As the blackness began to penetrate her heart again, Xena called out. "Don't forget, Gabrielle!" She listened to the echo. "Don't forget how I promised you that I would not return to evil if something happened to you! Do you remember that Gabrielle? Gabrielle!" Xena remembered. She remembered how, while tracking Callisto, Gabrielle had made Xena promise her that if something were to happen to her she would not become, as Gabrielle put it, "a monster."

"I promised you Gabrielle. I won't forget." Xena wasn't sure why she was thinking these thoughts. She wanted to think good thoughts, though. It seemed necessary. She remembered Gabrielle's touch. She remembered how Gabrielle had leaned over her to kiss her when she thought the Warrior Princess had died from a dart from Callisto's gun. She remembered holding Gabrielle after Dahak had harmed her, trying to encircle her in her arms and protect her. - I should have protected you more, Gabrielle, - Xena thought. - I shouldn't have left you with that bastard Khrafstar. - The guilt brought a wave a blackness, and Xena halted to let it pass before she called out her friend's name again and moved another step. She had no idea how long she had been in this absolute darkness, but she had a feeling that it was much longer than she liked. There seemed to be no end, no change in the echoes. "Gabrielle!" A slight sobbing sound escaped from Xena's lips this time as she called out the name. A dark demon, the voice had said. For Xena, there was only one light. "Gabrielle, I love you!" She cried out.

Something happened. Xena felt ground beneath her foot. What was going on? "Gabrielle!" No change, but Xena moved forward, the steps beneath her now a bit more solid. The darkness still pierced her. She continued step after slow step, her hands feeling to her side, finding nothing. Only her boots now secured something, and even though she had no idea what she walked on, the solid matter beneath her was of some comfort. "Gabrielle! I'm coming!" She cried. "Hang on!" Xena wondered if Gabrielle could hear her. Could she not answer? Xena thought of all the times Gabrielle had managed to get herself caught, trapped by Xena's foes. - I should have left her in Potidaea, - Xena thought. - Joxer's right. This is all my fault. -

Suddenly the flooring vanished and Xena was once again in empty space. She stopped. What caused that? Why would the solid flooring come and go? Something wasn't right. "Gabrielle" she cried. What had she said before? "Gabrielle, I love you!" The floor beneath her returned, a rocky but solid foundation. "I love you Gabrielle!" Positive thoughts, Xena realized. - I have to think good, positive thoughts, and I can't blame myself. - "I'm coming Gabrielle." She listened for the echo and moved towards it. It seemed closer, louder.

"You have my heart, Gabrielle!" She cried. "Do you remember? Do you remember when we fought the Horde? Do you remember that, Gabrielle? You saved me! Your love saved me! Save me now, Gabrielle!" And suddenly there were walls. Xena stopped. There was an answer to this. She wasn't quite sure what it was yet, but there was an answer. She had walls and a floor. No light, but she had walked in blindness once before to save Gabrielle. She had found her way then; she would do it now. She would risk everything for Gabrielle.

"Gabrielle, do you remember how we comforted each other during long nights at the campfire? The secrets we shared? There are some things only you and I know. We love each other. And it's a pure love!" The air around Xena was graying now. "I'm coming Gabrielle! Save me, Gabrielle! Please, yell out so I can find you! I know you love me too! Prove me right!"

Xena's leather swished in the dark. She could make out the details of the talisman of Ares now. She heard a howling sound and a cry of pain. "Gabrielle!" She rushed forward. No reaching now. Now she had solid ground, walls, and a lighted path. She raced ahead, trying not to limp with the injury in her right thigh. She entered a huge cavernous room, - as wide as all of Tartarus, - Xena thought. Far to the left a huge gaping skull mouth dominated the area. And in it, caught between long jagged teeth, was Gabrielle. "Gabrielle!"

"Xena!"

Xena stopped. Was it Gabrielle? Or was it Hope? She couldn't tell. "Where's Hope?"

"I don't know. She saved me when I fell, and then I ended up here. Hurry Xena! Hurry!"

Xena took another step forward. The air was gray and heavy with fog. She could taste death and bad ale. "Gabrielle, are you hurt?"

"No Xena. Hurry up, will you? I want out of here!"

Xena stopped. Would Gabrielle have said that?

"Xena!?"

Xena couldn't tell for sure who was behind the skull's teeth. She moved closer. "Let me see if there's some way to get you out of here Gabrielle."

"Just use your sword!"

