Pt.5
Holding her sword ready, Xena faced the pair of Bacchae that had taken their wolf forms after they had brutally killed a couple of thieves. With their snouts still coated in the men's blood, the transformed women snarled and beared their teeth as Xena gestured for them to come after her.
XENA
(Taunting tone) Well come on.
The Bacchae growled as they ran and lunged at her. Xena dodged one and kicked the other away. The one she had just dodged came back at her, and Xena swung her blade. The first animal form Bacchae dodged as the second lunged at Xena who kicked the creature away. The first came at her again and before Xena could do anything, the Bacchae jumped and sunk her teeth into Xena's flesh. With a painful yell, Xena reached and pryed the creature's jaws off of her and threw her. The Bacchae whimpered as she hit the ground, but got back up and growled fiercely at Xena before the creature turn away and ran off as Xena noticed the other had also ran off as well. Xena looked at the bite she'd received and saw that wasn't major before looking around the area for the lyre.
JOXER
You see anything?
ORPHEUS
No I don't see her.
Joxer turned the pole that Orpheus' head was on as they stood among a crowd looking for Gabrielle after they had grown worried about her being gone for so long.
JOXER
Come on, where could she be?
Joxer continued to hold Orpheus above the crowd to give them a good vantage point as he moved through the sea of people that danced to the music being played and seemed completely obvious to the od sight of a man with a head on a pole moving around among them. As they searched, Joxer was becoming increasingly worried that they might not find Gabrielle and that someone might have already happened to her.
ORPHEUS
There she is.
Hearing Orpheus Joxer stopped walking and looked around but didn't see Gabrielle, he then looked up at the disembodied bard.
JOXER
Where?
ORPHEUS
In the middle of the room. She's dancing with a couple of other women.
Joxer searched for a moment before finally spotting Gabrielle among the crowd. He squinted curiously at the women Gabrielle was dancing with for a moment, as something about them didn't seem right.
JOXER
Here hold this for me will ya.
Joxer shoved the pole with Orpheus on it into a nearby villager's hand as he moved through the crowd. Meanwhile, Gabrielle was completely oblivious to the fact that she was being looked for as she was now completely lost in the music while continuing to dance with the pair of women who had moved close to her. She closed her eyes as she felt herself slipping further into the atmosphere. That was until she felt herself being grabbed by the arm and yanked backwards. Her eyes popped open as she stumbled back, and after a moment regained her balance. She then turned to see Joxer standing there and pulled her arm from his grasp.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) Joxer what do you think you're doing?!
Joxer pointed to the women that Gabrielle had been dancing with.
JOXER
You were dancing with a couple of Bacchae.
Gabrielle scoffed.
GABRIELLE
Oh please Joxer, don't you think I would know a Bacchae if I saw one.
JOXER
(Muttering to himself) Apparently not.
GABRIELLE
What?
JOXER
Nothing. We have other things to do that doesn't involve dancing. Come on, Orpheus is waiting.
Joxer walked away and though annoyed, Gabrielle followed.
ORPHEUS
Woah! Woah! Hey stop it!
Orpheus was being bounced around on the pole as the villager that Joxer had passed him off to danced without a care in the world. As Orpheus was being jostled around he was certain that he was going to get tossed right off the pole but was relieved when the movement suddenly stopped and the pole was taken from the villager's hands.
XENA
I'll take that.
ORPHEUS, Thanks.
Xena brought the staff that Orpheus wasn't sitting on down to the floor as she held it up.
ORPHEUS
So did you find the lyre?
XENA
Yea but before I could get it I ran into trouble and the Bacchae ended up getting away with it. But we'll get it back.
JOXER
Get it back? How are we supposed to do that?
Xena looked over to see Joxer and Gabrielle walking over.
XENA
I just found Orpheus being tossed around like a toy by some drunken idiot. Where have you two been?
Joxer glanced at Gabrielle for a moment before looking back at Xena.
JOXER
Well someone decided it would be a good idea to just go off and start dancing with a bunch of Bacchae.
GABRIELLE
(Annoyed tone) Oh for the last time Joxer they weren't Bacchae. You're just being paranoid and seeing monsters everywhere.
(Half joking) Next, I'm sure you'll be saying that either me or Xena have been turned into Bacchae.
JOXER
Hey I know what my gut told me. And those women you were dancing with were Bacchae.
