Night had fallen as Xena and Gabrielle sat beside a dwindling campfire. The warrior methodically sharpened her sword, as the other woman idly poked at the dying flames with a stick before it abruptly erupted, causing her to jump and fall back off the rock she was seated on as she heard a small chuckle and with a scowl on her face, looked over at Callisto who was also seated around the fire.
CALLISTO
No need for firewood with me around.
She tilted her head slightly upward and continued.
CALLISTO
You know this is probably the last night sky either one of us will
ever see.
Seeing a smirk sent her way after the comment, Xena scowled as she stood, in no mood for the woman's games, and walked away.
XENA
(Slightly irritated tone) I'm doing another parameter check.
Watching the dark-haired woman leave, Callisto smirked as her attention shifted over to Gabrielle.
CALLISTO
(Sarcasm) Was it something I said?
The bard scowled as she tossed the stick she was holding aside and left Callisto sitting alone at the campfire.
Moving further into the woods, Xena pushed through some tall grass and drew her sword as she made it into a small clearing.
XENA
(Irritated tone) Alright Ares, show yourself.
She waited a moment and when she got no reply, growled to herself as she spoke once more.
XENA
(Irritated tone) I'm in no mood for your crap, Ares. I already know you're here, 'cause my skin is crawling. So quit playing games and just show yourself.
ARES
You're the only mortal I know who can do that.
Hearing the god's voice, Xena turned around to see Ares appear with an amused smirk on his face.
XENA
()Irritated tone) What do you want?
ARES
I'm here to give you one last chance to join up with me and Dahak. We're gonna win, Xena. And there's nothing you can do to stop us.
XENA
(Irritated tone) What makes you so sure you can trust Dahak? Because you played such a large part in his daughter's delicate condition?
The god smirked.
ARES
So, you figured it out? And to think we haven't made any formal announcements, yet.
XENA
It wasn't very difficult. Seraphin said that Hope had a special purpose. And after I heard the two of you were together, and I guessed the rest. Hope is pregnant with your child.
GABRIELLE
No. That can't be true.
Hearing her speak, both Xena and Ares turned to face the bard as she walked through the bushes.
ARES
Congratulations, Gabrielle. You're gonna be a grandma.
The young woman shook her head in disbelief at the shocking news, as the situation seemed to keep becoming worse and more twisted by the moment.
XENA
Don't tell me this was your plan all along.
She returned her focus to Ares.
XENA
You sold out your fellow gods so that you could sire a new race.
ARES
Yes. Our child will be the first of what Dahak calls the six destroyers. Insidious creatures with no souls, who will devour all mortals and lay waste to all gods.
XENA
(Quiet angry tone) Except for you. Fucking spineless bastard. You deserve the little monsters.
GABRIELLE
This can't be happening.
ARES
Oh, but it is, Gabrielle, and it's all thanks to you.
He smiled confidently as the blonde lowered her eyes in defeat.
ARES
It's the beginning of the end. The bloodletting ceremony will open the doorway for Dahak to finally enter this world.
He looked back to Xena as he carried on.
ARES
And even if by some miracle you do manage to kill Hope, you still lose thanks to The Fates. So either way this turns out, I still win. Goodbye, Xena. It has been fun.
With a smug expression on his face that he had finally bested the great warrior princess, Ares vanished, to leave Xena to the fate that he knew she had no chance of escape or hope of winning.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
After traveling for another day and a half, Xena and Gabrielle crouched on a hill overlooking a large temple in the valley below as a burst of flames erupted then quickly faded beside them, only to have it happen again several minutes later.
XENA
Couldn't find it, could you?
CALLISTO
Nope. You really hid that dagger well.
Callisto walked up to stand behind the other two women.
CALLISTO
Looks like we're doing this your way after all. But if you don't produce it soon, you can forget getting any help from me.
The warrior grunted in response, keeping watch over the scene below, as neither woman noticed the bard suddenly turn around as though she had heard someone call her and silently rose to follow the voice.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
The bard slowly moved into the edge of some trees as she followed the voice, only to stop and spin around with her staff ready to strike when she heard someone approaching her from behind.
HOPE
You heard me calling out to you, didn't you, mother.
Gabrielle scowled as Hope slowly began moving toward her, and she tightened her grip on her weapon.
HOPE
I'm not going to hurt you.
The bard's half-demon daughter stopped right in front of her.
HOPE
You've heard, haven't you? The child, it's growing, inside me, mother.
She placed a hand on her stomach.
HOPE
Just the way that I grew inside of you.
GABRIELLE
What do you want, Hope?
HOPE
I want to give you one last chance. Don't make me do this alone. Come, be my mother. If I say so, Father will welcome you. Please, Mother.
A look of sadness crossed the bard's face.
GABRIELLE
Hope,
She reached up to gently touch the other woman's face.
GABRIELLE
I'm sorry. When I gave you that poison…
HOPE
It's okay, mother, I forgive you.
Reaching up, Hope places her hand over Gabrielle's as the bard continued.
GABRIELLE
I wish I had used enough to make sure it completely killed you.
Scowling, Hope ripped her hand away before turning her back on who she viewed as her heartless mother and walking away.
