Scars of Tragedy
Written: 1997
© Julie Ruffell 1997
Timeline: Between "A Necessary Evil" and "Maternal Insticts". This piece was written as a possible explination for how Callisto would get out of the lava river from "A Necessary Evil".
Disclaimer: Xena: Warrior Princess is the copyright property of Renaissance Pictures, Universal Studios and Studios USA. This fan fiction story was written for entertainment purposes only.
Description: After Xena dumps Callisto in the lava pit, her long thought dead sister, Cleis comes after Xena with the few survivours of Cirra. Time for the Warrior Princess' final judgment.
"Scars of Tragedy"
TEASER
1 EXT. OLD RUINS - DAY
A woman, CLEIS, who is hidden beneath a brown cloak, walks through the old ruins strait towards a cliff that over looks a lava pit. She looks down.
CLEIS
This was your last stand, my sister.
Cleis pulls out a flower and drops it. It sails down and burns when it touches the lava.
CLEIS
For you. I wish I had known that you survived. Don't worry, I will finish your quest. Xena will pay for what she's done.
Cleis reaches up and pulls back the hood of her cloak, revealing that she is Callisto's twin sister. Her eyes are WHITE, for she is blind and her face is HORRIBLY SCARRED. She gets on her knees.
CLEIS
Xena's time has come! This is the final judgment!
She looks to the sky and Xena's face appears.
FADE OUT:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
2 EXT. OUTSIDE TAVERN - DAY
A RUFFIAN crashes through the window of a tavern. He stumbles to his feet and draws his sword. XENA steps out through the door.
RUFFIAN
You won't take me Xena! Die!
The Ruffian runs at Xena, who reacts by raising a single eyebrow. The Ruffian reaches Xena and she punches him in the face. He drops his sword and falls to the ground. GABRIELLE steps out of the tavern, the TAVERN OWNER beside her.
GABRIELLE
I'm so sorry about the mess, but you know how it happens when you own a tavern. Just be honoured you got to watch the great, Warrior Princess in action.
TAVERN OWNER
I don't care about that! I want to know who's paying for my busted tables and chairs.
GABRIELLE
Well, how much do you suppose the damages come to?
TAVERN OWNER
At least thirty-five dinars.
Gabrielle looks into her hand bag. Xena can be seen fighting the Ruffian behind her.
GABRIELLE
Look, all I have is twenty-three.
She holds out the bag and the Tavern Owner grabs it.
TAVERN OWNER
Done.
Gabrielle opens her mouth to protest, knowing now that the Tavern Owner exaggerated the damages, but he turns and goes inside. Xena knocks the Ruffian unconscious. Gabrielle walks over.
GABRIELLE
You know, if you took these little fights of yours outside sooner, out meals wouldn't cost us all our money.
Xena ties up the Ruffian.
XENA
Right. The next time we run into a slob who wants to fight me in a tavern, I'll just ask him politely, "Do you want to take this outside?"
GABRIELLE
(under her breath)
Well, it couldn't hurt.
Xena picks the Ruffian up by his collar.
XENA
Come on, Sleepy.
Xena drags the Ruffian along, Gabrielle following her. They walk down the road and as they walk off, we pan back to the tavern door. It swings open and Cleis and five others exit. The first is the blacksmith HERON, who wears a patch over his left eye. The second is a middle-aged woman named ASPASIA. The third is DARIUS, an old man. The fourth is, ZANDAR, a young man of thirty. The last is HARMODIUS, a musician, with burn scars on his neck.
HERON
She's the one? The girl?
CLEIS
Yes, but remember, she is not to be harmed. She's the key, not the victim.
ASPASIA
How can anyone befriend that witch?
CLEIS
You forget that Xena is a different woman now.
DARIUS
That's no reason for her not to pay for her past crimes. A griffin can't change its feathers.
CLEIS
No one here disagrees with you, Darius. We, the survivours of Cirra, know more than any other that justice against Xena must be served. Heron?
Heron steps beside Cleis.
CLEIS
You, Zandar and Harmodius get the girl. The rest of us will await you at Cirra. That's where judgment will be passed.
CUT TO:
3 EXT. PATH IN WOODS - SUNSET
Xena rides Argo and Gabrielle walks beside her. The sun has begun to set.
GABRIELLE
Maybe we should camp for the night, Xena. It's getting late.
Xena stops Argo and looks about.
XENA
There's a river nearby. We might as well.
She dismounts Argo.
XENA
I'll go get us something to eat. Why don't you set up camp?
