WARNING!!!~ If you don�t approve of woman to woman sexuality or are too young to be reading this, then get out, please.

WARNING!!!~ There is some BDSM and you can definitely hear the sound of the Lunacy Factor shattering in this piece.(What did you expect? Xena and Gabrielle? In Passage Into Darkness? Jeez...give them two matching slave collars and everyone expects them to hop into bed like rabid bunnies.) *G* Before I even added on the extra bits, this scene was about power, I just added a different kind. This alternative ending doesn�t have anything to do with the plot though, so you don�t have to read it to move on to part six.

Several people asked me to write this (in fact a lot of people were surprised when it didn�t happen when Part Five first came out. *L* I�m just cruel.), but I blame one person in particular. *Ahem* "P", I finally crossed the line. Happy now? *G*

Constructive criticism is most welcome, but let�s try to keep it clean, hmm? *VBEG* Any flames sent me will only get you the virtual finger so don�t bother sending them.

So, without further ado...(jeez...I can�t believe I�m doing this. Shoot me now.)

Passage into Darkness
by Silk
[email protected]
copyright 1997

(Remember, this is not the entire part, just the last scene of it)

Yes, Xena, this is about power...the appearance of it, the possession of it, the wielding of it.
Crassus, When In Rome...

War is like love, it always finds a way.
Bertolt Brecht, Mother Courage

Xena stopped as soon as she saw the tent on the far hill. She could sense the goddess inside from this distance, even though most of that was through their connection.

Callisto.

The warrior's muscular form trembled as she whispered the name in her mind. Now that the hot thirst, that had plagued her for most of her journey, was close to being slaked, she forced her pulse to slow and her mind to clear. If she was going to match wits against Callisto, she'd need to be under her own control again and not lulled by the fiery sweetness of this realm nor the seductive lure of her goddess.

Her heart finally slowed and her thoughts became clearer as Xena used her vast experience as both a warrior and Chosen to settle herself. Only her eyes showed the darkness that surged within her like a tidal wave, glittering in the near darkness of the dim red sun.

Only when she believed she was ready to face Callisto did Xena take those final steps to the huge black pavilion.

Xena pulled back the tent flap. A roaring fire, set in the central fire pit inside, lit up the huge tent. Callisto was sitting across from the entrance, the fire between them, her body casually sprawled on the black and silver embossed throne set up on a small dais. Her brown eyes glittered in the firelight, as they inspected Xena.

Holding her gaze for only a moment, Xena felt anticipation, amusement, and even deep-seeded hostility, radiating from the goddess.

Stepping into the tent, she let the flap fall closed behind her as she removed the large bundle of bloody furs off her shoulders and tossed it onto the carpeted ground.

Xeeennnaaa.

Callisto took pleasure in drawing out the name as she watched Xena try and control a shiver of delight. It seemed as if her Chosen had decided to try and restrain her darkness. The goddess chuckled to herself, pleased that Xena was already playing the game. "You finally made it...and you brought me a present? How thoughtful of you."

Only giving the blonde goddess a quick, bored look, Xena glanced away again and surveyed the tent for any other inhabitants, glad to see that it was just her and Callisto. This first real meeting between Goddess and Chosen was not something that was shared with others, not even other gods. The scene of her own meeting with Ares long ago, when she'd fought her way here, had been almost surreal in its intensity. Two forces meeting both physically and mentally. It still gave her chills to think about it.

Xena dampened her reaction at the memory as she felt Callisto's mirth rising within her. She doubted this meeting would be the same with Callisto, but one never knew. The warrior had learned not to underestimate anyone, let alone her longtime nemesis.

Her cold gaze continued to scan the roomy tent, stopping here and there on a certain sword or other item that she remembered, or which held some significance to her. Spotting one particular piece she stepped forward and picked it up.

"It's yours if you want it. I found it in Rome, gathering dust in Caesar's palace, but I think Ares had two or three others like it lying around here somewhere if you don't like that one," the goddess offered as she eyed Xena with hidden annoyance. Her Chosen was far too controlled for her needs. Well then, I'm just going to have to do something about that, aren't I? Tyger, tyger burning bright...let's see how much fur I can singe tonight.

A corner of the warrior's lips lifted up slightly at Callisto's tone. The dance between them had indeed begun. The anticipation of their encounter tingled in her blood, sending another exquisite shiver up her spine.

Xena set the familiar Amazon war staff back against the tent pole. It held no significance to her anymore.

Waving a careless hand at the contents of the tent she turned back to the blonde goddess. "This really isn't your style, Callisto. I'm surprised you haven't cleared things out, put in a lava pit, and a few rats for ambiance."

"That's what Strife and Discord are for." The goddess grinned impishly, then shrugged. "It's better than nothing."

Xena paced around the edge of the fire to a chair that had been set across from Callisto. It was on ground level, just below the height of Callisto's dais, making it much lower compared to the goddess' throne. Xena didn't bother to keep the smirk off of her face as she looked at the piece of furniture. Its plain, unadorned wood, when compared to her throne, was Callisto's way of trying to keep her off balance.

The warrior nodded her thanks as she lowered herself like a queen claiming her kingdom. "Very comfortable," she purred. "So, you've got Ares' little tagalongs with you now? What do you need me for?"

"Ahh...Xena. You are for the greatest plan of all."

"Killing Ares and taking his mantle wasn't enough for you?" the dark-haired woman replied with mock disbelief. It didn't surprise her really. Callisto had always wanted everything beyond her grasp, even Xena herself. Now she had her and she wanted more.

"Ares was a fool. Easily led by his desire for you. It was so simple to get him to come to Rome after you." Callisto paused, her eyebrows drawing down in thought. "Well, not too simple. It did take some planning on my part. Anyway," she smiled, "God...Chosen, it's all a two edged sword, Xena. Ares let it cut him too deeply. I plan on using that edge, instead of letting it use me."

"Using the edge or using me?" the warrior asked, her voice lowering slightly in warning.

"Aren't they the same thing?"

"Riddles."

"I had a great teacher. 'Always keep them guessing.' Isn't that what you say?" Callisto nodded at her teacher. "Now, how about if I give you a gift? It's not often that I give you presents, Xena."

"A gift? From you? This should be deliciously painful."

"You have no idea." Callisto smiled. She felt like a sleek cat playing with a mouse. She had to be careful though, this mouse was really a lioness underneath. "The best presents are always the painful ones, Xena. We remember them so much longer that way. You know all about that, of course. Cirra was a very special gift. Just like Perdicus was one for both you and Gabrielle."

Xena changed the subject. There was no guilt within her for Gabrielle's dead husband now and the thought of talking about Callisto's childhood village again bored her. "You surprised me, you know. Taking Ares' head. Wanting me as your Chosen. I thought you were going to come after me in that arena."

