Xena, Gabrielle, Callisto, Joxer, Amarice, Eli and all other original characters who have appeared in the syndicated series' Xena: Warrior Princess &/or Hercules: the Legendary Journeys together with their names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. However the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of myself.
Author's Notes:
The following story was completed in December of 2000, however the idea was conceived over a year earlier in late 1999.
It's events takes place directly after the XWP season 4 episode 'The Ides of March'. The following story should be read as if 'The Ides of March' was the last episode that ever aired, and as if season 5 and 6 never took place.
Feedback is always welcome and appreciated.
Part 1
The leaden skies of the Ides of March gave way to Winter's last stand as a light steady snow fell upon the Roman prison compound on Mount Amaro.
Inside the prison yard a group of crosses stood with the crucified bodies of prisoners still hanging on them. The prisoners guilt or innocence played no bearing in the crucifixions, only Julius Caesar's hate for one woman, Xena the Warrior Princess, weighed on the decision.
Yet in Caesar's desperate attempt to forever separate his destiny from Xena's, Brutus, along with the Roman Liberator's, took Caesar's own life before the Senate of Rome in a last ditch effort to preserve the dyeing Republic.
As word of Caesar's assassination quickly spread throughout the region and to the prison compound on mount Amaro, the mass burial of the crucified prisoners was put on hold and the prison compound abandoned.
As the snow continued to fall, a lone figure emerged from the curtain of white. The lone figure, wearing a long black hooded robe, slowly approached the crosses.
The hooded figure stopped at the base of Xena's cross and gazed up towards the lifeless body the Warrior Princess. The hooded figure then reached for his hood and lowered it from his face, revealing himself to be Ares, the god of war.
Ares glared up at the lifeless body of Xena as he softly whispered, "Xena . . . I will not let this go unpunished."
Ares then took a few more steps toward the cross, then with his last step he heard a faint clanging sound. Ares gazed down and noticed that he had stepped on Xena's weapon, the Chakram. Ares removed his foot from the Chakram and curiously looked at the weapon which was partially covered in snow.
The god of war slowly knelt down and, with his hand, brushed the snow away from the Chakram. Ares stared at the broken weapon for a moment, then reluctantly picked it up and slowly stood back up.
Ares then glanced around in hopes of finding the other half of the weapon just as sorrowful female voice rang out from behind him. "I can't believe they're dead big brother."
Ares quickly turned around and saw his sister, Aphrodite, the goddess of love mournfully gazing up at the crosses.
"What do you want Aphrodite?" Ares said in a disgusted voice.
"Like, duh!" Aphrodite said with a bit of sarcasm in her voice. "They were my friends too." She then walked over to Gabrielle's cross as a tear rolled down the goddess's cheek.
Ares stared at Aphrodite as he shook his head. "Oh please . . . they're not my friends . . . ."
"Like, whatever," Aphrodite interrupted her older brother, "I know how you feel about Xena."
Ares gazed up at the Warrior Princess and said, "Purely business Aphrodite."
Aphrodite then rolled her eyes. "Oh sure!"
The blonde goddess then sighed and said, "Oh no. I better go find Joxer."
Ares nodded as he sarcastically said, "Yeah, you do that."
Aphrodite then snapped her fingers and disappeared in a flash of gold dust.
After a few moments, Ares slowly gazed back up at Xena and whispered, "This is far from over Xena. I promise you that."
Then as voices echoed from high on the ridge that overlooked the prison yard, the war god quickly turned and glanced up at the ridge and saw several figures approaching the prison compound.
Ares looked back up at Xena's body and in a determined voice said, "I'll be back Xena."
Ares then waved his hand and a bright flash of god-fire engulfed the war god, but instead of disappearing, he just flickered as the half of the Chakram he held became charged with electricity and glowed blue for a few seconds . . . then he, along with the Chakram appeared normal again.
Ares looked at the half of the Chakram both confused, and a bit angrily. He took a deep breath and attempted to disappear again. But once again, he simply flickered as the Chakram became charged with electricity, glowed blue for a few seconds and then they appeared normal again.
Ares chuckled to himself, almost as if he anticipated what was happening. The war god then reluctantly dropped the Chakram, waved his hand and successfully disappeared.
From high on the ridge overlooking the prison yard and the crosses, Amarice on horseback, quickly turned to Eli who was on foot. "Did you see that Eli?"
Eli sadly looked up at Amarice. "See what? "
"There was someone down there."
Eli looked up at Amarice and shook his head. "No I didn't see anyone!"
"Yeah there was someone there and then he disappeared."
