. Being struck repeatedly, she raised her arms to protect herself as a club hit her in the lower back, and a rake clawed across her shoulder, causing her to yell out as she pushed the culprits off of her, only to have her knee hit out from under her. And as she was forced to a partial kneeling position, more mind controlled villagers began to surround and beat her, driving Xena to the ground as she tried to cover and protect herself from the onslaught while trying to find a way out of the situation without harming the villagers and let out a loud frustrated yell as the mob swallowed her.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
GABRIELLE
Hurry! This way!
Gabrielle pulled Seraphin along behind her as she ran through the forest, looking for somewhere to hide from the mob that Xena was trying to keep distracted to let them escape.
SERAPHIN
Gabrielle, stop. You don't understand, they're trying to save me.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) Yeah, for a sacrifice!
The bard stopped to look around for somewhere to hide and spotted a small cabin in the near distance.
GABRIELLE
Come one. We'll board ourselves up in that shack.
Dragging the all too willing sacrifice behind her, the bard hurried toward the small building and pushed Seraphin inside as she shut and barricaded the door behind them with an old chair.
SERAPHIN
Why are we running? They aren't going to hurt us.
GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) Right, they won't hurt the betrayer?
SERAPHIN
Not if I tell them that you realize you were wrong.
The young woman smiled as she moved closer to the bard.
SERAPHIN
I can see it in your eyes.
Gabrielle didn't know what to say, but almost immediately found that it was irrelevant as a hand broke through the wall of the run-down building.
The bard grabbed her friend's arm and backed away from the walls and windows as the crazed villagers began prying the boards away from the structure to get to them. The scene was reminiscent of a nightmare come to life, as the seemingly mindless mob were relentless in their efforts to get to the two young women that looked to now be trapped with no way out.
Then hearing a loud crash behind them, Gabrielle turned around, swinging her staff. But came up short as her weapon was caught before it could connect.
GABRIELLE
Xena!
The bard breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the raven-haired woman, who let go of the end of the staff.
XENA
Quick Gabrielle, up through the roof. Once you're out, I want you to climb down the tree, and head for the river through the forest.
GABRIELLE
Got it.
Though she couldn't help but notice the number of small cuts and newly forming marks and bruises on the warrior, there wasn't time for Gabrielle to question if Xena was okay as she was given a boost up through the fresh hole in the roof and away from the mob that threatened to break in at any moment.
XENA
Alright, your turn.
Xena held out her hand toward Saraphin.
SERAPHIN
No, I'm staying here.
The dark-haired woman scowled.
XENA
(Irritated tone) Okay, enough of this crap.
With one precise hit, Xena knocked Seraphin unconscious and cough the young woman as she fell, threw her over her shoulder and with a quick sound of her battle cry, jumped back up through the hole she came in with the unconscious Seraphin and made her escape to catch up with Gabrielle not long after at the rendezvous point.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
XENA
This is it.
After a tiring journey, Xena, Gabrielle and Seraphin, who had regained consciousness some time before, all stood facing a series of cliffs.
XENA
The Halls of War are around here, somewhere.
GABRIELLE
Xena, I've been thinking, with Hope being reborn. What if this changes her?
XENA
Not possible. The only thing this'll do will make her more powerful, and for the sake of who knows how many innocent people who'll fall victim to her, we CAN NOT let that happen.
The bard sighed sadly.
GABRIELLE
I just can't help thinking that she was a child when she did all those things. I mean, she didn't know any better because no one was around to teach her right from wrong.
Xena scowled as she looked at the bard in disbelief of what she was hearing.
XENA
(Quiet angry tone) After everything that's happened because of her, are you seriously going to stand here right now and try to make me feel sympathy for that fucking monster. Or did you forget that my son was only a child when she killed him.
With an intense look in her eye's, she stepped closer to Gabrielle as she continued.
XENA
(Quiet angry tone) So don't you dare try and defend Hope to me.
Not saying anything, Gabrielle looked away from the warrior's piercing gaze before Xena turned and began walking away as she barked orders back to the blonde.
XENA
Stay here and watch Saraphin. I'm gonna head south and see if I can find anything.
Gabrielle sighed sadly as she watched Xena leave.
SERAPHIN
You can sense her, can't you? Calling out for you.
The bard turned toward Saraphin.
SERAPHIN
Your daughter loves you, Gabrielle. She needs you.
Gabrielle scowled.
GABRIELLE
(Slightly irritated tone) Don't you think I know that? I have thought of that
every minute ever since I had to let her go.
SERAPHIN
But it doesn't have to be like that. She knows. The goddess, Hope, knows. I can feel it. And if Xena kills her, I-
GABRIELLE
No. I don't care anymore, I have to do what I know is right. Regardless of what anyone else thinks or says. Including Xena. Please go. Find her. Warn her that Xena's coming.