"You wish to talk about Ares again? What? You don't want your present?" Callisto lifted her slim legs and turned sideways on her throne, hanging them over an armrest. After a long moment of silence, as she scrutinized Xena, she sighed and spoke. "Oh, very well. You're the key, Xena." The goddess pointed at her Chosen and grinned. "That's why I need you."

"More riddles?" the warrior snorted softly and picked at a dried bloodstain on her thigh. "All right, I'll play. If I'm the key, what's the lock?"

"Ahhh...that would be me. You're the key to me, Xena. You're the key to everything about me and what I want. I'm patterned after my creator after all. The flames of Cirra may have been my womb, but you molded me." The flames reflected in Callisto's eyes seemed to leap and dance at her words. You've always been the key to me, she purred through their bond into Xena's mind. A wave of thick madness surged along with the words to explode inside the warrior. It was only with great difficulty that Xena ignored its pleasing call.

"And in the tradition of the gods, you used to want to destroy your parent. Why the change?" Xena asked, her voice amazingly clear.

"Who said my plans have changed?" the Goddess of War hissed then paused thoughtfully. "What do you care about, Xena?"

Xena stood up and walked around the fire pit towards Callisto, keeping her intense gaze on the goddess' liquid brown eyes. The silence of the tent was broken only by the crackling of the fire and her own light footsteps as she sauntered closer. The tall warrior stood before her goddess and let a lazy smile caress her lips. She reached down, with her long fingers, between her breasts and retrieved her dagger. A low chuckle escaped her as she saw Callisto's eyes follow her movements, then return to her eyes. A warm surge caressed their link, but Xena couldn't tell who it originated from.

"Death," she finally replied, holding her breast dagger lightly in one hand and twirling the sharp point into a finger on her other.

"Ahhh...you are so close to the truth," Callisto's head fell back and she gasped in pleasure at Xena's answer. The emotion rippled back and forth between the two, making them both shiver. After several heartbeats of time, when both had recovered, Callisto spoke again. "Didn't Gabrielle mean anything to you? I know she did. It was so obvious." She rolled her eyes for effect.

"Illusion. It meant nothing. She fell. She died. I feel much better now," Xena assured her as she ran a thumb down the edge of her dagger's blade.

"I don't believe you," Callisto sneered and swung her legs back around so that she was face to face with her Chosen. "You came back from the dead for her. You even killed me so that she wouldn't dirty her little hands doing it!"

Xena leaned closer towards the goddess as she lifted a foot onto the dais' step and rested an elbow on her knee. "Believe it," she growled. "War has always been my true nature. Not some would-be hero helping others. I am a killer. You know that better than anyone and I know you can feel it inside of me, as you feel it within yourself. Death is in my blood. Destruction is my right hand and desolation my left." She waved her hands to emphasize her point.

"Oh, I believe you. I just think there's a small part of you hidden away, waiting and watching for its chance to escape," Callisto laughed softly, amused by the thought. "It's the part of you that loves and cares," she sneered. "In fact, I'm counting on it."

Blood encrusted, midnight black hair shook slightly as Xena stepped back, showing her disgust with Callisto's choice of words. "Perhaps I was wrong. You know nothing of the power you possess, do you?" she snarled. "You emulate me, but do you truly understand?"

"I understand," Callisto insisted as she sent a wave of annoyance through their bond. "I hunger for what you hunger for. I thirst for what you thirst for. Death. Destruction. Complete annihilation of your enemies and whomever stands in your way. But do you know what my desires are, Xena?"

Xena laughed. The answer was a simple one. "You want to destroy all I loved, thereby destroying me. Old news, Callisto. You tried, but now it doesn't matter anymore, because I care for nothing."

"Really?" A blonde eyebrow lifted. "Will you conquer everything for me then?"

"The world? I dream of it." Xena snorted and placed the dagger back in its hiding place.

"What else will you destroy for me?" the goddess asked with a feral smile. "Your mother?"

"Mommy dearest? Who turned her back on me and killed my father?" Xena's eyes gleamed, Callisto's mad glee mixing with her own. "I don't think she'll be much of a challenge, but it should still be fun. I'm tired of having to feel guilty over my brother's death. I'm tired of it all."

"What about Amphipolis? Your home village which made you an outcast and cursed your name for so long?"

"Do you want me to raze it to the ground?" Xena asked. "It's not really worth the time, but anything to make you happy. That is what you wanted once isn't it? Destroy Amphipolis? You tried, but I'll be the one to accomplish it." The warrior seemed to almost purr as Callisto's anger spiked for a moment between them.

"How about Greece, herself?"

"It shall be sown in blood and ground beneath the feet of my army," the mortal assured the goddess with an insolent grin.

Callisto nodded her approval, then paused dramatically for an instant before going on. "Caesar?"

"Caesar?" Xena frowned. "That's not someone I love, Callisto."

"Obsession. Love. Same thing," she pointed out.

Xena pursed her lips thinking about the point, then asked a question of her own. "If that's true, do you lo..." She hesitated, smiling once again as she leaned so closely to Callisto that her breath warmed the goddess' cheek, "I mean...are you obsessed with me?"

The lithe blonde widened her eyes in mock surprise, but she couldn't hide her feelings from her bonded. "You don't know the answer by now, Xena? Not as observant as I thought you were. Gabrielle asked me once what I felt when I made you make that public apology...you remember that day don't you?" At the warrior's nod, she continued. "I told her that I don't feel anything anymore."

"That wasn't really the truth, now was it?" Xena admonished.

Callisto gave an amused little snort. "What is truth but the illusions each of us sees? You see the world differently than I do...at least you used to. Your illusions...your truth are different than mine. Now, of course, you and I see the world in the same light. A world drowning in a sea of warm blood and lit up by the fires of burning villages."

"I never took you for a philosopher, Callisto."

"Madness is a philosophy all its own," the goddess replied. "Come Xena, tell me what else you'll do for me." The blonde woman's teeth flashed in a bright smile as she leisurely looked her Chosen up and down.

"Amphipolis? Mother? Greece? The rest of the world crushed? That isn't enough for you?"

Callisto rolled her eyes, her smile faded. "And you were so close."

Ice blue eyes narrowed in thought as Xena eyed the goddess who sat so casually on her carved throne. "You think there's some part of me that won't go along with your plan? That I'll fight you? What do I have to do to convince you?"

Gracefully rising from her chair, which forced Xena to straighten up, Callisto stood face to face with the dark warrior. "I'm disappointed in you, but not completely surprised. You're usually one step ahead of me, Xena, but not this time. This time I trapped you as soon as you set foot on that ship." She reached out a slim finger and pressed it lightly against the blood-encrusted flesh over the warrior's breastbone. "And now...now you're mine."

