FADE IN

Afternoon. Outside the temple at the top of the Areopagus. A few Theban soldiers stand around beside the temple and the surrounding trees. There is a whizzing sound in the air and a feathered arrow comes into view, flying toward the camera. Just as we see the tip of the arrow in extreme close-up, the camera pans to a circular shooting target pinned to a tree. The arrow embeds itself in the bulls-eye at the center of the target.

The camera pulls back to show a grinning Theban soldier with a bow in his hand and a quiver full of arrow on his back. A few other soldiers with bows and arrows are standing beside him. The first soldier walks over to the target and yanks the arrow out.

SOLDIER #1 (walks back toward the other soldiers):
     You know what I think? We don't get enough money for this work. They've sent us out here to guard this temple, and for what?

SOLDIER #2:
     To get our throats cut by the Plateian cowards in the middle of the night.

SOLDIER #1:
     Either that, or we'll be stuck here for days dying of boredom.

VOICE (off-camera):
     They're coming!

The soldiers turn and look toward a sentry standing on a ledge over the temple's portico, looking out over the plain through a looking glass.

SOLDIER #2 (looks up):
     Who's coming?

SENTRY (yells):
     Who do you think?

The soldiers rush toward the edge of the hill. In the distance, they see what looks like a black cloud at the horizon, advancing across the valley toward the hill.

SENTRY:
     It's the army of Plateia! I can see their banners!

SOLDIER #1 (sighs):
     Guess I was wrong. (turns to a young man) Lucan. Go back to Thebes and let them know the Plateians army's advancing.

LUCAN:
     Yes, sir.

He mounts a horse and rides down the hill.

CUT TO

A council room at the palace in Thebes. Xena, Gabrielle, Antigone and Actaeon are sitting at a round table with some officers and council members.

ACTAEON:
     I know my father. Once he's made up his mind about something, he doesn't tarry. The attack may come at any minute. (pauses) I will lead the Theban troops into battle.

He looks to Antigone for agreement; after a moment she nods and turns to one of the officers.

ANTIGONE:
     Braxus, get the troops ready. You will fight under my husband's command.

BRAXUS:
     Yes, my lady.

He gets up and leaves. Antigone turns to Xena.

ANTIGONE:
     You will fight with us, won't you, Xena?

XENA (after a brief pause):
     Yes. But maybe there is still a way to stop this war.

ACTAEON (shakes his head):
     It's too late. (to one of the officers) Antippus. Did you order the sacrifice to Ares to be held at the temple?

Xena flinches and looks up at his words.

ANTIPPUS:
     Yes, your majesty. The ceremony should be starting just about now.

XENA:
     Sacrifice to Ares...at the temple on the Areopagus?

ACTAEON:
     No. Right here in town.

Without another word, Xena gets up and storms out of the room. Antigone, Actaeon, the councilmen and the officers stare after her, puzzled.

ACTAEON (to Antigone):
     Is she always like this?

ANTIGONE:
     I know Xena enough to know one thing.

ACTAEON:
     What's that?

ANTIGONE:
     When she does something--she knows what she's doing.

CUT TO

Inside the temple where we saw Actaeon before. There are several priests and priestess of Ares dressed in robes of black, red and silver, kneeling before the altar chanting prayers. There are soldiers in the temple as well, watching the ceremony.

Four beautiful young women in scanty outfits of crimson and black (somewhat similar to the Furies' outfits) sashay toward the altar, each carrying a ceremonial silver sword. As music swells, they start a dance that mimics combat, sparring and spinning as they dance, kicking out their feet, constantly exchanging sparring partners. One girl, pretending to be struck down, sinks to the floor with sensuous undulating movements and sprawls on the floor with her sword at her side. Then she rises, picks up the sword again and resumes the dance; after a few moments a second girl repeats the same motions. The soldiers eye them appreciatively while the priests and priestesses continue to chant.

A blue light flares up over the throne in front of the statue. When it dissipates, it reveals Ares sitting on the throne, leaning back a little, his posture relaxed.

There are gasps amongst the priests, priestesses and soldiers as they look at Ares. The girls stop their dance. Murmurs of "Ares!", "Ares, God of War!" roll over the assembled crowd.

ARES (nods and waves his hand):
     Carry on.

The dance resumes.

CUT TO

Outside the temple. It is an imposing building, with grey granite columns, decorative weapons, and two large statues of wolves at the entrance. Xena strides up to the temple, looking very determined.

