Chapter 31
Elissa was right about Lao Pan and Cassandra, they were instant friends. They talked for hours about healing herbs and understanding the significance of dreams. Elissa didn't share with them her own power for prophetic dreams. She wasn't certain why, but to her it was a private thing that she always shared with her mother. Lysippe had been on her mind a lot lately; maybe it was because her mission was concluding, she wasn't certain. She did know that she missed her mother's love and guidance more each day.
Cassandra found Elissa sitting under a tree, lost in thought. The Amazon fascinated her with her beauty and strength. She wondered what she would have done in her place, if Methos had taken her captive. Something told Cassandra that the Four Horsemen would have been short a couple of heads by the time she was through with them.
Never opening her eyes, Elissa asked. "Did you need something?"
Cassandra jumped when the quiet voice took her by surprise. "I wanted to ask if you needed anything. You haven't eaten all day."
"I'm fasting. Tonight, I will try to reach my sisters in their dreams. I'm afraid if I don't find them soon that they will be lost to me."
"May I ask you a question, or do you want me to leave you alone?"
"No, you may join me if you want." Elissa looked up at the voluptuous ash blonde.
"Why do you work so hard to get them back? You are a long way from your homeland, and don't know how long it will take you to find the ones you seek. What happens if you don't find them?"
"I search for them because they are my responsibility. I vowed not to return to my homeland as long as my sisters languished in slavery. We are a tribe, but Amazons are more than that; we share a blood bond. It holds us together through all adversity. Our tribe never leaves a warrior behind, dead or alive."
Cassandra took in the soft words. She had never heard of a tribe that fought others, even for their dead. "You would fight for my dead body if I were an Amazon?"
"Yes. We will allow no one to dishonor our sisters, most especially our dead." The former captive stood up to leave Elissa to her preparations. "Cassandra." The other woman stopped in her tracks. "I would fight for you."
Some part of Cassandra that had died during her captivity began to flower back to life. She saw Elissa close her large, emerald eyes in meditation and walked back to the house. Her steps were lighter than they had been in years.
Elissa slowed her breathing allowing her mind to clear. She had several hours to go before she would be ready to contact her sisters. She invoked her mother's spirit to guide her so that her journey will be successful. She felt a warm breeze surround her and knew that her mother was near.
"Rest easy, my child. You will find what you seek, but there will be a price."
"Mother, is that you?" Elissa tried to open her eyes, but found that she couldn't.
"Yes, my daughter. I don't have much time; the veil is thick surrounding this isle."
"What must I do to find my sisters?"
"A Shadow Lord hovers over a city to the north. You must go and help fight him in order to save your sisters' souls." The soft breeze caressed Elissa's cheek and ruffled her hair.
"Mother, don't go. I miss you. Please, don't leave me." Tears raced down her cheeks, as the wounds on her heart burst open once more. Elissa felt as if she was losing Lysippe all over again. The hatred she felt for Gabrielle and Xena burned brighter than ever in that moment.
Chapter 32
Gabrielle wondered how they were going to stop Yodoshi and rescue the souls he held prisoner. She knew Xena felt responsible for his creation. Gabrielle wasn't going to allow her to do something stupid. As far as she was concerned, Xena had more than paid for her past. They would fight this enemy just like they had all the others - together. Xena joined her on a high wall. They stood looking out over the land surrounding at the city.
"I thought I heard something," Gabrielle whispered.
"Listen to what's behind the sounds," Xena told her.
Gabrielle closed her eyes and slowed her breathing. She heard marching, flames and horses snorting. Her eyes flew open to gaze into serious blue eyes. "How many are there?"
"At least three armies are gathering, maybe more."
"I'll go and tell the others to prepare."
Xena watched Gabrielle leave, then went to Akemi's home. Xena went to a small, hidden room and lit incense before a statue. Bowing low to draw in the acrid smoke, she began a low chant. "Akemi...help me to know what to do to make this right. What can I do to release the souls that your father holds prisoner? Did I help create this monster? Am I responsible for this, like I am for so many other things?" Tears streamed down Xena's face as she thought of the small girl who retained a piece of her heart.
"One should not demand absolute purity or perfectness. Remember one justice can overpower a hundred evils. Fire, ice and the heart of a warrior will set the souls free."