Xena was beginning to lose patience and it showed. Her iron control was starting to slip. "What do you want, Callisto? This conversation is beginning to get rather old," she asked testily.

"What do I want? What do I want?" she asked herself. "That is the question, isn't it?" Glittering brown eyes closed partially as Callisto let her head fall back onto her shoulders for a moment. She could feel the warrior's growing frustration and it gave her a sense of power...and pleasure.

Callisto stepped down from the dais and brushed past the mortal woman, glancing over her shoulder and giving her a brazen smirk, then stopping in front of the roaring fire set in the middle of the tent.

Xena could feel the almost abnormal heat coming from the goddess as her skin had momentarily come in contact with her own. She shivered in response.

Turning her soft brown gaze to the hypnotic flames, Callisto observed them for a few moments, fully aware of Xena watching her at the same time.

Callisto loved fire...it had created her after all. This fire was special, feeding off her, its flames hungrily licking the air at her will. Not long ago, it had gone out when its previous master had died, but it now lived again and served a new mistress. Like the dark throne, which faced it, the bonfire was a symbol of Callisto's authority as Goddess of War. But unlike that piece of carved wood and intricate silver, it was much more than a symbol. It was alive, an elemental creature fed by the blonde goddess.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" the goddess asked, but didn't bother waiting for an answer. "Alive and so very hungry. It would eat anything in its path if it was free, but it's trapped here...just like I am." The last words were barely a whisper, but Xena heard them nonetheless and felt the emptiness Callisto radiated through their link.

The dark warrior felt their bond abruptly sharpen, as Callisto took it firmly in her mental grasp. It was almost a painful feeling, but also pleasurable. She gasped softly at the sensation, unable to control her reaction. This close to Callisto, she was more vulnerable to the goddess' emotions and will. But the Chosen/Goddess bond went two ways, if Xena was strong enough and determined.

Callisto turned around to face her Chosen, her back almost in the flames, her hands on her hips, and a dark smile gracing her lips.

"Come here," she ordered with both her voice and will.

Xena had no choice but to take a step towards the fire, the compulsion was too powerful and sweet. Callisto had obviously learned her lessons well, in regards to their bond, and was more than willing to use all her immortal strength and will against the warrior.

Blue eyes darkened and reflected the flickering glow of the flames, as Xena let her anger grow within. She tried to use its power to fight the urge to comply with Callisto, but she was failing. And that just made her more angry.

"No!" she hissed though clenched teeth.

The blonde goddess gave her an amused chuckle. "As if you have any choice in the matter, Xena dear. Now, be a good girl and come closer...yes, that's it." She nodded in approval as her warrior took the last few steps and stood in front of her. Callisto took in the long length of Xena, the power, the lethal grace of her and breathed in the smell of blood that was her aroma. The bond trembled with pleasure between them.

"Damn you!" Xena growled impotently, her anger evolving into a white-hot fury that raged within her. She tried again to use her anger against Callisto, but the goddess seemed to be taking the emotional barrage Xena threw at her and growing stronger.

"Aren't you ready to give up yet?" A pale eyebrow rose high under equally pale blonde locks in question. "You are a bit out of practice aren't you? I'm the Goddess of War remember? Murderous rage is my thing. It feeds me, Xena. Gives me power."

"I'll kill you for this! Ares never dared to..."

"Oh please," Callisto interrupted and rolled her eyes in disgust, "Like I said, Ares was a fool and a wimp. He could have kept you on his leash if he'd tried hard enough." She locked her gaze with Xena's. "And I plan on keeping you on mine."

"I won't be controlled, Callisto! I refuse! I'll deny you just as I did Ares, if that's what it'll take!" Xena started to reach back for her sword, but Callisto raised her hand and brushed a finger along the warrior's arm, immobilizing the woman's body with her power.

"I don't want to control you, Xena. On the contrary, I want you wild. I want you so furious and full of loathing that you'll..." She paused and waved her finger back and forth in the air. "No. No. Not yet. I'm not going to tell you if you can't figure it out for yourself. I'm only giving you one present today, not two."

"Callisto, let me go!"

"Fine. I'll release you if you do one thing for me," Callisto promised with an impish grin. She was enjoying herself immensely.

Xena struggled for a moment, her muscles straining, a faint sheen of sweat breaking out on her body and moistening the crusted blood on her skin so it looked fresh. Finally, still unable to move she snapped, "What do you want?"

Callisto stepped up so that her body was a hairsbreadth away from Xena's. Looking up into the mortal's angrily flashing eyes she whispered, "Kneel."

"NO!" the warrior hissed in outrage. She had never kneeled to a soul and she wasn't about to begin now. Frustrated, Xena began to struggle anew against Callisto's will and her frozen limbs. The strain was so great that her vision began to darken, her breath growing harsh and loud in her ears. She could feel everything through the link that held her and Callisto together, the goddess' amusement, her sense of retribution and even her respect for Xena's struggle. But try as she might, she was having a difficult time using her own emotions as a weapon this time. Callisto was just too close, too focused, and too insane. But oh...it felt so good to struggle.

Callisto cocked her head to the side and looked puzzled. "You know, I think you're enjoying this. No sane person would go though all the pain and suffering you're putting yourself though right now just to be difficult." She giggled as a thought came to her. Reaching up, she ran a slim finger along Xena's jaw.

The caress felt cool against the warrior's overheated skin, but while it was pleasurable, at the same time she would rather have had a viper touch her.

"On second thought, you're almost as raving mad as I am now, so perhaps you are enjoying this. Hmm?"

Xena had no time to prepare herself as Callisto's finger started to glow, then abruptly erupted in flames. The goddess trailed her index finger down Xena's cheek, around her chin and up the other side of her face, laughing at the screams of agony that were torn from her victim.

Her hand passed again over the singed flesh and the pain disappeared.

Xena panted with relief. "Damn you," she whispered hoarsely.

"You keep saying that...but it�s far too late for that," Callisto murmured in her Chosen�s ear, as she leaned closer. "Now. Since you refused to kneel, I�ll have to think of a fitting punishment. Hmmm, what shall I do to you? Perhaps something which we�d both enjoy?"

The goddess stood back, the flames still roaring at her back and contemplated the warrior frozen before her. The sleek muscles gleamed with bloody sweat in the firelight that shimmered and danced over her flesh. Ebony black tresses clung to her face and shoulders, framing her fiercely beautiful looks. And those stunning eyes...blue flames that threatened to burn her far worse than magical fire. She was indeed a marvel to look at, both as a woman and a warrior, and Callisto couldn�t help but shiver at the sight of her.

Even as a young woman, her family dead, her village burning around her as she looked at the dark demoness that had destroyed her life, she couldn�t help the primal desire that had coursed through her veins. Callisto loved Xena, she always had, just as much as she hated her.