Seraphin smiled.
SERAPHIN
I will. And I'll tell her that her mother loves her.
She hugged the bard.
SERAPHIN
I knew you would see the light. You are the savior of the world, Gabrielle.
Pulling away, Seraphin smiled before hurrying off, as Gabrielle watched her childhood friend disappear into the distance.
?
With the connection Hope has to her followers, Seraphin should lead me right to her.
Gabrielle looked over as Xena walked out from the bushes behind her.
XENA
For a second there, I was almost convinced you meant all that stuff you were saying.
GABRIELLE
I'm not blind, anymore. I know what Hope is. But you realize that by letting Seraphin go, we've just given Hope exactly what she wants.
XENA
Unfortunately, It was the only way that we could find and get to her in time. If Setaphin never showed up, Hope would've just chosen a new Priestess of the Blood before we could stop her. It's risky, but at least this way we still have a chance to find her before it's too late.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
PRIEST
You told us this place was safe.
The priest of the flesh paced anxiously back and forth after hearing the news that Xena was closing in on their location.
ARES
Hey, I never said anything about safe, When Xena starts to move, nothing is safe. The good news is that once Hope is released, we won't have to worry about that.
The god looked closely at the priest as he continued.
ARES
Which is gonna take a bit longer because you were supposed to bring Seraphin here, first.
The priest lowered his eyes in disappointment.
PRIEST
We failed.
His gaze returned to the god.
PRIEST
But we're looking.
With Xena hot on their trail, Ares fell quiet as a sinister plan to get the woman out of his way once and for all began to take shape in his head.
ARES
Well, I do have one card to play.
The god let an ominous smile find his lips.
ARES
Something that even Xena won't see coming.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Hidden in the shadows, Xena and Gabrielle stealthily tracked Seraphin to the Halls of War and followed the young woman inside. Their mission of killing Hope before she could re-emerge, nearly in sight.
GABRIELLE
(Whisper) Be careful.
XENA
(Whisper) Yeah, I know.
Drawing her sword, the dark-haired woman moved further inside to find the cocooned Hope. But as Gabrielle watched the warrior walking away, she suddenly felt herself being grabbed from behind as a hand quickly covered her mouth before she could scream for help and a familiar voice whispered into her ear.
ARES
Shhh. You and I have some business we need to discuss.
Then before Gabrielle could do anything, she was stolen away by Ares, as his godly powers teleported them out of the Halls of War, leaving Xena completely unaware of the bard's sudden disappearance.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
In an instant, Gabrielle found herself standing in a strange, unfamiliar space as she saw what looked to be three old women sitting at a spinning wheel before her.
GABRIELLE
Where are we? Who are they?
OLD WOMAN 1
We…
OLD WOMAN 2
Are…
OLD WOMAN 3
The…
OLD WOMAN 1
Fates.
ARES
Ah, yes, the Fates. Also known as Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. They spin the thread of life for all you mortals.
The bard looked to Ares with a questioning expression.
GABRIELLE
What am I doing here?
ARES
You still owe me a debt for me getting you to Chin before Xena,
Remember? And now, I'm calling in that favor.
He pointed to the life thread that the fates were holding.
ARES
It's simple. If Xena kills Hope, then this thread will be cut.
Gabrielle looked at the string as it was pulled along the spinner and took a breath as she resigned herself to doing whatever it took to stop Hope. Even if it meant stopping her daughter at the cost of her own life as well.
GABRIELLE
Fine, if I have to die to keep Dahak's evil from the world, then I will. Xena and I are killing Hope, no matter the cost.
ARES
Are you sure about that?
Taking Gabrielle's hand, Ares had her touch the thread being spun before her as her eyes went wide at what she saw flash through her mind and pulled her hand away.
GABRIELLE
No, this is Xena's life thread.
ARES
That's right. And if she kills Hope…
He used his fingers to mimic a pair of scissors cutting something. Insinuating what would happen to the warrior's life thread.
ARES
The Fates agree? I have the right to ask this?
CLOTHO
The
LACHESIS
debt
ATROPOS
is
CLOTHO
binding.
LACHESIS
The
ATROPOS
burden
CLOTHO
is
LACHESIS
on
ATROPOS
Gabrielle.
CLOTHO
If
LACHESIS
Xena
ATROPOS
kills
CLOTHO
Hope,
Gabrielle watched as the Fate known as Lachesis held a pair of scissors, so Xena's life thread ran between its blades.
LACHESIS
then
ATROPOS
Xena
CLOTHO
will
LACHESIS
die.
TO BE CONTINUED…