Heart of Darkness
ChaptersTwenty-Five through
Thirty-Four
by Lynn M. Price
Continued from Chapters Seventeen through Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Danger Zone...
Xena and Gabrielle opened their eyes. They were by themselves, no sign of Elkton or Myklos.
They were surrounded by brick walls lit by a reddish-orange light.
"Are we in?" Gabrielle whispered to her friend.
"Yeah. Why are you whispering?" Xena asked, arching an eyebrow.
Gabrielle looked up at her best friend and shook her head in mild exasperation. "Never mind," the bard said.
Xena grinned at her, putting a hand on her arm to pull her along. "Come on. We don't have much time."
They began their journey to find Mariah.
Elkton kept a close eye on both women as Myklos continued to drench them with the N'Kama oil.
The Mystic noticed a slight change in their bodies. There was some tightening around their foreheads and cheekbones.
He began to help Myklos cover them in the oil, praying they would make it in time.
Galvous led Mariah from her cell to her a room, the teacher flanked by the two guards.
The room was dominated by a large wheel. Mariah looked at it closely. The spokes were labeled with a variety of human fears: loss, death, survival, anger, rage, pain, loneliness, doubt, failure, physical injury...it seemed endless.
Neither said anything as they glared at each other. Galvous broke the silence first.
"We know much about you, my dear," he began.
"Yeah, I just *bet* you do," she said sarcastically, interrupting him, her eyes flashing despite the awful shadows surrounding them. "What do you want with me anyway? You two have gone to a lot of work just to get revenge on Xena."
"I'll admit that's what the initial plan was. But that was before we learned about you, future girl," he laughed. "We get to have our cake and eat it too. We'll take care of Xena and Gabrielle. They'll never even reach you. They'll never figure out how to get through the door at the end of the Dream Passage. And you, Mariah...you're the unexpected bonus, my dear. After you fail in your challenges, you're all ours. You and all that wonderful knowledge of the future you have locked up inside that pretty little head of yours. Morpheus will put your knowledge to good use, never fear. We've seen just a small portion of it, but don't worry. We're looking forward to learning *everything* you know. And we *will* learn all that you know. You can bank on it."
"In your dreams," she retorted sharply. "And the pun *was* intended."
Galvous continued as if she hadn't spoken. "As I was saying, we know much about what you fear. The three tests you will face deal with your fears."
Mariah said nothing. She had suspected as much. She mentally psyched herself up for the first challenge.
She didn't have long to wait.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Let's Get Physical...
Xena and Gabrielle continued through the Dream Passage.
Gabrielle stumbled a bit as she walked. Xena looked at her. She noticed strain around the bard's eyes. "Are you all right?" the warrior asked concerned.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm just a little tired."
Xena stopped suddenly, Gabrielle pulling up beside her. Callisto appeared before them.
"My, you two are looking well," she said with an evil smile. "Let's play, shall we?" She drew her sword and slashed at Xena who easily dodged out of the way.
Callisto looked at Gabrielle, and evil smile appearing on her face. "Oh, by the way, Perdicas said to tell you hello." Xena saw the stricken look on her friend's face at the mention of her dead husband.
"We don't have time for this," Xena hissed. "I won't let you delay us, Morpheus!" she shouted. Callisto disappeared at her words.
"Let's go," Xena said.
She was worried about Gabrielle.
Elkton looked at the girls.
Xena seemed to be holding up better than Gabrielle. The blonde's face was tight, gaunt. He splashed more N'Kama oil on her.
"Come on, little one," he urged. "You can't give up. Keep her moving, Xena."
Galvous walked around Mariah as he spoke.
"As I said before, you'll face three challenges. Spin the Wheel of Torment and face your first test." Mariah looked at him and looked at the wheel. She walked over to it, a determined look in her eye. She grabbed the Wheel of Torment and gave it a hard pull.
The Wheel of Torment spun around and slowed to a stop.
"Here's your first test," Galvous said. "Physical Injury." He threw her a staff.
She caught it easily, her still-swollen hands smarting a bit at the contact.
He gestured at the guards. "You've never been a physical person, Mariah. Oh, you've kept yourself in shape and all, but you've never been big on fighting and physical violence, have you? Remember Risa? And in your dreams, you've often questioned yourself about how you would react in a physical life or death situation. How far would you go to save yourself from certain death? Now here's your chance to find out. These two are here to kill you. And they *will* kill you. If you let them. All you have to do to pass the test is make it out of the room. Alive." He exited, leaving her alone in there with the guards.
They both drew their swords as they advanced on her.
She backed up warily, stomach churning, as she watched them through bleary, bloodshot eyes, twirling her staff in a series of defensive figure eights. She had never simultaneously faced two swordsmen before, and physically, she was almost at the end of her rope. She thought back to something Xena had once told her: Divide and conquer. Could she do it? The guards advanced on her. She didn't have much choice.
The first guard swung at her. Her instinct for survival kicked in. She deflected the blade easily, swung her staff around and brought it down hard on his forearm. She heard the bone crack. He howled in pain, dropping the sword. She ducked to avoid a glittering blade coming at her neck and brought her staff around in time to catch the second guard in the stomach, ramming the staff in as hard as she could. She heard the air whoosh out of his lungs as he dropped to his knees. Mariah turned again to the first guard, bringing her staff down sharply on his other forearm, breaking the bone there as well. A short quick shot to the jaw knocked him out.