CUT TO

The temple girls continue their dance. Meanwhile, a priest (a tall middle-aged man whose dark hair and beard are streaked with gray) and a priestess (a younger blonde woman) walk toward the altar, leading a goat by the horns. The goat is all black with a spot of white on its chest. The priests hoist the goat up on the altar. It bleats in alarm and tries to break free but the priest and priestess are holding it tightly. The priest draws a bejeweled dagger.

PRIEST (holds up the dagger):
     My lord Ares! Accept this sacrifice and grant us your favor.

Ares nods, stroking his beard. The music stops and the dancing girls retreat.

CUT TO

Xena marches up the steps of the temple toward the wide-open door.

CUT TO

Close-up on the goat as it looks up and bleats in fear.

The camera pans to the dagger in the priest's hand, then to Ares as he watches with a rather bored expression.

CUT TO

Xena strides into the temple and stops for a moment, surveying the scenes. The camera zooms in quickly on the altar and the goat.

Pan back to Xena as she grabs her chakram and hurls it at the priest, knocking the dagger out of his hand. The dagger clatters to the floor; we see a close-up of the priest's startled, angry face as he whips around. The chakram ricochets off the temple wall and comes flying back to Xena, who catches it.

Everyone gasps and turns around. Xena is standing in the doorway, chakram in hand, looking very angry. The camera pans over the startled faces of the worshipers and the priests. Ares sits up, looking slightly annoyed but also interested. Xena strolls up toward the altar, re-hooking the chakram on her belt. She is confronted by the priest who was going to kill the goat.

PRIEST (sputtering):
     What do you think you are doing? You can't just come in here and--and--

ARES (rises from the throne, smirking):
     Oh yes, she can.

The priest looks back at him in shock while Xena walks toward the altar. The priestess is so shocked that she lets go of the goat. The animal jumps off the altar.

XENA (to the goat, grinning):
     I guess this is your lucky day. (She gives the goat a slap on the rump and sends it scurrying out of the temple, then turns to the priests, dancers and worshippers.) Not so lucky for you. Party's over, folks. I've got business with (nods toward Ares) your boss.

The priests and worshipers look from her to Ares, as if not quite sure who they are more afraid of. Ares stands up and waves them away. As the temple clears, Ares strolls down toward the altar. He and Xena stand facing each other on opposite sides of the altar.

ARES (suavely):
     Grape?

He picks a grape off a bunch of grapes lying on a plate of offerings and holds it out to Xena. She glares at him. Ares shrugs and pops it in his mouth as they continue to stare at each other.

ARES (sarcastic):
     Congratulations, Xena. That was an impressive performance. Is that what you expect me to say?

XENA (smiles dangerously):
     Oh, I'm not done yet.

XENA and ARES (as she speaks, he mimics her, speaking along with her and slightly ahead of her in a teasing tone):
     I am not going to let this war happen.

Xena shoots Ares a very annoyed look.

ARES:
     So what else is new? You're going to stop the war? Right. It's what you do. You know that, I know that--

XENA (bitterly):
     And starting wars is what you do, Ares.

ARES (brusquely):
     Not this war.

XENA:
     It still started because of you. And you're still enjoying it, aren't you. Not to mention all those worshippers.

ARES (sighs):
     Look--

ARES and XENA (this time, she's the one mimicking him and anticipating his words):
     Go ahead, stop this war. I won't get in the way.

Ares gives her an exasperated look. Xena shakes her head, then turns around and starts to leave the temple. Ares materializes in her path. She walks around him, avoiding eye contact. As she reaches the doorway he materializes in front of her again.

XENA (her voice is hard but without real anger):
     I hate it when you do that.

ARES (grins a little):
     And I hate it when you walk away, so we're even. Xena... (he slowly raises his hand, touching her cheek with the back of his hand and making her shiver a little) ...yeah, you bet I'm enjoying it. But... (he leans closer to her) I enjoy this even more. (He kisses her briefly then pulls back.) I'm not going to let anything get between us. Not even a war.

Xena eyes him silently, then leans forward and kisses him. Gradually their kiss turns passionate.

There is a discreet cough off-camera.

ACTAEON (still off-camera, uncertainly):
     Xena?

Xena and Ares break apart, Ares looking annoyed and Xena somewhat sheepish.

ARES:
     Do all your friends do that?

With a slight smirk, he disappears in a flash of light. Pan to Actaeon, who stares at the spots where Ares vanished; he is speechless, his eyes wide.