Gabrielle entered the outer chamber, wearing Japanese armor over her clothes. "Xena, are you in here?"
"I'm coming, Gabrielle." Xena emerged from the room, with a lighter heart thanks to Akemi's words, believing that she had figured out what they symbolized.
"The men are ready and the gate is bolted shut. I'm not sure how long that will hold them, but at least it will slow them down for little while."
~~~~~
Thanks to her mother's words, Elissa didn't need to disturb her sister Amazons' dreams. Lao Pan told her everything he knew about the Eater of Souls. She quickly gathered provisions to head towards the city to the north. She feared that not only her sister's lives, but also their very souls, were at risk, and it weighed heavily on her shoulders.
Cassandra rushed outside just as Elissa prepared to depart. "Wait! I wish to go with you."
"I don't know what I am heading into, Cassandra. Mother's spirit said that their souls are in danger."
"Please, Elissa. I can help with the wounded. My instincts tell me that I'm supposed to be wherever you are at." Large blue eyes looked into expressive green ones.
"Can you at least defend yourself?"
Cassandra's normally gentle blue eyes darkened, she bowed her head and spoke quietly under her breath. Her head snapped back as she flung her hands into the air. Lightning sprung from her hands, the ground shook, and a bolt hit the ground several feet in front of where Elissa stood.
The Amazon Queen turned to look at the former captive with a speculative question in her eyes. "If you can do that why were you chained to a tree when I found you?"
"I have to ground myself to the Earth, pulling on its energy. All things share a balance. If I use this power for healing, the balance shares it freely. But, if I use it for other means, it takes more out of the Earth and me. My mother taught me to honor the way and not abuse the power. I will use it in this fight to help release the captive souls and to keep your sisters from being captured. It is my way of thanking you." Cassandra regally bowed her head.
In that moment, Elissa perceived Cassandra as she once was, before her captivity, and as she could be again. "Gather your things quickly. I don't think that we have much time."
Chapter 33
Elissa and Cassandra approached Higuchi, only to find it surrounded by a formidable army. They watched as the army loaded catapults with coal, preparing to send them over the high walls into the city.
"They are going to burn the city to the ground. My sisters could be inside those walls." Elissa searched for a weakness in the line or a way to stop the force. An idea sprang to mind and she looked at the woman who rode beside her. "Cassandra, I have an idea."
~~~~~
Harukata, Idoshi's general, signaled the soldiers to light the fires. The horses stomped as they waited for the command to ride into battle. Soldiers grasped their weapons and their bodies tensed in anticipation.
A harsh wind blew through the camp knocking over horses and soldiers alike. Several catapults fell over, knocking into the ones next to them; Harukata gave the command to release the remaining catapults.
~~~~~
Xena watched as the army prepared to light the catapults. She turned to Gabrielle in confusion when the catapults fell over from some unseen force and the soldiers and horses stumbled out of alignment.
"What is happening down there?" Gabrielle tried to get a better look.
"I can't tell. Duck," Xena pushed the smaller woman out of the way of flying embers.
"We have to do something to put these fires out." Xena noticed the water tower on the other side of the village. "We've gotta release the water from the tower. Gabrielle, what would you do?"
"I saw these acrobats. They used a…"
"Show me, Gabrielle."
Gabrielle walked over and grabbed a rope. "Climb on." They swung though the city and landed on an overhang, bounced up, flipped backward, and landed on a rooftop.
"A-la-la-la-la-she-e-e-yah," Xena chanted.
A warrior climbed up a ladder to the window. Gabrielle kicked the ladder causing the warrior to fall. She jumped onto the ladder as Xena grabbed onto the other side. Using their combined body weight, they spun the ladder through the village, stopping when they reached water tower. Gabrielle grabbed the waterspout, grunting as she turned it. It wouldn't budge. Xena took out her sword and knocked it off with a loud shout. Water sprayed out over the city, putting out the fire.
~~~~~
Elissa rode her horse straight through the army, hacking and slicing anything that that got in her way. She saw that the flames already licked several roofs in the city and kicked her horse, urging it to go faster. Cassandra's magic wrapped around the Amazon Queen like another layer of armor. Arrows, knives, and swords couldn't penetrate it to harm the small she-devil ravaging their ranks. Elissa smiled, giving thanks to Artemis' spirit for leading her to the blonde witch who had turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
The fire died just as she reached the city gates, and she swung her horse around to face the approaching army. In her peripheral vision, Elissa saw Xena and Gabrielle rush from the city into battle with the soldiers.