Now Mariah had to contend with the second guard who had recovered from the blow she gave him. He was back on his feet, sword in hand, murder in his eyes. She watched his eyes as Xena had taught her, backpedaling, twirling her staff, her strength slowly leaving her. She caught the tiny shift that telegraphed his next move. He feinted left, and lunged right, but the teacher was ready for him. Narrowly dodging the blade, she hooked her staff neatly around his sword, yanking it from his hand. She whipped the staff around, deftly catching him on the side of his face. He soon was on the floor unconscious like his partner.
She stood over them, breathing hard, hands throbbing, her body trembling. She was still physically weak from lack of sleep, and this effort did not help her. The men were out cold and would be for some time. Taking a last look around, she left the room.
Galvous waited for her outside with two more guards. He turned to the two men. "Take her back to her cell. Let her get a little rest before her second challenge."
Mariah looked at Galvous, a grim smile on her face. She was still shaky from her exertions. "Here," she said, tossing him the staff. "If you've been in my mind that often, you know where you can stick this."
His eyes narrowed dangerously. Cocky little bitch!! "Get her out of here," he said, his voice a whisper.
The guards took her away.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Interlude...
Elkton looked at Xena and Gabrielle.
There was no doubt about it. The strain of being in the Dream Passage was taking its toll on them.
"Come on," he told Myklos urgently. "Keep using the N'Kama oil. It's their only hope. Theirs and Mariah's."
The merchant redoubled his efforts at saturating his fiancee's friends.
Mariah was back in her cell. She thought about what Galvous had said.
Three challenges and she would go free. She didn't believe *that*, not for a moment.
She had faced down one fear. She wondered how she would fare against the other two.
She curled up on the bunk and closed her eyes, exhaustion overwhelming her. She fell into a light doze.
Xena and Gabrielle stopped. Mariah was sitting off to the side, her flute in hand. With all that had happened to them, they looked at her suspiciously. Was this another of Morpheus's tricks?
"Mariah! Is it really you?" Gabrielle asked.
"Of course it's me. Who do you think it is?" she asked. She approached her friends. They looked terribly tired and drained, especially Gabrielle. "How come we can see each other?" she asked.
"You must be asleep," Xena said to her. "Your dream and the Dream Passage are overlapping. But, Mariah, we need to be sure you're you," said Xena. "Tell us something so we know for sure."
The teacher looked down at the ground, her mind at work. A thought popped in head when she saw her booted feet. "Nike will help me find my way," she said. She looked up, a puzzled look on her face. "Where in Hades' name did *that* come from?" she questioned aloud.
Her friends' tired faces broke into smiles. "Don't worry about it," Gabrielle said. "We know now that you're you. How are you holding up?"
"Oh, I'm giving them a run for their money. What have I got to lose? I passed their first test. According to Galvous, I've got two more left, but I don't believe him as far as I can throw him with my left hand. I'm supposed to face three of my fears." She told them about the Wheel of Torment. Mariah looked at them; their haggard appearance worried her. "Are you two all right?" she asked, her voice concerned.
Xena gently waved her off. "We're OK. Remember: *you* focus on defeating those challenges. You hang on until we get there."
"Oh, I'll hang on," Mariah said, a determined look on her face. "I'm not beaten yet. Not by a long shot." Her face suddenly softened. "I'll be waiting for you."
The bard and the warrior smiled encouragingly at her as she disappeared.
Galvous was in her cell, roughly shaking her awake. She blinked back the sleep from her eyes, still groggy. She looked at him. "Galvous, you just make me tired all over," she said, her voice weary.
"Get up," he said, dragging her to her feet. "Get ready, girl," he said as he shoved her out of her cell. "It's time for round two."
Chapter Twenty-Eight
King Of Pain...
Mariah was led back to the Wheel of Torment.
"Spin it," Galvous told her. Two guards stood off to the side.
Mariah looked at the warlord. She gripped the wheel and spun it for the second time. She was almost sick when she saw where it stopped.
Pain.
"I need to sit down for a moment," Gabrielle said, her voice and body weary. Xena eased her to the floor.
"You can't sit too long, Gabrielle," Xena told her. "We have to keep moving."
Velasca appeared before them, sword in hand. "Come on, Amazon Queen," she taunted Gabrielle. "It's just you and me. No Ephiny, no other Amazons, no Xena. I want *you*!" she hissed. "I'll kill you just like I killed Melosa."
"You're not here, Velasca," the bard said, shaking her head. "You're still in that lava pit with Callisto. Give it up, Morpheus!" the blonde shouted. Velasca disappeared.
Gabrielle looked at Xena. "Come on. Let's go find Mariah," she said, her voice quietly resolved as Xena reached down and helped her to her feet.
The two set off once again in search of their friend.
"Oh, you'll love this," purred Galvous. He gestured at the two guards. They each seized one of her arms and dragged her to a nearby room.
It was the room from her dream, the room that looked like the torture chamber, complete with manacles, shackles, and the stretching rack. The guards looked at Galvous. He gestured towards the rack. They easily picked up her struggling body and strapped her into the device. She lay there flat on her back, her body fully extended, her arms stretched over her head. She turned her head and looked at Galvous. He stood by a large wooden wheel. Attached to the wheel was a chain that was linked to her extended arms. As the wheel turned, it would pull the chain attached to her arms, stretching her.
"This challenge deals with how well you tolerate pain, Mariah," Galvous said, rubbing his hands together. "You've endured pain before, especially when you had all those cancer surgeries. Remember all those operations? Your neck, your stomach, your back? But that pain was dulled by drugs, wasn't it? This won't be." He smiled evilly at her. Galvous knew pain had frightened her in her dreams. He *knew* she would fail this challenge! "Before we begin," he continued, "I have a question for you: how many years had you been teaching before you wound up here? Four, five, six years?"
