HOPE:
     Xena--Gabrielle... (to Gabrielle) Are you the one who saved Khrafstar?

GABRIELLE (her face lights up):
     You know Khrafstar?

HOPE:
     Of course. Together, we won our temple back from Meridian and her accomplices. Khrafstar told me about you--he often said he wished we had you on our side. (Gabrielle smiles, obviously pleased) He's here with me in Greece.

GABRIELLE:
     Really? I'd love to see him.

HOPE:
     He's at our camp less than an hour's walk away. I'm headed back there now with some of. (she gestures toward the crowd) Do you want to come with us?

GABRIELLE:
     Of course!

XENA (brusquely):
     One moment.

She takes Gabrielle's arm and pulls her aside.

GABRIELLE (looks up at her, puzzled):
     What?

XENA:
     Gabrielle, how can you be so trusting?

GABRIELLE (exasperated):
     How can you be so cynical?

XENA:
     Think about it. How can you be sure that she's not with Meridian and those others? How do you know Khrafstar is even alive? (Gabrielle looks at her, starting to waver) Do you really want to go with her to this camp?

GABRIELLE (a little hesitantly):
     I do.

XENA:
     Well, then I'll come with you.

CUT TO

A field in the countryside. The sun is starting to set. Xena, Gabrielle and Hope, along with about a dozen people, are approaching a camp. As they get close, chanting can be heard and white-robed people are seen walking about the camp. Gabrielle can be seen talking to Hope, while Xena walks slightly apart from them, looking around warily.

They approach the edge of the camp. Gabrielle stops, a joyous smile spreading on the face. The camera pans to Khrafstar, dressed in a white robe, who stands smiling at Gabrielle.

KHRAFSTAR (strides toward Gabrielle):
     Gabrielle! I was hoping I'd see you again.

GABRIELLE:
     Khrafstar! I'm so glad you're all right.

Khrafstar and Gabrielle hug. As they pull apart, he turns to Xena.

KHRAFSTAR:
     Xena! How great to see you.

XENA (in a neutral tone):
     Good to see you too, Khrafstar.

GABRIELLE (turns to Xena):
     Xena, I'd like to stay here with them for the night.

XENA (with a notable lack of enthusiasm):
     All right. I'll go back to town.

GABRIELLE (a little disappointed):
     Are you sure you won't stay too?

XENA (shakes her head with a half-smile):
     Nah, not my kind of thing. (she hugs Gabrielle) You'll be back at the inn tomorrow, right?

GABRIELLE (brightly):
     Of course.

Flanked by Hope and Khrafstar, she stands watching Xena walk away.

KHRAFSTAR (takes her hand):
     Come on, Gabrielle. I have so much to tell you.

Xena is walking along a country path as dusk falls. Suddenly, she stops and looks around. Ares stands under a tree, leaning on its trunk with one hand.

XENA:
     Aren't you tired of following me around?

ARES (saunters up to her):
     I keep waiting for you to say that to your irritating little friend. (Xena snorts and starts walking again as he follows her) You know, she's gonna get you in big trouble.

XENA (walks on briskly, looking straight ahead):
     What's that supposed to mean?

ARES:
     Her new friend. (a shade of nervousness creeps into his voice) Hope.

XENA:
     What about Hope?

ARES:
     She's not human.

Xena stops in her tracks and turns around abruptly.

XENA:
     What?

ARES:
     She's a vessel for Dahak.

XENA (flinches):
     Dahak...

ARES:
     The god I tried to warn you against in Britannia.

XENA (pensively):
     I've heard that he's an evil god who must not be let into the world... (her tone turns brusque again) You're telling me that Hope and Khrafstar are followers of Dahak? He's their One God?

ARES (emphatically):
     Hope is not just his follower. She's his daughter--created as his gateway into this world.

XENA:
     This is ridiculous. (she turns and starts walking on again. Ares teleports himself so that he stands in her path.) Get out of my way.

ARES:
     You don't believe me?

XENA:
     Give me one reason why I should.

ARES:
     Why would I make this up?

XENA (stops and looks at Ares, her mouth curved in a sneer):
     You're afraid that girl is going to steal your worshippers. So you want to use me to get rid of her. (mockingly) Nice try, Ares, but it's not gonna happen.

She turns and starts walking again. Ares stays behind; he looks after her, scowling, and then vanishes.

CUT TO

The camp of Hope's followers. Hope, Khrafstar, and Gabrielle sit around a campfire.

HOPE:
     Your friend doesn't trust me.