Both of the strong feelings had warred within her when she was young, until they merged together to become one chaotic emotion. Every bit of pain she could squeeze out of her nemesis love, every tear that she herself was responsible for in Xena, was done out of passion she felt for the warrior. That�s what Callisto believed in the depths of her soul, because she�d long ago attributed pain with love. She�d loved her parents, but they�d left her. She hated Xena, but couldn�t help but desire her.

Desire.

The word rushed through the goddess like a bonfire, burning her body from the inside out as she looked longingly at the woman before her.

Suddenly, decisively, she whipped out both of her arms, trailing long fiery ropes and wrapped the ends around Xena�s wrists. With a flick of her wrists she cast the ends at two stout tent poles at either end of the tent. Xena sagged for a moment against her bonds as Callisto released her from her paralysis. Then with just a thought, the goddess tightened the glowing fetters and pulled Xena to her feet.

Then, she crafted two more shackles of power for the warrior�s feet and fixed them to the earth. An instant later Xena hung spread-eagled before the fire. Xena�s muscles tensed as she struggled, but the glowing chains were too strong. She found that they burned also when she fought against their grip. Not much, but enough to cause pain, if not burns.

"Let me go, you Bitch!" she snarled, as she twisted and strove to free herself.

"I think not," chuckled the blonde goddess. Callisto stood before the determined warrior and looked at her with almost awe filled eyes. You�re so passionate, my warrior. So full of primal fire, the heat of battle and desire. Mmm... she spoke to Xena silently.

"And you�re full of s..."

"Tsk, tsk. You don�t want to make me angry, now do you?" Callisto admonished, interrupting her and waving a finger back and forth as if to a naughty child. Then, quick as a snake, her hand reached out and cupped Xena�s jaw, holding her head still so that they were facing each other.

With her other hand, she disarmed her, removing first her chakram and tossing it near the throne. Then she unbuckled the scabbard on Xena�s back and gingerly plucked out the warrior�s breast dagger. Both weapons quickly joined the ring of Hephaestus� metal leaving Xena weaponless, if not less dangerous. Callisto knew from experience that even a dead Warrior Princess was a force to be reckoned with. The goddess would take no chances with her Chosen.

"I may not be able to kill you, but if you don�t let go of me, I�ll put you in so much pain that your memories of Tartarus will be Elysia in comparison," Xena growled as she tried to pull her head away.

Callisto chuckled wickedly. "Why, Xena. If I didn�t know any better, I�d say that you didn�t like me. Now what are people going to think if they see that the Goddess of War�s own Chosen doesn�t respect her?"

"Go to Hades," the warrior hissed, her eyes flashing.

The blonde goddess released the warrior�s chin and trailed her fingertips along Xena�s full and angry lips. Callisto�s own tongue darted out and mimicked the touch on her own lips. Xena�s teeth snapped as she tried to bite the goddess� fingers, but Callisto withdrew them and instead caressed the armor at Xena�s shoulder.

"This has got to go." Callisto smiled sweetly and proceeded to unbuckle all the clasps on the warrior�s armor. Anything that she couldn�t immediately peel off, she willed off with her power, not caring if she ruined it.

When she was done, she looked at the Xena�s naked body frankly, ignoring the curses that the woman had begun spewing at her when she was being stripped.

"You are..." Callisto paused, "magnificent. But I�m sure everyone tells you that."

She reached out and ran an appreciative hand along Xena�s shoulder again and down her side, her thumb brushing over a full breast. She continued on, her fingers discovering each rib and hollow in-between to her rounded hip. Her eyes followed her hand�s exploration, hypnotized, fascinated at the smooth forbidden flesh of her enemy and her ally. Xena fell silent under the caress.

"You know what kind of power you hold over people, don�t you?" Callisto stated, her eyes straying from Xena�s breasts to the black curls between her legs, then back up to steely blue eyes. "You�ve lived in that body most your entire life, except for when I was in it, and you�ve used it to your advantage...in many ways. Men or women, it doesn�t matter to you, does it?"

Xena sneered, trying to regain her equilibrium. She tried to regain control of her emotions, but Callisto was making it difficult, flooding her with War�s dark passions. The searing heat of the shackles on her wrists weren�t helping matters either. She was used to putting pain aside and going on, but there was too much sensation...too much distraction. "Men are more easily manipulated."

"Ahh, but what about women?" The goddess� hand roamed down the warrior�s thigh lightly, feeling the muscles tense and the fine hairs rise under her touch. "Hmm? Tell me Xena, do your female lovers end up groveling at your feet?" She paused and gave her captive a predatory grin. "Did Gabrielle grovel? Did your little bard fall to her knees and beg you to take her? Or was dear old dead Perdicus the only one who had that pleasure?"

Xena tried to think of anything to take her mind off Callisto�s touch. Lyceus� death. Caesar ordering her legs to be broken. The death of M�Lila. Memories of the Battle of Corinth and the betrayal and death of Borias. She wanted anger and hate...anything to drive away the fire that was building up within her. But nothing helped.

The warrior was silent, her mind and body betrayed as Callisto spoke Gabrielle�s name. Visions of the bard melded for a moment with the reality of Callisto kneading and caressing her thigh. And for that moment, the goddess� control over her Chosen eased minutely.

In her mind Gabrielle became Callisto and Callisto became Gabrielle, and they were both torturing her in the most delicious of ways.

"Ohhh..." Xena shuddered.

Then the goddess recovered control over the emotions passing between them and drove back the thin strand of goodness that had shown itself, overwhelming the warrior with the sensations of dark sensuality and lust.

The warrior moaned even louder as she drowned in their bond, unable to help herself.

You can�t help but respond to my touch, Xena. I like that...a lot, Callisto purred into her Chosen�s mind. Her hand began to graze the silken flesh of Xena�s inner thigh until she reach a trickle of wetness.

Callisto head fell back for a moment, her eyes fluttering closed in pleasure, as her fingertips explored the moisture, slowly, tantalizingly moving upwards. She stopped just shy of the source of Xena�s most intimate elixir.

"Damn you," Xena snarled, but her body told a different story as her hips tried to reach the goddess� hand. She made no pretense about what she wanted now. The fire between them was rising.

"I�m sure you�ll get more creative with your curses when I tell you I plan on making you beg," the blonde said, looking at the warrior again, "and beg...and beg."

Callisto�s hand moved slightly, brushing against the soaked fine hairs, causing a tremor to race through Xena�s body.

"I don�t beg. I told you that," Xena panted, her breath being to deepen.

"No?"

"No."

"Pity, but I�m sure I can change that." Callisto�s teeth flashed as she pulled her hand away. "In fact...I know I can. You can�t hide the fact that you�re enjoying this, Xena."