Eli's eyes widened as he looked at Amarice. Amarice then took a deep breath, and slowly nodded. "Yeah . . . I know! It sounds crazy . . . Just, just forget it. Let's just get down there and get Xena and Gabrielle's bodies down."
Amarice began to ride down the hillside when Eli yelled, "Wait! What if there are still guards down there?"
Amarice pulled on the reins to stop the horse. She looked back towards Eli a bit surprised and said, "What are you talking about' Eli?"
"Maybe we should wait and make sure the guards are really gone."
"No!" Amarice shouted, "I'm not going to leave them on those crosses for one more minute. Besides, there's no one down there. They've all been called back to Rome,"
Eli reluctantly nodded. "All right."
"Good," said Amarice, "then let's go." Amarice then rode off down the hillside to her friends as Eli followed behind on foot.
Meanwhile, a determined Ares reappeared in the halls of Tartarus. "Hades," shouted the god of war.
"Hades where are you?"
Ares drew his sword as he screamed once again for Hades to appear. "Hades, I demand your presence here right now."
After a few silent moments a voice echoed throughout the caverns. "Ares, what do you want?"
Ares turned around and quickly approached Hades who was standing next to a large boulder. "Hades I want an explanation."
Hades shook his head as Ares continued. "I want to know why you let Callisto out and I want to know why you let her kill Xena?"
Hades shook his head as he tried to explain. "Ares, I didn't let Callisto out"
Ares raised his eyebrow curiously. "What?
"Do you mean she escape?"
Hades began to pace as he said, "She didn't escape either . . . the last time I had Callisto was just before Hera gave her that reprieve to kill Hercules."
Ares sheathed his sword and looked at Hades as if he were nuts."Wait a minute. She was killed with the hind's blood dagger. She died! So . . . If she didn't come back here then. where did she . . . .?"
Ares paused for a moment as he became lost in thought. The war god then swallowed as he shook his head in denial. "No . . . that's impossible."
Ares then took a deep breath to compose himself then said, "I want to see Xena!"
Hades shook his. "Xena's not here either."
A look of concern crossed Ares face as he said, "What?"
Hades nodded. "It's true. She didn't come through here. Which means we have a serious problem."
Ares then remembered seeing the broken Chakram as in a concerned voice he said, "What do we do about the Chakram?"
Hades shrugged his shoulders. "That's your responsibility Ares, not mine. You got us into this mess, now you'll get us out."
Ares glared at the god of the Underworld for a moment, then turned and began to walk away.
"Ares," Hades said, "only the immediate family knows the truth about the Chakram, let's keep it that way!"
Ares gazed back at Hades, gave him a cold stare and sarcastically said, "A lot of good that secret will do you now!" Ares then took a few more steps, waved his hand and, in a flash of god-fire, disappeared.
Down in the valley where Spring had already taken hold, a depressed Joxer silently poked at his evening campfire with a stick. As Joxer stirred the hot embers, he silently stared into the crackling flames in an attempt to forget his thoughts. After a few minutes, Joxer took a deep breath, then in disgust, threw the stick into the fire.
Joxer then began rustling through his pack which sat next to him. After a moment he pulled a scroll from his pack, nervously unrolled it and began to read. As he looked at the scroll he shook his head in disgust then rolled it back up.
Aphrodite then silently appeared before him and softly said, "Hello Joxer."
Joxer, startled at the goddess's sudden appearance, jumped to his feet and said, "Aphrodite? What are you doing here?"
The goddess took a deep breath as she sadly looked at Joxer. "Um . . . Maybe you better sit down."
A look of concern crossed Joxer's face as he said, "What? . . .Why?"
Aphrodite nervously bit her lower lip as she looked at Joxer. She then softly whispered, "Just sit down Joxer."
Joxer reluctantly sat back down on the rock as Aphrodite slowly approached. The goddess slowly knelt down next to Joxer as he asked, "Something happened, didn't it?"
Aphrodite nodded. "Yeah."
Joxer shook his head as he looked down at the scroll he held in his hand. He then handed it to the blonde goddess as he closed his eyes.
Aphrodite curiously opened the scroll and as she read it, saw that it was the reward for Xena's head that Caesar had decreed just days earlier.
Joxer swallowed nervously then said, "I uh . . . I saw that reward and I figured Xena and Gabrielle would be headed to Rome. I had an awful feeling about it . . . like something terrible was going to happen. So I decided to head to Rome and try and help them."
Joxer then opened his eyes and looked at Aphrodite. "Her vision came true, didn't it?"
Aphrodite placed her hand on Joxer's shoulder as she nodded. "Yeah."