ACTAEON (murmurs):
     M-my--my lord--Ares?

He drops on one knee.

XENA (chuckles):
     Come on now, get up.

ACTAEON (rises gingerly):
     I, I--didn't realize your relationship was--that special.

XENA (crosses her arms on her chest):
     You were looking for me?

ACTAEON:
     The Plateian army is on the move--advancing on the temple. We're going out into the field.

CUT TO

The temple on the Areopagus. The camera gradually pulls up until we see an overhead shot of the plain with two armies advancing toward each other. When they stop at a distance of a few paces, the camera starts to zoom in. We see Actaeon, now wearing royal armor and a helmet with a crest, riding out in front of the Theban troops. Xena, Gabrielle and Haimon are right behind him, on foot. Then the camera pans over to Capaneus riding in front of his troops, wearing chain mail armor like the rest of his troops but with golden decorations, and with a glittering silver helmet. A murmur runs through the Plateian army when they see Actaeon; some also point at Xena.

ACTAEON (raises his voice):
     King Capaneus. Father. We still have a chance to stop this war.

CAPANEUS:
     No, you had a chance to stop this war. You missed it a long time ago.

Xena gives Actaeon a curious look.

ACTAEON:
     So be it, then.

He raises his sword and Capaneus does likewise. Before they can call a charge, however, Xena runs past Actaeon and stops between the two front lines of troops. There are gasps and murmurs on both sides.

ACTAEON:
     Xena?

XENA:
     Listen to me! People of Thebes, people of Plateia--you don't need to fight each other just for a piece of land that some priests have said is sacred to a god! Do you really think that conquering some temple will ensure you a god's favor? The gods may favor one side today, and the other side tomorrow--they're as fickle as children! Children who have more power than they know what to do with. Don't risk your lives in a senseless battle!

The murmur among the Plateian troops grows louder, and Actaeon looks cautiously relieved. Capaneus glares at Xena and turns to address his men.

CAPANEUS:
     She's lying to you, don't you see? She's an ally to these lying, conniving Thebans. She wants you to forget the power and glory that await those who are loyal and dear to Ares. You have pledged yourselves to the God of War. Give up this battle, and you don't just disgrace me--you disgrace him! Is that a gamble you're willing to risk?

There is a momentary silence in the Plateian troops; then, a few voices cry out "No!" and then soon grow to a chorus in which one can distinguish individual shouts of "Death to the Thebans!," "Kill the dogs!", "Fight for the glory of Ares!"

Actaeon looks dismayed; Xena shakes her head as she exchanges a somber look with him, and then with Gabrielle. She walks back to rejoin Gabrielle and Haimon.

XENA:
     There's no stopping them.

The sound of a trumpet pierces the air off-camera. Xena, Gabrielle and Haimon look over to the Plateian army to see one of the men blowing a trumpet. Capaneus raises his sword, then brings it down.

CAPANEUS:
     Charge!!

Their swords at the ready, the Plateian soldiers charge toward the Thebans. Actaeon points his sword forward.

ACTAEON:
     Charge!!

The Thebans charge toward the Plateians. Xena, Gabrielle, and Haimon join the thick of battle.

The two armies clash and the battle rages. We see a montage of a battle, with shots of Xena, Gabrielle and Haimon fighting--Xena with her usual dazzling array of combat moves using her sword as well as her fists and feet, Haimon fighting with his sword, Gabrielle using her sais to parry her opponents' swords and downing Capaneus' men with swift kicks.

The scenes of Xena, Gabrielle and Haimon fighting are cross-cut with scenes of Capaneus and Actaeon riding around the battlefield. Most of the time they are seen directing their troops; sometimes they are seen fighting and taking down a few enemy soldiers. Twice, their eyes meet and linger on each other but then they move on.

CUT TO

Some time later. The sun is now low above the horizon as the battle continues to rage. Both armies seem to be evenly matched, and it's clear that the men on both sides are getting tired; many of them are staggering and seem almost about to collapse. Many dead bodies are littering the ground and many other men are wounded.

Xena runs through one of the men she is fighting, then looks over to see Gabrielle and Haimon fighting. A man charges Xena from behind and Xena shrieks, twirling her sword backwards and ramming it into his chest. He falls down dead; Xena yanks her sword out of his body and takes a deep breath. She sees a group of Capaneus' soldiers charging toward Gabrielle and Haimon.

XENA:
     Gabrielle!