GABRIELLE (defensively):
     No--no, it's not that. I mean--it's not you. Xena just finds it difficult to--open herself up to people sometimes.

KHRAFSTAR (smiles):
     I'm sure that before too long, Xena will see Hope for what she really is.

Gabrielle looks like she wants to ask something but is hesitant; she lowers her eyes.

HOPE:
     What is it, Gabrielle? (she reaches out and touches Gabrielle's chin, lifting up her head)

GABRIELLE (stumbling a little):
     Hope, you said before that in your god's kingdom, there will be no room for the likes of Ares. You didn't mean that he's going to be--killed, did you?

HOPE (caresses Gabrielle's cheek):
     Of course not. It isn't the way of our god.

GABRIELLE (smiles brightly as she puts her hand on top of Hope's):
     I knew that. Tell me, Hope--when do you think his kingdom will come?

HOPE:
     Very soon, perhaps.

KHRAFSTAR (leans forward):
     Gabrielle, tomorrow, we plan to take over the temple of Ares in this town. There, we will conduct a ceremony that will allow our god to enter the world.

GABRIELLE (puzzled):
     Why the temple of Ares?

HOPE:
     He's the God of War.

GABRIELLE (with a dreamy smile):
     And you're going to use his temple to usher in a world without war... Hope, that's beautiful.

Xena is approaching the inn. A dark figure emerges from the shadows.

MAN:
     Xena?

Xena looks up warily. The man steps out into the light of the torch fixed to the wall of the inn.

XENA:
     Who are you?

GOEWIN:
     My name is Goewin. (grimly) I'm the last of the Knights of the Pierced Heart. Xena, I have to talk to you. The fate of the world hangs in the balance.

XENA (suspiciously):
     What's this about?

GOEWIN:
     Hope and her cult.

XENA (narrows her eyes at him):
     You're working for Ares, aren't you?

GOEWIN:
     I swear on my life I am not. Xena, listen to what I have to say.

XENA (thinks for a moment):
     All right--come on up.

CUT TO

Inside the modest room at the inn, lit by a candle. Xena sits on the bed, Goewin on a chair across from her. She listens, a skeptical look on her face.

GOEWIN:
     We saw the signs that the Child of Darkness was about to be born. When we tracked her down, it was too late; the child was too powerful. All my fellow Knights died trying to fight her--save for one who betrayed us.

XENA (incredulous):
     You're saying she was conceived four months ago, in that temple in Britannia--as a vessel for Dahak.

GOEWIN:
     Hope's mother, Rhianna, told me the whole story--before Hope killed her. (Xena stares at him, still mistrustful but paying attention to what Goewin says) What they did to her--it was pure evil. For the vessel to be born, Dahak needed not just a sacrifice of blood--but of someone's blood innocence. (Xena's eyes widen) This man, Khrafstar, told Rhianna tales of a peaceful and loving god, and lured her to the temple for their ceremony. Then, some of his followers grabbed him and tied him to the altar, and one, a woman named Meridian, raised a dagger as though to sacrifice him. (the camera zooms in on Xena, as the shock of realization gradually comes over her. Goewin's voice is now heard off-screen.) Khrafstar cried for help, and Rhianna came to his aid; she was a strong girl, a hunter and a fighter, though she'd never shed human blood. In the struggle, she stabbed Meridian to death. Khrafstar then rose and thanked her--for giving her purity to Dahak.

XENA (whispers):
     Gabrielle...

The camera pulls back for a wide shot of Xena and Goewin.

GOEWIN:
     Then, a flame shot out of the altar and wrapped itself around Rhianna and lifted her in the air--and two nights later, she bore a child.

XENA (gets up abruptly):
     I believe you. Wait for me here, Goewin. I have to go get my friend back. (she walks toward the door)

GOEWIN:
     Be careful--Hope has special powers.

XENA (turns toward him):
     Can she be killed?

GOEWIN:
     Not with an ordinary weapon.

CUT TO

Xena galloping through the countryside at breakneck speed in the moonlit night.

CUT TO

Hope's and Khrafstar's camp. Dozens of people in white robes lie on the ground asleep. The camera zooms in on Gabrielle, who lies sleeping under a blanket, on her side. Xena's hand comes into view, shaking Gabrielle's shoulder and then clamping over her mouth. Gabrielle's eyes fly open in shock.

XENA (leans close to Gabrielle's ear):
     Shh. Don't make a sound. It's me--I need to talk to you.