Joxer took a long deep breath as his eyes welled up with tears. "I knew it. I knew something was going to happen. Damn that Caesar."
Aphrodite slowly stroked Joxer's cheek in an attempt to comfort him as she softly whispered, "I'm sorry Joxer "
Joxer pushed Aphrodite's hand away as he stood up. Joxer turned his back to the blonde goddess then wiped the tears from his eyes as nonchalantly as he could. "I should have been there with them Aphrodite."
Joxer then swallowed in an attempt to fight back the pain.
Aphrodite slowly rose to her feet as she silently stared at Joxer wishing she could do something.
Joxer then took a deep breath, turned around and looked at Aphrodite. "Do you think you could, uh . . . take me to them. I mean I can find my way but . . . it'll take me a few days, and by then . . . ."
Aphrodite nodded. "Sure Joxer."
Aphrodite slowly extended her hand as she said, "Take my hand."
Joxer picked up his pack, helmet and sword then slowly placed his hand into Aphrodite's.
She then snapped her fingers, and they both disappeared in a scattering of gold-dust.
As screams of torment echoed throughout darkened flame filled caverns, a beaten, bruised and tortured Callisto sat in a corner, rocked back and forth and screamed, "Where are you?!?"
"Why Callisto I'm right here," Xena said as she walked out from behind a rock.
Callisto got up and as she fumed with hatred said. "Oh Xena. I will never let you rest for what you've done to me!"
Callisto then growled and charged Xena. Xena however quickly side stepped Callisto and caught her by the throat. Xena's hand immediately morphed into an inhuman form as she lifted Callisto off the ground. As Callisto struggled to free herself, Xena's voice voice lowered to a deep resonant base as she said, "Callisto. You have failed me. I gave you a simple task and you failed me yet again. This is the last time your hatred for Xena will interfere with my plans."
Xena then violently threw Callisto through the air and into the wall. Callisto fell to the ground and as as she coughed and gagged in an attempt to catch her breath, she slowly rose to her feet and fearfully said, "You."
Xena began to pace back and forth as her hand returned to normal and her voice returned to Xena's tone once again. "I hope you like the form I chose to appear to you in?"
Callisto didn't say a word as she silently stared at this phoney image of Xena who continued. "We had a deal. You help me get Xena's soul and in return I release your debt to me . . . but now, Xena's dead and I don't have her soul."
Callisto raised her voice as she interrupted "But it wasn't my fault, I . . . ."
"Silence!!!" Xena screamed.
"Not your fault? Did you not strike her down with the Chakram? . . .You were told to not physically interfere! That you victory must be a spiritual one. Why do you think I gave you that rule?"
Callisto swallowed in fear as she shook her head.
Xena shrugged her shoulders in disgust. "And now," Xena said as she gazed upwards, "you've brought . . . him, into all this."
Callisto looked at Xena with a confused look on her face and asked, "Him?"
Xena glanced back at Callisto for a moment then began to pace back and forth. "But, I always have a backup plan. I still may be able to use your disobedience to my advantage."
But Callisto shook her head in defiance. "No."
Xena then stopped pacing and glared at Callisto. "What did you say?"
Callisto swallowed as she slowly backed away from Xena. "I said no . . . I did what you asked. All I ever wanted is for Xena to pay for what she did to my family. But instead, I'm here . . . where all I ever get in return is a nice beating or a vision of my family burning alive. Xena has won, she's beaten me, just accept that she's beaten you too. "
Xena angrily glared at Callisto as her eyes began to glow red and her voice lowered to a resonant base once again. "I never accept defeat Callisto . . . and no one, not even you, backs out of a deal with me without paying the consequences."
Xena quickly shook off her demonic stare as her voice returned to normal. "Ah, but Callisto, I suppose I can make an exception for you . . . after all you have made me happy in the past."
Xena then turned her back to Callisto and began to walk away. Callisto's eyes widened in shock as Xena began to fade away. Xena then stopped and looked back at Callisto once more. "I'm sure your sister will be much more willing to cooperate."
Xena then faded away as Callisto screamed. "No Wait!!"
Xena reappeared with a sinister grin on her face. She then turned around and faced Callisto who shook her head, "What do you mean my sister?
"She was only a child when she died. She would be in Elysian Fields, or Paradise or something."
Xena, knowing she hit Callisto's one soft spot, smiled as she approached. "I never said your sister was dead."
Callisto's breathing became heavier as she shook her head. "What? Of coarse she's dead!"
Xena chuckled. "Oh no Callisto, she's not!"
And with a wave of Xena's hand an image appeared before Callisto. "Is that not your sister? Oh sure she's a little older and dressed differently, but . . . that's her."