"Oh, gee, that's a tough one, Galvous. Let me think," she replied sarcastically as she tugged experimentally at her bonds. She gave him a withering look. "You know damn well it was five years...why bother to ask?"
"You won't be so cocky after I'm done with you, girl." he said glaring at her. "Here's the test. I will turn the wheel and you will get stretched. You have to withstand five links of the chain. One link for every year you taught. Your back will just *love* this, especially the area that was operated upon. Oh, and there are just two conditions, Mariah: you can't scream and you can't pass out. If you do one, the other, or both, you fail. Ready?"
"Like I really have a whole lot of choice in that matter?" she told him, disbelief in her voice. She psyched herself up and silently prayed for strength. She looked at the ceiling, picking out a point to focus on. Focus and breathe, she told herself, you can do this. You *have* to do this!
"One," he said, and turned the wheel so the chain advanced one link.
Mariah felt her arms pull as the wheel turned. Her shoulders began to cramp slightly. It was uncomfortable, but not painful. Not yet.
"Two." The wheel advanced again.
Her upper and middle back began to cramp as her arms and shoulders were pulled by the chain. She kept her eyes open, reminding herself to focus and breathe, focus and breathe. Think of Xena and Gabrielle, she told herself. They're coming for you. Be strong for yourself and for them.
"Three." Another click of the chain.
Tears sprang to her eyes and she grimaced as the pain began to set in. Her shoulders and upper back were on fire, a fire that slowly spread to her lower back. The muscles alongside her ribs cramped and spasmed. Focus. Breathe. You've dealt with worse, she told herself. Remember all those bone marrow biopsies? Remember those needles drawing marrow out of your hips? Come on, girl, you can *do* this!
"Four." Click.
The air whooshed out of her lungs. The pain was truly upon her. Her bones, tendons, and muscles were in a world of hurt. Spasms moved through her shoulders and her upper, middle, and lower back. Her pelvis ached. She moaned as she breathed, fighting back the scream rising in her throat. She closed her eyes as silent tears ran down her face. Damn it, she thought to herself, you fight this, Mariah, don't you give in! Don't you *dare* give in!
"Five." The final link.
The pain was exquisite, her whole body shrieking in protest. She dug in her heels and head, trying to arch her back in an effort to relieve some of the tension. She opened her eyes; her vision swam, darkened. She almost passed out from the pain, but she fought the encroaching darkness. She panted through her clenched teeth. It felt as if her arms were about to tear out of their sockets.
Suddenly, the tension lessened as Galvous angrily released the pressure on the wheel and the chains attached to her arms. The guards walked over and undid the straps holding her to the table. Mariah lay there, curled up, eyes closed, breathing hard, body trembling, muscles twitching and throbbing. She wanted to cry, to yell, to scream, but she refused to give them the satisfaction. There was one good thing about the pain, she thought to herself ruefully as her body slowly recovered: it sure took her mind off of her exhaustion.
Galvous walked over and looked down at her. She sensed he was there and she opened her eyes.
"I just have one thing to say to you, Galvous," she said looking up at him, her blue eyes turning icy, her pain easing, her fighting spirit returning. "Do I send my chiropractor's bill to you or your pal Morpheus?"
He glared at her, cold fury in his face. "Take her back to her cell," he told the guards. "Make sure she is fed and someone tends to her. Morpheus wants her in good shape for her final challenge. Have her ready in an hour. And make sure she doesn't fall asleep!"
The guards helped her down from the table. She stumbled and almost fell. They half dragged, half carried her back to her cell.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Second Interlude...
Elkton and Myklos looked grim.
Xena's and Gabrielle's bodies started to shrivel up.
Elkton whispered in the warrior's ear. "Come on, Xena. You're running out of time."
They only had another hour or two at the most.
"Gabrielle?" a voice gasped.
The bard turned at the familiar voice, saw a body lying on the ground. Perdicas! She went to him, cradling his bleeding body once again in her arms as she had done when Callisto took his life.
"Why didn't you stop Callisto?" he panted at Xena who knelt next to her friend. "You were upset that I took Gabrielle away from you, weren't you? Admit it, Xena: you *wanted* me dead!"
Gabrielle looked at her best friend and her dying husband, her heart aching, tears forming in her eyes. "No," she said to Perdicas. "Xena did everything she could to save you. It just wasn't meant to be,
Perdicas. Wait for me, my love. We'll be together again one day. I promise." she told him softly as he died once again in her arms. They watched as his body disappeared.
She looked at Xena, her weary green eyes glittering from the unshed tears. "That Morpheus has a real keen sense of humor, doesn't he?" she said harshly, the words burning in her throat.
Xena wrapped an arm around her and pulled her to her feet. "Come on," she said gently.
They continued their trek through the Dream Passage.
Galvous was true to his word. Food and water awaited Mariah when she returned to her cell. A healer was there, too. He examined her arms, shoulders, ribs, and back. He made her take off her top and lie face down on the bunk. He wasn't as good as Xena, but he gave her a soothing, thorough massage, rubbing an herbal liniment into her sore, aching muscles. She felt much better after his treatment and after she ate and drank.
Mariah was bone weary, tired, at the brink of exhaustion. But she was determined to win. The fire of survival still burned white hot in her heart. She had to win. She had to hold out until Xena and Gabrielle could get to her. Her very life depended on it.
The teacher heard the familiar sound of approaching footsteps. It was Galvous and the ever present guards. He looked at her. "It's time for your final challenge," he told her.
Taking a deep breath, she got up from the bunk and walked to the cell door. Tenacity and fortitude were written all over her face. She stared back at the warlord. "Let's do it," she said softly.