Xena raised her eyebrow at Gabrielle.
XENA
(Joking tone) Dancing with a couple of Bacchae, huh? Should I be jealous?
Gabrielle shook her head.
GABRIELLE
Don't you start too.
Orpheus made an exaggerated throat clearing noise as he got the other three's attention.
ORPHEUS
(Slightly annoyed tone) Can we get back to the task at hand here?
JOXER
Oh, right. Xena, you said that we're gonna get the lyre back, but what are we supposed to do? Just First, we find the lyre. Then get someone to play it while Orpheus sings, the Bacchae sleep, so we can then go in, kill Bacchus and free the girls?
XENA
Exactly.
Joxer shrugged.
JOXER
Okay, works for me.
ORPHEUS
Don't be a fool. Bacchus will kill you.
Joker looked at Orpheus
JOXER
(Nervous tone) Wait, what?
XENA
I'm willing to take that risk. And don't worry Joxer you're not coming. Come on Gabrielle.
With Orpheus in her position, Xena turned to leave.
JOXER
Wait a minute! If she's going, I'm going, too!
Joxer went ignored as they kept going.
JOXER
Hey, I assembled this team! You can't just leave me out of this.
Again, Xena and Gabrielle kept going as joxer shouted after them.
JOXER
Okay, fine. I guess you don't want someone who plays the lyre!
Finally, Xena and Gabrielle stopped and turned around.
ORPHEUS
(Suspicious tone) You, play the lyre.
Suddenly feeling somewhat embarrassed that the knowledge of his musical abilities would hurt his "tough warrior image", Joxer looked away.
JOXER
I took the music lessons, okay?
GABRIELLE
Really?
JOXER
Yeah, I play the lyre okay. Don't advertise it all over town. I got a reputation to maintain.
ORPHEUS
(Dry tone) Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be fine.
XENA
Good now that we have that settled, let's go.
Xena turned away and began walking away as joxer noticed a mark on her neck. Gabrielle began to follow before being stopped by Joxer.
JOXER
Wait a minute.
Gabrielle sighed.
GABRIELLE
(Slightly annoyed tone) Now what?
JOXER
You mean you didn't see it?
GABRIELLE
See what?
JOXER
The mark on Xena's neck. She's been bitten.
Pt.6
As Xena was walking away, Gabrielle was stopped by a concerned Joxer from following her.
GABRIELLE
What do you mean Xena's been bitten? I'm sure if she was, she would've said something. So I'm willing to bet it was probably just something else that you saw.
JOXER
Listen, I have seen every kind of wound encountered by man or beast. And I am positive about that, my friend, being a bite, specifically, a Bacchae bite.
GABRIELLE
(Suspicious tone) Okay, then why hasn't she turned into one?
JOXER
Hey these things take time you know. Infact I bet any second now, Xena's gonna be sporting a new set of fangs, big ones. Wait a minute. Now I know why she didn't want me with her. Because she knows I'm the only one who could stop her.
Gabrielle rolled her eyes slightly.
GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) Okay, sure.
But if you insist that you saw bite marks on Xena's neck, there's an easy way to settle this right now. I'll just go ask her.
JOXER
No, don't ask her a question! Are you kidding me? The slightest thing could propelpropel her into a bacchian frenzy! Listen, you better give me this.
Joxer grabbed Gabrielle's staff from her hand as he pulled out a dagger and began to sharpen it.
GABRIELLE
Hey, what do you think you're doing?! Give that back.
Gabrielle swiftly took her staff back as she momentarily examined several new scraps now on the top of her weapon and gave Joxer an annoyed look.
JOXER
What do you think just giving Xena a good wack on the head with that will be enough when she goes full killer Bacchae? You're gonna need a real weapon, so give me that so you can defend yourself.
Joxer reached for Gabrielle's staff, and she pulled it out of his immediate range.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) Joxer you touch my staff and I'll use you to test just how effective a wack to the head with this really is.
As the two bickering over Gabrielle's staff, tired of waiting around, Xena called over to them.
XENA
Hurry up! What are you two doing back there?
Gabrielle and Joxer looked towards Xena.
GABRIELLE
(Lying) Nothing.
JOXER
Just sharpening our weapons.
Joxer returned his attention to Gabrielle as he stopped reaching for her staff.
JOXER
Okay, fine, but when Xena bites your head off in the middle of the night, don't come running to me.