She runs toward Gabrielle and Haimon, taking on three of the attackers and fighting them with her sword and with powerful kicks. Gabrielle knocks one of the soldiers out with her sais and battles the other. Meanwhile, Haimon is fighting two men. Just as Gabrielle brings down her opponent with a kick to the midsection, she sees Haimon struggling; one of his opponents manages to slash him in the side while the other knocks his sword out of his hand. With a cry of pain, Haimon falls to the ground. Gabrielle's eyes widen.

GABRIELLE (screams):
     Haimon!!

She rushes toward the two warriors, knocking down one of them and stabbing the other with her sais, showing no hesitation. The man she kicked down gets up and moves toward her; her face contorted with anger and fear, she throws one of her bloodied sais at him. He falls back, the dagger protruding from his chest.

Gabrielle kneels down next to Haimon, fear in her eyes and in her voice.

GABRIELLE:
     Haimon... (touches him gently) Haimon...

He doesn't move and his eyes are closed. Gabrielle grabs her shoulder and shakes him, becoming frantic.

GABRIELLE (her voice shaky):
     Hai-Haimon...

Haimon stirs and opens his eyes.

HAIMON (winces in shock and pain):
     Gabrielle...

GABRIELLE (relieved):
     You're all right.

HAIMON (smiles weakly):
     I've been better.

She touches his face, smiling through tears.

GABRIELLE:
     We need to get you out of here. (Haimon groans and Gabrielle clasps his hand.) Hold on... (she looks around and sees a dead soldier's cloak) I'm going to bind your wound.

CUT TO

Xena is still fighting, surrounded by several of Capaneus' soldiers and unaware of what has happened to Haimon. She has a bleeding cut on her arm. She kills one man with a backward thrust of her sword, then brings her sword down on another soldier; then, using her sword as a pivot, she lifts herself off the ground and spins around, kicking down a few more men. She stops and looks around at the death and carnage around her. Suddenly she tenses. She looks up and the camera follows her gaze up the hill. We see Ares standing at the hilltop, clearly invisible to everyone but Xena. The camera zooms in on him; his arms are folded on his chest, his face impassive. His eyes meet Xena's. Pan to a close-up of Xena's face as she stares at him, then looks away.

Xena sees Gabrielle walking toward her, helping Haimon walk; he is leaning heavily on Gabrielle's shoulders, holding his hand to his hastily bandaged side. There is blood seeping through the bandage fingers. Xena looks on in shock.

XENA (rushes toward Gabrielle and Haimon):
     Haimon! Are you--

HAIMON (tries to smile bravely):
     I'll be okay... (squeezes Gabrielle's arm) ...with her taking care of me.

GABRIELLE:
     We need to get him to a medic.

Xena looks around and sees a riderless horse galloping around the battlefield. She leaps toward it and grabs it by the bridle, calming it down as it neighs and rears up in fright.

XENA:
     Here. (leads the horse up to Gabrielle and Haimon) Get him out of here!

Gabrielle mounts the horse and holds out her hand to Haimon; Xena helps him up. He groans as he gets up into the saddle.

GABRIELLE (looks around):
     Xena, we have to retreat! The losses are too heavy.

XENA (grimly):
     I know. I'll find Actaeon...you two get to safety.

GABRIELLE (reaches down and squeezes her hand):
     Stay safe. (They smile at each other, then Gabrielle picks up the reins) Yah! (she rides off, Haimon holding on to her, his arms around her waist.)

CUT TO

Xena runs up to Actaeon and catches the bridle of his horse. He looks down at her, startled.

XENA (yells over the noise of the battle):
     How much longer are you going to let this slaughter continue?

ACTAEON:
     We can't retreat, Xena. Otherwise, they'll take the temple.

XENA:
     Is that really so important?

ACTAEON (hesitates for a moment):
     Xena, if the people of Thebes lose this temple, they lose their faith--their future. Don't you understand?

Xena looks at him thoughtfully.

XENA:
     Then we have to make sure your father's troops retreat as well.

ACTAEON (laughs bitterly):
     How are you going to do that?

XENA (thinks a moment):
     You know who his three top generals are, don't you? The ones he values most?

ACTAEON:
     Sure. (he peers into the distance, then points to a warrior with a crest of purple feathers on his helmet) That's one of them, Lyctor. The other two--

XENA:
     Try to get all three of them within my line of sight. (off his questioning look) Just do it! (glances at the setting sun) Now, before we lose the daylight!