Chapter Thirty
Losing It...
Myklos looked at Elkton. "How much longer?" he asked, his voice desperate. The N'Kama oil was gone.
"It's just a matter of time," the Mystic said wearily.
They looked at the girls' bodies. They were almost dead.
Gabrielle was near exhaustion. Xena, weary herself, pulled her friend along toward the door at the end of the passage.
"We're almost there," she told the bard. "Come on, you can do it."
Mariah appeared in front of them. "You don't need to save me," she said gently. A female figure, a goddess, appeared next to the teacher. "Go back. Save yourselves. I told you before: Nike will help me find my way." She gestured at her companion.
Xena and Gabrielle looked at each other. "Nice try, Morpheus," Gabrielle said, a smile appearing on her terribly worn face. "Right name, wrong Nike."
Both figures vanished.
They were almost at the door.
Mariah was led back to the room containing the Wheel of Torment. In addition to the wheel, she noticed something else. The room was now full of a variety of offensive and defensive weapons. Swords, spears, whips, bows and arrows, staffs, chobos, shields....The gear in the room could almost outfit a small army, Mariah thought to herself. The guards she had defeated earlier in her first challenge were nowhere to be seen.
Galvous walked around Mariah as he spoke. "It's time for your final challenge, girl. Spin the wheel."
Mariah spun the wheel for the last time. It slowed to a stop on Loss.
"Ah, Loss," Galvous said, taunting her. "You know, you've lost so much over the years, Mariah...your parents, your health, your friend Sandy, your whole twentieth century life..." he trailed off. "You're a fish out of water here. You've lost your way."
Mariah looked at him, refusing to be goaded.
"So how would you like to return to your old life?" he asked her softly.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him. "Somehow, Galvous, I think the price I'd have to pay would be too high."
"Think about it," he said, taunting her. "You'd be back in your own time, with your family, your friends, your job..." he trailed off, watching her think it over. "Your wish can be granted, Mariah," he told her, his voice seductively quiet. "Morpheus can send you home."
"What's the catch?" she asked, her voice wary, not trusting him.
"No catch. This can all end now. All you have to do is ask him," he replied smoothly.
She stared at Galvous as she thought over what he said. He and Morpheus had worked too hard to get her in the Dreamscape to let her go *that* easily! She thought of something else, something more pressing, more urgent. "What about Xena and Gabrielle?" she asked him. "Will Morpheus let them leave the Dreamscape, too?"
"Does that matter? Think, girl! You can have your old life back!" he hissed at her.
Mariah didn't hesitate as she answered. "I was right; the price *is* too high," she replied, shaking her head. "My answer's no, Galvous. I would *never* sacrifice them, never, not after all that they've done for me. You're selling a bill of goods and I'm not buying it. Give it up. I've made my choice. I'm staying. I'm happy with my life here," she said, truly meaning it.
"Oh, you're happy here?" he said. He laughed suddenly. "Your dreams don't always reflect that, Mariah."
"That may have been true at one time, but times change. *I've* changed, you pig."
Galvous grinned at her. "Oh, you don't know how much I look forward to being with you after you fail this challenge, teacher. The first thing I'll do is teach you some manners."
"Why don't you go teach your mother some manners?" she said nastily. The backhand shot to her jaw she received from him was almost worth it.
She staggered under the blow, refusing to go down. Mariah tasted the warm blood in her mouth. She spat it out onto his left boot.
He glanced at his boot and looked at her. Galvous stared into her intense blue eyes, trying to intimidate her. "What makes you so tough?" he wondered quietly, almost to himself.
"You couldn't understand it if you wanted to," she replied just as quietly, staring back at him just as hard, failing to be intimidated.
They stood there toe to toe, each refusing to back down. It was Galvous who finally broke off. "It's time," he said, backing away from her. "All you have to do to defeat this challenge is survive and not lose yourself in the process. Enjoy it. I know I will."
Mariah was enveloped in a yellow light. She felt strange, lightheaded. She gasped, doubled over in pain. She felt as if her entire body was being torn in two. She fell to her knees in agony, riding the wave of pain. Just as suddenly, the pain was gone.
She was still on her knees, head bowed, winded.
"Get up," she heard a familiar voice say. She looked up in disbelief at the figure who stood in front of her.
She looked at herself.
Xena and Gabrielle struggled with the door at the end of the Dream Passage. It wouldn't budge.
Mariah stood and looked at herself, blinking. The only thing that was different about her double was her clothing: her twin wore the clothing Mariah had worn when she left the twentieth century: her
grandfather's gold ring on her left hand, her silver high school class ring on her right, the silver watch on her right wrist, the high-necked silk shirt, the pants, even the white sneakers.
Each girl warily eyed the other. "What do you want?" Mariah asked.
"I want my *life* back," the twentieth century double said simply, smiling evilly. "And I can get it back, too. All I have to do is kill you."
"Xena we've *got* to find the way in," Gabrielle said, her voice desperate.
The warrior thought for a moment, thought about something the Mystic told Gabrielle.
"Gabrielle, remember what Elkton told you before we came here? How everything we would see here would be things that we've experienced together? That's got to be the key." She looked at her friend. "We've got to do this together." She grabbed the bard's hand. "Are you ready?"
Gabrielle nodded wearily, at the end of her rope. "Let's do it." She tightened her grip on Xena's hand.
They took a running leap and smashed into the door.
Myklos looked at Elkton. It was nearly over.
Suddenly, the girls' bodies disappeared.
Elkton's face broke into a huge grin. "Come on," he said excitedly, pulling the merchant out of the room.