Xena stood surrounded by soldiers firing arrows at her. She dodged most of them, but seemed unphased by the ones that had struck true. She fought with her usual skill, a katana in her hand, and slaughtered anyone that came near her. Gabrielle fought further afield, holding her own until she saw what was happening to Xena. She started running to get to her lover's side realizing what Xena was intending to do, and raced to stop her.
Elissa watched the scene unfold, her mother's words ringing in her ears as she raced after her birth mother. She got to Xena before Gabrielle. Pushing the Warrior Princess out of the way, she met the general's sword with her own. Xena screamed with frustration, Gabrielle pulled her away while she watched her daughter fight the general with a deadly grace. The bard felt her heart rise up into her throat, wondering if one love would have to be sacrificed to save another.
Xena fought against Gabrielle's surprisingly strong grip. "Let me go, Gabrielle," she bit out through clenched teeth. "Elissa is butting into something that isn't her place. This is what I have to do to set this right. I am the only one who can set the souls inside Yodoshi free."
"No, Xena, your death won't solve anything. Haven't you learned by now that I won't let you go? I love you and will follow you into Hell if I have to, but I don't think that is what this is all about. You aren't the reason that Yodoshi took those souls, he is. Don't you understand that you have paid for your past?" Tears raced down Gabrielle's face as she pleaded with Xena to listen to her.
The sounds of battle stopped them from continuing their conversation. Turning back around, they witnessed a change in the general's body. He stood taller while his face slowly morphs into that of Yodoshi. The Eater of Souls started laughing, a horrible hollow sound that echoed the tormented souls held prisoner inside him. Elissa listened carefully, slowly moving closer to the monster before her. She heard Scyleia's soul cry out her. Scyleia was the youngest to journey with her and her mother on the cursed campaign. The happy, excited girl talked the entire way about how she wanted to prove herself to Elissa. A slow heat started to burn inside the blonde Amazon's heart. The flicker became a flame, which turned into a burning intense fire. Elissa melted into a blazing passionate inferno, intent on blasting Yodoshi into a million pieces.
Gabrielle screamed and it was Xena's turn to hold the smaller woman. The remaining soldiers moved back in fear. Yodoshi laughed again, this time in true joy at the thought of taking this soul. Its power would make him unstoppable. He would be able to take over the Underworld and rule those who refused him admittance. He released the General's body to meet the flaming beauty with his own spirit in the form of an ice dragon. Yodoshi hit Elissa's fire with great gulfs of icy breaths, surprising her by freezing her in place.
Elissa fought to free herself from the icy prison. The wind carried a soft voice to her. "Fire, ice, and the heart of a warrior will set the souls free." Relaxing her body and mind, the ice melted away. She stood straight and proud, looking the dragon in the eye, then laid her sword on the ground.
"I freely give you my life in exchange for the release of the souls you now carry," her voice rang out over the field.
The ice dragon melted back into Yodoshi's form. He looked at her closely, trying to see if she was trying to trick him. He delved into her, searching out the power held within her soul, returning with a euphoric grin on his face. He must have this soul. To have it willingly ceded would give him even more power. He could take this soul, and with it easily retrieve all the ones he released.
"I accept." Yodoshi motioned for Elissa to come forward.
In his hand was the katana that Akemi gave Xena. She dropped it, preparing to allow the general to take her head. Now, the Eater of Souls would use it to kill Gabrielle's daughter. Xena watched, unsure how this all came about. This should have been her, not Elissa, it was her doings that caused this, and now Gabrielle would lose her daughter again because of her. She had to think of a way to stop this. Taking a step forward, Xena saw Akemi's sad face staring back at her.
"You must not interfere. It is as I have told you. A warrior's heart is needed to free the souls. Watching and waiting is a true test of who you have become, Xena. Can you do this? Have you truly changed? Will you allow others to do what must be done, or will you race in to change the fate of everyone?"
"Akemi, why did you send for me if you didn't need me to change what happened?"