Callisto's pulse began to race as she stared upon an image of young woman who looked very much like her sister. A young Amazon in fact. Callisto stared at the image of Amarice standing over the bodies of Xena and Gabrielle.
Callisto shook her head. "My sister is not an Amazon."
Xena chuckled. "I know, neither is Amarice."
Callisto's eyes widened as se looked at Xena and stuttered. "Did you say, Amarice? I never told you her . . . name!"
Callisto then looked back at the image of Amarice mourning over Xena's body. As Callisto gazed into the young Amazon's eyes, she deep down knew that was truly her sister. Callisto began to tremble uncontrollably at the realization that her sister survived the fire in Cirra. "No!" Callisto whispered as she shook her head in disbelief. "No, it can't be. She's . . . she's alive? . . . No!"
Callisto then screamed. "Noooo!!!! How can she be alive!?!"
Xena chuckled. "Not only is she alive, but she friends with Xena."
Xena then laughed sinisterly as Callisto looked upon the image of Amarice once again. Callisto looked at the phoney image of Xena and screamed once again. "Noooo!!!!"
The phoney Xena then began to seductively circle the blonde warrior. "Like I said, I'm sure your sister will be much more cooperative in helping me."
Xena then turned and began to quickly walk away. Callisto shook her head as she screamed, "No! Wait!!"
Xena stopped and smiled as Callisto yelled at the top of her lungs. "You leave her alone! You hear me!?!"
Callisto then gazed upon the image of her sister once more. Callisto then reluctantly nodded as her voice softened. "I'll do whatever you want. Just leave my sister alone."
Xena gazed back at Callisto once more and smiled. "Excellent!"
Xena then waved her hand and faded away.
Callisto quickly glanced back at image of her sister, but the image was gone.
Callisto then fell to her knees as she moaned, not in physical pain but emotional pain. Callisto then looked around the empty chamber and for the first time since before the destruction of Cirra, a single tear rolled down Callisto's cheek.
By this time, Eli and Amarice had gotten Xena and Gabrielle's bodies
down from the crosses and had taken them inside the prison compound and
laid them on a table in the guard's quarters.
As Amarice silently stood looking upon Xena's body she said, "Xena. Eli's gone to pray. I don't know what that'll do. But I do know that I shouldn't have run. I should have stayed with you. If I had, maybe you wouldn't be . . . well, you know?"
Amarice took a deep breath to compose herself then continued. "I'll never let you down again. I didn't know you for long, but you were the best friend I've had since . . . well, since I was a kid."
At that moment Aphrodite and Joxer appeared across the table from Amarice. The Amazon quickly drew her sword and shouted, "Who are you!?! Where did you come from!?!"
Aphrodite stepped in front of Joxer and said, "Like, I'm Aphrodite and this is Joxer. Who are you?"
Amarice rolled her eyes sarcastically. "Aphrodite? The goddess of love? Yeah sure and I'm Artemis goddess of the hunt."
Aphrodite rolled her eyes. "Oh please, you don't even look Artemis."
Joxer then pushed Aphrodite aside and said, "Are you an Amazon?
Amarice nodded. "Yeah, and lemme guess, you're Joxer?"
Eli then entered the room and said, "Xena and Gabrielle had a friend named Joxer."
Amarice turned and looked at Eli as he approached her. "Yeah but how do know this is really him? And the goddess of love? Puleeeze! Xena never said anything about knowing Aphrodite."
Eli grinned. "Gabrielle did to me. She used to let them stay in her temples . . . put your sword away Amarice."
Amarice shook her head in defiance. "No way!"
Eli then placed his hand on Amarice's shoulder and said, "Has what happened here taught you nothing?"
Aphrodite nodded. "That's right. You should listen to your long haired friend."
Amarice looked at Eli and nodded. "OK." She then reluctantly sheathed her sword. "OK. but If you're the goddess of love, then prove it."
Aphrodite put her hands on her hips in frustration. "Like, I'm a god . . . I don't have to prove anything to you."
Joxer nudged Aphrodite with his elbow. "Just do it."
Aphrodite sighed, "Huh . . . OK!"
Aphrodite then pointed her finger at Amarice and zapped the Amazon with a bolt of energy which knocked the young Amazon to the ground.
Amarice slowly stood up. She then gazed at Joxer and seductively licked her lips. "So, Joxer . . . how would you like to go and . . . you know?"
Aphrodite giggled as Joxer nervously looked at Aphrodite and coughed. Ahem! That's enough"
Aphrodite then zapped Amarice with another bolt of energy and Amarice shook her head violently. "Ugh! How revolting! OK, so maybe you are the goddess of love. But how do we know he's really Joxer?"
