DAHAK DEATH

(Chapter 5)

By

Tyval


Summary: Two time travelers from the year 2000 follow the incomplete and newly discovered last scroll written by Gabrielle. The scroll tells how they joined forces with Xena and Gabrielle to fight the evil Dahak. And history can't be changed!

Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, and Dahak are owned by MCA/Universal. These versions of Questar, Mace, China Dragon, Billy Ray, and G.O.L.D. (Global Order of Law and Defense), Golden Girl (Apella) are owned by me under my real name since 1986 and in no way infringe on others who might have characters with similar names.

For the purists out there, this story takes place sometime after the reconciliation of Xena and Gabrielle in an alternate reality. Due to the events in this story, they will not journey to India, die in Rome and other 4th season happenings in this reality.


Xena gave Blitta the directions on how to get to the camp the 4 of them had stayed the previous night as they escorted her to the gate and safety. They hurried to the stables to check on Argo and for Questar and Mace to get weapons from their unique backpacks.

Mace slipped a nunchaku into an unnoticed outside slot on his right boot. Questar had a sai on each boot. Both men strapped on wristbands on each arm containing 12 slim throwing daggers each. Mace then strapped on a belt containing a bowie knife and a tonfa. Xena looked at them curious as to why only now did the brothers arm themselves.

"This is war," Questar stated at the unvoiced question. "You ready little brother?"

"Ready to kick ass and take names," Mace smiled in reply.

"Xena, Gabrielle, we've got some extra weapons if you need anything," Questar said.

"Thank you, but I'm fine. I think it's best if we stick with weapons we're used to," Xena said.

"Gabrielle, at least take this extra set of sais," Mace said, "They're easy to use and very versatile."

"I'll give them a try, thanks," Gabrielle said, giving Mace a quick kiss.

The 4 adventurers exited the stable and started back towards the docks. As they got back to what was left of Blitta's pub they saw Joxer blocking their path. Joxer was somewhat worse for wear after being outclassed twice already by Mace and was still dripping slime from his recent sewer experience. Joxer was advancing on Mace more cautiously this time.

"We don't have time for this," Mace said, putting his hand over his face in an 'oh brother' gesture, "The sun's almost down."

"Let me try darling," Gabrielle said walking towards the fool. "Joxer! Stop it! This has gone on long enough! I don't love you! I love Mace! I am married to Mace! Leave me alone!"

"It's all right, my dove. After I slay that evil enchanter we can finally be together and be man and wife," Joxer said, not listening to anything Gabrielle said. "I think we should have a large family. Will 10 sons be enough? Or do you want 12?"

"Aaaarrrrhhhhhh!! That's it!" Gabrielle screamed kicking Joxer in the balls.

Joxer doubled over as Gabrielle punched him as hard as she could, knocking him cold. Gabrielle was crying as Mace embraced her. Gabrielle clung to her true man desperately.

"Oh Max," Gabrielle cried. "Take me away from him. Take me to that future you talk about. I'll follow you anywhere you want to go."

Mace tenderly stroked her hair and kissed away her tears. Xena had always known that Gabrielle had never liked Joxer and resented the way that she and Joxer were always being forced on each other, but even Xena had not know just how deeply Gabrielle despised Joxer, until now. Minutes later the foursome arrived on the docks just as the sun disappeared from the horizon. No sooner did the sun go down, when a green mist rose from the waters surface moving inland.

Everyone touched by the mist fell into a deep sleep where they stood. All save those wearing Dahak amulets. There was no way to hire a boat, so Questar chose a sturdy looking craft and left enough generic coins to the owner to buy 3 better boats. Setting out Questar and Mace rowed the small boat to the edge of the harbor. Now it was a waiting game. Gabrielle giggled as Mace kept tickling her and kissing her while she tried to pack up her scrolls.

A half hour later, a blood-red full moon appeared. A loud rumble filled the air, followed by a sudden wave that overturned and smashed the small boat sending Questar, Mace, Xena, and Gabrielle into the water. Damn! I was expecting that and still got caught off guard, Questar inwardly cursed, angry at himself.

The nightmarish castle rose from the sea just outside the harbor. The castle looked like it had came from the combined nightmares of Dante, H.R. Geiger, and Steven King. Mace had rescued Gabrielle and made it to a walkway on the huge castle. Xena needed no help and was in fact a stronger swimmer than even the 2 Southern Californians. Except for his wristbands, Mace had lost all of his weapons.

