CONQUERING THE CONQUEROR

pt.65

The bright sun hung in the sky as droplets of water fell from the melting snow that sat on the tree branch just outside the window to the Conqueror's bedroom as she stood before her unopened wardrobe. Deep in thought, Xena brought her hand up to her chest as she let it slip into her shirt and traced her fingers over the scar that remained from her last encounter with Draco and how aside from the incident involving the Amazon's, she hadn't seen actual combat since the day she received the injury that had caused the scar that was left behind. She then balled her other hand into a first and let the one on her chest fall as her mind flashed to Gabrielle's face and the devastated look that the young woman had when she discovered what had happened to her sister.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) It’s been a long time, and you might have thought you've taken me off the battlefield for good. But unfortunately for you Draco, the only way to do that will be to kill me.

The Conqueror scowled as she reached into her wardrobe and picked up her sword that had been set in its sheath alongside her armor and drew it as she looked it over to inspect its condition. And as she did, Xena caught a glimpse of herself reflected in the shiny metal. The memories of so many past bloody battles flashed through her mind. The wars she had waged, the people she had killed. The suffering she had caused. And all for what? A quest for power and greed? How many lives had been ruined at the end of her blade?

XENA
(Thinking to herself) I've spent so many years fighting and waging war for my own selfishness. For the lie that I kept telling myself that everything I was doing was for the benefit of Amphipolis and the rest of Greece. But in the end all I really wanted was to bring this world to its knees before me. But now...

Xena paused in her inner monologue as she tightened her grasp on her blade's handle as a new sense of duty and resolve filled her.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) I feel like I'm fighting for something so much more. It took me far too long to realize it, but this war with Draco has stopped being about who holds what land a long time ago. It isn't even about the vengeance I wanted for him nearly killing me anymore.

The Conqueror clenched her fists in anger as the thoughts of Gabrielle crying over her sister and how so many others like the both young women had suffered at the hands of people like Draco and herself. And even though Xena's methods of cruelty and destruction were different from Draco's, it didn't change the fact that far too many had been irreparably harmed by her in one way or another. A fact that had begun to haunt Xena for some time, as now when the woman thought of the incident people who had fallen victim to her, she couldn't help but see Gabrielle mixed in among the sea of pained faces that stood in the Conqueror's path of distraction.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) Too many innocent people like Gabrielle have been suffering for too long because of people like Draco and me. And it has to end.

Xena clenched her fists tighter.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) I know that nothing I do going forward could ever make up for everything I've done. And that's something I'll spend the rest of my life living with. And after I'm done settling things with Draco, I'm not sure what will happen next. Only that I hope Gabrielle will be beside me. But before I can think about whatever future I might have, first I have to put an end to Draco.

Xena swung her blade several times in various directions to gauge where her skill was after having gone such a long time without fighting.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) Hm, normally I'd say this was fine for dealing with Draco. But based on his ability the last time we met and the fact that he's likely gotten a better handle on that damned power Ares gave him, I can't be over confident. Even knowing at least somewhat of what I'm going into, I need to make sure I'm ready for him this time. Or at least be sure that he isn't ready for me.