CUT TO

Outside the camp. Xena and Gabrielle are standing behind some shrubbery.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena, are you mad? Hope is not evil!

XENA:
     Gabrielle, if you had heard what Goewin told me--

GABRIELLE (heatedly):
     Well, this Goewin is obviously working for Ares!

XENA:
     Gabrielle, the whole story--it's exactly like what happened to you at the temple, except that you didn't kill Meridian! How could he have known that?

GABRIELLE:
     Maybe Ares knew! How do you know that Ares wasn't watching when I was in the temple in Britannia? How do you know Meridian and those others weren't working for him?

XENA (slowly):
     I don't know how I know. I just do.

GABRIELLE (passionately):
     Well, that is not good enough for me.

XENA (grabs Gabrielle's shoulders and leans toward her, almost in tears):
     Gabrielle, just think. What if Goewin is telling the truth? This horrible thing could have happened to you...

GABRIELLE:
     No, the horrible thing is what's happening to you. Xena, don't you see? Ares is trying to kill two birds with one stone: Get you to join him and use you to eliminate someone who threatens his power. And you're falling for it.

XENA (bitterly):
     After everything we've been through, you trust Hope more than you trust me.

GABRIELLE (incredulous):
     Are you jealous? Because I'm looking up to someone other than you? (Xena stares at her in shock, and Gabrielle's face softens) I'm sorry... Xena, you're my best friend...I love you more than anyone in the world. But Hope--she's shown me the promise of a new life. A life without war, without violence, without hate. Don't try to take that away from me.

XENA:
     Gabrielle, if you would only--

GABRIELLE:
     No! I've heard enough.

She walks away. Xena stares after her in dismay.

Day. Xena and Goewin are walking up the steps to Ares' temple, a forbidding-looking building with two large cast-iron human skulls on the sides of the entrance.

XENA:
     I don't like this. But working with Ares may be our only chance.

CUT TO

Inside the temple. Xena and Goewin come in.

XENA (looks around):
     Ares! (pause; she raises her voice a little) Ares! (still no response, and Xena is getting exasperated) Now he's decided to play hard to get. Ares!!!

Ares appears in a flash of blue light.

ARES (sarcastic):
     I'm a little busy, if you don't mind. Raising an army to fight Gabrielle's new friends.

XENA (reluctantly):
     I'm willing to join you. (quickly catches herself) I mean--only to fight Hope.

ARES (curious):
     What changed your mind?

XENA (points to Goewin):
     He did. It's a long story. (businesslike) Tell me something, Ares. Is there a way to kill Hope?

ARES (purses his lips):
     Maybe.

XENA:
     What do you mean--maybe?

Ares holds up his hand; the air shimmers, and a dagger appears in his hand.

ARES:
     This is a dagger dipped in the blood of a Golden Hind. One scratch would be deadly to an Olympian. Whether it will work on Dahak's daughter...I'm not sure.

XENA:
     Why haven't you tried killing her, then? (off his nervous look, incredulously) You're scared of her!

ARES (scowls):
     She always senses when I'm near, okay? She can sense other gods. And she has powers. The girl can glare daggers at you--and I mean literally. (makes a gesture to indicate flying daggers) Whizz--and you're history. (shakes his head) I'm not taking that kind of chance with this thing.

XENA:
     All right then--let me have it.

Reluctantly and with obvious embarrassment, he gives her the dagger.

ARES:
     It's going to work much better if she's distracted.

An army marches through a field at dusk, with Xena and Goewin riding at its head.

Xena brings Argo to a halt and signals a stop.

XENA (to Goewin):
     Wait here. Their camp is on the other side of those trees. I'm going in there and getting Gabrielle out--if she's there. Then, we attack.

GOEWIN:
     Right.

XENA:
     We don't kill anyone unless we have to. These people aren't evil, just deluded. (she pauses, obviously thinking of Khrafstar; her face hardens) Well--most of them.

CUT TO

The camera pans over the abandoned site of the camp. Xena stands looking around, puzzled and troubled.

XENA:
     Where are they?

There is a flash of blue light and Ares stands before her.

ARES (grimly):
     At the moment, taking over my temple.

CUT TO

The army, led by Xena and Goewin, approaches Ares' temple. As they get close to the steps, the camera pans to a pile of swords, daggers and other weapons piled at the top of the steps. Suddenly, the pile starts to move. In an instant, the weapons rise into the air, hover for a moment, and then fly at dazzling speed toward the advancing army. Several warriors are struck. A disjointed chorus of terrified screams fills the air.

