HEART AND SOUL

pt.8

Xena changed into the large building, practicly knocking the doors off their hinges as she barged in.

XENA
Gabrielle!!

Inside Xena was met with a number of the Followers Of Deimos. Immediately they attacked her. Drawing her sword, she fought them off. Cutting them down with no hesitation. Xena ran through the building, taking out anyone that tried to stand in her way. All the while calling out to Gabrielle, hoping she would hear and let Xena know where she was. At the same time, Gabrielle was being forcefully carried up to the area that had been prepared for her sacrifice.

DEIMOS FOLLOWER 1
Once we get there, we can make the final preparations.

DEIMOS FOLLOWER 2
Yes, soon it will be time for the great Deimos to come.

As they spoke, Gabrielle struggled to break free from them.

GABRIELLE
Let me go!

The one carrying her turned his attention to Gabrielle.

DEIMOS FOLLOWER 1
Why do you fight so? Do you not realize the great honor that has been given to you?

GABRIELLE
It you think it's such an honor, then why didn't you do it?

DEIMOS FOLLOWER 2
As much as I would love to have been chosen, my soul has been tainted by this life. But you on the other hand. Such a pure, good soul. Yet to be darkened.

Gabrielle quickly thought, trying anything to get out of this nightmarish situation.

GABRIELLE
(Lying) What makes you think I have such a pure soul. You have no idea what I've done. I-I'm a ruthless murderer. I've killed so many people, that I've lost count. And if you don't watch yourself, you'll be next.

The Deimos Followers clearly weren't buying Gabrielle's story. But for a laugh one of them decided to endulge her.

DEIMOS FOLLOWER 1
Uh huh, and why exactly did you do that?

Gabrielle wasn't expecting a follow up question. So she just said the first thing that came to mind.

GABRIELLE
For fun?

Both of the followers of Deimos laughed at the ridiculousness of that thought.

GABRIELLE
(Lying) I'm serious, I'm could kill anyone, any time. You'll never know when I might snap.

DEIMOS FOLLOWER 2
(Mocking tone) Sure, okay.

Unfazed by Gabrielle's lie, they just kept walking. Undeterred Gabrielle continued trying to get free. But it was no use. Finally she  gave up and went limp. She just hung over the follower of Deimos shoulder. A depression began to set in, as Gabrielle thought about what awaited her.

GABRIELLE
(thinking to herself) I'm gonna die here.

She fell silent as she dwelled on that thought.

GABRIELLE
(thinking to herself) I guess Xena couldn't find out where we are.

Gabrielle hung her head and watched the floor as they carried her to a large door. They opened it, Gabrielle looked up, over the followers shoulder. Seeing that they were outside, far above the ground. Up ahead was a large ulter with two large pillars. One on each side, with chains on the top and bottom of each. Apparently that was where she was about to be sacrificed. Dejected, Gabrielle turned back and just stared at the ground.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Well this is it. They're gonna sacrifice me, and
then the world is going to be plunged into nothing but fear. And there's nothing I can do. I just wish I could've seen Xena one more time.

As Gabrielle was reluctantly accepting her fate, she suddenly heard something. She raised her head.

GABRIELLE
What?

Then she heard it again. Gabrielle's eyes lit up as she looked inside the building she was being carried from. For her there was no mistaking that voice. She knew that it could only be one person.

GABRIELLE
(thinking to herself) She's here. She made it.

Gabrielle then took a deep breath and yelled as loud as she possibly could.

GABRIELLE
XENA!!!!!

Her yell carried all throughout the area. Filling the air. Echoing through the rooms and halls of the huge building. Until finally reaching Xena as she fought her way through the followers of Deimos. As soon as she heard Gabrielle's voice, Xena knew that she must be close. Quickly she finished off the followers she was fighting and made a mad dash in the direction Gabrielle's yell came from. She didn't waste any time fighting anyone she encountered. Knowing that time was of the essence, Xena used her super human athletics to get passed anyone who tried to stop her from reaching Gabrielle. As she ran through the corridors, Xena happened to glance out a window that she passed by. She noticed the sun was going down. Apparently she had been running around longer than she had realized.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) How big is this place? They're gonna be starting the ceremony soon. I have to get to Gabrielle. There's no time to waste.

As Xena forged towards where Gabrielle's voice had come from, Gabrielle was being forcefully dragged to the ulter. It was a tall stone arch. Two chains hung down from the top. With a chain on each side at the bottom. Gabrielle fought to get away as the followers of Deimos dragged her over to the ulter. As she struggled,  she managed to slip one hand free. As soon as she did, Gabrielle quickly elbowed one of them in the side. He doubled over in pain. Then she stomped on the other ones foot. Causing them both to let let her go. As soon as they did, Gabrielle took off running towards the doors. But just as she reached out for the handle, more of the Followers grabbed her. They picked her up and carried her back towards the ulter.

GABRIELLE
NO!

As much as she tried, Gabrielle couldn't get free. They got her to the ulter. They held her there as more of the Followers Of Deimos chained her hands and feet. She tried to get free, but again had no luck. Gabrielle stood there unable to move. She looked up at the sky. The sun was getting lower. The night was almost upon them. She knew she didn't have much more time. Gabrielle cried out again for her only hope of getting out of this alive.

GABRIELLE
XENA!!!

TO BE CONTINUED...