"But, you can't change what happened, my friend. You can only help what is and what will become. Don't you see what you have become, Xena? That is the lesson; that is the journey."
Chapter 34
Cassandra raced her horse around the city, dodging the soldiers like wraith. She came upon a scene from a nightmare, not sure that she would ever forget it for the rest of her long life. There stood Elissa, one moment bathed in flames like some type of goddess, and the next frozen in place. Now, she was laying down her sword. What had happened in the short amount of time that it took her to catch up to her new friend? Cassandra couldn't believe that she would find someone that would care about her enough to die for, only to lose her so quickly. She wondered about the Amazons that Elissa was searching for. Did she find them and did that have something to do with what was happening?
The blonde witch slipped from her horse and quietly walked up to stand beside two women who watched her friend as closely as she did. Not knowing who they were or their intentions towards Elissa, Cassandra pulled on her connection to the Earth, prepared to come to her friend's aide if needed. She watched and waited, trusting in Elissa's judgment, and listened to the words being spoken.
"If I willing give you my life, will you release all you hold captive?" Elissa asked again, making sure the Eater of Souls agreed to her offer.
"I will release all the souls in exchange for your life," Yodoshi answered. He moved closer to her, backing Elissa up to the river's edge, drawing Akemi's katana up into his hands, he thrust it straight into her heart.
Elissa didn't utter a sound, except for a soft gasp as the cold steel pierced her heart. She felt her life's blood flow from her as she slowly fell back into the rushing water behind her. Yodoshi froze the water to prevent her soul from escaping him. Opening his inner self, the trapped souls raced towards freedom. The Eater of Souls stalked towards his prey, intent on capturing the prized soul that would give him all the power he craved and allow him to rule the Underworld. Raising the katana once more, Yodoshi went to break the ice when the released souls attacked. They tore at him with all the fury their souls held inside for the forty years they lamented within their prison. Yodoshi raised the katana trying to fight off the spirits, but the steel passed through them with no effect. He screamed as they ripped him into little pieces that blew away on the wind before disappearing.
Cassandra was the first to react. She ran to the river's edge, searching for Elissa's body, but it wasn't there. Frantically she jumped into the racing water, flailing about, trying to find her friend. Two strong arms pulled her back to shore, kicking and screaming.
"Let me go. She has to be there. The water was frozen. She was right there. She was right there," Cassandra whispered to herself, her lips already turning blue from the cold water. Someone wrapped a blanket around her, and began rubbing her arms.
"She's gone. Whatever Yodoshi did at the end it took Elissa with him," a sad voice explained.
Cassandra looked up into beautiful blue eyes, a strong face, surrounded by long, luxurious, black hair. "Who are you and why were you just standing there watching? Why didn't you help her?"
"I'm Xena and this is Gabrielle. We couldn't interfere. Elissa chose to offer herself to free the souls. She understood that there wasn't any other way, and we have to accept it. That is our burden." Xena walked away, unsure if she was walking away from her past mistakes or her life with Gabrielle.
"How do you know Elissa?" Gabrielle yearned to follow her lover, but needed to understand the woman who obviously cared for her daughter.
"She saved my life when no one else cared. Do you know if she found her missing sisters?"
"There are Amazons here in Higuchi?" Cassandra nodded at Gabrielle's question. "She didn't get a chance to search. Elissa rode straight into the battle. I'll help you find them and we can send them home for her, if you would like."
Cassandra smiled a soft, wistful smile. "I'd like that - for her." Her large blue eyes gazed out, once more tracing the river's flow as if she could see the path her friend's body might have taken. Tears fell down her cheeks at the thought that she would never get to see that beautiful face again. Elissa was the first person in such a long time to show her kindness. Cassandra knew that her feelings for the Amazon Queen grew into something more within hours of knowing her, but she hid those feeling like she hid most of her feelings. Now, she would never know if the small golden woman that she dreamed about each time she closed her eyes would ever feel the same way about her. At least she could honor her by finishing her quest and seeing that her sister Amazon returned to their homes.
~~~~~
Gabrielle caught up with Xena not long after that. She found her in Akemi's house, sitting in the hidden room staring at the small statue. The Warrior Princess' eyes remained closed even though she felt Gabrielle enter the room. The famous Xena who faced gods, fought angels and the Devil himself, was afraid of what this small blonde woman was about to say to her. If she didn't have to see Gabrielle's face when she told her that she blamed her for Elissa's death, she might survive this.