Gabrielle rolled her eyes again as she and Joxer caught up with Xena and Orpheus as the foursome left. After traveling for a while, the group stopped and set up camp for the night. Gabrielle worked on making dinner as Joxer gave her a hand. Meanwhile, Xena stood from her spot near the campfire as she walked over to where they had placed Orpheus nearby and sat across from him as she saw the troubled look on his face.
XENA
You alright?
ORPHEUS
I'm a musician without my hands. And just 'cause you've agreed to help us, it doesn't make us friends, Xena. My wife died in your war camp, and you did nothing to protect her. So all that being said, how should I feel?
XENA
I'm sorry Orpheus. There was nothing I could do. Most of my men had already fallen. I tried my best to hold back Bacchus in the hope that she would escape.
ORPHEUS
(Quiet angry tone) But you failed.
XENA
(Quiet angry tone) Your wife shouldn't have even been there in the first place.
ORPHEUS
(Angry tone) You know I'll never understand why Eurydice thought she could befriend a ruthless warrior like you. Her blood is on your hands!
Xena scowled as she got up and angerly stormed off as Gabrielle and Joxer took notice.
JOXER
Looks like we're all in for a long night.
Later that night, as the group slept, an ominous shadow loomed around the camp. It moved swiftly and in silence as it found its way to the snoring Joxer. Seeing the sleeping man, the shadow raised a dagger over him. Then for reasons unknown, joxer began to stir. And as his eyes peeked open, he saw the figure above him with the dagger. With his eyes quietly widening in fear, Joxer yelled in terror as the figure drove the weapon down. The blade sunk into flesh as Joxer whimpered.
XENA
Sand spider.
A second later, Joxers eye adjusted to the darkness and saw Xena pulling back holding the dagger with a large, poisonous spider impaled on the blade. Joxer breathed heavily in his now fading fear as Xena looked at him.
XENA
Everything all right?
JOXER
(Nervous tone) Yeah, I'm good, I was just thinking about the best way to kill Bacchae. Not that I haven't killed them before, you know.
XENA
There's only one way to kill a Bacchae. We'll get what we need on the way to the catacombs. For now, try and get some sleep.
JOXER
(Nervous tone) Sure. No problem.
Xena walked away as Joxer rolled to his side, facing away from everyone as he lay layed there with a terrified look on his face as he was convinced that the sand spider was merely a convenient cover as he was certain that if he hadn't woken up when he did, Xena would have killed him.
BACCHUS
Under the light of the baccha moon,
Bacchus stood in his lair, surrounded by his legion of Bacchae as he approached a pedestal.
BACCHUS
my initiates will drink my blood and become one of us.
The god held out his hand as he used a dagger to slice open his palm. As his blood began to flow from the wound, he then clenched his hand closed and held it over a goblet of wine. He stood there as he allowed his blood began to drip into the goblet and mix with the cup's contents.
BACCHUS
By this time tomorrow, we will have a new breed of eternal Bacchae. And one of them will be Xena.
Pt.7
It had been a long day as xena, Gabrielle, Joxer and Orpheus had spent a large chunk of it traveling. It was late afternoon when the group found themselves in a very eerie looking area. Which was only made to appear even creepier by the fog that had rolled in.
JOXER
This is it?
Joxer looked around at their inviorment not seeing another living being aside from the four of them in sight.
JOXER
You know when you said "weapons," I was thinking something more like a blacksmith's shop.
Xena scanned the area.
XENA
No, for this job, we need something special. We need to find a dryad. Now come on. And make sure you keep quiet, and don't step on any graves.
JOXER
Dryad? What's a dryad?
Xena kept her senses on alert as she led the others through the area.
XENA
They're sworn enemies of Bacchus. A dryad bone through the heart is the only way to kill a Bacchae.
GABRIELLE
Do we have to dig them up?
XENA
Not exactly.
JOXER
(Sarcasm) Well, it's not like they're just gonna jump out at us.
Joxer laughed when he suddenly felt something grab him by his ankle. He yelled as his leg was ripped out from under him, and he fell to the ground face down. Hearing him yell, Xena and Gabrielle turned around and saw Joxer sinking into the earth.
JOXER
(Terrified tone) Help!! They're pulling me under!
GABRIELLE
Joxer!