"My scrolls!" Gabrielle gasped. "They're gone! Oh, I knew I should have left them at the stable."

"I'm sorry Gabrielle. History can't be changed. I'm betting that was the story about us," Questar said. "Your scrolls are in a waterproof container and will be found 2000 or so years from now. I'm more concerned about you though. Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, I guess," Gabrielle replied brushing her wet hair from her eyes.

"Everyone okay? I'm sorry, that was my fault. I should have had a tk shield up. Instead I got caught like a rank amateur," Questar admitted.

"No sweat, big bro," Mace smiled," Who knew this place would pop up so fast."

"Take it from someone who knows," Xena said. "Lao Ma; No plan ever survives the first encounter with the enemy."

"Huh?" Questar asked, confused.

"Chaos Lords is right, if the architecture is any indication," Gabrielle wondered aloud.

"Wish we knew how to fly. Then we could scout around this place and get some kind of an idea what the layout is," Mace said.

"People can't fly, silly," Gabrielle said amused.

"Boy, are you going to be in for a surprise," Mace smiled knowingly.

A rusted gate led to an inner courtyard. Over the gate was a demonic visage.

"Enter freely and of your own free will," Questar said.

Xena and Gabrielle didn't know why Questar's statement sent a chill down their spines. The castle seemed to be made of courtyards as they went through 3 in a row with no sign of rooms or doors. In the fourth courtyard they surprised 20 Dahak regulars who were obviously replacing the devastated 'Elite Guards.'

Xena got in the first strike as she hurled her chakram with lethal force, killing 6 men before it returned to her hand. Questar hurled 2 of his slim daggers catching one man in the heart another in the brain. Drawing her sword Xena killed 3 more before Questar and Mace caught up with her. Questar stabbed 2 men in the heart with with his sharp sai, blocked a sword strike behind his head, reversed the sai stabbing that soldier in the heart, while slicing another soldiers throat with the other sai.

Mace caught the wrist of a man with a double bladed ax, flipped that man down and crushed his throat with a stomp. Mace kicked the ax up, caught it, and chopped a soldier's head off that had been heading for Gabrielle. Xena slashed twice more and another 2 soldier's fell. One soldier dodged around Mace and lunged for Gabrielle. Almost without thinking Gabrielle parried his thrust and split the mans skull with her counterswing.

Gabrielle was in shock. There was very little blood on her hands, but she had just killed again, albeit accidentally. Mace took out another man with a throwing dagger as Questar stabbed the last man. The fight had lasted 2 minutes. Mace quickly cradled Gabrielle's head and whispered, "It's all right."

"Remind me to stay on your good side," Questar said to Xena.

"I don't think you'll any trouble as long as you keep this intact," Xena joked, teasingly rubbing Questar's crotch.

For a half hour they searched the castle. Mace had kept the ax and Gabrielle had snapped out of shock quickly. They ran into and wiped out 2 more 20 man squads of Dahak regulars. Questar and Xena made a contest to see who could take out the most men. Xena won by 2. Entering a hall they were attacked by 10 Dahak priests armed with 12" long daggers. From them they got the location of the great hall where the 20 girls were to be sacrificed after a little 'persuasion.'

Racing to the location of the main hall they arrived to find solid 20 foot tall iron doors closed, locked, and guarded by two 9' tall trolls with huge arabian swords. I don't have time for this, Questar thought. Those girls could be sacrificed any minute. Chaos Lords liked to sacrifice at midnight, still almost 2 hours away, but even Chaos Lords could be unpredictable.

Questar leaped and caught the first troll perfectly with an 'eagle kick' snapping the trolls neck like a twig. The second troll recoiled in surprise. No man dared to take on a troll by himself, lest of all with his bare hands. The second troll swung his huge sword. Questar caught his arm and flipped him down. Wrenching the sword from his hand Questar chopped the troll's head off with his own sword.

Xena and Gabrielle's eyes grew wide. They had known that Questar had super-human strength, but to dispatch 2 trolls so easily was something they had thought only Hercules capable of. If he noticed their glances, Questar ignored them as he studied the huge gates.