Xena heads off into the woods. Gabrielle takes Argo's reins and heads the other way.
CUT TO:
4 EXT. CLEARING IN WOODS - EVENING
Gabrielle leads Argo to a patch of grass and unhooks her reins. Gabrielle then collects wood for a fire. Something moves in the bushes. Gabrielle drops the wood and grabs her staff which is leaning against a tree.
GABRIELLE
Who's there?
No one answers, but the sound of something crashing through the bushes is heard again.
GABRIELLE
I'm a friend of Xena, Warrior Princess and she'll be here any minute.
Heron and Zander step out of the bushes, from either side of Gabrielle.
HERON
That's exactly what we want.
Gabrielle backs up so Heron and Zander are both in front of her.
GABRIELLE
Who are you?
HERON
Old friends of Callisto.
GABRIELLE
Callisto! You're from Cirra, aren't you?
ZANDER
(surprised)
You know about Cirra?
GABRIELLE
Of course. Xena's my friend. She told me about it.
HERON
How can you be friends with that butcher?
Heron moves forward, causing Gabrielle to back up. HARMODIUS' POV: Gabrielle's back.
GABRIELLE
Xena's not a butcher.
The camera is on Gabrielle again.
GABRIELLE (CON'T)
She did some things in her past that she's not proud of, but she's not like that anymore.
HERON
Reforming doesn't take away the pain she caused. It doesn't wipe the blood from her hands.
Harmodius leaps out and grabs Gabrielle from behind. Gabrielle tries to fight him, but Heron runs up and grabs her staff, ripping it from her hands. Zandar holds back. Gabrielle struggles against the two men, but Heron punches her, knocking her out.
ZANDAR
What are you doing!? Cleis told us not to hurt her!
HERON
This is the only way to get her to come with us. Don't you want Xena to pay? She's the reason your wife is dead.
Zandar straightens up. He grabs Gabrielle's staff from Heron and stabs it into the ground. Under it he writes "CIRRA," in the dirt with his foot.
ZANDAR
Let's go.
As they walk off, we move back to the other side of the clearing. Xena comes running in.
XENA
Gabrielle, I heard-
She sees the staff and that Gabrielle is gone.
XENA
(whispers)
Callisto.
CUT TO:
5 INT. CLEIS' HOUSE - DAY
Gabrielle awakens to find herself tied to a chair. She groans in pain. There is a large, purple lump on her forehead. Heron stands beside her. Cleis is wearing her cloak as she steps out in front of Gabrielle.
CLEIS
How's your head?
GABRIELLE
Feels like Hephaetus is using it as his anvil.
Gabrielle looks at Cleis, wondering who is under the hood.
GABRIELLE
Who are you anyway? Where am I? What do you want with me?
CLEIS
So many questions. You are in Cirra, Gabrielle. This was my home. I was here when Xena rode through, spreading her evil with flames.
She pulls back her hood and Gabrielle gasps in surprise.
GABRIELLE
Callisto! But how did you get out of the lava pit?
CLEIS
I am not Callisto. I am her sister and you are here to witness the end. Xena's end.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
6 EXT. FIELD - DAY
Xena rides Argo towards Cirra.
CUT TO:
7 INT. CLEIS' HOUSE - DAY
Gabrielle is tied to a chair. Cleis stands before Gabrielle while Heron stands behind her.
GABRIELLE
That can't be. Callisto said you were dead.
CLEIS
No.
(weak smile)
I thought that she was the one who died in that fire. I almost didn't make it myself.
CUT TO:
8 EXT. CIRRA (FLASHBACK) - NIGHT
Cirra burns and Xena's army charges through the street, fighting any villager in their way. As they continue, we cut to:
9 CLEIS' HOUSE (FLASHBACK) - NIGHT
A YOUNG CLEIS is kneeling next to her mother, shaking her, as her house burns around her.
YOUNG CLEIS
Mother! Mother, wake up!
(looks around)
Callisto! Where are you, Callisto! Help me!
A burning beam crashes down beside her. She screams.
CLEIS
Help! Someone help me!
Another beam falls, pinning her to the ground.
YOUNG CLEIS
Help!
The door is kicked open. A dark figure can be seen, but we can't tell if it's a man or a woman, as they are wearing thick armour and furs. The figure's hands are seen tossing the beam off of Young Cleis and then picking her up. As Young Cleis is picked up, we cut to:
10 EXT. FIELD (FLASHBACK) - NIGHT
Young Cleis is set down on the ground. The figure is seen running back to the burning village. We move back to Young Cleis and see that her face is burnt and her eyes are white, blank.
