Out of the waves the Warrior Queen Callisto emerged from the waves. Coughing out some swallowed seawater, Callisto awoke to her new, strange surroundings.

"Where am I???" cursed Callisto as she turned to see the sea god. "Why am I here????"

"You are here because I WILL it, Callisto...." authoritatively asserted Poseidon. "You may have the power granted from the ambrosia you ate, but I can easily take it away....I am no mere weakling such as my nephew Ares...."

Callisto placed her hands on her hips and scowled at Poseidon. "So what now? You didn't summon me out of that lava pit to talk about how great you are...." barked Callisto.

"As impertinent as ever...." commented Poseidon. "The Warrior Princess Xena....she has crossed me in her assistance of my enemy Ulysses, who I had marked for death....it is time for her to feel my wrath."

"Is that all?" smiled Callisto. "I thought you going to give me something difficult...."

"Not so fast...." reminded Poseidon. "When you kill her....it must be by the oceans and she will belong to me...."

"And what do I get???" asked Callisto sarcastically. "More power? I already have the power of the gods!! Immortality? Got that also with a golden apple when I hooked with that goody-two shoes Hercules. But that's okay....I'll kill her out of principle, though."

"BWAHAHAHAHA..." sternly laughed Poseidon as he recessed back into the ocean.

* * *

The town of Donaria was a couple days walk out of Sparta, and was a common area for the weary traveler to stop on his journeys for a hearty meal and a safe roof to sleep under for the night. On this occasion the ranger Darius sat quietly in one of the inns, enjoying a dinner meal as the sun went down. Darius stretched out at the table to unwind, admiring the scarlet and violet sky as the sun began its slow descent into the horizon.

The early evening peace was disrupted with the sound of screams and panic. Darius grabbed his weapons and dashed outside to see what was going on. The town square aflame with its people fleeing in terror, Darius saw the cause: Callisto. Darius had heard about her all way from his native lands, but had no idea what kind of power she possessed.

Angrily Darius slowly walked toward Callisto amidst the smoke and fire. "What sort of scum attacks innocent people? I suppose you murder babies and hang old women for fun?"

Callisto gave Darius a smile of sadistic glee as she shrugged.

"I know who you are...you're Callisto...." bitterly replied Darius. "You like picking on people smaller than you?" cursed Darius as she drew his two twin scimitars. "Well, I'm smaller than you, why don't you try picking on me????!!!!"

Callisto pouted in response and cast a fireball at Darius. Darius quickly dodged the fireball and charged Callisto delivering two deadly strikes with his sword and slit Callisto's skin only to see it suddenly heal.

"Not bad...for an amateur..." replied Callisto as she fired another blast of flame. Darius again leaped to the side, avoiding the blast of fire and charged Callisto again, impaling Callisto in the chest with both scimitars and pinning her to the wall with them.

Desperate, Darius grabbed a small log and began beating Callisto over the head and shoulders with it, having no effect whatsoever on her.

"Why....can't...you....just....die?????!!!" cursed Darius in frustration.

Callisto momentarily paused and gave a sad look to Darius. "Why, indeed...." as she turned into flames and flew across the town, announcing, "Bring me Xena!!!! In five days time I want Xena to meet me on the southern shores or else this town and many more like it will be reduced to ash!!!! NYAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!"

Darius removed his scimitars from the wall and placed them back in his scabbards. "Women...." he muttered as he shook his head.

* * *

Beyond the southern shores in a dark shadowed alleyway the once proud Lord Relias lay in a pool of his blood. The assassin cleaned off the blood and gore from his gauntlet, a black leather glove studded with small spikes and five sharp blades on each finger and neatly folded it back into his side satchel pack.

"Nice work....I don't he knew what hit him...." spoke a female voice.

Instantly the assassin turned and threw a small throwing dagger at the source of the voice, impaling its target.

Callisto smiled as she pulled the knife from her stomach. "Mmmm. Fast reflexes. Most impressive...you are Krascus en-Vec, are you not?"

"Yes....and you must be Callisto, the Warrior Queen with the power of the gods, no less." sternly replied Krascus en-Vec.

"Fast and clever. I like that." complemented Callisto. "You are best in your trade, are you not?"

"The assassins of the En-Vec clan know the dark powers of all...especially those who have eaten ambrosia...." quietly spoke Krascus en-Vec. "Make your offer to me now...I have no time for the likes of you..."

"Bring me Xena...alive!!!" evilly smiled Callisto.

