THE SEVEN

pt.1

INTRO:
Greed, sloth, envy, gluttony, wrath, lust and pride. These are known to mankind as the seven deadly sins. As such throughout time people have fallen victim to the enticements that come with each of these. And many have suffered the consequences. But the same can be said for the opposite. For there are also a great many who have resisted the temptations and fought them back. For all of this is merely a part of what it means to be human. And it falls on us to decide how we react when faced with these moral conflicts. But what if these temptations were to become quite literally irresistible. One could imagine that the world itself would plunge into complete madness and chaos. And would ultimately be destroyed. But that is the very fate that the world nearly suffered many centuries ago. If it weren't for a pair of great heros who stepped up and put an end to the madness, saving humanity. But unfortunately due to the passage of time, this great act of heroism has become all but been forgotten. That is except for one long lost account of the event.It was recently uncovered in newly unearthed ancient ruins. The author remains unknown. Though upon inspection there seems to be no reason to doubt the documents legitimacy.  As such the following account is a long lost adventure of Xena and Gabrielle and how they saved the world from the seven deadly sins.

The tavern was bustling as Xena and Gabrielle sat down at the only table that wasn't already occupied. Gabrielle waved down one of the servers and ordered Xena and herself some food and drinks. The woman took their orders and moved on to the next customers. Xena leaned back in her chair as she casually looked around the crowded room, assessing any potential threats as she always did in nearly any situation. Gabrielle looked at her and smirked.

GABRIELLE
Do you ever relax?

XENA
I think we both know the answer to that.

GABRIELLE
Come on Xena. We're in a big walled in city with plenty of guards and no sign of trouble anywhere. Don't you think it'll do you some good to let your guard down just for a little bit.

XENA
My guard being down is a good way to get us killed. You should know that by now.

GABRIELLE
Trust me Xena I know full well that trouble seems to find us everywhere we go. And I'm not saying that we shouldn't be prepared, but you really should try not to be so tense all the time. Always being on edge isn't good for you.

XENA
(Sarcasm) Neither's a sword in the back.

GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) Funny.

XENA
What's up with the sudden concern over my stress level anyway.

GABRIELLE
it's not sudden. And lately things have been even crazier then usual. I just want to make sure you're not wearing yourself out that's all. I don't want anything to happen to you Xena.

Xena gave Gabrielle a smirk.

XENA
(Joking) Look if you're that concerned I know something we can do that's a great stress release

Gabrielle rolled her eyes at Xena's insinuating comment, as the server came over, set down their food and then went on to the other patrons.

GABRIELLE 
Ha ha. I think we do that plenty.

Xena chuckled a little.

GABRIELLE
I'm serious.

XENA
(Slightly annoyed sigh) You're not gonna let this go, are you?

GABRIELLE
(Smirking) I think we both know the answer to that.

Xena gave Gabrielle a slightly annoyed look as they both began to eat their meal.

XENA
Fine. I'll look into different ways to try and relax more often.

Gabrielle gave Xena a satisfied smile as she retrieved a rolled up paper she had hidden in her boot and put it in front of Xena.

GABRIELLE
Good. And I have just the idea for the perfect place to start.

XENA
I don't think I like the sound of that.

Gabrielle encouraged Xena to read the scroll. Reluctantly Xena picked the paper up and read what was written on it. Once done she gave Gabrielle a blank expression.

XENA
You have got to be kidding me. A whole week at some fancy spa. Gabrielle you should know that there's no way I'm gonna do that.

GABRIELLE
Oh come on Xena. It'll be fun.

XENA
Not gonna happen. And how did you even find this place anyway?

GABRIELLE
There was some woman handing those scrolls out to people at the last city we were in. I checked it out and I really think we should go.

XENA
No.

GABRIELLE
I really think you could use this. Maybe afterwards you won't be so cranky.

XENA
(Annoyed tone) I am not cranky.

Irritated at the conversation, Xena clenched the piece of bread that she had in her hand causing it to crumble onto the table in front of her.

GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) Right, and that piece of bread really had it coming

Xena sighed as she let the rest of the crumbs still in her hand fall to the table.

XENA
Fine, you win. We'll go.

GABRIELLE
(Smiling) I thought you'd see it my way.

Xena and Gabrielle finished eating and headed out of the tavern. As they were leaving a group of townsfolk came in. As they passed by each other Gabrielle accidentally bumped into one of them. The man immediately turned around and grabbed her by the arm.

MAN
(Angry tone) Why don't you watch where you're going?

GABRIELLE
Hey it was an accident.

Gabrielle went to pull away, when he grabbed her other arm too as he lifted her off the ground. Gabrielle tried to get free.

GABRIELLE
Let me go.

MAN
You know when you knock into someone you're supposed to say sorry. Or didn't anyone teach you any manners?

XENA
Apparently no one taught you any. Or you wouldn't be ruffing up a woman for something so ridiculous.

The man looked over to see Xena standing there just as she threw a punch and hit him right in the face. He immediately dropped Gabrielle and held his nose as his blood pooled in his hand.

MAN
My nose! You bitch!

XENA
(Sarcasm) Swearing too? I think someone's in need of a lesson in respect.

The man was not amused by Xena's comment. He angerly yelled as he threw a punch at her. Xena didn't flinch as she caught his fist. She began twisting his wrist slightly. The man cried out in pain.

XENA
Now what do you say to my friend here for being so rude?

MAN
Screw you.

XENA
Wrong answer. Try again.

Xena wrenched on his wrist causing the man more pain.

MAN
Gah! Okay, okay I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

XENA
That's more like it.

Xena let the man go.

XENA
Now get lost.

The man held his wrist as he left the tavern.

GABRIELLE
What was his problem?

XENA
Who knows.

GABRIELLE
(Joking) Maybe he could use a trip to that spa too.

Xena chuckled as they walked outside.

XENA
(Joking) Yeah send him in my place.

Xena and Gabrielle got Argo and rode off towards the spa. But what was ment to be a relaxing trip, would soon become anything but. Infact unknown to them, that brief encounter with the man at the tavern was a small glimpse of a much bigger and far more dangerous problem that the two of them would soon find themselves facing.

TO BE CONTINUED...