YOUNG CLEIS
What about my sister?! She's still in there! Please! Help her!
CUT TO:
11 INT. CLEIS' HOUSE - DAY
There are tears in Cleis' eyes.
CLEIS
I never found out who it was, for I had gone blind before I saw him.
Gabrielle fights against the ropes, but Heron lays a heavy hand on her shoulder.
CLEIS
It's all right, Heron. Please, give us some time alone. Inform me when Xena arrives.
Heron leaves.
CLEIS
I'm not going to hurt you, Gabrielle. You are not on trial. You are guilty of no crime, except, perhaps, the crime of befriending Xena.
GABRIELLE
How can you say that? Xena has saved hundreds of people.
CLEIS
And murdered thousands! This is justice. My sister wanted vengeance. She turned my sister into a monster, like her.
GABRIELLE
Your sister made her own choices. Xena's not responsible for that.
CLEIS
With no mother to guide her, she was incapable of making her own choices. Xena caused my mother's death, which makes her responsible for Callisto's life and actions. She will stand trial.
CUT TO:
12 EXT. SLIGHTLY WOODED FIELD - DAY
Xena rides Argo.
CUT TO:
13 INT. CLEIS' HOUSE - DAY
Harmodius enters with food and water for Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Well, that's nice of you to bring, but I can't eat without my hands.
Darius enters and leans against the door.
DARIUS
And he can't sing without his voice.
GABRIELLE
What do you mean?
DARIUS
Harmodius can't speak. See those burns on his neck? Those are thanks to Xena and her thirst for blood.
GABRIELLE
She doesn't have that thirst anymore.
DARIUS
Now that's not true. She still kills, doesn't she?
GABRIELLE
Only when she has to.
DARIUS
Oh, I see. Well do you ever have to kill?
GABRIELLE
Not as of yet.
DARIUS
But you're her sidekick. I'm sure that the fights you get into are just as hairy as hers. So if you don't kill, why does shes?
Gabrielle looks at her feet, both unable and unwilling to answer.
DARIUS
Ha! Can't answer that, can you?
GABRIELLE
I can't explain all of Xena's actions; I'm not her, but just because I don't know the reason, it doesn't mean there isn't one.
DARIUS
I don't understand you. Do you know the horror she's brought to the world?
GABRIELLE
Do you know the joy? Countless warlords will never bring pain again, because of Xena. They were vicious, killing anyone. Xena never killed women and children.
DARIUS
She did here!
GABRIELLE
That was an accident! She never meant for it to happen!
DARIUS
Those people are still dead!
Aspasia enters.
ASPASIA
Father, please, calm down.
DARIUS
Sorry. Let's go. After talking with her I have an overwhelming need for a strong drink.
All three of them leave and Gabrielle struggles against her binds. She gets one of her hands free and starts to untie the other, when Zandar steps in. He grabs her arms and she gasps, having not heard him enter.
ZANDAR
Why are you struggling? As soon as we deal with Xena, we'll let you go, unharmed.
Zandar starts to retie Gabrielle's hands as she speaks.
GABRIELLE
Because as long as I'm here, this is where Xena's coming. She's my friend. You can't possibly think that I'm going to let you kill her.
ZANDAR
None of us can understand your friendship with her.
GABRIELLE
This is the only Xena I've ever know. That evil Xena is dead. Justice has been served, can't you see that? The world has so few heroes; would you rob it of one?
Zandar thinks for a moment.
ZANDAR
She killed my wife.
GABRIELLE
And everyday she wishes that she didn't.
ZANDAR
That doesn't bring her back to me.
GABRIELLE
Killing Xena won't either.
Zandar has an angered look on his face. He storms out.
CUT TO:
14 EXT. CIRRA STREET - DAY
Xena rides into Cirra.
CUT TO:
15 EXT. CIRRA STREET (FLASHBACK) - NIGHT
Cirra burns around Xena. A YOUNG CALLISTO looks at Xena with tears on her face.
YOUNG CALLISTO
Why?
CUT TO:
16 EXT. CIRRA STREET - DAY
Xena shakes her head to lose the thought.
XENA
I'm here! Where are you Callisto?
Darius, Zandar, Harmodius and Aspasia step out from behind objects and houses.
DARIUS
Callisto didn't ask you here, Xena. We did.
XENA
Do I know you?
ZANDAR
Why would a vicious warlord like you remember the faces of some of your victims?