Although there were still the emotions coming from their bond to contend with, without Callisto�s touch Xena�s mind cleared slightly. Blue eyes bored into brown with annoyance. "Never."

The goddess raised an eyebrow for an instant, then turned away walking to one side of the tent. Her eyes searched through the multitude of weapons until she found what she had been searching for. Picking up the object she walked back to her prisoner, the long slinking length of the weapon trailing behind her.

Xena eyed the whip carefully, a shiver of apprehension and anticipation making the glowing shackles painfully press into her wrists. She snapped her head up to meet Callisto�s amused gaze. "You wouldn�t dare."

"You can�t lie to me, Xena," Callisto trailed the braided leather along the warrior�s breasts. She unconsciously licked her lips as she saw the dark nipples harden. "You want this as much as I want it. Admit it." She continued to drag the whip along Xena�s skin, over her shoulder, along her arms, down her abdomen to slink and slither around and in between her spread thighs. "You want me to do this to you. Gabrielle..." the goddess chuckled," would never have done this for you."

Xena�s muscled legs tensed and strained violently as she tried to increase the pressure between her skin and the whip�s caress, but Callisto would not co-operate. The whip barely grazed her now flooding center before being withdrawn. Blue eyes glared in naked want and annoyance at not being allowed the leather�s caress.

Callisto lay the whip over her own shoulder in order to free up her hands and slowly walked around the bound and increasingly frustrated warrior until she stood directly behind her.

A blood encrusted torso and limbs lay before her, bathed in shadow but outlined by the glow of the fire. The sight was erotic and powerful, and Callisto shared her pleasure with her Chosen through their bond, tasting Xena�s reaction to her own emotions and enjoying every drink.

Almost hesitantly, she reached out, her hands gliding over Xena�s flesh, but not touching. She could feel the heat radiating from the mortal�s body, a fire not unlike the one in the center of the tent it was so hot. Then, like a lover�s first kiss, her hands touched the warrior�s skin at the shoulders. Flakes of dried blood dislodged at her touch and fell to the ground.

Callisto lay her cheek between Xena�s shoulder blades and took a deep breath through her nose. The scent of blood was strong and tantalized her senses. It was the aroma of violence. It was the fragrance Callisto believed most suited her Xena.

She turned her face, pressing gently into the skin with her lips, then flicked her tongue along the warrior�s spine, licking up one of the smears of sweat and blood that had run in uneven streaks underneath Xena�s leathers.

Xena�s skin twitched under her touch and the goddess chuckled. "Do you like that? Are you listening to what I�m feeling?" Callisto asked as she sent a small quiver of pleasure down their bond to explode within the warrior.

"You are a tease," the Chosen breathed unevenly.

Callisto pressed the length of her body against Xena�s, her leather armor and warm skin melding into the ebony tressed woman�s nakedness. She reached her arms around and began caressing the strong muscles of Xena�s abdomen. Shifting her head slightly the goddess breathed into the warrior�s ear, "I�m not going to tease you, Xena. I plan on fulfilling every desire your body is screaming for...and mine."

Xena groaned as Callisto�s hands trailed over her breasts in a circular motion, the dark nipples already straining for attention before she even reached them. When the goddess finally touched them though, she was not gentle. Her thumb played lazily with the already aching nipple for a brief moment, then was joined by an index finger, the two digits immediately pinching the hard tips cruelly. Xena felt a zing course through her body as Callisto�s tongue snaked out and licked her ear, providing a sensual counter to the delicious torment. After a moment, she eased up on the pressure and continued her hands� roaming, sweeping to everywhere she could reach on the warrior�s torso.

"Ooh." Xena�s jaw unclenched as the pain subsided.

Callisto chuckled softly in her ear. "Liked that, did you?"

Silence.

Xena�s dark head fell forward and her eyes closed involuntarily with pleasure as Callisto dug her fingernails into her flesh and scratched her, leaving a long, bloody trail on her stomach.

"Answer me," the blonde demanded as she grabbed Xena�s ear with her teeth and dragged her head back. "Do you enjoy my touch?"

Desire warred with hatred within Xena, mixing, becoming one. She wanted all of her goddess� touch, but she refused to ask or beg for it. She was Chosen of the Goddess of War. That did not mean she was her slave.

Callisto felt Xena�s answer through their bond and shook her head, her wild locks flying. "I�m disappointed in you, Xena. Surely, you know by now that you�re not in control here. That you haven�t been in control of anything for days." She lowered her voice to a faint warm whisper, her hands again exploring Xena�s breasts. "Admit it. You want to let someone else be in control, just once, don�t you? Relax. You don�t need to fear anything here. No one can see you, except for me, and I just want to give you what you�ve been denying yourself for three years now."

One of the goddess� hands drifted down Xena�s stomach, her long fingers nestling in short, dark hairs, causing the warrior�s hips to twitch in reaction.

"Callisto?" Xena growled, turning her head towards the goddess until their faces were only a hairsbreadth apart.

"Xena. My Xena. What do you need? Tell me," Callisto barely breathed, her soft brown eyes drifting from startling blue orbs to the warrior�s lips. She continued to caress and knead Xena�s breast with one hand, as she moved the fingers of her other slightly so that one lay against the full, moist lips of Xena�s sex.

A deep groan erupted from Xena and Callisto could not only feel her Chosen�s desire beginning to burn out of control, but also see it in her eyes.

"Please," came the reply.

"Please? Please, what?" Callisto asked as she moved her finger again, this time pressing it deeper between the outer edge of Xena's folds.

"Please..." Xena whisper ended as she ground her lips against Callisto�s in a grueling kiss. She opened herself to the goddess� invading tongue, the two twisting and caressing each other hotly.

After a moment, Callisto pulled back and looked deeply into Xena�s hungry eyes. "Say it."

"I...I can�t. I won�t," the warrior replied.

Disappointment and anticipation flowed down their bond as Callisto pulled away from the warm body of her Chosen, a faint smile her only response to Xena�s groan of disappointment. The goddess slinked around her captive to stand once again between the warrior and the bonfire. She reached up and took the handle of the whip in her hand, slowly pulling its length off her shoulder.

Xena�s head snapped upright and her eyes pierced Callisto as she heard the tip hit the ground. Subconsciously, she licked her lower lip and stared at the leather�s length in hunger. Her voice came from somewhere so deep within her that she spoke before she realized it. "Do it."

Callisto eyes widened in delight. "So...it�s this touch you want," she said as she flicked the whip out behind her. Just the sound of the whip snapping brought the heat of her own desire to full flame. She couldn�t believe Xena was letting her do this, that she wasn�t fighting more. Perhaps I can keep this side of you around a bit longer...I do so enjoy it, the goddess spoke silently, keeping her thoughts from her Chosen.