Eli then grabbed Amarice by the arm. "Come on Amarice. I think they've proven who they are. Joxer's known Xena and Gabrielle longer than both of us. Let us give him some time alone."
Amarice defiantly shook her head as Eli lead her through the doors and out of the prison.
Joxer then turned and looked at Aphrodite. "Thank you Aphrodite . . . for telling me. I'm glad I heard it from you and not some drunken warlord in a tavern."
Aphrodite nodded. "Sure thing."
Aphrodite looked at Xena and Gabrielle as she took a deep breath. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you guys."
Aphrodite then pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes. "I'm gonna miss you!"
Aphrodite then on the verge of breaking down looked at Joxer and said, "I have to go now. If you need anything just get to one of my temples and I'll be there."
Joxer nodded as the goddess of love disappeared.
Joxer then glanced at the table where Xena and Gabrielle laid.
He slowly approached the table and whispered "Xena," Joxer paused for a moment then took a deep breath. "I will carry out your last wish Xena. I will take you home to be buried with Lyceus. I promise."
Joxer then glanced over at Gabrielle as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "Gabrielle, I know you didn't think much of me . . . but . . . I would have died for you."
Joxer then closed his eyes just as Xena and Gabrielle's bodies began to glow for a few seconds then faded. Joxer reopened his eyes and looked back down at Gabrielle as he whispered, "I love you Gabrielle."
Joxer then began to walk away as a faint, raspy voice whispered. "I thought you weren't going to tell her?"
"Well, it doesn't do me any good now . . . Xena?"
Joxer rubbed his eyes in disbelief. As Xena slowly sat up on the edge of the table. Joxer shook his head and screamed, "Xena!
"Eli, Amazon, Amr, who ever get in here."
Xena began to shiver uncontrollably as she looked at Joxer. "Gabrielle?"
Joxer circled the table and looked at Gabrielle who was still laying on the table but seemed to be shivering as well.
Amarice then stormed into the room with her sword drawn ready for battle. When she saw Xena sitting up, she dropped her sword at her feet. Eli slowly walked in with his eyes to the ground and said, "What's happening?"
Eli paused in mid sentence as he looked up and saw Xena sitting up. "You're alive!"
Joxer waved Amarice over. "Amarice, grab those coats hanging on the wall!"
Amarice quickly grabbed two fur coats that the Roman guards had left hanging next to some weapons. She quickly covered Xena with one coat as Joxer covered Gabrielle with the other.
As Gabrielle sat up she pulled the coat tightly around her and scooted across the table next to Xena. "Xena," Gabrielle said in between shivers, "are you all right?"
Xena then looked at Gabrielle and smiled. "Yeah! Looks like we made it huh?"
Gabrielle grinned. "Yeah, I guess we did."
As Xena rubbed her hands together for warmth she turned to Joxer and curiously said, "Wait a minute. Joxer, what are you doing here?"
Joxer shrugged his shulders and said, "Huh? Oh, a few days ago I found out about the decree Caesar put on your head and I knew you'd be going to Rome."
"But how did you know we were here?"
"Aphrodite told me about . . . what happened."
Gabrielle then looked at Joxer and asked, "Did Aphrodite help you guys get past the guards?"
Amarice looked at Eli then looked towards Gabrielle and said, "Huh? What guards? When we found out about the assassination we decided to wait until they left."
Xena looked at Amarice curiously and asked, "Assassination?" Xena's eyes then widened as she whispered to herself. "Brutus!"
As Xena then gazed over towards Eli she curiously said, "Wait a minute. How did we survive on the crosses for so long?"
Amarice looked at Eli, but before she could utter a word, Gabrielle in a panic stricken voice said, "Xena, Oh Xena! Look at your hands."
Xena shook her head. "What? My hands?"
"Just do it!"
Xena then pulled her hands out from under the coat and saw what Gabrielle must have seen, a scare on each hand that appeared to be years old.
Xena silently stared at her hands as she whispered, "What is going on here?"
Joxer placed his hand on Gabrielle's shoulder and said, "You guys were dead when I got."
"What?" Gabrielle whispered in a fearful voice.
Xena looked at Eli for confirmation. Eli gazed into Xena's eyes for a moment then nodded. "It's true Xena. Amarice and I came back this morning and got you down, no, I should say got your bodies down from the crosses."
Xena's pulse began to race as she no longer trembled from the cold, but from fear.
After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Gabrielle looked at Joxer and broke the silence. "Joxer, I could use something to drink."