HOPE
(Cold tone) In that case, may you suffer the same fat as the rest.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Taking count of the number of cultists waiting below, Xena glanced beside her as she heard footsteps approaching.
CALLISTO
Not feeling so great about our odds?
Not getting a reply, just for fun, the blonde continued trying to rattle the warrior.
CALLISTO
Well either way, do try not to die before doing me first, otherwise I'll make
sweet, little Gabrielle wish you had.
(Mocking tone) Good luck.
Chuckling to herself, Callisto walked off, passing Gabrielle who she gave an unsettling smile and wink to as she walked by.
GABRIELLE
Xena.
The young woman moved to stand with the warrior, who turned to face her.
XENA
Gabrielle, I want you to stay here.
GABRIELLE
No way. Not after everything we've been through together. No matter what happens, Xena, I'm with you 'til the end.
The raven haired woman placed her hand on the bard's arm.
XENA
Then just one thing. Please, when I'm gone, I don't want you to feel any guilt.
GABRIELLE
Xena…
XENA
No, listen to me. A lot's happened to us over the past year, and there were times when we were both very confused and hurt. But I want you to know that I still think you are the best thing that ever happened to me. You gave my life meaning and joy. You'll be a part of me forever. Which is exactly how long I'll love you.
Lowering her lips to the bard's, the two shared a deep kiss that while only lasting a few moments, knowing what potentially laid just ahead, both women wished would never end. Finally, knowing what needed to be done, their lips separated as Gabrielle held on to the warrior just a little longer.
GABRIELLE
I love you, Xena. Always.
XENA
Always.
Finally pulling herself from the dark-haired woman, she looked up into the warrior's eyes.
XENA
Guess it's now or never. You ready?
The bard sighed.
GABRIELLE
Yeah.
XENA
Let's go.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Chanting rang out as Ares stood beside Hope in the temple, watching several women as they danced around a large fire pit in the pre ritual ceremony as the soon-to-be sacrifices were led into the chamber. All seemed to be going according to plan, until a loud shout echoed through the room. One of which Ares recognized all too well.
ARES
Xena. She's here.
Determined not to let the warrior or anyone else prevent her from completing the ritual necessary to bring her father, Dahak into the mortal realm, Hope hastily turned toward her disciples.
HOPE
Quickly. Prepare the sacrifices. Slit their throats!
Immediately, the cultists scattered as most of them moved to kill the people they had gathered, and a number of others ran out of the room to try and stop the warrior before she could reach the chamber, only to be seen being knocked back into the room as a moment later Xena and Gabrielle entered.
JOXER
Xena! Gabrielle! Over here. Help!
Surprised to hear Joxer's voice, the bard looked over to see the man standing among the other people who had clearly been brought there to be sacrificed. But with the cultist closing in, her attention quickly shifted back to the task at hand as she swung her staff and dropped the first person that got close enough.
Her sword already drawn, using her seemingly superhuman ability, Xena leapt nearly halfway across the room, bringing her blade down into one of the cultists' as she landed. She then followed up with a spinning kick that knocked down a couple of cultists that came toward her before turning her sword down and thrusting it back to impale another that was attempting to attack her from behind.
Blood splattered on the temple floor as Hope watched Xena tear her blade from another cultist's mid-section as she continued to fight her way to Gabrielle's demonic doppelganger daughter.
HOPE
Ares.
ARES
Don't worry. To get to you, they gotta get through me first.
The fighting continued as Gabrielle swung her staff low to trip one of the cultists, before spinning around and bringing the weapon up high to crack the staff against the side of another enemy's head. The man dropped as the bard felt the cultist she had knocked down grab at her leg and quickly brought the end of her weapon down to render the cultist unconscious.
Meanwhile, Xena carved through another cultist that came her way and let them fall to her feet as she grabbed her chakram and threw it at a chain that was attached to the wall, cutting through it and dropping a large stone ball right into the fire, blocking the pit.
Now free amidst the chaos, Joxer scurried to the altar, where he grabbed the Hind's blood dagger where it had been set to use for the ritual sacrifices.
JOXER
Xena, I got it. Catch!
Hearing the man shout, Ares teleported to intercept the dagger, only to be cut off himself when Xena jumped and caught the dagger in midair and landed right in front of the god as she turned and held the tip of the weapon with the power to kill god's to his chest.
XENA
Game over, Ares. Now, how would you like a little taste of some hind's blood, huh?
The war god scowled.
ARES
(Angry tone) This isn't over yet.
XENA
That's what you think.
Suddenly, with a fiery blast and a banshee-like scream, Callisto appeared and launched several fireballs at Ares, hitting him directly from behind before he could react. The god sneered as he spun around to face the blonde, only to be met with another blast that knocked him back as Xena dove out the way, and he crashed into the wall and laid unable to move due to Callisto's flames. The sadistic blonde then shouted toward the warrior woman.
CALLISTO
Do it! Gut her! Then it's my turn!
With no time to waste, Xena clenched the dagger tight as she made a mad dash for Hope, who didn't move a muscle as the woman charged toward her.