"Mace, I don't think we can knock this door down even if we combine our strength," Questar said. "We'll use psychokinesis. On my command..."

"Questar! Xena! More guards and priests!" Gabrielle yelled.

"Gabby, to the rear," Questar ordered.

Questar, Mace, and Xena formed a semi circle around Gabrielle who was now at the door. Sixty soldiers and priests, crowded into a narrow passageway. They were easy pickings for the 3 defenders a the fanatics own numbers worked against them. Questar, Mace, and Xena never had to fight more than 1 or 2 apiece at any time.

As the last fanatic fell the trio turned around and saw Gabrielle leaning lazily against an unlocked partially opened door, a set of lock picks in her hand. Mace cracked up as Gabrielle faked a yawn.

"Just a little something I picked up from Autolycus," Gabrielle smiled.

"It's show time then," Questar said. "One way or the other it ends now."

Knowing that death and impossible odds faced them on the other side, the 4 adventurers still didn't hesitate as they charged into the lair of the Dahak!

The great hall was huge, a bit bigger than a football field. Soldiers, priests, and assorted creatures were lined on each side of the hall. The odds were great, but not nearly as bad as Questar feared, about 200 regulars, 20 Elite Guards, 50 priests, a half dozen trolls, 20 some orcs, a pair of fire drakes, some assorted intelligent serpents, and a handful of other creatures. A huge sacrificial alter stood mid-way in the center, stained brown from the blood of numerous innocents.

But it was all old blood. Behind the alter, the floor rose a few feet into a semi-plateau. On that plateau were 20 beautiful young girls, naked, but still alive, performing in a lesbian orgy before they were to be killed. Xena immediately spotted Livia, who was the only one who didn't seem to be enjoying the lesbian sex.

The thin skeletal figure on the raised golden throne throne several yards behind them also didn't seem to be enjoying it. Something is screwy here, Questar thought. Why is he making the girls do each other if it's hurting him? Is that Dahak? Is that his true form? Why is he squirming if this is what he likes?

With the exception of Livia, all the other girls seemed to be really enjoying it. Why did Dahak choose almost all orphans? They obviously didn't want to get their hearts ripped out. Xena noted that despite the situation Questar and Mace were becoming aroused at the sight of the 20 girl orgy. To her surprise Xena felt her own mound getting wet and looking at Gabrielle knew that she was becoming aroused as well despite the danger.

"Who dares disturb my ritual?" Dahak's booming voice belied the frail looking body.

"I do! I am Questar, acting leader of the Global Order of Law and Defense. I have dared the time stream in order to end your foul existence like I and my friends have ended those of your brethren," Questar challenged.

"Oh yes, those fools. I did not think I would have to waste my time with you worms by coming to this era. You gnats have became became very annoying, somehow managing to destroy 11 of my brothers. For that alone I should slay you. The gods themselves were never able to fully conquer us. We never foresaw that freaks like you so called heroes would arise someday to challenge us. Thus did my brothers underestimate you," Dahak said. "That was their downfall. But it was you and that demi-god 'brother' of your who led the fight against us. For you and he do I have the utmost hatred."

"To me that's a compliment, scum bag," Questar sneered. "What I can't figure out is why you're here in this time. Unless you're afraid to tell everyone."

"Man, he's good," Mace whispered to Gabrielle. "That's s.o.p. heroes plan alpha. Goad the bad guy into revealing his entire plan."

"After thousands of years without worshippers and the power it took to finally escape the 'Nether Sphere' we were weakened to a degree that made us vulnerable. My brothers foresaw the threat your miserable little group posed, but we too were divided. Lord Michael foolishly revealed our existence far too soon. The others, many of them dismissed your group attacking alone or in pairs often without a plan. Only I saw the way to victory," Dahak continued. "By coming back to this time I could rebuild my power with those foolish enough to believe in me. Once I regain enough power I shall slay the Israelite as an infant and absorb his infinite power. Once the Nazarene is taken care of I shall slay the lesser gods who banished us. The Earth will then be bathed in blood for all eternity."

"You are even sicker and more stupid than I thought," Questar said shaking his head," You can't win because history can't be changed. The Nazarene will be born and he will fulfill his destiny. Nothing can change that."

"Then arrest me, hero, if you can," Dahak sneered.