Amarice nodded. "Yeah, me too."
Eli chuckled. "I think she means something to help warm her?"
Amarice nodded in embarrassment. "Oops! Sorry!"
Eli then gazed into Xena's eyes and said, "We'll figure this out Xena." Eli then approached the Warrior Princess and gave her a hug. Eli then walked over to Gabrielle. As Eli brushed his hand against Gabrielle's cheek she hung her head in a regretful manner. "Eli, I . . . I departed from my way. I hated those Romans so much. I actually felt pleasure in killing them. I'm sorry."
Eli placed his hands on Gabrielle's shoulders as he grinned. "it's all right Gabrielle. We'll talk about it later. The important thing is you and Xena are OK."
Gabrielle smiled as her and Eli embraced. Eli slowly stepped away from Gabrielle. "Come on Amarice, let's see if we can find them something warm to drink and maybe some clothes."
Amarice looked at Xena. "Xena, I . . . ."
Eli then said, "Come on Amarice."
Amarice took a deep breath as Xena said, "Amarice. What ever it is, we'll talk later OK? I promise!"
Amarice nodded, then followed Eli to find supplies.
As the other two left the room, Joxer looked at Gabrielle and nervously stuttered, "Uh, you didn't hear what I said earlier did you? Just before you woke up?"
Gabrielle turned and looked at Xena who shrugged her shoulders. Gabrielle then looked back at Joxer and shook her head. "Hear what?"
Joxer silently looked at Gabrielle with a bit of regret. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Never mind."
Joxer then began to slowly back away from the table as he said, 'I'll go see if I can help Eli and Amarice."
"Joxer," Xena said as she waved for him to return to the table, "come here."
Joxer slowly approached Xena and Gabrielle. He then quickly extended his arms and hugged the both of them tightly. "Oh, I thought I lost you guys."
As Gabrielle patted Joxer on the back she jokingly whispered, "No such luck on your part."
Joxer grinned as he stepped away from the table. "I'll go help those two." He then turned and left the room.
After Joxer left the room Gabrielle pulled the coat tightly around her as she slowly got up from the table. "Did I hear Joxer right? Did he say he loved me?"
Xena just shook her head nonchalantly. "Uh, well . . . I don't know. It probably was your imagination."
Gabrielle thought for a moment then shook her head. The bard then took a deep breath and slowly approached Xena.
Gabrielle placed her hand on Xena's shoulder and gazed deeply into Xena's eyes. Xena grinned as she brushed her hand against Gabrielle's cheek and whispered, "Are you all right?"
Gabrielle swallowed, then nodded. "Yeah . . . Listen Xena. what's going on? If we were dead, then how come we don't remember going to the Underworld?
Xena shook her head. "I don't know."
Xena then shifted her eyes away from Gabrielle and began to look around the room as if she were looking for something.
Gabrielle curiously asked, "What is it?"
Xena smirked as she looked upwards and whispered, "Ares!"
As Gabrielle looked around the empty room a familiar laugh echoed throughout the room as Ares appeared. "So nice to so you too Xena."
As the god of war slowly approached, Xena glared at him and in a
disgusted voice she said, "Ares . . . what do you want?"
Ares stopped just a few feet from Xena and Gabrielle as he chuckled, "Oh, come now Xena. I thought you'd be happy to see me, especially since just this morning you two were dead."
Ares then gazed over at Gabrielle as a concerned look crossed the god's face. "How are you doing? Are you all right?"
Gabrielle's eyes widened in surprise as she nodded. "Yeah!?!"
Ares then shook his head and turned his attention back to Xena. "Xena, we have to talk."
Xena looked at Ares suspiciously and said, "What do you know about our deaths Ares?"
Ares looked at Xena and grinned as he sarcastically said, "Oh, not much."
The war god then gazed over at Gabrielle once again and in a concerned voice he said, "Are you sure you're all right? Cuz if you need anything, just say the word and I'll be there."
Gabrielle's eyes widened in confusion. "Huh?"
Ares then approached Gabrielle and brushed his hand against her cheek. "My, you are beautiful."
Ares then quickly stepped back and ran his hands through his hair in frustration. Ares inhaled then exhaled to calm his seemingly frazzled nerves. "Xena we have a serious problem!"
Xena nodded. "I don't know about us, but you definitely have a problem. What's going on? You hate Gabrielle?"
Ares then gazed into Gabrielle eyes once again as he whispered. "Oh, I don't hate her, I lo," Ares then shook his head violently, "Xena, I . . . ."
Ares then took a deep breath as he began to pace the room. "Well, let me start at the beginning. . . .Do you remember the day you found the Chakram?"