Joxer frantically clawed at the dirt as he tried to prevent himself from being completely dragged under, as Gabrielle and Xena rushed back to him. They each grabbed one of his arms as they tried to free him. They pulled, but what ever had a hold of Joxer pulled harder, and he was suddenly ripped from their grasp and sucked into the earth and disappeared with a scream.
GABRIELLE
No, Joxer!
Quickly, Gabrielle and Xena dropped and began digging through the dirt with their bare hands as they tried to reach Joxer underground. After a moment, Xena found one of his hands and grabbed it as Gabrielle did the same and they both pulled again. As they did, Joxers head emerged from the dirt. He coughed up dirt as he gasped.
JOXER
(Terrified tone) I can't breathe!
Xena and Gabrielle continued to pull, but once again Joxer was torn from their grip and brought back under. Again, Xena and Gabrielle dug through the dirt to find him. Gabrielle pushed aside more dirt as she tried to find Joxer. Among the dark dirt, she finally found a bit of a hand and moved faster to grab. She pulled hard and nearly fell back when she was met with next to no resistance. She regained her balance, gripped the hand as her eyes went wide when she noticed what she was holding was not Joxer's hand, but the severed hand and arm of someone's rotting corpse. With a quick, disturbed and fearful scream, she tossed the decaying limb aside and returned to trying to find Joxer. After another several long moments, Xena found something moving within the dirt and dug faster until she uncovered another hand. She grabbed it and pulled hard, gradually more of it emerged from the ground as finally Joxer's head popped back into view, he gasped as Gabrielle dug faster until she found his other arm and pulled. The two used all their strength as finally they began to make progress as more and more of Joxer emerged from the dirt.
JOXER
Pull.
Finally, after a few more good tugs, joxer was freed from the clutches of his attacker. He scurried a bit away from the spot as he then turned and sat there looking at the spot as he caught his breath.
JOXER
Horrible animals! Ooh, and monsters! Phew, that was close.
Then, feelin a slight draft, Joxer looked down at his feet.
JOXER
Oh come on it took my boots! They cost me fifty dinars!
(Annoyed tone) Stupid, good-for-nothing, bag of bones.
While complaining, Joxer stood up as suddenly a number of things burst out from the earth and flew above the group. The creatures resembled human skeletons, only with the additions of large bat-like wings and a long, boney tail.
GABRIELLE
What are they?!
Xena drew her sword.
XENA
Those are dryads.
The creatures screeched as they swooped down at the group and attacked. Xena swung her sword as one of the dryads avoided her strike. Another flew at her from behind. Xena ducked out of the way as it flew overhead. As it went by, she quickly grabbed it's tail and gave it a good swing before letting it go and sending it tumbling through the air. After a moment, the creature regained it equilibrium and straightened itself out before coming back at Xena and Gabrielle. The dryad closed in, swooping down at them, as Xena waited until it could nearly reach them and swung her blade. The attack cut straight through the creature's boney neck, taking off its head, before with another screech it exploded into small bits of bone that scattered and rained down over them. Momentarily taken by surprise, Xena looked at the scattered bones on the ground before hearing her name being yelled.
ORPHEUS
Xena, do something!
Xena looked over and saw a dryad with Orpheus in its boney clutches. She swiftly took her chakram from her hip and sent it at the creature. The weapon flew through the air and sliced through the dryad's neck. The creature's skull became forcefully separated from its body and, like the first one Xena defeated, it too burst into small bits that fell to the ground. Apparently after seeing the other two dryads be defeated, the third became aware that it was outmatched as it stopped attacking, looked at the group and screeched as it then turned away and flew off.
JOXER
Yeah go on and run! You coward!
After taking a moment to make sure the creature wasn't coming back, Xena looked down at Orpheus.
XENA
You okay?
ORPHEUS
Yeah. Thanks.
With the coast clear, Joxer looked down by his feet and saw some of the scattered dryad bones. He picked one up and looked at it as he walked over to Xena and Orpheus.
JOXER
Wow these dryad bones are sharp as nails. No wonder, they can kill a Bacchae.
Joxer then took the bone and held the point up to Xena's chest.
JOXER
So how 'bout it Xena, does this scare you?
Xena gave him an unamused look.
XENA
Should it?
JOXER
You tell me.
Joxer saw as Xena remained unintimidated and lowered the bone.
JOXER
No I guess not.