ASPASIA
We are survivours of Cirra.
Xena looks surprised.
XENA
Where's Gabrielle?
HERON
Right here.
Heron steps out, Gabrielle in his arms, a dagger at her throat.
HERON
You sure took your time.
GABRIELLE
Probably saving a few villages on the way. She does that.
Heron presses the dagger a little closer to Gabrielle's neck. Xena reaches for her sword.
CLEIS
None of that Xena! Drop your weapons. I don't want to hurt your friend, but I will.
Xena slowly draw her sword and tosses it to the ground. She pulls out her chakram, holding it ready, but then drops it.
CLEIS
Don't forget the knife in your boot.
Xena tosses the boot knife to the ground.
CLEIS
And the breast dagger.
Xena pulls out her breast dagger, looks at it, raises one eyebrow as if to ask "Happy" and then drops it. Harmodius takes her weapons and places them on a table behind Cleis. Clesi is standing in the shadows, her face unseen.
XENA
So you're the leader. What do you want?
CLEIS
Justice.
Cleis pulls back her hood. Close-up on Xena, with a shocked, yet hard look on her face.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
17 EXT. CIRRA STREET - DAY
Xena sits atop Argo. The people of Cirra are around her.
CLEIS
I'm sure that you know who I am.
XENA
You're Callisto's sister. I thought you were dead.
CLEIS
Sometimes I wish I was.
Xena dismounts and sends Argo off.
XENA
You've got me; let Gabrielle go. I won't fight you.
CLEIS
Gabrielle is just insurance. Once we finish with you, she can go.
Xena frowns.
XENA
So, what do you want?
CLEIS
You, Xena, have never been tried for the crimes that you have committed. This is that trial. I am the judge and the survivours of Cirra are your jury.
(to all)
I will hear from anyone who wants to speak.
ASPASIA
I will speak first.
She walks and stands before Xena.
ASPASIA
My name is Aspasia. I lost my family in that fire. My husband and my two sons, Alcibiades and Cleon. Cleon was only four years old.
(crying)
My father is the only family I have left.
Darius steps up and holds Aspasia.
DARIUS
My name is Darius. Luckily I wasn't at home; or maybe it was unlucky. Maybe if Aspasia and I had died in that fire, maybe then we could have had some peace.
A tear rolls down Xena's cheek.
XENA
I'm sorry.
Aspasia and Darius back up and Harmodius steps before Xena. He stands two feet from her and just stares into her face.
XENA
Don't you have anything to say to me?
Zandar moves forward and stands just behind Harmodius.
ZANDAR
He has plenty to say, but no way to say it.
Harmodius lifts his head to reveal his scarred neck.
ZANDAR
Harmodius is a musician, or at least, he was. The fire scorched his vocal cords. Ha can't even speak, let alone sing. You should have heard him sing Xena. With the voice of the Muses themselves.
Tears begin to run down Harmodius' face. He stands nose to nose with Xena, then slaps her hard in the face. Xena accepts the hit, and makes no move to retaliate. Harmodius steps back.
ZANDAR
Then there's me. My name is Zandar.
CUT TO:
18 INT. ZANDAR'S HOUSE (FLASHBACK) - NIGHT
Zandar and his wife, SERETA, are at a table, eating dinner by candlelight. Sereta pats her large stomach.
SERETA
Any day now.
Zandar smiles and holds her hand.
ZANDAR
Our first child.
LOUD SCREAMS are heard. Zandar jumps up. He looks out the window to see Xena's army running through the village. He grabs his pitchfork and runs to the door.
ZANDAR
Barricade yourself in the house.
SERETA
Zandar, where are you going?
ZANDAR
Stay here!
He opens the door and runs into the street.
CUT TO:
19 EXT. CIRRA STREET (FLASHBACK) - NIGHT
Zandar runs down the street. He sees one of Xena's men, punching a villager. He runs up and hits the attacker in the back of the head. He stands over the warrior and then he's attacked from behind.
CUT TO:
20 EXT. CIRRA STREET - DAY
ZANDAR
I didn't even see who hit me. I awoke later to the smell of burning wood...and flesh.
CUT TO:
21 EXT. CIRRA STREET (FLASHBACK) - NIGHT
Zandar awakens and feels the bump on his head. He looks about and sees Cirra burning.
ZANDAR
Sereta!
He gets to his feet and runs home. He arrives and discovers that the door is burnt away. Fire leaps out. He covers his eyes with his arm.
ZANDAR
Sereta!
The flames shrink back slightly and he runs inside.