HOPE
Fool. You can not stop the will of Dahak.
Ignoring the threat, Xena took several more long strides before letting out a fierce yell as she leapt toward the half demon, only to become frozen in midair. Watching the raven-haired woman as she struggled to move just an inch, a sinister look crossed Hope's face as she stepped closer to the woman.
HOPE
Maybe once you're gone, Mother will finally see the mistake she made in choosing you over me. And we can live together under the glory of Dehawk.
Using her unseen powers, Hope ripped the dagger from Xena's grasp and turned it toward the warrior. The tip of the blade slowly pressed against the warrior's cheek, cutting into flesh, as Xena yelled in both pain and frustration as she tried to fight against the demonic woman's overpowering abilities. Her body screamed as she pushed with every fiber of her being to move. And as a small trail of blood ran down the warrior's face, Xena yelled as she through sheer force of will, she broke her leg free from its immobile state and kicked Hope, stunning her for just a moment, but still causing her to drop both the warrior and the Hind's blood dagger. Now free, Xena snatched up the dagger as she stood once more, determined to end the nightmare that was Hope once and for all.
Meanwhile, Gabrielle knocked out another cultist and turned around when she heard Ares speak to her from his still immobile state.
ARES
You know, if I were you, I'd step in over there before it's too late.
The god nodded as best he could for the bard to turn around, who did just that to see Xena as she approached Hope, who was standing between the warrior and another fiery pit. With the warrior closing in on her evil daughter, the bard's mind flashed back to her meeting with The Fates, as she heard their words echo in her head.
CLOTHO
If
LACHESIS
Xena
ATROPOS
kills
CLOTHO
Hope,
LACHESIS
then
ATROPOS
Xena
CLOTHO
will
LACHESIS
die.
Able to picture the pair of scissors about to cut Xena's life thread as the woman pushed Hope closer toward the edge, Gabrielle felt an overwhelming sense of dread wash over her. Because despite the woman's insistence on being willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in giving up her life if that's what it took to destroy Hope for good, the bard just couldn't accept the thought of Xena having to die for something the young woman failed to do before. After all, Xena had already lost far too much because of this monster, of which Gabrielle blamed herself, because if she had listened right when she was still a baby, none of this would have ever had to happen.
Moving in toward Hope, Xena watched closely for anything that the demonic woman might throw her way as they both unconsciously edged closer toward the finery abyss. Seeing that she had no more room to move, Hope simply glared at the warrior, who once she realized there was nothing around for Hope to quickly use her powers to grab and retaliate against her. So, taking the only opportunity she knew she'd likely get, Xena raised the dagger to kill Hope once and for all.
Seeing the warrior ready to take her own life by killing Hope, Gabrielle's body seemed to move on its own as the only thing she could think of was not wanting to lose the woman who meant everything to her.
GABRIELLE
No!
The bard ran as fast as she could before planting the end of her staff into a crack in the floor and launching herself forward.
GABRIELLE
Xena!
Time then seemed to slow for the warrior, as she saw Gabrielle fly in from overhead and collide with Hope, grabbing onto her as mother and daughter were both thrown off balance and fell over the ledge of the fire pit and Xena reached out to catch the bard, only to miss as she fell from view.
XENA
Gabrielle!
Xena quickly moved to lean over the ledge to see the young woman disappear into the flames blow as she called out the warrior woman's name.
XENA
Gabrielle…
Feeling herself beginning to struggle to breathe, Xena stepped back from the ledge as she fought to keep herself from following the young woman into the fiery abyss.
JOXER
Gabrielle!
Having seen everything, Joxer ran up to the pit as he dropped to his knees and frantically searched for any signs of the bard as he repeatedly called her name.
JOXER
No, why would you…
Her world feeling as though it had just been ripped out from under her, Xena stood nearly catatonic as she stared down into the pit. Until she heard a sickening laughter hit her ears.
CALLISTO
I never thought I'd feel so good again! But seeing your poor, dear Gabrielle sacrifice herself makes it all worthwhile. It finally gives me a reason, for
living, and I have you to thank for it, Xena!
The mad woman's cruel laughter, something inside the warrior snapped, and in a sorrow fueled rage, Xena yelled as she took the dagger, and in one swift motion, stood up turned and slashed Callisto's throat, bringing the haunting laughter to a sickening, gargled stop as the woman began to choke on her own blood.
XENA
(Cold tone) No more living for you.
Xena watched with a mix of hate and sorrow as Callisto struggled to breathe and slowly sank to her knees as her chest became painted in a crimson hue. Her eye locked with the dark-haired woman as a disturbing smile made its way to her blood coated lips, and the life left her eye's as her body fell to the side at Xena's feet.
Satisfied with how everything had played out, Ares disappeared as a then completely numb, Xena let the dagger slip from her hand as she turned back toward the pit Gabrielle had fallen over. Finding herself unable to do anything, she just stood there looking down into the abyss, because even though she had said she was willing to sacrifice everything to rid the world of the evil that was Hope, the one thing Xena hadn't been willing to give up, in a cruel twist of fate, had become the very thing that had been taken from her.
TO BE CONTINUED…