(Lying) It's just that Gabrielle thought that you might be a Bacchae.
Xena raised her eyebrow, knowing that wasn't true. Or at least not the full truth. Seeing Xena's reaction, Joxer continued.
JOXER
Okay fine, maybe I thought you were one, too. But you had blood on your neck.
XENA
(Slightly Irritated tone) Sorry to disappoint.
Joxer laughed nervously.
JOXER
But hey if you ask me I think it's understandable. I mean, nothing like stalking a Bacchae to get the blood flowing, am I right?
Xena just rolled her eyes as they both suddenly heard an odd sound. They turned their attention off to the side and saw Gabrielle. She stood staring intensely at them, as her breathing had become somewhat heavy. Her skin slightly paler than normal, her eyes naturally green that were focused on them were now a bright yellow as a small growl came from her throat as she bared a set of large, newly formed fangs.
JOXER
(Scared tone) Gabrielle, no. She's a, a...
XENA
Bacchae.
Pt.8
Xena stood across from Gabrielle, who bared her fangs as it had become clear that she had been turned into a Bacchae.
XENA
Gabrielle?
Gabrielle's only response was a feral growl, as her yellow Bacchae eyes took in her surroundings.
JOXER
See, I knew something was off.
Xena shot Joxer an annoyed look before quickly refocusing on Gabrielle. Cautiously, she slowly stepped towards Gabrielle as she motioned for Joxer to stay put. She held up her hands to show the Bacchae Gabrielle that she wasn't at threat.
XENA
It's alright, Gabrielle. I can help you.
Cautiously, Xena moved closer towards Gabrielle who hissed at her before she suddenly lept into the air towards Xena and Joxer. They ducked out of the way before looking behind them as they saw Gabrielle flying off.
JOXER
Where's she going?
XENA
The catacombs.
Xena began running after Gabrielle and shouted back to Joxer.
XENA
Come on! Get Orpheus!
After following Gabrielle's trail, the now smaller group found their way to the nearby catacombs. It was dark with barely enough light to see. As Xena and Joxer walked through the silent corridors, a muffled sound could be heard from very nearby.
JOXER
(Whisper) Shh! You hear that? Someone's trapped! And it sounds like it's coming from right behind us.
Again the muffled sound was heard as Joxer looked around for the origin of the sound.
JOXER
(Whisper) There it is again. What is that?
Xena rolled her eyes as she grabbed the bag that Joxer was carrying, opened it and pulled out what was inside.
ORPHEUS
Ah! Hey! Not so rough, all right?!
Xena adjusted the way she was holding Orpheus.
XENA
Yes?
ORPHEUS
You're wasting time. We should be in Bacchus' lair by now.
JOXER
We're looking for Gabrielle. She turned into a Bacchae.
ORPHEUS
There's no time for that. We have to kill Bacchus before midnight. Forget the girl.
Xena gave Orpheus back to Joxer.
XENA
I can't do that.
ORPHEUS
(Irritated tone) I knew I should never have trusted you. Once again, your selfish desires come first. Don't you understand? Bacchus is using Gabrielle against us. If you try to save her, you'll fall right into his trap.
XENA
I don't care. I'm going after Gabrielle.
ORPHEUS
Then Bacchus has won already!
XENA
If that's what it takes to save Gabrielle, then so be it.
Xena stormed off a head as joxer held Orpheus and followed her further into the cave. After he caught up, Joxer looked at their surroundings as they walked.
JOXER
Um, are you sure you know where we're going?
XENA
It's all right, Joxer, just follow me.
Xena moved slightly further ahead to scout for enemies, as joxer kept his same pace.
ORPHEUS
(Irritated Sarcasm) That's right, Joxer, follow Xena blindly to your death.
JOXER
Don't worry. We know where we're going... Wait, what do you mean, "Death"?
ORPHEUS
Because it's only a matter of time before Gabrielle bites Xena and makes her a Bacchae too. Xena's attachment to Gabrielle has blinded her to the mission. You have to take control. The world is counting on you, Joxer.
JOXER
Really?
ORPHEUS
Yes. So if we see Gabrielle you know what you have to do don't you?
Xena was deeper in the cavern when she noticed that Joxer was no longer behind her and stopped as she called out for him.
XENA
(Loud Whisper) Joxer! Joxer!