Xena took a step back. "No, you're not Gabrielle. You're Hope."

"Xena, what are you saying?"

"Gabrielle would have already figured out how to open this trap. She would have at least pointed out the latch to me." Xena pointed to a relatively simple opening contraption on the right side of the skull. "Gabrielle would have done that immediately, if she hadn't freed herself by now, which she could have done simply by throwing a few rocks at that." Xena stepped lightly on the lever and the teeth of the skull opened.

The image of Gabrielle threw back her head and laughed. "You are good, Xena!" Her voice, like Gabrielle's, made Xena shiver involuntarily. "You are so good. And I guess I didn't give my little mother credit enough for brains either, if you think she would have figured that out. Of course I suppose that was rather simple, wasn't it?" Hope looked askance at Xena, her eyes flickering. Xena saw the dark light dance in her pupils.

"What have you done with Gabrielle?"

"Oh Xena," Hope said as she moved around, circling the warrior princess. "Mother's safe, don't worry. She's with Father. You should have seen their happy little reunion."

"Ahhhhh!!!" Xena drew her sword from her scabbard. "You wicked little bitch!"

"Come on, Xena." The voice was Gabrielle, the look was Gabrielle, but this was not Gabrielle. "Don't be like that. You know Mother does have some sex drive, and Father can be such a handsome thing when he's all aflame. I'm sure you remember."

Xena's temper flared. She moved to stab Hope, but was stopped immediately by Hope's mental powers. They seemed stronger to the Warrior Princess, who had been trapped in them just before Gabrielle had pulled her daughter over the ledge and into the pit. "What are you doing?"

Hope laughed. "You can't stop me. You don't even have the hind's blood knife."

"Guess again." Xena said. "I don't have the hind's blood knife, but I have the hind's blood."

Hope's eyes opened in alarm. "What are you talking about?"

"My sword." Xena replied, her voice low and even. "I rubbed it with the hind's blood knife before I left. There is hind's blood on my sword. Do you want it or should I give it all to Daddy?"

Hope laughed. "You're too late anyway, Xena. My child has been born; my mother even attended the delivery. My father's will is to be the Way. You may as well accept it." She moved slowly, watching Xena struggle to bring her sword up to the young goddess's throat.

"Xena."

The voice behind her was Gabrielle's. Xena turned her head. Her friend stood before her, dressed in flaming red with a crown on her auburn hair. "Oh Gabrielle," she whispered.

Hope took the opportunity to disappear as Gabrielle ran to Xena and embraced her.

"I'm sorry Xena, but you'll die if you kill Hope," Gabrielle said, raising her face from Xena's bosom to look into the deep blue eyes of her friend. She rubbed a hand over Xena's face, biting her lip as she saw the gash in her forehead.

Xena pulled her head away from Gabrielle's hand. "Like I didn't nearly die trying to get here? You knew I would come after you." Xena's eyes flickered anxiously over Gabrielle. "Has he hurt you -- did he -- again?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "No. Nothing's been done to me, not much anyway. I didn't expect Hope to save us when we fell, Xena. I thought we both would die, and I never thought you'd come for me. But then I saw you coming when the pain demons were after you."

"That was you!" Xena remembered the voice. Her voice shook as she recalled her experience in the darkness.

Gabrielle led her gently to a rock, "I think you need to sit down. Let me look at you." She examined the badly-wrapped wrist and the blood on her leather. "Xena!"

"I've had worse. Gabrielle, was that you in the darkness, too? The whispering?"

Gabrielle let her tears fall. "There's a viewing space over there," she pointed behind Xena, "and I watched you as much as I could. I tried to help you but I couldn't. I'm so sorry Xena. They almost killed you."

"I suspect that was the point." Xena inhaled sharply as Gabrielle touched the wound in her side. "Aren't we kind of in danger here?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "I don't know of any way out. Hope has grown so strong I don't know of any way to kill her; and she did have her child."

"And you helped?" Xena felt her heart darken. - Was Ares right about Gabrielle after all? -

"I had to; they made me." Gabrielle pointed to two grinning imps that stood by another entrance to the cavern. "They're my body guards. Or task masters."

Xena let out a sigh of relief. Gabrielle had not betrayed her. "Why am I still alive?"

"I think they're surprised that you survived their dark demon."

Xena smiled sadly. "Because of you. Your light brought me through."

"Also, they don't think you can hurt them down here. But that might change soon if they think you've really got hind's blood on your sword." Gabrielle looked quizzically at Xena, but received no reply.