"I come not to praise Caesar, but to bury him," Questar spat defiantly.

Xena liked that line even though she didn't know the source. Dahak's skeletal face contorted by anger.

"Hey loser," Questar continued. "Do you have the balls to take us on yourself or do you have to hide under your bed. You obviously were too chicken shit to fight me in our real time. Wouldn't you just love to make me eat my words personally. C'mon Dahak! How about it! Let's party!"

Dahak was visibly stung by Questar's challenge in front of his followers. Many of them were even looking at him doubtfully already. A few started forward, but Dahak angrily waved them back. The girls had long since fled to a corner and huddled together terrified. Dahak used an invisible barrier between his followers and the four mortal fleas who dared defy him.

Floating down off his throne Dahak now stood in front of his obscene alter. He would teach these mortal worms a lesson. Questar smiled. Chaos Lords were soooo predictable.

"No interference," Dahak roared. "Your lord will crush these gnats personally. I shall take their women by force and then mutilate them before I kill them in front of the men. I shall then rip out their hearts and eat them as proof of my power."

Dahak's form shifted and changed, becoming larger and more demonic. Ten feet tall with 2' long twisting horns on each side of his head and a third in the middle of his forehead. Curving 6" tusks like a boars came from his twisted mouth that, when opened, revealed 4" fangs dripping with black venom. Arms as thick as both of Questar's ended in razor sharp talons. There were no wings, but there was a four foot long prehensile tail with a scorpion stinger on the end that dripped an acid that made small pockmarks in the stone floor. Trunk like legs ended in hooves like a satyr's.

What a cliché! Couldn't he come up with something original? Questar thought. By taking on a Satanic, Judeo-Christian form Dahak had hoped to play mind games with Questar and Mace. He had failed because they had known exactly what to expect.

Mace threw his ax right at Dahak's chest. Dahak stopped the ax, sending it back at Mace. Gabrielle made the save by knocking the ax aside with her staff. Xena slashed Dahak twice only to be knocked backwards by a backhand swipe. Questar came in landing three powerful kicks followed by ramming both the sharp sai into Dahak's eyes.

Dahak roared in pain. The sai were made of silver! This was impossible! These mortals had actually hurt him! As Dahak grew a new set of eyes, Mace had succeeded in gabbing his flailing tail and Xena chopped it off, depriving Dahak of a weapon. Questar had hurled 4 of his daggers into Dahak during this time. The daggers were also silver.

Xena cut Dahak 3 more times before the Chaos Lord regained his sight. The twin sai, still stuck in his head looked like antenna. Dahak ignored the pain and caught Xena's sword in his hand. Dahak then snapped it and swung wildly at Xena. Xena ducked and rolled backwards as Questar moved in landing a dozen death blows that incredibly staggered Dahak to the chagrin of his followers. Each blow would have killed an elephant.

Dahak threw Questar hard into a wall, but Questar kipped up and scored with 3 more silver daggers. Gabrielle, who had been totally ignored, snuck behind Dahak and rammed her staff as hard as she could into the oozing stump where his tail had been. Gabrielle backed away as Xena moved in landing rapid nerve strikes. Questar leaped and kicked sending Dahak to the floor.

This was incredible! These gnats, these weaklings, these mortals were actually hurting him! Only the gods had ever caused him pain before this day. Dahak could feel some of his power fade as many of his followers were already beginning to lose their faith.

Dahak kicked out with his hoofed leg catching Questar coming in and sending the hero flying. Questar felt a rib crack. Mace moved in landing 2 dragon punches and a spin kick before Dahak's counter punch sent him reeling. Dahak lowered his head to impale Mace on his horns. Xena hurled her chakram slicing off all 3 of Dahak's twisted horns.

Enraged, Dahak hurled Xena back with a wave of his hand. Gabrielle had snuck in again, using her staff to sweep Dahak off his feet. Mace was on top of Dahak in an instant, hitting the monster with everything he had. Fists that could shatter solid stone rained down on Dahak. Dahak levitated up and punched Mace, sending him crashing into the invisible barricade.

Dahak turned his attention to Gabrielle, hurling a pillar weighing 10 tons at her. Questar shattered it with a psychokinetic blast then sent the shrapnel back at Dahak with telekinesis. The sharp fragments ripped at Dahak's flesh. For the first time Dahak was beginning to regret trying to fight these mortals himself. Now he had no choice but to finish them himself because if he fled or called for help his hard won followers would desert him, leaving him easy prey to his many enemies.