The whip�s tip landed in the fire and Callisto looked at it for a moment. Then the fire jumped out and ran along the length quickly, only stopping just before hitting the handle. With the goddess� will, it fed on her, not consuming the leather but becoming a part of it.

Then, without letting Xena brace herself, Callisto stepped back and aimed for a split instant, before letting fly one searing kiss that struck the mortal�s skin on her hip. Xena cried out at the agonizing pleasure, her body having a will of its own and arching toward Callisto, begging for more.

The goddess complied silently, the only sound the flames of the fire, the hot crack of the flaming whip as it caressed Xena�s body, and the harsh breath of both women. She began to move, slowly circling Xena, her arm reaching out again and again with the whip and connecting with the warrior�s flesh.

As for the warrior herself, Xena�s lust and hate for the blonde goddess before her only grew as each branding kiss lit upon her body. The sensations were many, each one alone enough to drive her over the edge of ecstasy. The whip�s loving touch, Callisto�s own desire and hunger that she could feel through their link, and the searing ache of the bonds around her ankles and wrists. Her body already begged for release, her center throbbed as warm essence flowed from her. She may not have control over her body�s reaction, but still Xena refused to beg. Instead, she let Callisto punish her, accepting it as a gift of hateful pleasure.

The goddess knew her Chosen was strong and would refuse to give in, but Callisto didn�t know if she could do the same. As her arm snaked out repeatedly, landing the whip on Xena�s reddening skin, she wanted nothing more than to be in her warrior�s position, laid out...accepting Xena�s painfully sensuous attention. Lashes were delivered everywhere on Xena�s torso. Mostly on her thighs and back, but some on her abdomen and stroking her breasts almost as light as a feather...albeit a stinging feather.

Finally, Callisto stopped and stood facing Xena, staring at her. The blonde was breathing heavily, her body trembling with need.

Xena looked back at her, her eyes full of carnal hunger.

The two women stood like that for several moments, frozen in time, illuminated by the fire of their desire and the flames of the fire in the center of the tent.

"I hate you," Callisto hissed finally. She was having a difficult time controlling herself, wanting nothing but her Chosen�s hands on her...in her.

White teeth flashed as Xena responded, "And I hate you." She shivered in pleasure, the emotion rippling down the bond and echoing throughout Callisto�s body.

"Just so we understand each other," the goddess replied and dropped the whip, the flames extinguishing as it hit the ground. Stepping forward, she waved her hand, making her own armor and weapons disappear, leaving her gloriously naked. With another gesture, she released the glowing shackles from Xena�s legs, but still kept her arms bound.

The warrior stood on her own two legs, but barely felt the discomfort of the blood returning to her limbs for it was minor in sensation against the sting of the thin, blushing welts that adorned her body. Well that and the naked, warm body that glued itself to her, wrapping a long arm around her neck, pulling her down into a savage kiss.

They were pressed so closely together, that Xena could feel Callisto�s wet desire against her own. Even the goddess� hardened nipples, which nestled just underneath her own, was an intense sensation. They kissed with unrestrained abandon, their hate and twisted lust for one another, merging as each vied for dominance. Xena�s tongue slid back and forth along Callisto�s, gliding over the nipping teeth to take the other woman�s tongue within her own mouth.

Xena fully gave herself up to the fierce emotions that raced through her, answering her goddess� touch with lust darkened eyes and eager kisses. She made a soft sound in her throat as Callisto turned the tables and tried her damnedest to devour the warrior�s tongue.

At any other time Callisto would have laughed at the surrender, but her mind was pretty much elsewhere now, namely on the glorious body under her lips and hands. Pulling her mouth away from Xena�s warm, sumptuous mouth, she gave the bruised lips a quick lick, before placing small kisses along the woman�s jaw. Every piece of sweet flesh she could reach she licked, nibbled, and bit into. Tasting and cleaning the blood from every inch of Xena�s neck, nuzzling against the rapidly beating pulse point. Running her lips along the top of her breastbone to dip for a moment within the hollow at the base of her throat. No matter how much she tasted though, she found her thirst growing rapidly out of control.

Then dropping her head, she kissed the valley between Xena�s breasts, then caressed each soft mound with her lips and tongue, teasing the peaks, then nipping them until the warrior gasped. Her hands joined her exploration, stroking and teasing as her mouth and teeth left marks alongside the stripes from the whip, wherever they passed.

There was nothing subtle about Callisto�s touch as she ran her other hand down Xena�s body. She stopped for a moment to flick the slightly neglected rock hard nipple and squeezed her luscious breast while her mouth feasted on the other. Then she was moving on, Callisto�s hands wandering down Xena�s muscular abdomen and passed her full hips. One hand moved around and caressed the warrior�s firm buttocks pulling her closer, while the fingers of her other hand splayed out and found Xena�s aching desire. She thrust a single digit, without warning, between the drenched lower lips.

When Xena felt her goddess� touch, she could no longer be silent. Her growls and slight cries became outright moans of naked want as her hips began moving, demanding more from Callisto.

The goddess let the tip of the warrior�s breast fall out of her mouth and pulled Xena�s head back down for another deep, fiery kiss. "Mine," she murmured in the warrior�s mouth.

Xena just gasped loudly, her eyes shut tight as she rode the heat wave between them.

Callisto let one of Xena�s muscular thighs slip between her own, her slick wetness painting the warrior immediately. Both women groaned into the other�s mouth at the sensation.

Then she explored further, moving lower to dip her finger in between Xena�s swollen nether lips and sliding it along her whole length.

Desire screamed through their bond, coming from both goddess and Chosen, crashing together like two flash floods against the other, to eventually mix and become one.

The warrior parting her legs willingly, her hips thrusting in need, but Callisto ignored her demands. Instead she thrust her hips against Xena�s thigh as she played and teased the hub of the warrior�s desire, refusing to go any further, even though she wanted more herself.

"Release me," Xena murmured and dived back into Callisto�s mouth, then released her lips waiting for the answer.

Callisto�s head pulled back as she looked up at Xena. Her fingers continued to taunt the warrior, but she could tell neither one of them would be satisfied with just this. With a slight smile gracing her lips, the goddess pulled herself off Xena�s thigh and away from her body. The dark-haired woman almost whimpered when Callisto�s hand left its warm nest.

The Goddess of War stood for a moment before her Chosen, brown eyes and blue locked as she slowly brought her fingers up to her mouth, the digits gleaming momentarily in the firelight before being enveloped by Callisto�s eager mouth. Twin drawn out moans eased from both women at the sight and taste, for Xena could feel Callisto�s reaction and the goddess hers.

"Gods..." Xena licked her suddenly dry lips.