"HA!!!" laughed Krascus en-Vec. "With all your infinite power who still cannot control your berserker bloodlust in defeating your nemesis Xena. She still outwits you!!! So be it. I will bring her to you...alive...."

Callisto gave no response but simply smiled as she forcibly grabbed Krascus en-Vec and gave him a heavy kiss. "Mmmm. Tasty." she replied as she teleported away.

Krascus en-Vec smiled. "Very nice...." he thought to himself.

* * *

Xena had met back with Gabrielle in Potadeia and were making their way back south towards Sparta. It was a happy reunion, and Xena was relieved to learn that Gabrielle's mother healed to full strength. Gabrielle was simply happy to see her best friend again, and was very surprised to hear some of Xena's adventures in the time lag.

"That Sari Kitalis sounds like an interesting person...wish I got to meet her..." said Gabrielle.

"I'm sure we'll meet her again someday..." smiled Xena. "She is a little bit smaller than you yet possessed enough raw power within her to send both Eris and Strife in flame screaming in agony."

"Wow." muttered Gabrielle. "All that from the 'phoenix's blessing'? Amazing. I read about the phoenix a little bit when we were traveling through the Araby provinces...they are definitely a very magical and powerful creature."

"Definitely." agreed Xena. "We're approaching the town of Donaria....we'll get a good meal there..."

"Why is there smoke covering the city?" cautiously asked Gabrielle.

"Because Callisto attacked a couple days ago...." muttered Darius as he emerged from the woods.

"DARIUS!!!" exclaimed Gabrielle in a happy yet surprised tone of voice.

"Did you say Callisto???" asked Xena worriedly.

"Yes. She came in blasting fireballs at everything claiming that if you didn't face her on the southern shores in five days she's destroy the town. That was two days ago so there's only three days left..." explained Darius. "Now and then she will strike and destroy a small house or two, purely terror tactics but it's working....nearly one third of the town has fled."

"Maybe the Keeper of the Flame can fight fire with fire..." suggested Gabrielle.

"Good idea but we can't reach her and get her back in time." replied Xena. "Sari was nearly full strength when I left; she's probably on the road by now and it's at least a week by fast horse to reach the town of Pashia and back. By the time I bring her here who knows how many lives Callisto would have taken...no, Gabrielle, I have to face her."

* * *

The three made their way to the beleaguered town of Donaria, a town with nearly a quarter of its buildings reduced to ash and ruin. Later that night Xena, Darius, and Gabrielle planned their next move.

"What kind of power are we looking at?" asked Darius. "I impaled with my weapon and she laughed as if it were nothing."

"Ambrosia." explained Xena. "It gives her the power of the gods and is immortal as well. At best we were able to trap her so she couldn't escape, but apparently she has."

"So what now?" asked Gabrielle.

"First we need to aid those wounded by Callisto. Gabrielle, head to the main hall and do what you can in assisting them. Darius, I need you to scout the immediate area and try and find where Callisto is currently hiding. Most likely someplace hot." ordered Xena.

"And where are you going?" asked Darius as he finished loading his quarrel of arrows.

"I'm going to the southern shores and plan a trap for Callisto."

* * *

"Are you really heading back to Alexandria, Sari?"

"Yes, mother, although I'm very surprised to find you here in the town of Calidon...I was actually getting ready to leave Pashia for Eternius and then finally Kislev until I bumped into one of your merchant stewards a couple days ago. I'm just lucky to meet you here before you left." smiled Sari Kitalis.

"Yes, the merchant's life is a changing one filled with travel, especially if you're as successful and as prosperous as ours this season." smiled Sari's mother. "Is your mentor in Alexandria, Siddig, well?"

"Siddig has aged poorly, mother, more so than after I left. I want to help him in his final days for all his assistance and kindness towards me." answered Sari. "I'm sorry to not be returning to Kislev with you."

"That's all right, Sari." warmly smiled her mother. "Even if you did return with me we would be leaving again soon anyway. This summer we can be together, and with your father as well when he returns from his trading in the Far East."

"That would be nice, mother." sighed a relieved Sari. "I'd better get ready."

"Have you made all the arrangements already?" asked Sari's mother. "Do you know the route?"

"Yes, mother." laughed Sari as she rolled her eyes. "I head to Donaria tonight and should reach there in a day or so. From there I'll go to the port town of Mitas and meet with Feramorz, one of Siddig's friends. From there we'll journey back to Alexandria together by ship."

"An excellent planner, just like your father...." warmly complemented Sari's mother.