Mace's left eye was swollen shut as he hurled three silver daggers into Dahak's exposed ripped up flesh. Questar and Mace flanked Dahak, who realized too late that it was a feint as Xena drop-kicked Dahak from the front and Gabrielle rammed her staff into his back again. Dahak whirled striking both Xena and Gabrielle. Xena now had a sprained ankle Gabrielle had a split lip.

Since pryokinesis would heal Dahak Questar and Mace weren't using it. Questar and Mace instead used psychokinetic battering rams that almost busted Dahak in two. Dahak was down for only the second time in his unholy life and was forced to use a lot of power to heal himself. We're doing it, Mace thought. We're actually beating him!

With a roar of rage mixed with pain Dahak hurled electricity out of his body in all directions sending his opponents reeling. Questar quickly rose shakily to his feet, motioning Xena, Mace, and Gabrielle to stand beside him. The assembled creatures gaped in wonder. These 4 had withstood everything that their master could throw at them and not only still stood, but had showed that they could severely hurt their master.

"What's the matter, Dahak? Mortal's a little too tough for you?" Questar taunted. "Look at your big bad master! Do you want to serve someone who can't even handle 1 man, 1 woman, a boy, and a little bard?"

Many of the assembled creatures and men were beginning to waver. Dahak was confused as he launched another huge pillar at them thinking them easy targets since they were all in one spot. Questar and Mace combined their telekinetic powers sending it back at him. Dahak went down for the third time from the unexpected counter-attack.

Dahak levitated the pillar off of him as Questar moved in landing a flurry of punches and kicks. Dahak reeled, but managed to land a counter-punch that broke another of Questar's ribs and sent him flying back. Xena was back on the attack as was Mace. Dahak grew two more arms to try and counter this newest assault.

Dahak's talons raked downwards ripping Xena's armor. Only Xena's reflexes saved her as she backflipped away, her armor completely torn off, her large breasts exposed, but amazingly unmarked. For some reason that reminded her of something that Ares had said yesterday. Mace landed two powerful punches, with silver daggers protruding from in between his fingers.

Dahak caught Mace's wrists with 2 of his hands. Squeezing, Mace was forced to drop the 6 daggers in his hands. Dahak leaned forward to bite Mace with his poisoned fangs. Gabrielle caught Dahak right in the mouth with her staff shattering Dahak's fangs, tusks, and several other sharp pointed teeth. Dahak's howl of pain was horrific. Three regular soldiers, a minotaur, and a troll threw their weapons down and walked out of the room.

Dahak used a free hand to slap Gabrielle sending her backwards, barely conscious. Mace whipped his body up and kicked Dahak right in his already damaged mouth with both feet. Five more regulars, 2 priests, and 2 more trolls threw their weapons into the growing pile and left, along with the 2 fire drakes.

Dahak had his 2 free hands around Mace's throat and was attempting to choke the life out of him. Questar recovered the sai that Mace had given Gabrielle and sent the earlier discarded ax over to Xena. Xena charged and chopped off the arms that were choking Mace. Questar moved in with a double sai crane strike that forced Dahak to release Mace.

Questar spun the sai landing several handle strikes then stabbing Dahak deep in the mid-section. Mace was barely conscious as he gasped for air. I'll give Chaos Lords one thing, Questar thought. They're not weak. Questar ducked as Xena flipped over his back and kicked Dahak. Questar then landed a solid spinning front kick. Dahak finally had a opening for a killing shot at Xena.

Xena saw it too late and prepared for death. At the last moment Questar managed to push her away taking the shot himself. Questar 2 more ribs break. Still he would not surrender as he landed a solid side kick that again sent Dahak backwards. Dahak was hurt badly, but numerically had cut his foes in half.

During this time there had bee a few more desertions. Several of the more fanatical priests however had grouped together.

"We must aid the master, my brothers," a fat priest said.

"But how, brother?" another asked. "The barrier our master created prevents us from attacking those heretics."

"It's simple, brother. The sacrifices," the fat one said, drawing his dagger. "We slay them and their blood will revive our lord."