Daintily, the blonde cleaned her fingers before removing them. "Just one, Xena...and a goddess at that." Gathering a minute part of her will, she waved Xena�s bonds away, the glowing shackles disappearing in a shower of sparks.

The tall warrior lowered her arms with relief, taking a moment to rub her wrists to try and get the circulation back into them.

Callisto snickered, pleased with the evening so far. The bond between her and Xena was an added bonus in regards to the scene playing out, adding an entire new dimension to their game.

"Did your first meeting with Ares as Chosen compare to this one?" she asked, trying to sound only mildly interested in the answer. The truth was though, that a large part of her wanted to drive those memories from Xena. Callisto wanted Xena for her own...body, soul, mind, and heart, but her plans dictated otherwise. It was frustrating to know that Ares had been in her soul first. Before Cirra, before Delphi, before Tartarus...he�d been there.

"We aren�t done yet," Xena replied with a smug smile. The warrior wasn�t fooled. That was part of the price a god paid for being completely connected with a mortal. She knew...she felt Callisto�s real desire. Xena had almost thirteen years of being Chosen, and Callisto only a few days of being the Goddess of War. Although, Callisto absorbed not only Ares� power but some of the knowledge on how to use her newfound powers, she was still a neophyte in certain ways.

Her lips pulled back in a predatory smile as she looked the goddess up and down leisurely. Xena let the fire that was always within her blossom, using its power to assert herself in their bond.

Callisto froze for a moment in consternation and perhaps a twinge of hope. She could feel the darkness and passion that was Xena�s own slowly taking over both the bond and her. She knew that if she wanted to she could easily break Xena�s hold, but she didn�t want it. In fact, at the moment she craved it with all of her soul. Callisto wanted, even for just a night, to know what it felt like to be wanted.

Xena took several steps backwards and up, sitting herself down on the Throne of War. She fairly glowed in the firelight, her skin almost seeming to soak up the flickering luminescence and give off a luster of polished bronze. Even streaked with blood and welts, her body was radiant in all its naked glory and Callisto found herself helpless but to respond.

"Come here," the warrior echoed Callisto�s earlier demand with her voice and eyes. But the most compelling part of her was the pressure she exuded through the bond.

Callisto�s eyebrow rose high up onto her forehead. "You have got to be kidding."

"Come here," Xena repeated.

The goddess looked at the mortal sitting on her throne and tried to suppress a shudder of pleasure at the sight. Even with her hands down at her sides, Callisto could still smell Xena on her fingertips. That sweet, spicy smell that made her mouth water just to think about tasting it again.

Her eyes traveled over the bronzed flesh, feasting on every muscled, blood-encrusted, and glistening limb to finally look into the glacier blue orbs that glared impassively at her.

"Come here," the Chosen repeated yet again. This time a sharp spike of displeasure evident through the bond causing the goddess to both flinch painfully and tremble with sensual pleasure.

Callisto took a hesitant step forward, unable to tear her gaze away from Xena�s eyes. "I�m not yours to command."

"Aren�t you?" Xena ran her mental fingers sensually along their link, a slight twitch at the corner of her mouth the only sign of her own reaction to the sensation.

The Goddess of War was less fortunate. Perhaps, deep inside, she wanted this...perhaps, she was just caught off guard. Either way, the warm flame of need rose up within her at her Chosen�s phantom touch. Callisto took several more steps forward before she realized what she was doing, then a scowl crossed her lips and she stopped.

Bright, blue eyes gleamed silently, continuing to demand her presence.

And that was one of the differences between Callisto and Xena. While the goddess used compulsion by godly power or the point of a weapon, Xena used her will alone. Xena had charisma seeping out of every pore of her body. All she had to do was demand and others obeyed.

Callisto felt her feet moving again and she found herself unable to stop until she stood right in front of the dark warrior. Every part of her mind screamed to hit Xena, strike at those smug eyes. The blonde goddess wanted nothing more than to kill her, draw her sword and remove that beautiful head from those powerful shoulders. The flames of Cirra echoed in her mind, taunting her with the vision of the dark warrioress looking over the defeated town and dead villagers with boredom.

But that other part of her...the part that lusted after this forceful, grim figure she�d come to obsess over, was far stronger at the moment. Desire won out and she visibly trembled in its heated wake.

Xena felt all of this, including Callisto�s surrender, through their bond and allowed a pleased smile to grace her lips. "Yes. Come to me."

The Goddess of War tried one last time to reassert herself, but it was a doomed half-hearted attempt. Finally, with the desire in her winning out, she gave up the war with only the barest token of resistance. Callisto had no idea what Xena planned for her, but if it came even close to what she had done to the warrior, then her deepest fantasies would be fulfilled. She crossed the last few feet and finally stood in front of her throne, only inches away from her Chosen.

Xena reached out and wrapped her fingers in Callisto�s blonde locks and pulled her forward, until they faced each other. Callisto�s hands fell to either side of the warrior, resting on the chair arms in order to hold herself up and away from Xena�s tempting flesh.

Crystal blue eyes were hooded with sizzling passion and her voice still a bit shaky, but Xena managed to speak. "Kneel."

Hissing violently, Callisto twisted her head, trying to free herself, but she couldn�t...or wouldn�t let herself. Her gaze was hot with anger as she glared at Xena. "Never."

The warrior smirked. "Never is a long time, Callisto. And like you said, �You can�t hide the fact that you�re enjoying this.� I know what you want. I can feel your need." Xena chuckled darkly and pulled the blonde goddess closer to her until the warrior�s warm breath washed over Callisto�s face. She parted her legs, giving the goddess room to stand between them. "Kneel," she commanded.

Wood brown eyes seemed to catch fire and glow with fury, but Xena knew better, she could feel the indecisiveness rippling through the goddess. All it would take was a single command or perhaps...

Xena traveled the last few inches between her and Callisto laying her lips on the blonde�s own. She could feel the cold waters of denial within Callisto changing back to the warm fires of desire and was pleased.

Both women trembled in expectation, their eyes locked, as the Goddess of War ever so slowly fell to her knees.

With an almost torturous slowness, Callisto slid her hands off the chair arms and down upon Xena�s thighs. She caressed the blood washed limbs, purposefully covering her hands with some of the crimson nectar that coated the warrior�s skin. The muscular limbs trembled beneath her touch and she smiled to herself, amazed at the power she held over this woman. She wondered though, if she would have the same effect over the whole Xena. This violent, more passionately dark version was the answer to all of her dreams and plans, both current and future, but it still wasn�t the entire package.

The idle thought disappeared as she drew her gaze away from Xena�s, down the succulent body, to gaze hungrily for a moment at her ripe breasts, then to move on to watch her hands glide over the warrior�s legs.

Such power, such passion, all in one magnificent body. Ares had chosen well long ago and Callisto was now reaping the benefits.

