JUST ONE BITE

pt.4

Night had fallen as Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, and Orpheus arrived outside a village. Xena led Argo by the reigns as she, Gabrielle, and Joxer walked with Orpheus's head on a scarecrow body that they had seated in Argo's saddle. The foursome could hear music being played within the village as a number of people could be seen heading towards the upbeat sounds.

GABRIELLE
A festival. Looks like fun.

JOXER
Yeah, every year the villagers have a festival to scare away the Bacchae. They have a prize for best costume, too.

Joxer smiled as he motioned towards Orpheus.

JOXER
(Joking) Guess we know who's winning this year.

Orpheus gave him a blank and unamused glance.

ORPHEUS
(Sarcasm) Ha-ha, Very funny.

Gabrielle couldn't help but smirk at the comment as Xena just ignored the whole exchange and led the group into the village proper. Moving through the people, the group found their way to Orpheus' friend Mellotus' home. After Joxer got Orpheus down from Argo's saddle, Xena knocked on the door. After getting no reply, she slowly opened the door as Orpheus called out to his friend.

ORPHEUS
Mellotus?

Not seeing anyone as the group entered the small house, Orpheus told the others that the man might be in the back room and didn't hear them knock or enter. So with Xena taking the lead, they moved across the room they were in and Xena opened the door on the other side of the room. And that was when they saw a truly terrible sight.

ORPHEUS
Mellotus, no!

The four of them remained motionless for a moment as they saw Mellotus with a rope around his neck hanging from a beam on the ceiling and clearly dead. Although it appeared that this death was self-inflicted, Xena's instincts told her otherwise.

XENA
The Bacchae did this.

ORPHEUS
We're too late, they've taken the lyre.

XENA
Damn it.

Xena turned to leave as Gabrielle began to follow.

GABRIELLE
Xena wait up, I'm coming with you.

Xena stopped and looked at Gabrielle.

XENA
No Gabrielle, I need you to stay here and protect Orpheus. Without him, we don't stand a chance.

Gabrielle gave a nod and Xena left the group. It was a little later as Gabrielle stood outside, overhearing Joxer and Orpheus bantering as Orpheus scolded Joxer for trying to play one of his instruments. She idly looked around as she waited for Xena to get back and spotted a group of women dancing a little in the distance as she could faintly hear the music from there. As she watched, another small group of women walked by her as they seemed to be heading towards the music. Curious as to what was going on, Gabrielle popped into the doorway.

GABRIELLE
Hey, there's something I wanna check out quick. I'll be right back.

JOXER
Wait, where are you going?

GABRIELLE
Just stay here.

Before Joxer could object, Gabrielle left. She followed the music and the other women as she soon found herself at what she assumed was the heart of the festival that was going on. There was music and dancing. It looked to be a very festive gathering aa aside from the music, Gabrielle heard a woman's voice beginning to sing.

SINGER
🎵 The moon is up and there's a chill tonight.
Come on and dance away the growing fright.
Wave your hands in the air like you just don't care.
Want to get with the rhythm 'til the morning light.
Used to think that I liked being all alone,
But now I'm feeling kind of warm, like it's nice to be.
And should have known better than to want to be 'lone,
But the beat is so strong I got ta-take it on.
Ah come on, ah, come on, ah, do it with me now.
Ah come on, ah, come on, do it with me now.
Ah come on, ah, come on, do it with me.
If you want my love, ya gotta drink da blood.
I want ta dance with you; I want you right next to me. 🎵

As the song continued, Gabrielle saw two women dancing together. She found herself strangely mesmerized by their movements, as their bodies seemed to flow effortlessly with the beat of the music. Feeling drawn towards them, without thinking, Gabrielle made her way through the others around her as she joined the pair in their dance as the song continued around them.

SINGER
🎵I want your soul, and I'll give you what you need to be.
Feel the music; sniff your hair.
I'll keep you warm against the cold night air.
Just one kiss is what you need right now.
Just one kiss and I will show you how.
Just one kiss is what you need tonight.
To go dancing with the devil by the pale moonlight.
Ah come on, ah, come on, ah, do it with me now.
Ah come on, ah, come on, do it with me now.
Ah come on, ah, come on, do it with me.
If you want my love, ya gotta drink da blood.
Ah come on, ah, come on, ah, do it with me now.
Ah come on, ah, come on, do it with me now.
Ah come on, ah, come on, do it with me.
If you want my love, ya gotta drink da blood.🎵

As Gabrielle lost herself in the atmosphere as elsewhere, a couple of thieves were speaking to a couple of women who were holding a golden lyre.

THIEF 1
Hey there ladies. You look like you could use a little help.

THIEF 2
Yeah, that hunk of gold looks much too heavy for pretty things like you to carry on your own.

One of the women smiled as she beckoned the men closer.

WOMAN 1
(Alurring tone) My hero. Such big strong men and cute too. What would we have done if you two hadn't come along to help us?

WOMAN 2
(Alurring tone) Yes, so why don't you come closer, and we'll let you have it.

One of the thieves smiled as they both began to come closer to the women

THIEF 1
(Sinister tone) Oh, that's not all you'll let me have.

With dark intentions, the thieves were about to grab the women when they suddenly saw the women transform into wolves. Leaving the thieves very confused, as they didn't know that this was the giveaway that these were no normal women, but that they were actually Bacchae.

THIEF 2
What the...

Before he could finish, the wolf forms of the Bacchae lunged at both men as they sunk their sharp teeth into their flesh. The men screamed in terror and agony as their flesh was viciously torn from their bodies and claws ripped open their skin as they tried to fight off the Bacchae. But the Bacchae were relentless as they followed their bloodlust. Screams of horror rang out as the thieves found themselves unable to fend off the bloodthirsty creatures. One of the Baccie tackled one of the thieves to the ground and clamped her teeth down on the man's throat as she then tore it open, brutally killing the thief in the process. The other thief screamed as the second Bacchae brought him down and used her teeth and claws to rip him open and turn him into a bloodied heap of human remains.

?
Hey girls, sorry to break up the party.

The transformed Bacchae looked over to see Xena with her sword drawn as she quickly surveyed the carnage on the scene.

XENA
So do you wanna make the first move or should I?

TO BE CONTINUED...