JUST ONE BITE

Finale

With a fierce roar, the monsterous wolf-like creature that Xena had become lunged for the huddled and terrified group of Joxer, Ira and the rest of Demeter's priestess'.

JOXER
(Terrified tone) Xena no!

Suddenly, a bright light flashed, and the goddess Demeter appeared between Xena and the others. She raised her hand as Xena lept through the air at her. But just before Xena could reach the goddess, she found herself stopped and held in midair. She growled and snarled ferociously at the goddess as she struggled to get free with no success, which only seemed to enrage Xena further. Unaffected by the beastly form before her, Demeter moved closer to Xena as she remained suspended. Meanwhile, Joxer, Ira and the other women looked on as many breathed a small sigh of relief as they saw Demeter. The goddess stood right in front of Xena who continued trying to get loose but was unable as Demeter reached and placed a hand atop Xena's fur covered head. Immediately, Xena growled as she attempted to move her head away and attack. But found herself completely immobile.

DEMETER
It's okay. I can help.

Then after the goddess spoke, a light began radiating from her hand. It began as a soft glow that could barely be seen within the black fur. However, it took just a couple seconds before the light began to shine brighter. And continued to do so. As the light grew in brightness, it also began to spread out from beneath Demeter's palm and flow across Xena's body. It wasn't long before the light coated Xena entirely. All the while continuing to grow brighter and brighter. Because of this it wasn't long until the light completely engulfed Xena leaving only a blindingly bright silhouette of the wolf creature. Once this happened, Demeter held her hand in place for a few more seconds before pulling it away and standing there. The light then grew even brighter, forcing everyone except the goddess to squeeze their eyes shut. Then as the intense light filled the temple, the glow surrounding Xena's body burst into tiny bits that scattered around and quickly faded away as everyone opened and unshielded their eyes to see Xena standing there looking like her usual self. She stood there for a moment and lifted her hands slightly in front of her and looked at them, seeing that they were normal once more. Her mind becoming clear, Xena looked up from her hands and at Joxer, Ira and the others, who were now much more relaxed after seeing Xena revert to her natural state. She then looked at the goddess, who smiled.

DEMETER
There we are. Back to normal, just as I said.

Xena lowered her hands.

XENA
Thank you. I don't know how that happened, I just... Gabrielle, she...

As soon as Gabrielle came to mind, the panic of losing her hit Xena hard as she turned and immediately started looking for her.

XENA
Wait, Gabrielle, where is she?

After a moment, Xena spotted her laying on an altar where she had been placed just before the doors were barricaded. Quickly, Xena hurried over and stood before her.

XENA
Gabrielle?

Xena slowly reached out and put her hand over Gabrielle's furry neck. She saw her eyes were closed and didn't open when Xena touched her.

XENA
No... no, please. Gabrielle.

Xena could feel the tears welling up in her eyes as she tried to find some kind of pulse or heartbeat beneath the blood covered fur. As she did so, Demeter walked up to stand beside her.