The goddess� hands caressed the lean thighs in long gliding strokes. She turned her attention to the treasure at the apex of her Chosen�s legs and shuddered violently at the sight.

"Mine," she barely whispered. Callisto drew her hands along Xena�s inner thighs, mixing the blood on her hands with the warrior�s sweet essence. She forced the legs even further apart, taking in the sight of Xena�s overflowing ripeness.

Both women nearly drowned in the wave of lust at that moment, the sensations flowing back and forth between them countless times. Callisto started to dip her head towards Xena�s sex before she even realized what she was doing, but caught herself at the last moment. She spared a glance up, a playful smile on her lips.

"You haven�t told me yet, Xena, if your dead little bard used to do this to you? Hmm?" she queried mischievously, her fingers moving tantalizingly closer to the tops of Xena�s thighs and the source of her slick desire.

Xena groaned loudly, wanting nothing but satisfaction. Her eyes pierced Callisto�s and she snarled, "Gabrielle? My tastes are more...grownup than what she would consider erotic, Callisto. Now...get on with it!" She pulled the goddess� head toward her, commanding her to continue on her journey.

Callisto chuckled and complied, her curiosity at their relationship appeased for the moment. She let the hatred and passion overtake her once again and dipped her head down.

Xena�s head fell back as Callisto parted the wet, gleaming lips of Xena�s sex and eagerly ran her tongue along the entire length and back down, ending up at her anus. The warrior�s desire rose another notch and she shuddered at the intimate touch. "Yes," she moaned loudly.

That was all the encouragement the goddess needed. All doubts, all dissension disappeared as she dove into the treasure before her without hesitation.

You taste so good.

Callisto began to hungrily explore the warrior under her mouth. The goddess wrapped her arms around Xena's thighs and hips, and tried pulling her forward, but Xena refused for the moment. She was the one truly in charge of this entire meeting between her and the goddess and she wasn�t about to let Callisto forget it.

The Goddess of War continued to drink in the sweet blood of her Chosen. She�d dreamed of this day for so many years, along with the dream that was yet to come, with her warrior under her tongue and mouth, tasting every nook and delicious crevice. She shuddered, a full body response, as all her senses, from bond to physical, were overwhelmed with the woman that was Xena.

More...please, the goddess begged, the words echoing in the warrior�s mind as well.

"Yes," Xena repeated, gasping as she placed a long leg over Callisto�s shoulder.

The blonde nestled deeper in-between Xena�s legs, her lips capturing the warrior�s pulsing nub. She reached up a slim hand and placed two fingers at Xena�s wet entrance, questioning with the simple gesture.

Xena thrust forward in answer, spearing herself on Callisto�s long fingers and growling in utter delight.

Callisto breathed deeply of Xena�s scent and the bloody sweat that covered her body. Her enticing, powerful fragrance inflamed her senses, drowning her in the emotional flood that swirled about the two of them. Intoxicating, she thought silently. Who needs wine, when I have this? Even if it�s just this once. Not even her little precious bard got the chance to be where I am.

Hungry lips kissed her most intimate spots, and the long fingers began moving in an ancient rhythm. Callisto�s hot, wet tongue tormented her, sliding at first delicately along her folds, then more forcefully as it joined her fingers for a moment and entered her. Xena�s hand held Callisto�s head firmly, following the bobbing movements.

"Ohhhhh..." Xena panted and opened her eyes to look down at the goddess feasting on her in-between her legs. Another surge of hatred welled up within her at the sight, blending with the urgent craving for release.

Callisto was definitely enjoying her task, searching out every drop of delicious moisture before finally locking her lips on Xena�s erect center. Her warm tongue laved the nub several times amid sharp nips from her teeth. The goddess reached down with her other hand and began lavishing attention on her own dripping core, taking her two middle fingers and plunging them deep inside while rubbing the heel of her hand against her own aching center. She moaned ardently into Xena.

The dark warrior's free hand gripped the chair tightly as she began to move her hips against Callisto�s mouth.

The sensual fire blazed hot between the two women, neither one caring about who was the goddess and who was Chosen. Even names seemed to be lost in the heat of their animalistic lust, only the instinctual hate and attraction they held for each other still afloat in the wave of carnality.

Xena arched up in urgency as the two women continued their frenzied rhythm. It felt as if Callisto was melting inside of her, the two of them melding into one dark being, the call of blood and fire mixing in their blood and minds, their fiery hatred fusing into a kind of twisted love.

Both goddess and Chosen drowned in the exquisite sensation of their strong bond growing even more powerful and their bodies connecting in intimate pleasure. So overwhelmed were Xena and Callisto, so tied together, that each stood poised at the brink of ecstasy at the same moment.

Then Xena bucked her hips against Callisto�s mouth and fingers, sending them both over the brink together, to fall into the pool of dark passion they had created with each other.

Callisto went over the edge of the precipice, her lips trembling violently, along with her body as her Chosen exploded. The warrior shook again and again against her face, trapping the goddess� head with clenched thighs.

Xena screamed out her physical pleasure and her soulful pain, the fingers of her free hand digging into the wooden arms of the chair until they were white. But it was too much for the mortal Xena. The fire within and without was too overwhelming, too lusciously and too agonizing painful. The darkness of bliss swept up around her and held Xena close in its shadowy, warm arms, dragging her down into its depths.

Callisto moved her head and rested her cheek, almost contentedly, against Xena�s thigh, her eyes closing peacefully for a moment. Finally, she stood up and with a thought, was completely dressed, the Sword of War once again at her side. Shakily she leaned down and picked Xena up and held her almost gently in her powerful arms.

"Damn you, Xena." The goddess shivered for a moment as another pleasurable quake rocked her. Xena had affected Callisto as much, if not more than, she had been.

Finally, when Callisto had recovered, she lowered her head and gently kissed her burden's full lips. Then she gave the unconscious woman a sad, forlorn look. "It�s a shame this can�t work out. I need you to hate me, Xena. Let the little hero that's hidden inside scream for my blood." She paused as a rare tear slid down her cheek. "Then...then you'll finally be ready."

Callisto stayed in that position gazing down at her nemesis for several moments. After what seemed like hours, she finally smiled. "Now, let's go give you your present, shall we?"

Holding Xena close to her body, she started walking towards the tent wall, disappearing in a flash of fire and light.

Continued in Part 6

Note~

Well, here you have it. My first real attempt at an honest to Ares, or rather Callisto and Xena, alternative sex scene. Nifty. Hope you enjoyed it. If you did, fine...just don�t tell me what you were doing as you read it, OK? *VBEG*

Silk
9/18/98
[email protected]
Warlord in training
Catcher of wild Katiepults
"Bard? Where? Errr...no one here but us blushing Warlords in Training."
;}~~~