Xena looked at Gabrielle then turned her head and stared at the far wall. As her eyes glassed over she remembered the seven virgin priestesses lined up outside the temple steps. She remembered Dagnine pointing his sword at the head priestess as Xena approached the young woman. "Tell me where the Chakram is."
The virgin just stared into Xena's eyes as she shook her head in defiance of the Warrior Princess. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Xena smirked at the virgin. "Really? Well, maybe the end of Dagnine's sword will refresh your memory."
The virgin swallowed in fear as Dagnine's sword pressed agaiinst her neck.
The priestess shook her head as tears rolled down her face. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Xena then nodded as she turned and began to walk away. "Fine, I'll find it myself!"
Dagnine then turned to Xena and shouted, "What do you want me to do with them?"
Xena not bothering to turn around grinned and said, "Kill 'em!"
Xena then continued to walk away as the haunting screams of the virgins' last breathes pierced Xena's soul.
Xena shook off her gaze into time then stared at the god of war as she answered, "I remember Ares. Although I wish I didn't."
Ares smirked. "Yeah whatever! Think back to the moment you entered the tomb that held the Chakram."
Xena shook her head. "I can't! Everything from the moment I entered the temple is just a blur. I've never been able to remember exactly what happened or how I even knew where to find the Chakram."
Ares grinned as he waved his hand in front of Xena's face. "Try to remember again."
I told you Ares . . . ."
"Just do it!"
Xena rolled her eyes and thought back to the moments after the virgins' death. She then looked at Ares in shock as for the first time she could remember.
As the warrior's eyes glassed over yet again she remembered going down a long dark corridor which was lit only by a few flickering torches that lined the walls. As Xena rounded the last corner she saw a faint bluish glow at the end of the tunnel.
Xena, with sword drawn, was ready for an attack that would never come. As she approached the the end of the corridor she hesitated for a moment knowing that Alti would not approve of her doing this on her own. But the power the old man had promised her was too much to deny.
As Xena entered the chamber at the end of the tunnel, she cautiously looked around the room. Encircling the outer edge of the room were bronze statues of the gods of Olympus, each of which held a dimly lit torch. In the middle of the room stood a small circular altar from which the faint blue glow originated from.
As Xena reluctantly approached the waist high circular altar, she could see that the glow didn't actually come from the altar but from the Chakram, which was suspended horizontally in the middle. As Xena examined the Chakram she heard an elderly man's voice ring out. "Xena, this is it."
Xena quickly looked up and on the opposite side of the altar stood the same old man dressed in a black robe, who told her about the Chakram. "This is the weapon of the gods."
Xena smirked at the old man as she sarcastically said, "Weapon of the gods huh? It's a circle? big deal! The weapon of the gods should be a flaming sword or something."
The old man grinned. "Ah Xena, you are indeed the right person for this weapon. You think big . . . but looks can be deceiving. This weapon is unlike any other weapon. In it, contains the divine essence of the gods. A sword, knife, mace, or anything, all have an end . . . but the Chakram . . . the Chakram is seamless, no beginning and no end . . . just as the gods are and just as the keeper of this weapon will be."
Xena reluctantly nodded. "OK, tell me this, if this weapon is so powerful then why don't you just take it for yourself?"
The old man smiled. "That's the secret to the Chakram. It takes at least two souls to remove the weapon. Two souls who are willing to be bound by the weapon."
Xena smirked at the old man in contempt. "What do you mean bound?"
The old man's tone became a bit more serious as he explained. "The only way the Chakram can be removed is if the two people agree to be bound by the weapon. Their essence blended into one place, into the Chakram.
"Part of you will be bound to me and part of me will be bound to you. The bond will be as the Chakram, unbreakable and forever."
Xena shook her head. "Why would I want to be bound to you just for the sake of a weapon?"
The old man smiled. "Come now Xena, The Destroyer of Nations turn down an offer such as this? I don't think so! This weapon makes the Ixion stone look like a child's toy. The essence within the Chakram will be transferred to you. The essence of the gods. Think about the power Xena."
Xena silently stared at the Chakram for several moments, then she gazed up at the old man and nodded. "OK, what do I do?"
The old man chuckled as he placed his hand next to the Chakram ready to grab it. "On the count of 3 we must grab the Chakram at exactly the same time. And no matter what happens don't let go."
"What happens if I let go?"
"You die!"
Xena swallowed as she she placed her hand opposite the old man's.
The old man then counted, "1, 2, 3"
Xena and the old man simultaneously grabbed the Chakram and the weapon began to glow an intense white on the half nearest to Xena and glowed a deep red nearest the old man. After a few brief moments the white and red glow began to slowly revolve around the Chakram. As the two colors revolved faster their brightness intensified.