"Not while I live," came the voice of a man dressed as an Elite Guard.

The man previously calling himself Starleiger removed his helmet and drew his sword. The outraged priests gasped.

"Traitor," a priest yelled.

"Wrong! I am vengeance!" Starleiger shouted.

The priests charged. Starleiger spun his sword killing the first three, kicked one priest, whirled and sliced open another. Starleiger ducked, reversed his sword, and impaled one priest, then with a quick rising strike sliced open the chest of another. A fallen dagger fell close to Livia. Seizing it she plunged it into the back of a priest trying to sneak up on Starleiger. Livia had known when she had first seen this guard 2 weeks ago that he was different than all the others.

Starleiger nodded his thanks as he sliced 2 more priests including the fat one. Questar and Xena were too busy to notice the actions of Starleiger. Xena landed a forearm smash while Questar ducked a fireball then came in low with solid chop right to the solar plexus of Dahak causing even the Chaos Lord to gasp.

Almost in desperation Dahak sent out a wave of force that sent Questar and Xena back against the barrier. Xena landed badly suffering a mild fracture in her left forearm. The outcome of the fight was still in doubt.

"Any ideas?" Questar asked as he prepared to charge again.

"Ares said something about 'L' word that he hated being the key," Xena said remembering.

"L word? What word would start with L and be a word that the god of war would hate?" Questar asked.

Questar's strategy had been to weaken Dahak by causing doubt in his followers. It was working, but not fast enough. Dahak had visibly not liked the lesbian orgy, but had toughed it out. Why? Because the terror and pain of the girls would be greater if they saw their lovers die in front of them.

"I wonder why Aphrodite was with him," Xena said.

Lovers. The goddess of love. A word that war hates. Dahak stood for hate and death. His weakness, his true weakness, was love! Love and the potential for life/sex! Consensual sex between people who were in love! Questar threw back his head and laughed. Even Dahak paused.

"You're finished, Dahak! Stick a fork in you, you're done!" Questar laughed.

Questar embraced Xena and kissed her, putting all the considerable love for her he had in the kiss. Xena was confused, but kissed back ardently. Dahak recoiled in terror sending a dozen followers to drop their weapons and desert. Gabrielle had crawled over to Mace who was still trying to catch his breath.

"What's he doing?" Gabrielle asked.

"I think I know," Mace croaked. "C'mon, lets get over there."

Questar hugged his brother then tenderly kissed Gabrielle. Xena kissed Mace, hugged Gabrielle then the two women kissed deeply. Questar removed his shirt then helped Xena remove what was left of her leather outfit. Gabrielle removed her top while Mace had took off his boots and was removing his pants. Soon all 4 of them were naked and embracing each other.

No! NO! Noooooooo!!!" Dahak screamed in agony, unable to even attack.

Questar was sensuously licking Xena's mound while Mace and Gabrielle licked Xena's nipples. As if sensing what was going on the 19 orphan girls began kissing each other. Soon the lesbian orgy was resuming, with one girl absent. Starleiger threw down his sword as Livia approached him. Livia knew that this man was not like the others.

"I have no right to talk to you, Livia," Starleiger said. "I am wearing this obscene uniform. But know this. I was never one of them and I have loved you from the first moment I set eyes on you, Livia."

"Then that uniform must be removed, my gallant Starleiger," Livia whispered.

Livia didn't know why or how, but somehow she knew that this handsome man was of the same breed as those that had fought so valiantly for them and even now continued to fight, in a different way. Starleiger removed the uniform he had donned in hatred for its master. He had been prepared to die this day in his attempt for justice for his family and his village.

Livia stepped into his arms and they kissed. Xena was riding Questar's huge penis while Gabrielle massaged her breasts from behind as Mace slowly penetrated her doggy style. Positions changed many times. Xena ate Gabrielle's pussy while Mace took Xena anally and Questar fucked Xena's pussy. Xena and Gabrielle were 69'd while Questar fucked Gabrielle's pussy and Mace fucked Xena's cunt. Xena played with Gabrielle's breasts when she rode Questar's cock with Mace fucking Gabrielle's ass.

Starleiger and Livia made love on Dahak's throne while the lesbians continued their orgy. No one knew when Dahak died. There would be no escape, resurrection, or rebirth for him.

The End - Chapter 5