Sari Kitalis wiped a misty tear from her eyes as she waved goodbye and smiled. "Good-bye, mother."

* * *

It was late evening when Xena made her way towards the southern shores. Traveling on horseback Xena made her way down the main road and branched off into one of the sideroads as a shortcut. As she continued down the path Argo abruptly stopped mid-stream. Xena cautiously drew her sword and grabbed the reins of her horse.

"Come out, whoever you are...." angrily ordered Xena. "I have no time to fight with shadows."

A cloud of black smoke emerged from the woods as a voice echoed around Xena.

"You are Xena, the Warrior Princess....you wield the sword and the chakram although you are skilled enough to use any weapon...you possess special hand to hand fighting skills....." spoke a voice.

"Krascus en-Vec...." sternly whispered Xena to herself as she dismounted from Argo. "So the mighty assassin Krascus en-Vec comes from me...to whom do I owe the honor..."

"Recognize me?" evilly smiled Krascus en-Vec as he emerged from the smoke bearing his clawed leather gauntlet. "I am flattered"

"As am I." responded Xena. "I would expect a dagger in the dark from someone like you."

"We are both warriors, Xena." replied Krascus en-Vec. "You use the open plains, I use the shadows of the night and stealth."

"Then let us begin..." smiled Xena.

"By all means...." answered Krascus en-Vec as attacked slashing with his claws only to be deflected by Xena's sword. Xena responded with a backhanded fist only to be caught by Krascus en-Vec's other hand.

"Strength and speed such as yours is wasted if you continue using two-dimensional tactics." angrily cursed Krascus en-Vec as he delivered a sweeping kick that knocked Xena to the ground. Xena quickly sprang up and attacked again, delivering a spin wheel kick that struck Krascus en-Vec in the face.

"Very nice..." Krascus en-Vec retaliated with a slash, stripping a portion of Xena's battle armor. Casting her chakram, Xena attacked again. Krascus en-Vec quickly dodged the attack as the chakram landed and embedded itself in a nearby tree.

Again the two warriors attacked, with neither one gaining the advantage. Xena attacked with another flying kick, only to be dodged by Krascus en-Vec. Krascus en-Vec attacked with his claws, only to be parried with Xena's sword. Several minutes later the two stood firm and stood their ground.

"You're a very worthy opponent, Xena, it is a shame that you must die...." spoke Krascus en-Vec.

"You're not so bad yourself." replied Xena as she wiped from her brow and smiled. "But don't count your victories until the banner is raised..."

"It is." quietly answered Krascus en-Vec as he threw three small glass spheres at Xena. Xena deflected all three with her sword, which shattered and released a strange violet mist and Xena inadvertently inhaled. Xena's felt her strength leave her as she slumped to the ground fast asleep.

"All too easy..." commented Krascus en-Vec.

* * *

The morning sun rose in the eastern horizon and warmed the ground below as the rooster sounded the coming of the dawn.

"DARIUS, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!!!" exclaimed a panicked Gabrielle.

"What? What do you mean?" asked Darius.

"I MEAN THIS!!!" exclaimed Gabrielle as she pointed outside to Argo, who stood outside the inn they were staying at.

"Curse the luck!" yelled Darius. "Callisto's made her move. Gabrielle, meet with the town magistrate and summon as many guards to the southern shore. Hurry, there's little time."

"But...where are you going?" asked Gabrielle.

Darius mounted Argo with sword and bow. "What does it look like? I'm going to rescue Xena!"

* * *

On the southern shores near Donaria the clear blue ocean only rolled gently and waved along the soft sandy beaches. The newly risen sun barely peaked over the horizon, but was enough to warm the ground below and give the ocean and shimmering aura.

"Wakey, wakey, warrior princess...." giggled Callisto as she lightly slapped her cheeks with her hands.

Xena groggily awoke in horror. Opening her eyes Xena found herself buried up to her neck in sand, completely immobilized by the massive pile of wet sand.

"Hello again, Xena..." smiled Callisto as she casually laid next her bitter enemy. "Nice day to spend at the beach, isn't it?"

Xena's eyes turned from shock to stern disgust. "Not at this end."

"Oh come now, Xena..." pouted Callisto. "I personally dug that hole for you and put you in there like a sleeping baby when Krascus en-Vec brought you to me late last night. I also tamped the sand extra well to prevent you from escaping. Interesting feeling, isn't it? Almost as interesting as being stuck in that mass of boiling hot lava..."

"Knowing you it was probably something enjoyable." sarcastically replied Xena.