"Where are we going?" asked a mystified Myklos.
"To the Psychic Caves! They made it!"
Galvous chuckled as he watched the two Mariahs square off against each other. This was going to be good. Each had selected a staff for a weapon, each circled the other looking for an opportunity; one wanted only to defend herself, the other wanted only to kill.
The warlord flinched as two figures crashed through the wall, still holding each other's hands. Xena and Gabrielle rolled several times and rose to their feet. They smiled as they looked at each other, and squeezed each other's hands one more time before letting go.
Xena drew her sword against Galvous. "Oh, no, no, Galvous. You aren't going *anywhere*."
Gabrielle advanced on the two guards, easily taking them out.
Xena and Gabrielle were stunned at what they saw.
One Mariah was attacking the other.
Mariah had a difficult time defending herself against her twin. The double knew everything that she knew and anticipated her moves. She dodged, blocked, and feinted as best as she could.
"It was an accident that we wound up here!" she told her double,ducking away from the staff swinging towards her head.
"I don't *care*," the double hissed, bringing the staff around for another shot. "I want my old life back."
"This isn't the way to do it," Mariah said, deflecting the blow. "Think about it. You're willing to kill a part of yourself to get that life back? What kind of life would you have then?"
The double swung at her feet. Mariah stumbled, barely recovering.
In the teacher's exhausted state, it would be just a matter of time before the double would overwhelm her.
"Xena, we have to help her," Gabrielle said urgently.
Mariah heard her. "No!" she shouted at her friends. "This is something *I* need to do." She looked at her twentieth century twin, her face resolute. "This is my fight. No one else's."
Xena and Gabrielle could only watch grimly as their friend battled herself.
"Don't do this," Mariah said as she ducked, the double swinging the staff at her head again. "You've always been strong. You've always been a fighter, but don't fight this way!" She blocked another shot from her twin
"You're not a killer!" Mariah said, still on the defensive. "Look in your heart! If you kill me, it'll only destroy both of us, and that's what Morpheus and Galvous want. Do you really think if you kill someone you'll get sent back to the twentieth century? Don't you see? Even if you win, you lose!! You lose your soul, your hope!"
"I've already lost! I have lost my *life*!" the double screamed, still attacking Mariah.
"No you haven't," Mariah yelled at her, backpedaling. "What have you lost? You've lost a time, a place. A time and a place don't make up a life. It's what you *do* with yourself in a time and a place that makes your life!"
The double froze, staff in mid air, as the realization slowly hit home with her.
"Look at what we have here in our new world," Mariah told her urgently. "We haven't lost anything; look at what we've gained! We *have* friends, we *have* a family, and most important, we *have* love. We found a greater love here than we ever thought we'd find. Gabrielle. Xena. And what about Myklos?" Mariah lowered her staff as she faced her twin. "He loves us. He wants to marry us."
The double slowly lowered her staff, too, thinking over what she heard. She suddenly spied Galvous, the one who tormented their dreams for so long. A look of pure anger and hate appeared on her face as she advanced on him.
"Wait!" Mariah told her twin. "He's not worth it. Neither he nor Morpheus." She walked over to her twin and spoke quietly, looking herself in the eye. "We can end this here and now. We can beat them *and* save ourselves." Mariah held out her hand. "Come on," she said, her voice a whisper. "Come back to me. Please," Mariah pleaded softly, insistently. "You're a part of me I need. You're a part of me I can't live without. I need your strength, your courage, your heart, your soul. I *need* you. We *all* need you. Xena, Gabrielle, Myklos, me. We need you to come back to us." A cocky grin suddenly appeared on her weary face. "You really want to get back at Galvous? And Morpheus? You really want to stick it to them? You really want to hit them where it hurts? Then let's show them what we're made of."
The twentieth century double looked at the outstretched hand. She stared at Mariah, grinned that same cocky grin, nodded, and slowly reached for her hand.
The two forms were enveloped again by the yellow light, the two halves of their bodies and souls rejoining. Mariah groaned, spasmed, and dropped to her knees as the incredible pain shot through her once again.
Gabrielle was there to help her to her feet. With the bard's help, she stood up, trembling but triumphant. She had overcome the sense of Loss.
She faced the three challenges. She defeated her fears. She had won. And she hadn't lost herself in the process.
Gabrielle supporting her, the two girls tottered over to Xena who still held Galvous at sword point. "I passed Morpheus's three challenges, Galvous," the teacher said. "Let us go."
"Dream on, girl. The three of you are here and now all of you belong to Morpheus. You think he is just going to let you walk out of here?" Galvous demanded.
"He has no choice," the voice behind them boomed.
They whirled around. Mariah saw a strange man. Xena's eyes narrowed at the familiar figure walking toward them. "Ares," Xena said to him. "I didn't expect to find you here."
Mariah looked at him. So this was the God of War.
"The girl passed the tests, Galvous," Ares said. "They can leave. *All* of them...but not you. I just had a little talk with Hades. He's expecting you. Say hello to him on your way to Tartarus." Ares pointed at the warlord who screamed as he disappeared.
Xena looked at him. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice wary, skeptical. "You're not known for lending a helping hand. Especially for me or my friends."
He walked over to her as she sheathed her sword. "I couldn't let the God of Dreams go after my favorite warrior again, could I?" he asked as he reached for and lightly kissed her hand, their recent battle seemingly forgotten, his love/hate relationship with her obviously back in the love mode. He still yearned to win her back. The vinegar approach didn't work. Maybe honey would. And he could afford to be patient. For awhile. "Besides...maybe one day, the three of you can return the favor." He gave an appraising look at the exhausted but elated Mariah still leaning on Gabrielle. "She's tougher than she looks," he said to Xena.