"Xena, look at me," Gabrielle said softly, placing a hand on Xena's cheek, turning her head to face her.
Large blue eyes gazed into green ones, searching for the rejection and hate they expected to see. It wasn't there. Tears formed turning the blue into brilliant crystals. Gabrielle's thumbs traced the high cheekbones, smoothing away the tears. After placing a gentle kiss on the strong lips, she leaned back to explain what she wanted to do and how she felt about what had happened.
"I told Cassandra that we would help her find the missing Amazons, and help them get back to their tribe. Cassandra wants to go with them when they go. She was in love with Elissa. I don't know if Elissa felt that same way, but I think that Cassandra will be good for the tribe." Gabrielle took a deep breathe before she continued. "I know that you feel responsible for what happened. Xena, we wouldn't have come here if I hadn't asked you to help me find Elissa. I think that it was all meant to be this way. We can bring her back, like you did for me. Maybe it was her fate to help release those souls. I heard her call out to one of the souls that was what got her so angry. I can go to the Amazon burial ground and retrieve my daughter's soul. With your help, I know that I can get her back."
Xena remembered Akemi's words about having to accept what was happening. "We can't do that Gabrielle. Even though the souls have been released, if the sacrifice is disturbed they won't find peace. We can't bring her back or she will have died for nothing. It will dishonor everything she did and what she lived and died for." Gabrielle broke into great wracking sobs. Xena gathered her close in her arms, rocking her like a baby, brushing light kisses on the crown of her head. "We will mourn her together and we will learn to live with what happened here today. I promise to never leave you, in life or in death, I'll always be with. You're my soulmate, Gabrielle. I don't know what I'd do if you ever turned away from me. I love you with everything that I am."
Gabrielle tipped her head back; her arm snaked up around Xena's neck to pull her down for a loving kiss. "I'll never turn away from you. When will you understand that? I'm yours now and forever."
Chapter 35
Cassandra stood on the bow of a boat with five other Amazons. They looked out at the island that held such terrible memories for them. It was also Elissa's burial ground. A memorial service was put together the day after locating the last remaining Amazon. Elissa's loss was felt by each member and it was a somber affair.
Xena and Gabrielle attended; each placing flower wreathes in the water. They said a silent prayer for the Amazon Queen's soul before walking away. The Amazons did not welcome the two warriors into their fold, and refused to continue the ceremony until they left.
Cassandra felt unsure about boarding the ship. A prick at the back of her mind kept telling her that she was forgetting something, something important, but she couldn't figure out what it was. Reluctantly the blonde witch joined the others; she watched the island until it faded out of sight. She never told others that she had been having dreams where she saw Elissa alive, fighting, and laughing. Cassandra thought this time it was her heart ruling her head, rather than the prophetic dreams that had followed her throughout her life.
~~~~~
Xena and Gabrielle sailed around Jape's outer edge into the open sea. They breathed in the salty air then turned to smile at each other.
Sighing in relief to be away from the small isle, Gabrielle broached the subject first. "Where do you want to go?"
Xena brushed the hair away from Gabrielle's face. "You pick this time."
"What about the land of the Pharaohs. I hear they need a girl with a chakram," she said.
"Wherever you go, I'm always at your side," Xena said.
"I knew you'd say that," Gabrielle replied.
They turned to watch the dolphins jump in the water, their arms wrapped around each other knowing they could face anything as long as they did it together.
~~~~~
A monk went to the river to gather water and found the body of a battered woman. It was obvious that she had died in battle. He didn't know her name or her beliefs, but felt that it was only honorable to give her a proper burial. The monk gently placed her under a large tree in the gardens at the monastery. He placed smooth stones from the riverbed over her body to protect her from spirits and predators. After the body was properly covered, the monk sat beside the grave placing incense and prayer beads around it for further protection to guide the soul on its journey.
He sat for hours saying prayers for the poor warrior, who he believed in his heart, must have fought valiantly. Once his ministrations were done, the monk silently left the garden feeling he had done all that he could. With his back turned, the monk did not see the rocks start to move or the small hand that broke through the carefully constructed grave.
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