"Now, now, Xena. That wasn't very nice." evilly grinned Callisto. "I have you all to myself to spend time with at the beach. Watch out for that heavy tide that's coming this afternoon, though...you just might drown...hope you can hold your breath."

Xena struggled to try to pull herself out to no avail. The sheer mass and weight was too much. "So this is how it ends??" panted Xena as she struggled. "No famous duel? No blast of fireball?"

"No, Xena, nothing like that." sternly answered Callisto. "You left me to die when I was still mortal in that quicksand pit several months ago...now I'm returning the favor. Die horribly bloated and ugly, Xena. I know seawater can do terrible things to a woman's complexion."

Callisto turned around and stood up as she saw Darius riding in the distance toward her. Brandishing both twin scimitars, Darius rode hard and fast.

"Hello, what have we here?" smiled Callisto as she dusted herself off. "Another playmate."

Callisto felt a man's arms embrace her from behind. "He's mine..." softly whispered Krascus en-Vec.

Callisto smiled with glee as she turned her head and gave a kiss to Krascus en-Vec. "Make it slow...and painful...." she whispered as she nibbled on his ear.

"As you wish." nodded Krascus en-Vec as he slowly walked toward the charging Darius.

Meanwhile, the coast slowly made its way closer and closer toward Xena. Desperately Xena struggled against her sand prison, with no success.

Krascus en-Vec was the first to strike. Casting two glass spheres at Argo, the spheres and shattered small blades that embedded Argo, forcing the mighty horse down wounded. Darius quickly responded with a dive and roll onto the soft sand below. Darius regained his balance and pointed his scimitars toward Krascus en-Vec.

Krascus en-Vec removed his hood and battlegear on his head, revealing the fair skinned warrior. His head shaved of all hair, Krascus en-Vec's face was unmarred.

"We meet at last, Krascus en-Vec." sternly spoke Darius as he made his way toward his foe.

"It will be the last time we meet, Darius." replied Krascus en-Vec as he drew both clawed gloves as weapons.

Darius was the first to attack, slashing with a whirlwind of blades, only to have his attacks deflected by Krascus en-Vec. Krascus responded with a series of quick slashed, only to miss through fast dodges by Darius. Darius charged with his blades only to have one shattered by Krascus en-Vec's counterstrike with his clawed gauntlets.

"Pity, I'll bet that cost you everything you own to buy..." smiled Krascus en-Vec.

"That's okay...I'll make up the difference in your miserable hide." retorted Darius as he slashed again only to miss from Krascus en-Vec dodging maneuver.

* * *

"Poor little Xena, stuck in the sand...." laughed Callisto as she slowly paced around her in a circle. "Unable to even move a finger, let alone your arms and legs...."

"Laugh...it....up...Callisto....." grunted Xena. "That...will...only...make...your..defeat...more....worthwhile...."

"HA!!!" boldly laughed Callisto as she sat back down next to Xena. "Not very likely."

* * *

Meanwhile Darius and Krascus en-Vec continued their battle with neither side gaining the advantage. Krascus en-Vec was the first to strike blood, ripping open Darius's left arm. Darius replied with a quick slash, cutting Krascus en-Vec's right leg. Both wounded, the two continued fighting the first battle.

"So who's going to save you, Xena? Jaxar? Gabrielle and an army from Donaria?" laughed Callisto as she casually laid on the sandy ground allowing herself to be warmed by the sun.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!!!!" yelled out Gabrielle.

"Gabrielle?!" exclaimed Xena in shock as her eyes lit up.

Callisto turned around again, seeing Gabrielle, armed with her staff and one peasant. "I SAID GET AWAY FROM HER, CALLISTO! I MEAN IT!"

Callisto shrugged as she raised her hand and shot forth a stream of fire at the two.

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" shrieked Gabrielle as closed her eyes and huddled in fear. "WE'RE GONNA FRY, WE'RE GONNA FRY, I'M GONNA DIE, I'M GONNA DIE, I'M......not affected by the flames?"

Gabrielle opened her eyes to see the one peasant somehow absorb Callisto's flames with a magical aura and diverted it harmlessly into the sea. Removing the singed gray cloak, a young woman emerged dressed in red and gold clothing.

"The Keeper of the Flame...." whispered Gabrielle in shock. "The woman I bumped into on the road to Donaria is a Keeper of the Flame????? The only one willing to help is her???!!!!"

"Well, well, well, what have we here?" smiled Callisto.

"I am Sari Kitalis. And you are...." sarcastically asked Sari Kitalis.