Xena allowed herself to lean into Gabrielle. A wave of nausea flowed over her. She had no plan, no way to rescue Gabrielle. Her injuries were a little worse than she'd thought; the gash in her head was the result of a whack and not just a cut. And she'd not had water in ages. "How long?"

Gabrielle's face creased with concern. Xena was definitely hurt. "How long have we been down here? Four days, I think. It's hard to tell without the sun."

Xena knew that to be true. Xena glanced at the two imps by the door. "How long do you think they'll let me sit here free?" Gabrielle shrugged. Xena's face suddenly hardened. "Gabrielle, if you've eaten and drank the food here, what if..."

"What if it's like Persephone and Hades and I'm trapped here because I ate something?" Gabrielle shook her head as she carefully examined the cut on the warrior woman's head. "No, nothing like that is going on here that I know of, Xena. If it is, then I'm caught. But I need to get you some water for your wounds."

Gabrielle stood up. "No!" Xena said. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Don't leave me again."

A laugh brought both women to their feet. "So touching. A bit sickening, however." Hope stood far enough away so that Xena would not be able to rush for her. She wore a dark gown trimmed with red rocks that shined like lava, contrasting with the clothing Gabrielle wore. "I hate to break up this little reunion, but it's time for the baby to eat, Mother dear."

"What does that have to do with Gabrielle?" Xena's hand rested on her chakram.

Hope laughed. "She hasn't told you yet, has she? Mom here is the nursemaid to my little apocalyptic child."

Xena turned to Gabrielle and winced at the sight of tears in her eyes. Beneath the gown, Gabrielle's breasts hung heavy with milk. From the corner of her eye, Xena saw Hope signal the imps. One of them stepped toward Gabrielle. Xena move to intercept, but Gabrielle waved her back. "I'll be okay, and I'll bring you some water," Gabrielle said. She disappeared through a flickering light and was swallowed by darkness.

Xena turned again to Hope. "You're making her suckle that thing you gave birth to?"

"Watch." Hope pointed to the wall behind Xena. Xena took a step to her right, slowly moving until she could see both Hope and the wall. An image formed in a mirror-like surface and Gabrielle and the imp appeared. Gabrielle struggled as the imp forced her to lie back on a smooth surface. The imp slapped the bard hard across the face, and then pulled her arms high above her head and placed them in chains. The imp then threw the gown up around Gabrielle's neck, exposing her entire body. Another imp brought a silent, red-faced child into the room, holding it as far away as possible. The imp pushed the growing baby against Gabrielle's left breast, which was red and swollen, and Xena's friend let out a sharp cry as the child savagely began to suck at her nipple.

Xena's anger caught in her throat as she turned to Hope.

"I'm really glad you dropped in, Xena. Although I admit you surprised me by living this long. But now you can see what I am and what I can do!" The floor beneath Xena's feet rumbled, and a vine wrapped itself around Xena's feet. Xena reached for her sword only to find it flying out of its scabbard of its own accord. Hope caught it neatly in her hand. "My powers have increased, Xena. My presence with my father has only made me more powerful. You have no hope!" She laughed at her pun.

Xena struggled to free herself. The imp at the door grinned evilly at her. Hope examined the sword in her hand, frowning. She couldn't tell if the sword had hind's blood on it. Only a drop could cause her harm. "I think you need to be taught a lesson, Xena. Mother will be back here soon; she can watch and see if you survive the torment of living."

The mirror-like image on the wall still reflected Gabrielle's predicament. The bard moaned in pain as an imp moved the child to the other breast. Gabrielle jerked at the chains.

"Gabrielle!" Xena cried. She struggled harder, but her feet were trapped by this strange creation.

Hope circled the trapped warrior. "Which would hurt Xena more? It's a shame I need Mommy dear. I think it would hurt you more if I hurt her." She moved again. "But it doesn't matter. You both will get what you deserve eventually."

Sweat broke out on Xena's brow. She felt the presence of another. She wanted to reach Gabrielle, but it suddenly appeared as if a wide chasm was between them. Xena knew she was seeing things, knew there was rock and earth to walk upon, if she could free herself, but the vision of a precipice was powerful.

Another demon appeared before Xena. Terrifying in appearance, large and clawed. It's wide mouth, snarling teeth, pug nose, and beady eyes were frightening. Xena looked at the demon as it moved to attack.