Faster and faster the colors revolved and brighter and brighter the light became. The two colors then began to blend together and then, with a bright flash of light that forced Xena to turn her head and close her eyes, the red glow quickly traveled through the Chakram and into Xena, as the white glow traveled into the old man. Then the light faded and the room darkened.
Xena reluctantly opened one eye and asked, "That's it?"
But no answer came forth. She opened her other eye and looked where the old man had stood but he was gone. She then pulled the Chakram towards her and examined the weapon. Then she shook her head and confusingly looked around the room once again and whispered, "What? How did I get in here?"
Xena quickly shook off her gaze into the past. She rubbed her eyes then looked at Gabrielle just to make sure she was where she thought she was. She then looked at Ares and said, "The old man made forget about him?"
Xena's eyes then lit up as she looked up at Ares. "You were the old man!"
Ares grinned and nodded, but Xena was not amused. "Ares, you son of a . . . ."
Ares raised his hand. "Now, now Xena . . . No you're right! She is a bitch."
Xena glared at the war god as she said, "You were the old man and you made me forget about the old man, uh you! But why?"
Ares nodded. "Come now Xena. You would have eventually figured out who the old man was."
Xena glared at Ares angrily. "You're damn right I would have and I would have left you like . . . ." Xena then paused and nodded.
Ares grinned. "See?"
Xena shook her head as she said, "Answer me this Ares. Why?"
Xena shook her head in disgust. "Ares, I killed so many people in your name. And to find out it was because you bonded me with you, it's disgusting."
Ares then began to pace back and forth as he began to rant. "Oh please Xena, You wanna talk about disgusting? Before the Chakram, before me, you may have been a great leader but you were a lousy warrior. You sat back in your clean clothes while your army splattered the blood of women and children all over the land.
"Before me you were with that ridiculous Amazon woman. She wanted you to be The Destroyer of Nations. Why destroy a nation when you can conquer it?
"Oh yes Xena, you may judge me for what I did, but think about it, I gave you a code that Alti never had. Once with me, you donned the armor and the sword, you fought, but you never murdered. Think about it Xena, had you still been with Alti, what would have become of that child that you saved from Darphus? In a way Xena, that warrior code I gave you led to your redemption."
Xena shook her head in contempt for her former mentor. "Ares, you are one piece of work."
Gabrielle then looked at Xena as she interrupted "Wait a minute. If you're essence or whatever is in the Chakram, what happens now that the Chakram is broken?"
Xena nervously looked at Gabrielle as Ares began to nervously pace back and forth as he tried to explain the situation. "Well, that's the interesting thing. Our essence was bonded with the Chakram . . . but the catch is Callisto somehow managed to break an unbreakable weapon. Our bond is still there, but it's now been separated, unevenly."
Gabrielle looked at Xena and nodded. "Sort of like, a salt covenant?"
Xena's breathing became heavier as Gabrielle continued. "You gave Ares a pinch of your salt and he gave you a pinch of his. You both mixed up the other's salt in with your own. Then when the Chakram was broken, it was like trying to get back every single grain of your salt from his bag. Which is impossible . . .Am I right?"
Xena just smirked at Gabrielle. "Where do you come up with this stuff?"
Ares just smiled as he gazed into Gabrielle's eyes. "Now I know why Xena loves you so much."
Ares then took a deep breath and ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "Yeah, that's right. A salt covenant."
Xena curiously looked at the god of war, chuckled, and said, "Have you lost your mind Ares? You hate Gabrielle."
Ares breathing became a bit heavier as he said, "Yeah . . . well that's a side effect of the breaking of the Chakram. I seem to have some of your compassion for Gabrielle. . . who knows what you have of mine?"
Xena gazed up at Ares. "Side effect?"
Gabrielle nudged Xena as she whispered, "That's the salt covenant."
Xena looked at Gabrielle in annoyance, then looked back towards Ares once again "You've lost some of your powers, haven't you?"
Ares nodded. "Very good Xena. We have to reform the Chakram Xena. And we have to do it as soon as possible."
Gabrielle quickly asked, "Where is the Chakram?"
But before Ares could answer, a familiar female voice echoed throughout the room. "Oh, that's a great question."
All three looked towards the far end of the room and saw Callisto dressed in all white, leaning against the wall. Callisto then pulled the broken Chakram from behind her back and held it up for all to see as she said, "Why look, here it is!"
Callisto then laughed as Xena, Gabrielle and Ares angrily stared at Callisto.