CUT TO

A little later, Xena, now mounted on a brown horse, is galloping across the battlefield. Actaeon gallops toward her, pursued by a group of warriors headed by the general in the helmet with the purple crest. Xena whips around and looks to the left, where she sees the Theban officer, Braxus, coming toward her pursued by a group of Plateians led by another general, with a red and black crest on his helmet; and then to the right, where another top Theban officer is likewise being pursued by the enemy led by a general in rich armor that shines in the setting sun, in a helmet with a crest of emerald green and gold.

As they get closer, Xena draws her chakram and aims it, calculating its trajectory. Then she throws it. We see it fly toward the general with the purple crest and shatter his helmet; he falls off his horse. The chakram flies toward the general with the green and gold crest; we see a close-up of his face, his eyes widening in shock, and hear the sound of the chakram striking. The camera follows the chakram as it flies toward the general with the red and black crest and strikes him in the chest, cutting through his chain-mail armor; with a cry of shock and pain, he clutches at his chest and falls from his horse.

Pan to Xena, who catches the chakram, her eyes glittering.

The camera pans over the battlefield. There is evidence of panic among the Plateian troops. Some soldiers stand in shock while others start to run. An officer rides up to Capaneus and tells him something that we don't hear over the noise of the battle. Capaneus' face is distorted with rage. He turns and sees Xena holding the chakram and replacing it on her belt.

A close-up on Capaneus and then on Xena as they glare at each other.

CAPANEUS (shouts):
     This isn't over!

Plateia's troops begin to retreat.

CUT TO

The chamber at the palace in Thebes where we saw Gabrielle and Haimon before. It's evening; the chamber is lit by candles and oil lamps. Xena sits on a bench while Gabrielle is putting ointment on the cut on her arm. Meanwhile, Haimon is on the bed; a female medic in a long grey robe is tending to his injury. She finishes putting on a bandage.

MEDIC:
     There you go. You'll be fine--but I wouldn't go out fighting for a while if I were you.

GABRIELLE (turns toward them):
     He won't have to.

HAIMON (smiles at her, then looks at the medic):
     Thank you.

The medic nods, picks up her bag with ointments and bandages and walks out.

GABRIELLE (to Xena):
     All done. (she glances back at Haimon)

XENA (rises from the bench, looking from Gabrielle to Haimon with an unreadable expression):
     I should leave you two alone.

There is knock on the door.

GABRIELLE:
     Come in!

The door opens. Antigone and Actaeon come in.

ANTIGONE:
     How's your friend?

HAIMON (tries to be facetious):
     Not bad--under the circumstances.

Gabrielle gives him a guilty look.

ACTAEON:
     Xena--thanks to you, we were able to hold them off today.

GABRIELLE (shakes her head):
     And then what? There will be another day and another pointless battle. When will this end?

ACTAEON:
     When my father wins the hill--or loses his army.

XENA (narrows her eyes at him inquisitively):
     He's that single-minded?

ACTAEON (chuckles bitterly):
     More.

Xena looks at him thoughtfully.

CUT TO

A chamber in the royal palace in Plateia. Capaneus, with his armor off, is pacing around the chamber. An officer stands in the middle of the room, fidgeting nervously. An elderly priest of Ares, dressed in the customary red, silver and black, stands in the back of the room, watching.

OFFICER:
     The physicians say Lyktor and Aminias will recover--but no one knows when they'll be able to fight again...

CAPANEUS (brusquely):
     Enough! With or without them, we attack again tomorrow. (He paces around the room, then turns to the officer and snarls) What are you waiting for?

OFFICER (sheepishly):
     Y-your orders, sire...

CAPANEUS:
     Your orders are to make sure the men are ready to fight again. Dismissed!

The officer bows and leaves.

PRIEST (timidly):
     Sire--perhaps you should reconsider... (he stammers as Capaneus glares at him) ...wh-while you still have an army left...

CAPANEUS (strides toward him, furious):
     Reconsider? Hah! You deal with the sacrifices and the prayers, old man. Leave war to me.

PRIEST:
     S-sire...you forget that I'm a priest to the God of War--I--

CAPANEUS (comes even closer to him):
     And you forget that you're the one who told me what's inside the temple. (He walks over to a table and pours himself a goblet of wine.) Once the temple is mine, the medallion is mine. (He takes a sip of wine, then grins as the camera zooms in on his face.) And then--I'll be unstoppable.

The camera starts to pull back until we see the room in an oval-shaped opening. We see Ares in the Halls of War, watching Capaneus in the portal. Ares grins and shakes his head as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO