THE SEVEN

pt.6

The wind gently blew as Xena and Gabrielle stood across from the demon Sloth. Sloth was poised to strike again. Xena stealthily scanned the area for anything that she might be able to use to help against the demon. They were still between some houses within the village. Xena quietly spoke to Gabrielle.

XENA
(Whisper) We're gonna need to lure him away from the village. And find a better spot for us to fight this thing. The last thing we want is for someone here to get caught up in the fight.

GABRIELLE
(Whisper) How are we gonna do that? He's too fast, If we just try to run he'll just catch us.

XENA
(Whisper) Don't worry about that. Just follow my lead.

GABRIELLE
Okay. I'm ready when you are.

XENA
Alright when I give the signal start running out of the village as fast as you can.

GABRIELLE
You know we can't out run him.

XENA
I know. We just need to distract him.

Sloth roared as he changed at Xena and Gabrielle again, breaking up their conversation. They quickly dove out of the way, causing Sloth to just miss ramming into them.

GABRIELLE
That was close.

XENA
Okay what ever you need to do, just make it out of the village. Get to the river that's not too far from here.

GABRIELLE
The river? Xena there's no way I'm making it that far without Sloth catching me. And what about you?

XENA
I'll be following you shortly. I just need to give us the opening that we need.

Sloth ran at them again as they once again just barely got out of the demons path. Xena took hold of her chakrum and looked at Gabrielle.

XENA
Alright when I throw my chakrum you start running Okay. And what ever you do don't stop until you reach the river.

GABRIELLE
But you...

XENA
I'll be fine, trust me.

GABRIELLE
(sighs) Fine. Just be careful Okay.

Xena gave Gabrielle a reassuring smile.

XENA
Ready?

Gabrielle nodded. Sloth once again began charging at them. This time Xena threw her chakrum right at the demon. This caused Sloth to have to stop his charge in order to dodge the attack. As soon as Xena had thrown her weapon, as planned Gabrielle began running out of the village as fast as she could. Sloth noticed and ran in front of Gabrielle, blocking her path. Caught of guard Gabrielle stopped in her tracks and began to slowly back away, as the intimidating creature looked down at her.

SLOTH
Where might you be going?

Gabrielle didn't know what to do.

XENA
I'm not done with you.

Xena jumped in swinging her sword at the demon. Sloth quickly moved out of the way as Xena landed between him and Gabrielle. She quickly glanced at Gabrielle, signaling for her to go. Gabrielle took off running once more.

SLOTH
You humans must not be very smart to try this again.

Sloth began to chase after Gabrielle again. But as he ran, he suddenly tripped and fell to the ground.

SLOTH
What?

He looked back and saw a rope tied around one of his ankles with Xena holding the other end.

XENA
I told you that we're not done here.

Sloth briefly looked back at Gabrielle who was still running for the village exit. Then he stood back up and turned towards Xena.

SLOTH
Why must you be such a pain.

Xena gave a cocky smile.

XENA
Why don't you do something about it.

Sloth growled in anger.

SLOTH
I've had enough of this. You might be the most annoying human I've ever encountered.

XENA
(Sarcasm) Well now you're just trying to hurt my feelings.

Sloth roared as he changed for Xena. Xena quickly dove out of the way again. But this time she rolled right back up to her feet and began running.

SLOTH
You can't run from me human.

Sloth chased after Xena. She avoided the demon as she moved through the village by running between the buildings, leaping over obstacles and squeezing between areas where Sloth was too big to directly follow. Though she was avoiding him, Xena made sure to keep Sloth chasing after her. But that wasn't an issue. Xena had enraged the demon and now he was hell bent on killing her.

SLOTH
When I catch you human I'm going to shatter every last bone in your body!

Xena yelled back at the demon as she continued to taunt the creature while she avoided him.

XENA 
I'd like to see you try.

The chase continued until Xena made it out of the village. The village sat on a large hill. Xena could see the river along with Gabrielle in the distance below. But now that she was out in the open avoiding Sloth was going to be far more difficult. She continued running towards the river. But with no obstacles between her and Sloth, the demon easily caught up to Xena. He ran full speed at her as he slammed into her, sending Xena tumbling most of the way down the hill. Gabrielle saw this from the bottom of the hill.

GABRIELLE
Xena!

She began running towards Xena.

XENA
No Gabrielle stay there.

Gabrielle stopped as she watched Xena slowly make it back to her feet.

GABRIELLE
(Talking  to herself) Xena what are you doing?

Xena turned to face Sloth who was slowly walking towards her as he stalked her.

XENA
Pretty sure my bones are still intact. I'm starting to think that your just all talk.

Sloth angerly roared as he changed at Xena again. He ran at her, but due to being on such a steep hill he couldn't go full speed without running the risk of losing his balance and tripping. Xena knew that this would happen which was why she wanted to lead the demon there. Nevertheless Sloth ran for Xena. As he got close the demon jumped through the air towards Xena. Dispite being significantly slower, Sloth was still pretty fast. And Xena didn't expect him to lunge at her. She just barely was able to get out of the way as the demon went past her. Sloth landed just behind Xena. But because of the hill he couldn't come to a dead stop. His momentum caused him to fall forward, and he began to tumble down hill. Xena  looked at Sloth as he rolled down the hill. But this only lasted a moment as Xena suddenly felt her leg get yanked out from under her. She too then found herself rolling down the steep hill. She hadn't noticed it, but as Sloth had gone past her moments ago. The other end of the rope that was still attached to the demons leg from earlier had wrapped around Xena's ankle. Causing Xena to be sent rolling down the hill along with Sloth. Gabrielle helplessly watched as Xena and Sloth rolled past her. They continued tumbling down until they both wound up rolling right into the river.

GABRIELLE
Xena!

Gabrielle rushed over the the river bank and dove in after Xena, who along with Sloth was being carried down stream. Gabrielle swam as fast as she could towards Xena. Due to being tangled up in the rope with Sloth, Xena was unable to swim. The current pushed the both of them under the water. Gabrielle franticly continued to try and reach Xena. As she swam she noticed the waters current had begun to flow faster. She looked ahead and saw that all three of them were heading right for a waterfall. With Xena being tangled up with Sloth and unable to swim, going over the waterfall could be highly deadly. Gabrielle tried with everything she had to reach Xena. But the current was too strong. There was nothing any of them could do, as the rushing water carried all three of them over the large waterfall. The demon Sloth, Xena and Gabrielle plummeted down into the rough waters below. The air was silent with only the sound of the flowing water ringing out. With no signs of anyone beneath the waters surface.

TO BE CONTINUED...