A sword flies toward Goewin's throat. A close-up of his eyes widening in horror, then the camera pulls back to show him falling from his horse.

The camera zooms in on Xena as she catches a dagger flying straight at her, then uses her sword to deflect a blade. Around her, some warriors are falling, dead or wounded--while the rest start to turn around and run in a panic. We see Xena shouting something, obviously trying to keep them from running, but the screams of the wounded and the shouts of the running men drowns out her voice.

In a few moments, Xena is the only one left. As she looks around, breathing hard, Ares materializes next to her. He is obviously frightened but trying not to show it.

ARES:
     That was Hope.

XENA (dryly):
     I gather. (gives him a grim stare) You and I are going in.

ARES:
     We are?

XENA (impatient):
     Ares, you're the God of War. If you go down, don't you want to go down fighting? (off his tight-lipped stare) Look, if you're not taking me inside-- (she dismounts) --I'm going in on my own. I'm not leaving Gabrielle in there with that--thing.

She starts to march toward the steps. Ares stares after her, obviously torn between fear and embarrassment.

ARES:
     All right. We're going in.

CUT TO

In a flash of light, Xena and Ares appear inside the temple, now crowded with Hope's white-robed followers, whose chants fill the air. Hope before the altar, at the top of some steps. The camera pans to Gabrielle, now wearing a white robe and chanting with the others. Khrafstar stands next to her.

In close-up, we see Hope and then Khrafstar turn sharply toward Ares and Xena. Xena has a dagger in her hand.

A close-up of Gabrielle's horrified face.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena--what are you doing?

The chanting stops. Gabrielle runs toward Hope, up the steps of the altar.

XENA:
     Get away from her, Gabrielle!

Several of Hope's followers rush toward Xena and Ares.

HOPE (raises her arm):
     No! No violence. My god will protect me.

Ares throws a fireball at her. A gasp goes through the temple. Hope stares hard, and the fireball suddenly changes course and is deflected back at Ares, hitting him in the chest. He collapses by the wall, temporarily paralyzed as by Callisto's fireball in SACRIFICE II. There are more gasps and murmurs.

Xena glances quickly at Ares; then, dagger in hand, she continues to advance toward Hope and walks up the stairs. Gabrielle rushes to stand between them.

XENA (through clenched teeth):
     Gabrielle, get out of my way.

GABRIELLE:
     No! Xena, what's happening to you? You're going to commit murder for Ares?

XENA:
     Don't you see what she is?

GABRIELLE:
     I don't know what you are anymore!

She charges at Xena, trying to grab the dagger away from her. The two women begin to struggle; they lose their footing and tumble down the steps, rolling over several times. As they continue to struggle, Hope and Khrafstar watch them intensely, as does Ares.

Xena cries out.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena!

The camera pulls closer to show Gabrielle slowly sitting up. Her hands are bloodied, and she is holding the dagger, which is dripping with blood, staring at it in horror. Xena sits up, clutching at her stomach just below the armor. There is blood seeping through her fingers, her face is contorted with pain.

Gabrielle drops the dagger and cradles Xena in her arms.

GABRIELLE (helplessly):
     Xena--I--I--

XENA (her voice breaking):
     It was an accident... (she lifts her bloodied hand and touches Gabrielle's face, trying to smile) Gabrielle... (her voice starts to fade) I love you...

She slumps down into Gabrielle's arms. Quick pan to Ares, who is trying to move; the look on his face is a mix of fear, rage, and grief.

GABRIELLE (looks up at Hope in agony):
     I murdered her...

In the complete silence, each of Hope's footsteps is heard distinctly as she comes down the steps. She stops, standing over Gabrielle.

HOPE (quietly, with a hint of a smile on her face, in a tone reminiscent of Khrafstar's in THE DELIVERER):
     Thank you, Gabrielle.

Gabrielle stares at her uncomprehendingly.

Hope bends down, picks up the Hind's Blood dagger and walks toward Ares just as he sits up. She kneels next to him and puts the dagger to his throat. Ares flinches.

HOPE (smiles):
     Don't worry, I won't kill you--yet. My father and I have--other plans for you.

She reaches out and runs her other hand down his chest. Ares shudders, trying to pull away from her touch. Hope laughs and rises to her feet. The camera pulls back for a wide shot of the temple. Gabrielle is still kneeling over Xena's dead body.

HOPE:
     This bloodletting will open the way for Dahak's entry into the world!

GABRIELLE (screams):
     Nooooooooo!

Her scream reverberates through the temple.