Gabrielle returned to the cave, emerging from darkness. "Stop it!" She cried as she saw the demon. "She's hurt!"

"As if she wouldn't kill me the first chance she got?" Hope said. "It's your duty to protect me, Mother."

"Stop calling me mother!" Gabrielle screamed. "I gave birth to you, I didn't mother you!"

"No. You threw me away. How much of what I am is your fault, Mother?" She drew out the last word.

"If I'm your mother, then respect me and stop hurting her!" Gabrielle moved toward her look-a-like. "Stop this madness!"

"I'm sorry, Mother. I lost all respect for you some time ago, when I realized that you loved this woman ‘more than anybody’, as that Joxer-thing said; that you're capable of loving someone who was once so evil but can't give me a chance!" Hope pouted. The imps moved closer to Gabrielle. "Are you staying here to watch Xena die, or coming with me?"

Gabrielle did not reply, but instead set her jaw and her feet, silently daring Hope to move her. Hope used her mental powers and forced her against the wall, away from Xena. "I don't want to hurt you," Hope said. "Your grandchild needs your milk a few more days."

One of the vine ropes reached out from the wall and snared Gabrielle around the waist. Gabrielle watched anxiously as the demon moved toward Xena. To Gabrielle's amazement, Xena threw her arms up above her face and cried out in pain as the demon stood and laughed!

The demon appeared to Xena as Caesar. In her mind, a hammer swung; her legs buckled. She fell to her knees. What she feared most was happening once again. She felt pain in her legs; she could not walk. And there was no Niklio to save her this time! She fought the fear, striking back, her conscious mind searching for a reality.

Hope stood beside Gabrielle, watching. Xena should have fallen with that blow, but the woman was not succumbing. "Oh, she is strong, isn't she?" Hope whispered, awed by the power of the warrior princess. "Perhaps another fear, my demon friend."

The demon ran a claw down Xena's arm, drawing blood. Xena struck back. The fight began in earnest. The demon grabbed her in a choke-hold. She gasped until she was able to maneuver her body so that she could throw the demon aside. The monstrosity rushed her again and she felt its full force against her. This time one of her ankles really did give way under the weight of the demon and the vines which did not allow for movement. Hope waved her hand and the demon pounced on Xena once more. Gabrielle heard Xena's breath go out of her as the fear demon hit her in the stomach. The demon held her down, searching for her biggest fear. Xena began to feel the fear as the demon played inside her head, as the dark demons had done.

A small cry escaped Xena's lips as an image of Gabrielle dying, not by the bard's own action, but by an action of Xena's, entered her head. This was Xena's biggest fear: killing her best friend, somehow being instrumental in her death, even accidentally. As the fear became stronger, so too did the blows to her body.

"Stop it! You're going to kill her!" Gabrielle cried out. She struggled against the vine which held her against the wall.

Hope rolled her eyes. "I've no problem with that, myself, but Father thinks we can use her for something. Use her to control you, if nothing else." Hope smirked. "As long as we have Xena you'll do what I ask, won't you, Mother?"

"Let her go, Hope." Gabrielle's voice rolled deep in her chest as she watched Xena's agony. So close and unable to help! "I haven't tried to get out of here." The fear demon loomed above her fallen friend. Xena's chest moved rapidly; her breath heavy, and to Gabrielle's amazement the warrior princess let out a sob. She stopped fighting, and the demon hit harder and faster. "What's playing through her head?"

"Your death," Hope replied. "The only thing that brings her to her knees. Amazing. She's not scared of Caesar; her anger with him only strengthened her. But the fear demon shows her images of you dying because of some mistake she made, and look at her. Weak."

Indeed Xena now lay nearly prone on the ground, sweat running down her face. Her injuries, bad as they were from the dark demons' beating, were intensified twofold by the fear demon. The fear demon was stronger, even, than the dark demons, because it manifested itself as a single deity. It's continual prodding and beating of Xena's body continued relentlessly.

"Hope," Gabrielle said softly, "is there any humanity in you? Hope looked surprised at the question. "Is there any of my flesh in you?" Gabrielle continued.

"Your blood fed me briefly, yes, if that's what you're asking."

"Then by the gods, please let Xena go!" Gabrielle wasn't sure Xena could climb back from the mental tortures the demon imposed. "It hurts me to see her hurt!"

"She's not going to be any use to us dead, I suppose," Hope said. She waved her hand and the fear demon disappeared.

On to Part IV

Back to The Power & The Passion