"Oh, you have NO idea," Xena responded as she stood protectively behind her friends, laying a hand on each of their shoulders.
Mariah looked at the God of War through her weary, bloodshot eyes. "Somehow, after hearing all the stories about you, Ares, I thought you'd be a little taller," she told him a little saucily. He looked at her. She grinned at him, and he grinned right back at her, a thoughtful look appearing on his face. He then turned back to Xena, all business.
"Oh, Krius and his men won't be waiting for you outside. I took care of them. And I had a word with Morpheus about his choice of victims. After that little chat, he wished he had never *heard* about your friend Mariah here. Take care of yourself, Xena. I'll see all three of you later, if I ever need that favor," he said as he vanished into the air.
A bright light enveloped the three of them. They looked around, blinking in the late afternoon sunlight.
They were outside the Psychic Caves.
They had won. All three of them.
Chapter Thirty-One
Peace...It's Wonderful
The three girls sat down and rested outside the Psychic Caves, sharing their experiences in the Dreamscape.
"You know, you could be trapped here for the rest of your life," Xena told her after Mariah told them of turning down Morpheus's offer.
Mariah shook her head, smiling a little tiredly. She was still weary from her challenges and lack of sleep. "I'm not trapped, Xena," She looked around as she continued. "This is my home. This is my life. This is my choice." She looked at her friends. "You and Gabrielle are my sisters, my family. My man is waiting for me in Tyldus. I've made my decision. This is where I now belong." Her face and tone of voice showed she meant it.
Gabrielle spoke up. "No regrets?" she asked gently, looking at her friend sitting next to her, remembering their conversation of several days ago at the inn. It seemed like a lifetime had passed since that talk, the bard thought to herself.
"Not a one."
There was silence until Mariah spoke up again. "We have a saying where I come from," she said sleepily, yawning. "I feel like I've just gone through the looking glass and seen the other side of myself." She fell silent.
"And?" Xena prompted.
Mariah didn't answer right away. Xena looked at her.
The young teacher had fallen asleep against Gabrielle's shoulder. There was a small smile on her face.
Gabrielle put an arm around Mariah, pulling her sleeping form closer. "She really went through the wringer today, didn't she, Xena? She faced her darkest fears and survived," the bard said softly.
"Yes she did. We *all* did, Gabrielle. Mariah did all right for herself. And so did you. I'm proud of you. *Very* proud." Gabrielle faintly glowed with the praise.
Xena stiffened. She heard a horse-drawn wagon approaching. It was Elkton and Myklos.
Xena slowly got up and walked over to them. The men stopped the wagon and climbed down. Myklos ran over to Gabrielle and the sleeping Mariah. Xena looked at Elkton. "Thank you," she said simply. "We couldn't have done it without your help." She went to shake his hand, but the Mystic wrapped her in a warm hug instead. Xena, surprised and moved, returned it. "If *you* ever need a favor, Elkton, just ask. It will be yours," the warrior said.
Gabrielle and Myklos came towards the wagon, the merchant carrying his sleeping fiancee. He laid her carefully in the wagon bed, climbed in next to her, and once settled, pulled her onto his lap, cradling her in his arms.
"What happened in there?" he asked anxiously. "Will Mariah be OK?"
"She'll be fine," Elkton replied reassuringly as Gabrielle and Xena climbed into the back of the wagon. They still looked drained from their encounter in the Dreamscape. Elkton looked at them. "We'll be back in town shortly after dark," he said to them. "Why don't you get some rest?"
He reigned in the horses. They were soon on their way back to Tyldus.
Mariah slept. Gabrielle slept. Xena slept.
As they slept, they didn't dream.
Chapter Thirty-Two
There Is Love...
Elkton was true to his word. It was just after dark when they returned to Tyldus.
Gabrielle and Xena awoke as the wagon stopped outside Mariah's house. The teacher was still sleeping soundly. They helped Myklos get her out of the wagon, and the merchant carried her inside the house. He put her gently on the bed, lightly brushing the hair off her face. Xena lit the lamps while Gabrielle restarted the fire in the fireplace.
He straightened, turned and tightly hugged the still-tired Gabrielle and Xena. "I don't know how to thank you," he began quietly.
"Why don't we wait until tomorrow?" Xena said gently, smiling at him. "I think we could all use some sleep."
Myklos agreed. After telling them good night, he left the house and went home.
Xena and Gabrielle broke out their bedrolls and were soon asleep on the floor.
The early morning eastern sun peeked through the windows when Mariah awoke after a sound sleep. The teacher felt wonderful, at peace with both herself and her life. Even though she was sore and her back and shoulder muscles ached, she felt healed, whole, refreshed, reborn. Mariah looked around and spied her still-snoozing friends on the floor. For once, she woke up earlier than Xena! She grabbed some clothes and some dinars and quietly left the house, going down to the river to clean up. On her way back home, she stopped at the marketplace. She had a surprise for the bard and the warrior.
When she returned, they were waking up. "Good morning!" she said cheerfully as she put her packages down on the table. "How about some breakfast?" she smiled at them.
Gabrielle and Xena looked at Mariah. She moved a little stiffly due to her soreness, but this was the Mariah they knew and loved. Her vivid blue eyes looked almost normal, the circles and shadows barely visible. She looked relaxed, comfortable, content. After she put on a few pounds, she would look like her old self again.
There was a knock at the door. It was Myklos. She gently pulled him in the house and kissed him. "You're just in time for breakfast."
