Xena leapt into the air as Charaxus tried to run her down. Her feet flashed as a powerful kick threw the angry man off his horse. The animal squealed, bucking and snorting frantically as it ran off into the woods.
“It’s just you and me now.” Xena taunted as she drew her sword.
Charaxus picked himself up off the ground and did likewise. “An unfair advantage, woman. In MY favor!”
The madman swung viciously, striking sharp blows against Xena’s own parrying sword. What skill he lacked, he made up in ferocity as he slashed again and again. Xena tired of his attack.
“IiiiiiiiiiEeeeeeee!” she chanted loudly as she backflipped away. She landed, sword ready, and smiled evilly. With her free hand, she gestured for him. “You want some of this? Then come and get it!”
Charaxus, infuriated beyond all rational thought, raced to her bidding, never realizing that they were on Xena’s terms now. She went on the offensive, batting away his pitiful strikes like she would a bothersome fly. Her arm flew as the sword in her hand vibrated.
She remembered the fallen Amazons and the agony of their death masks, the funeral fire that seemed larger than life and nine children, torn from their homes and all that was familiar to them. Children waiting only a short distance away.
Her eyes sought and found the flaw in his defense, and after ducking under a deadly swipe of his blade, Xena thrust upwards, sinking her sword deep into Charaxus’ chest. His eyes went wide as he dropped to his knees, clutching the fatal would now leaking his lifeblood on the ground. Xena impassively watched as he faced his final judgment in this life.
Charaxus gasped, and blood dripped from between his lips. “You still haven’t won, Xena. I am everywhere. Death is just another beginning.”
With those dire words, the self proclaimed prophet of Eli passed from this world with Xena as his only witness.