Hearing Xena's voice from up a head, Joxer sighed sadly as he thought of the possibility of having to kill Gabrielle.
JOXER
Okay.
He took out the dryad bone they had retrieved before chasing after Gabrielle and looked at it for a moment.
JOXER
If Gabrielle comes around again, I'll know what to do.
ORPHEUS
Good.
After hearing Xena call him again, Joxer continued to follow her into the cavern. Once inside, Xena and Joxer looked around the darkened area as a pair of eyes watched as they moved further inside.
XENA
(Whisper) Keep your eyes open. Gabrielle's around here somewhere.
JOXER
(Whisper) How can you be so sure?
Xena looked around as they walked, and she tried to find any physical signs of Gabrielle's presence.
XENA
(Whisper) Trust me Joxer, she's here. I can feel it.
JOXER
Well don't worry. I'm ready for anything.
Almost as if on cue, a bat suddenly swooped down on Joxer who jumped and screamed. As the small, relatively harmless animal flew past her, Xena looked at Joxer and raised her eyebrow.
JOXER
(Defensive tone) Hey it came outta nowhere and flew right in my face alright.
XENA
What? I didn't say anything.
Joxer sighed to himself in defeat as Xena returned her focus to looking for Gabrielle. They continued forward for a few moments, when suddenly something dropped from above on to Joxer. Again, Joxer screamed as he was tackled to the ground.
JOXER
Xena!
Hearing Joxer's frantic tone, Xena quickly turned around and saw that he was pinned to the ground with the Bacchae Gabrielle on top of him as she tried to claw him apart. Her Bacchae claws cut Joxer's forearm as he attempted to keep her at bay. Wasting no time, Xena ran over, grabbed the frenzied Gabrielle by the back of her shirt and threw her off of Joxer. He scrambled to his feet and took hold of the dryad bone.
JOXER
(Angry tone) Oh, you little Bacchae!
He moved towards Gabrielle but was stopped when he was grabbed by Xena
XENA
Joxer, don't!
With a hiss in their direction, Gabrielle jumped up and out of sight as she flew back into the darkness. Xena kept on alert as she called out to Gabrielle.
XENA
Gabrielle, come on. Don't you recognize us?
Before long, Gabrielle re-emerged from the shadows and swooped down on Xena and Joxer. Again they dodged and Gabrielle vanished into the shadows once again.
XENA
I know you're still in there Gabrielle. You can fight this. I know you can.
Xena's attempts to reach Gabrielle appeared to fall on fear ears as Gabrielle flew down towards them again. But this Xena was ready as she quickly dodged and grabbed the back of the cloak that Gabrielle was wearing and tossed her off course. Gabrielle tumbled in the air before she straightened out and hissed as she flew back at Xena and Joxer.
JOXER
Duck!
Both Xena and Joxer did just that as Gabrielle flew over their heads and continued on into the darkness. After a moment, they stood up straight.
JOXER
Is she gone?
Elsewhere, within the cave, a group of Bacchae danced in a ritualistic motion as Bacchus rose from his seat and Gabrielle flew into the corridor and landed amung the other women. Bacchus looked at the group and smiled an evil grin that revealed his razor sharp teeth.
BACCHUS
It is time.
He flew the short distance to the women and stood beside a large pedestal with a bowl resting on top of it. The Bacchae, including Gabrielle, gathered closer to him as he picked up a goblet and dipped it into the contents of the bowl to fill it. He then handed the cup to one of the young women.
BACCHUS
Now drink my blood, and become one with me...forever.
The young woman put the goblet to her lips and drank down the god's blood.
XENA
Remember Joxer, your job is to find the lyre and play it as soon as you can. That should give me time to reach Bacchus.
JOXER
Right.
Xena was about to head onward when Orpheus called after her.
ORPHEUS
Xena.
Xena stopped and looked at him.
ORPHEUS
Listen I...owe you an apology. I guess I was just looking for someone to blame for what happened to my wife and...
XENA
Bacchus must've caused you a lot of pain. But maybe now can bring you some peace.
She drew her sword as they hurried deeper through the cave.
BACCHUS
Now, friend of Xena...
Bacchus stood before Gabrielle as he handed her the goblet of his blood.
BACCHUS
Now, friend of Xena. Go ahead, my child, drink and become immortal.
Gabrielle holds the cup to her lips.
BACCHUS
For in mere seconds you will soon become one with me.