CUT TO:
22 INT. ZANDAR'S HOUSE (FLASHBACK) - NIGHT
Sereta is lying on the floor. Zandar runs to her, picks her up and carries her outside.
CUT TO:
23 EXT. CIRRA STREET (FLASHBACK) - NIGHT
Zandar lays Sereta on the ground.
ZANDAR
Sereta?
Sereta isn't moving or breathing. Tears run down Zandar's face as he cradles his dead wife to him.
CUT TO:
24 EXT. CIRRA STREET - DAY
Zandar wipes tears from his face.
ZANDAR
And that was the end. My child wasn't even born!
He steps back. Heron looks up.
HERON
I am Heron. My eye wasn't the only thing I lost. I was working that night, forging a gift for my son's eighth birthday. That's when I heard the screams.
CUT TO:
25 EXT. CIRRA STREET (FLASHBACK) - NIGHT
Heron is seen fighting two men. He knocks out the first and then starts to struggle with the second. The man draws a dagger and cuts Heron's eye. Heron grabs his eye and cries out. He turns and punches the man. Cirra burns around him.
CUT TO:
26 EXT. CIRRA STREET - DAY
Xena listens to Heron.
HERON
I didn't know what to do. Fight or go home to check on my family. I chose to fight. I had fought five of your men before I noticed the blazing fire. I ran home, but it was too late. My wife, my son, my daughters...all with Hades.
Xena is physically moved.
CLEIS
All the witnesses from Cirra have spoken. Do you, Xena, Warrior Princess, have anything to say in your defense?
Xena stands silent for a moment before answering.
XENA
(at a loss)
What can I say?
CLEIS
Then all has been said.
GABRIELLE
No! I wish to speak!
She moves forward, but Heron restrains her.
GABRIELLE
(to Cleis)
I'm not going anywhere.
CLEIS
Let her go. I said that I would hear from anyone. She may speak.
Heron releases Gabrielle and sheathes his dagger. Gabrielle walks over to Xena and touches her arm. Xena can't look her in the eye. Gabrielle faces the survivours of Cirra.
GABRIELLE
I've known Xena a little over two years. The first time we met, she saved my village from Draco's army. Ever since then I have witnessed her save countless lives, with no regard for her own. How many warlords has she stopped? How many has she saved? Yes, she has blood on her hands, but she's working to wipe them clean.
Xena stopped Dagnine when he became Ixion. She saved Prometheus. She saved the Amazons from going to war with the Centaurs. She stopped the goddess Velasca from bringing chaos to the world. Her deeds have done more than save just the people in immediate danger. She prevented the spread of numerous armies. Her waking hours are spent trying to redeem a soul that at night is plagued with the demons of her past.
You claim you want justice for your loved ones. Xena wasn't responsible. She didn't give the order to burn Cirra. She never killed women and children. Xena became a warlord when she sought vengeance for the murder of her brother at the hands of Cortese. If you execute her now, you'll follow that same path. But yours will be darker, because you will be killing a hero. Look inside yourselves. You don't want to do this. Be strong for your loved ones. Let Xena live.
The people of Cirra are silent.
GABRIELLE
(to Xena)
I think it's working.
Gabrielle opens her mouth to speak again, but Xena holds up her hand.
XENA
No, Gabrielle. This is my fight.
(to Cirra survivours)
I'm not just on trial here for the crimes I committed against you. I've done so much evil in my life, that there's no way I can redeem myself, or wipe the blood from my soul. I can't take back those mistakes. I can't return your loved ones.
But I can tell you that I've walked a dark path, one that consumes the soul and it all started with a single kill. Once you cross that line, you can never go back. If you think killing me is you want, I won't stop you. Do what you think is right.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
27 EXT. CIRRA STREET - DAY
The people of Cirra give Xena odds looks.
GABRIELLE
Xena! Are you crazy!?
Xena pushes Gabrielle aside with one arm.
HERON
Then I'll carry out your execution.
XENA
One thing before you do. I want you to know that I never meant for this-
(spreads open her arms)
-to happen.
CLEIS
You've sung this song before Xena.
XENA
I wasn't finished yet. I remember you now, Cleis. There's more to the story.
CUT TO:
28 EXT. CIRRA STREET (FLASHBACK) - NIGHT
Xena's army runs through the burning village. Her army and the villagers fight. Xena rides by on her horse. She stops and dismounts. Her COMMANDER is punching a villager. Xena grabs his back and turns him to face her.
XENA
What happened?!