Xena and Gabrielle stood up. "We'll be back after we get cleaned up," said Gabrielle as they left.
They were barely out the door when Myklos took Mariah in his arms and greeted her more warmly. It was some time before they came up for air, both flushed and rosy and loving every moment of it.
Mariah looked at him. "Fifty years, huh? There's only one thing I regret, Myklos...I wish we could get married today instead of tomorrow!" They both laughed the gentle and knowing laugh of lovers in love. She looked at him, her blue eyes gazing into his wonderful brown ones. "I love you, Myklos," she said softly, intensely. "I love you more than I thought I *could* love someone." She kissed him with a passion born of love.
Moments passed. "What would you like for a wedding present?" he asked her, nuzzling her neck.
She gripped him tighter in her arms. "I already have it," she told him softly. He dipped his head down to her lips for another kiss.
They heard Xena and Gabrielle talking as the they walked back towards the house. Myklos looked down at her, his eyes twinkling. "Didn't you say something earlier about breakfast?"
She laughed. "Yeah," she said. "Give me a hand, will you?"
When the two girls reentered the house, they saw Myklos tending to the tea and bacon over the fire, and Mariah cutting up cheese and vegetables and breaking eggs into a bowl. Gabrielle's eyes lit up.
"Oh, Xena, you're going to love this!" the bard exclaimed. "Mariah showed me how to make it. It's called an omelette."
It was after breakfast that they had a chance to talk to Myklos about their adventures in the Dreamscape, Xena massaging Mariah's aching back and shoulders while they talked. He shook his head in wonder at what he heard. After they were done talking, Mariah gently shooed him out of the house.
"Go on," she said with a smile. "I have to get ready for a wedding." He stole one more lingering kiss before he left.
Mariah looked at her friends. "I think I'm going to need some help," she said a little helplessly. All three laughed, got up, and walked down to the marketplace.
The marketplace was packed with solstice celebrants. Xena and Gabrielle helped her pick out a simple gown for the ceremony which would be held at sunset on solstice, the next day. Mariah also bought some flowers for the wedding. Gabrielle told her about her wedding to Perdicas.
Xena had a question for Mariah. "What are the weddings like where you come from?"
Mariah told her all about the service, the vows, the exchange of rings. A thoughtful look came over the warrior's face. Catching Gabrielle's eye, Xena sauntered off away from them. A knowing look passed over the bard's face. "Come on, Mariah," Gabrielle told her friend, leading her gently by the arm. "I want to show you something over here." The two girls walked off in the crowd, examining goods as they went.
It was some time before Mariah noticed Xena wasn't with them. Looking around, she soon spotted her friend walking towards them. "Where did you run off to?" Mariah asked her.
"Oh, I went to check on Argo. She's fine," the warrior said. Mariah looked at Xena; the warrior's face gave away nothing. Gabrielle grinned.
Xena, Gabrielle, Mariah, Myklos, and Elkton dined at the inn that evening. The wine, ale, and mead flowed freely as the five friends relaxed, talked, ate, laughed, reminisced, and discussed the upcoming
wedding. Clytos prevailed upon Mariah and Gabrielle to entertain the overflowing crowd which showed their appreciation with applause, cheers, whistles, and dinars. It was late when they left the inn, tired but happy.
The wedding was fast approaching.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Get Me To The Temple On Time...
Time passed quickly as sunset approached, Mariah getting more and more nervous as the day went on, pacing the floor of her house. I don't believe this, Mariah thought to herself a little dazedly as she walked. In a short time, I'll be married. Xena and Gabrielle looked at their friend in amusement. They knew Mariah would be fine. The knew she would be happy.
She dressed in her simple new gown. She was filled with worries and doubts as they left for the ceremony which was to be held in a nearby temple.
The temple was filled with her friends, Myklos's friends, and his family. Mariah felt overwhelmed, but was reassured when she saw Myklos's face. The love she saw there erased away all those worries and doubts. She looked at Xena and Gabrielle, and noticed something she hadn't seen before.
On gold and silver necklaces, her best friends wore her rings, the twentieth century rings she had given them months before. Her grandfather's gold ring rested comfortably against Gabrielle's neck, while Mariah's silver high school class ring glittered brightly against Xena's deep tan. She hugged them in gratitude, the tears coming to her eyes.
Elkton and Myklos stood at the front of the temple by the altar waiting for her. She slowly walked towards them, flanked by Xena and Gabrielle. When she reached them, Myklos took her hand, and they faced Elkton, Xena and Gabrielle standing slightly behind them.
Elkton cleared his throat. "In honor of the bride," he announced, "this wedding will be a little different than what we are all used to. Dearly beloved," he began, "we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in marriage." He looked at Mariah. "Who gives this woman to this man?" he asked.
"We do," chorused Gabrielle and Xena.
Mariah turned and looked at her friends, tears running down her face. They smiled gently at her, the warrior arching that famous eyebrow as only she could.
Elkton continued the ceremony. Xena had done a good job informing Elkton and Myklos about twentieth century wedding procedures and protocols.
The Mystic turned to Myklos. "Do you have the rings?" he asked him. Myklos did. He and Mariah exchanged rings as tokens of their love for each other as they exchanged their vows.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife." Elkton looked at Myklos, a twinkle in his eye. "You may now kiss the bride." Myklos did so with gusto as applause broke out behind them. Friends and family cheered the new couple, this couple which would be blessed because they married on the summer solstice.
Mariah tightly hugged her two best friends. They all had tears of happiness in their eyes. The couple was thronged by well wishers, and it was some time before the wedding party could make it over to Clytos's inn for the reception.