"...your worst nightmare..." replied Callisto as she hurtled fireball after fireball as she charged toward Sari Kitalis with a made rage. Sari stood firm, somehow magically absorbing the fire as if it were nothing. As she and Callisto fought, Gabrielle quickly made her way around the two and started digging out Xena with her hands.

Sari Kitalis formed two small flaming spears and threw them at Callisto, striking home yet having no effect. Callisto again attacked, blasting a stream of fire that again had no effect on Sari Kitalis.

"Not bad for a beginner." replied Sari Kitalis as she responded with a barrage of firestars, striking Callisto all over her body, yet having no effect.

"Same to you, amateur." answered Callisto as she cast a fireball onto Sari Kitalis, again having no effect. "C'mon on little brown-haired girl...give me your best shot and get it over with...I'll make sure your epitaph will say you gave it your best shot..."

The smoke and ash cleared with Callisto standing with evil smile as she waved her finger at Sari Kitalis.

"Naughty, naughty. Callisto must now punish...." smiled Callisto as charged forward and delivered a flying kick to Sar Kitalis, knocking her to the ground. Callisto responded with an attack with her sword, impaling Sari Kitalis deep into her lower sides.

Sari Kitalis shrieked and wailed in pain as her blood covered the sand.

Callisto pulled out her sword and stood happily over Sari Kitalis. "Goodbye..."

"SHEEEEEEEYAAAA!!!" yelled Xena as she delivered a flying kick to Callisto from behind, knocking her to the ground.

Gabrielle hastily covered Sari's wound with a cloth and began dragging the mortally wounded Sari Kitalis away from the two as they fought.

Callisto got her to feet and saw the freed Xena covered with light coat of wet sand. "Should've killed me when you had the chance, Callisto." laughed Xena.

Callisto shrugged as she attacked with her sword, missing her strike.

"You're weak, Callisto." yelled out Xena. "You've all of that magical power fighting Sari Kitalis. Even your reflexes are reduced from all the energy you've expended."

"I have enough to kill you..." smiled Callisto as she fired another small fireball at Xena, missing her entirely. Callisto frowned at the sudden realization of her diminished power and took a deep sigh. "I guess it is nap time....you've earned the right to live one more day, Xena...but next time I won't be so gentle...." Callisto soon teleported away in a flash of fire.

The battle between Krascus en-Vec and Darius remained unchanged. Both panted heavily from fatigue, heavily wounded.

"It's over, Krascus en-Vec. You can see that Xena has won and Callisto is gone. You cannot stop the two of us." confidently yelled Darius. "Surrender."

"I won't have to." replied Krascus en-Vec as he tossed one of his clawed and spiked gloves away and grabbed a series of darts and quickly threw them at Darius, striking his arms and legs with a barrage of light wounds. Casting another glass sphere to the ground, a smoke cloud emerged. Darius removed the darts and charged through the smoke with his scimitar, only to find Krascus en-Vec gone.

"We will meet again...." sternly cursed Darius.

* * *

Four long days passed as Sari Kitalis healed to full strength despite a severe sword wound at the hands of Callisto. Gabrielle referred to it as a miracle, while Xena knew it was all part of the "phoenix's blessing". Darius's wounds healed as well, although a lot more slowly and still required several bandages. By week's end, the four were saying their goodbyes.

"Thank you again for your assistance, Sari." thanked Xena as she waved goodbye.

"That's all right. I just wish I wouldn't keep getting stabbed or poked like that, though." replied Sari. "Maybe someday you can teach me to fight?"

"Count on it." smiled Xena as she saw Sari Kitalis ride south toward Mitas.

Meanwhile, Gabrielle was saying her own goodbyes to Darius.

"Thanks for everything." smiled Gabrielle. "I wish we didn't have to keep meeting each other in crises." she pouted.

"Don't worry. I'm sure we'll meet again under better circumstances." smiled Darius.

"Really? You think so?" asked a smiling Gabrielle. "That'd be nice."

Gabrielle gave Darius a small kiss on the cheek before he mounted his horse. "Take care!"

Darius waved goodbye as he rode north back towards Bretonia.

"Well, that was an interesting few days....I met the Keeper of the Flame, learned that Callisto is back and running amok again, and got a chance to meet Darius again....what next?" asked Gabrielle.

"What now?" replied Xena as she made her way back to the inn. "I'm getting some rest and sleep on a soft bed. Wake me up some time tomorrow..."

"But it's only mid-morning." said Gabrielle.

"Exactly." replied Xena.

THE END