The villager runs off.
XENA
I didn't order this!
COMMANDER
What does it matter? They're sheep! Who cares?
Xena punches him hard in the face with her elbow.
XENA
I care! We don't slaughter! I didn't want this! Did the women and children get away?
COMMANDER
They're trapped in their homes. They'll fry like pigs on spits.
Xena grabs him by his collar and pulls him closer.
XENA
Get out of my sight. If I ever see you again, I will crave open your chest and leaving you hanging from a cross!
Xena shoves him back and then runs towards one of the burning homes.
CUT TO:
29 INT. CLEIS' HOUSE (FLASHBACK) - NIGHT
Young Cleis screams.
YOUNG CLEIS
Help!
The door is kicked open. Someone reaches down to pick up Young Cleis. The camera pans up to a close-up of the figure. The flickering light from the fire illuminates her face to reveal Xena.
CUT TO:
30 EXT. CIRRA STREET - DAY
Cleis is furious.
CLEIS
No! It wasn't you! You're a monster!
XENA
It was me. Small help, but I didn't leave you all to die. After I rescued Cleis I went back and helped to put out the fire. Unfortunately, I was too late to save anyone else. I wasn't even there for most of the battle.
The people of Cirra stand still, unsure of what to say or do.
XENA
It was a terrible accident and I will go to Hades regretting it.
Zandar is looking at his feet, but then looks up. He walks up to Xena, and offers out his hand. Xena is surprised, but then smiles and clasps him arm.
ZANDAR
Hate is easy. Sereta wouldn't want me to talk the easy way. She'd want me to fight. So I'll fight the anger in my heart. I don't want to let it eat at me anymore. I want to let it go, to move on from this tragedy and have a life again. I don't want to end up like Callisto. So...I forgive you.
XENA
(whispers)
Thank you.
The other people of Cirra stare at Zandar, but slowly, they understand his choice. They follow Zandar's example and step up to shake Xena's hand. Cleis, on the other hand, is fuming at this unexpected outcome. Zandar stands near Gabrielle. She turns to face him, a large smile on his face.
GABRIELLE
That took strength.
ZANDAR
I didn't think I had it in me.
GABRIELLE
Sereta would be proud.
ZANDAR
Think so?
GABRIELLE
It's easy to hate. Love takes work. You opened your heart. I can't imagine a wife who wouldn't be proud of her husband for that.
The group is talking, but we pan in on Cleis, and see the rage building on her face.
CLEIS
Stop this! Cant' you see!? She's trying to escape justice again! She killed all of our friends, our family! My sister is lying in a lava pit because of her!
She reaches over and picks up Xena's boot knife from the table behind her.
CLEIS
She told us to do what we think is right! Killing this demon is right and if none of you can see that, then I'll do it myself!
Cleis charges at Xena, the knife raised over her head, ready to come down on Xena. The knife comes down, but Xena grabs Cleis' wrist. The knife falls into the dirt.
XENA
I'm not going to fight you, Cleis. You have the chance to start over. I took the chance when it was offered to me. Now it's your turn.
Cleis rips herself free of Xena's grasp and spits on the ground at her feet.
CLEIS
That's what I think of your chance! This isn't over, Xena! I will see you dead!
She turns and runs off.
ASPASIA
Cleis!
Aspasia moves to follow, but Xena's places a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.
XENA
No. Let her go. She has to find her own path.
CUT TO:
31 EXT. HILL - DAY
Xena and Gabrielle wave good-bye to Zandar and the others from the hill they stand on. Xena then turns and looks at Gabrielle.
XENA
That's a nasty bump.
Gabrielle touches it gently.
GABRIELLE
I know. The things I go through to save your life.
Xena smiles weakly and stars off.
GABRIELLE
What is it?
XENA
I've managed to receive the forgiveness of those people, and yet, I've made Cleis hatred for me even stronger. I've completely destroyed her, like I destroyed Callisto.
GABRIELLE
Callisto destroyed Callisto, not you.
XENA
Maybe you're right.
GABRIELLE
Of course I'm right. Name one time when I haven't been right.
Xena raises an eyebrow and Gabrielle turns and sees the look on her face.
GABRIELLE
Never mind. Don't answer that.
Gabrielle continues to walk, but Xena stops and looks at the sky. We move back down and cut to:
32 EXT. OLD RUINS - DAY
Cleis is once more kneeling over the lava pit.
CLEIS
I'll find a way to get you our of here, Callisto, and together, we will make Xena suffer.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT FOUR