When they got to the inn, they were greeted once again by another crowd of well wishers. A variety of food and drinks were brought out. Toasts were made. Gifts were given. Gabrielle was urged to tell some stories, which she did, much to the crowd's pleasure. Mariah was asked to play her flute.
As she took the stage, Mariah wondered what song she *should* play. She looked over the crowd, her heart almost bursting with the love she felt: her husband, her sisters, her friends, her home, her life. She knew what song she would perform. And she wouldn't play it on the flute, either; she would sing it. She wanted these people to hear the wonderful words that so reflected the feelings in her heart and soul. She looked at the gold band on her left hand and called Myklos to sit on the stage next to her. She waited for the crowd to settle in to silence.
"You know I'm a flute player," Mariah began, "But tonight, I would like to sing a special song and dedicate it to my husband. My Myklos. My love. My life." Her eyes glowing, she began to sing the ballad she had heard and sung so many times in her old life:
Xena and Gabrielle grinned at each other. They knew this song well, as Mariah had played it and sung it for them before, but this was the first time the teacher ever sang it in public. They easily grasped the hidden innuendoes the song contained. No, their friend would have *no* regrets about the choice she made. They were sure of that. The people stood, cheering, whistling, and clapping when Mariah finished her song.
Myklos grabbed her and swept her up in his arms, Mariah laughing with the pure joy of the moment.
Still holding Mariah, a joyous Myklos addressed the crowd. "If you will excuse us, it's getting late. I think it's time for my wife and I to go home!" Cheers erupted from the crowd as the grinning merchant carried a now-blushing Mariah out of the inn and took her to their home.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Goodbye, My Friends, Hello...
The reception lasted well into the night, Xena and Gabrielle joining in the revelry until sleep caught up with them. Mariah told them they could stay at her place, so that's where they went after they left the party. The three of them planned to meet in the morning for a farewell breakfast at the inn as Xena and Gabrielle were leaving; Xena wanted to go back to Amphipolis to spend a few more days with her mother.
"I think that's one of the best weddings I've ever attended," said a yawning Gabrielle as she readied herself for bed.
"Yeah, it was pretty good," Xena replied, crawling into the bed, stifling a yawn of her own. The warrior was winding down for the night.
Gabrielle snuggled into her bedroll. "That was a great idea you had about having a twentieth century ceremony. And you know, when you think about it really wasn't a whole lot different from what *we* do."
Xena didn't respond. The bard looked at her best friend.
The warrior was sound asleep.
The morning sunlight streamed in through the windows. Myklos blinked at the brightness and looked at the woman snuggled up next to him.
He wrapped his arms around his wife. Last night had been incredible for both of them. Mariah had been hesitant, a little shy at first, especially about all of her cancer scars. Myklos reassured her. "Those scars made you the person you are today, the woman I love. Your strength. Your character. Your compassion. I wouldn't want you any other way." As he lay next to Mariah, the morning sun pouring in through the windows, he buried his face in her hair. He could not remember being so happy, so fulfilled.
Mariah stirred and opened her eyes. "Hello, love," she whispered to him.
He gently kissed her as she rolled over. "When are you going over to the inn to say goodbye to Gabrielle and Xena?" he asked her, losing himself in her eyes, rubbing her back.
She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer. "Oh, not yet. And I think they would understand if I were a little late." She had a mischievous gleam in her blue eyes and a smile on her face.
He grinned as he kissed her. It would be a wonderful fifty years.
Mariah, Xena, and Gabrielle met as planned. The teacher glowed despite her slightly disheveled appearance. She was a little late for breakfast. Gabrielle and Xena grinned at each other as they exchanged knowing looks.
"Where will you two go after you visit Amphipolis?" Mariah asked them as she ate heartily. The teacher felt wonderful, satisfied, complete.
Xena shrugged. "We don't know for sure," she replied. "But anywhere we go will probably be pretty tame compared to what's happened around *here* the last few days! Between Morpheus, the Dreamscape, a wedding..." the warrior trailed off. "You know what? I could use a vacation!" she said with a smile.
Her friends laughed. "Well, the next time you visit, hopefully it won't be so hectic," Mariah said. "We can spend some more time together and you two can relax."
"Relax? Xena? I don't think so," said Gabrielle as she finished up her breakfast. "I don't think the word 'relax' is in Xena's vocabulary!"
They paid for their meals, got up, and left the inn. Argo was saddled and waiting for them outside. The three friends looked at each other.
Mariah tightly hugged Gabrielle. "My sisters, my friends, my family. Thank you so much for everything," she said. "You two saved me again," she separated from the bard and turned towards Xena.
Xena hugged the teacher. "No, Mariah...we just helped you get out of the Dreamscape. *You* saved yourself. *You* conquered your fears. Remember that, my friend."
Mariah looked at her. "I will." she said softly.
Gabrielle looked at her. "We'll be back soon, Mariah."
"I look forward to it. Don't wait so long next time!"
"Oh, we won't," said Gabrielle with a smile. She looked at Xena. "You ready?"
Xena nodded and mounted Argo. Gabrielle stood beside the horse. She gave the teacher one last quick hug. "Take care of yourself and Myklos, OK?" she said.
"I will. And *you* take care of yourself and Xena," the teacher said. "Have a safe journey," she told them.
Mariah watched, tears in her eyes, as her best friends left for Amphipolis.
She prayed they *would* have a safe journey. She knew in her heart of hearts that she would see them again.
She hoped it would be soon.
THE END
Return to Chapters Seventeen through Twenty-Four
Return to XenaCrazed's General Fan Fiction and Poetry
Go to the Absolutely XenaCrazed Home Page