For as long as we can remember,
we've been slaves to the gods.
It's time we take our lives
back into our own hands!
But if we defy them,
they'll destroy us.
That's what they want you
to believe.
The gods rule
through fear.
But it's they who are afraid,…
…afraid we'll realize the truth!
How are we supposed to fight them?
They're immortal.
Our teacher
will show you the way…
-…as he's shown us.
-Are you out of your minds?
Defy the gods and you'll bring
their wrath down on all of us.
Have you forgotten what happened
to Ulysses? Or the carnage at Troy?
Some of us don't want to live
in fear anymore.
I will not let you
put us all in danger.
I'm sure your heart
is in the right place…
…but we're doin' this
to save you too.
I'm warning you…
All right, ease off.
You'll all be much more comfortable
walking without a limp.
Gabrielle!
What's the matter?
He gonna hit you with his hankie?
I thought that he had a w*apon.
What's going on here?
Just a disagreement.
Thanks for stoppin' it
before it got out of hand.
It did get out of hand.
Just when things were startin'
to get fun…
…you have to go spoil
my good time.
Ares at a village squabble?
You must be bored.
You, on the other hand,
have been keeping yourself busy.
I wish I'd known
you were lookin' for a father.
I'm not.
Well, somebody clearly
got the job.
Yeah, Gabrielle.
I would have paid to see that.
All right, Ares,
what are you doing here?
I can't imagine that a petty civil dispute
would get you up in the morning.
Those men you saved
are part of a growing movement.
A movement that incites people
to disobey the gods.
So, you're worried that this could be
the beginning of the twilight.
It's a myth.
You are.
What is the twilight?
The Fates spoke of a time
when mankind…
…would no longer need the gods…
…and they would lose their power.
If it's just a myth, Ares,
then what are you worried about?
Let's just say I believe
in being through.
I don't like taking chances.
Then we have a problem…
…because these people are entitiled
to believe anything they want to.
We're not gonna stand by and
see you take that right away from them.
I warn you. Get in way this time,
you leave me no choice.
You threatening me?
You're afraid.
The decisions you make
don't just affect you anymore, mom.
They affect your child.
And I would hate
to have to k*ll you both.
In the time of ancient gods,…
…warlords…
…and kings…
…a land in turmoil
cried out for a hero.
She was Xena.
A mighty princess…
…forged in the heat of battle.
The power…
The passion…
The danger…
Her courage will change the world.
Why are you doing that?
Nine out of ten times,
the first strike means victory.
-We're not at w*r, Gabrielle.
-Don't patronize me.
It's just you've been so quick
to pull those things lately…
…when words have always been
your strongest w*apon.
-Do you have a point?
-Yes.
Couldn't we have settled that argument
back there without busting heads, huh?
Xena, I made a bad call.
There was a time I used to pull you off
anyone who looked at you sideways.
I guess I'm starting to think
like a mother, huh?
Yeah, but I'm not your child.
I can handle situations
like that.
Xena?
I wanna thank you
for escorting us.
You know, unfortunately some people don't
understand what we're trying to achieve.
But in time…
…the world will hear
our teacher's message.
-Who's your teacher?
-His name is Eli.
It's a time to celebrate!
We don't need a sacred dagger!
Love is the only w*apon
we need!
It's a w*apon the gods neither have,
nor understand.
And so they can't defend themselves
against it.
True love cannot exist
without the risk of loss.
The gods are immortal,
my friends.
What can an immortal
possibly know about loss?
We don't need to fear them anymore.
It's their turn to fear us.
Eli…
Gabrielle…
-What are you doing here?
-Looking for you.
Xena…
-You're with child!
-Yup.
-You look beautiful.
-Thank you.
I see you found yourself
some new friends, huh?
Every day more and more people
are embracing the way of love.
Are you sure they're getting
the right message?
What do you mean?
Eli, these people think that you're going
to lead them in a w*r against the gods.
It's not a w*r of v*olence.
It's a w*r of peace.
How does that work?
The time of the olympians is over, Xena.
The gods have no choice but
to give us what is rightfully ours.
-Not without a fight they won't.
-Let them come.
Love will be our shield
and our w*apon.
What if love isn't strong enough?
Are you gonna take the chance
that these people could die in your name?
I never ask them to do anything
I'm not prepared to do myself.
Teacher, the food is prepared.
Thank you.
Come, join us.
No, no, no. I've got some things
to take care of. You go ahead.
He has desecrated the temple!
He is turning the people against you.
Do you think… I don't know what goes on
in my own temples, Milos?
Of course not, master. It's just that
I thought he would have been…
…destroyed on the spot, you know?
Fireball…
Lightning…
One of your trademark
executions.…
Still…
…he has become more of a pest than I'd
anticipated.
Well, if this keeps up,
you run the risk of losing your worshippers.
Then it's high time
I paid Eli a visit.
Fear… always makes
a good impression.
You've been quiet all afternoon.
What's wrong?
I feel like
I've disappointed you.
You're walking through life preaching peace…
…and Xena and I have swords
in our hands.
What, you feel like you've made
the wrong choice?
Yeah.
I mean, no.
My heart says that you're right,
that everything you say makes sense.
But then my head tells me
that sometimes the only answer is to fight.
Sometimes I feel the same way.
But you seem so sure
of yourself…
…like you have no doubt
about your cause.
Everyone lives with doubt,
Gabrielle.
This is the path I've chosen.
I just hope I have the strength
to see it through.
At least you've got Xena to buoy you
in these times of doubt.
She's afraid I'm becoming
numb to the v*olence.
Look, I'm not.
Believe me.
I do believe you.
Besides,
you could never disappoint me.
Touching!
What do you want?
Want?
I'm here to make Eli an offer.
Forget your pathetic crusade.
-Or what?
-Oh, I'll think of something.
You've had plenty of time to k*ll me,
Ares, yet here I am.
Now why is that?
I'm a sportsman.
I wanna give you a fighting chance.
Then perhaps,
under all that rage…
…there's a little compassion after all.
I wouldn't confuse caution
with compassion if I were you, Eli.
The only reason
you're still standing here…
…is that a good tactician…
…does not make a move
until he's seen all the angles.
My advice…
Walk away, Eli.
You'll save a great many lives…
…including your own.
Hello, Xena.
What are you doing here?
I thought you were supposed to be
floating on a cloud someplace.
Thanks to you.
You saved me from an eternity
in Hell.
-And for that I owe you my soul.
-You don't owe me anything.
I've been purified by the waters
of Heaven…
…and yet, still all you see
in me is a black heart.
I know that the old Callisto is dead…
…but she's alive in my memory.
Don't expect too much from me.
I've come here to ask you
not to interfere with Eli.
He'll handle Ares on
his own terms.
Ares' army's about
to march on Pylos.
Eli thinks he can stop them
with a kind word. He can't.
All I'm gonna do is give him
a fighting chance.
Eli has a destiny to fulfill.
He's brought hope to the world,
and if that's to survive…
…he's gonna have to face
this challenge alone.
Look here, boys.
First catch of the day.
Am I gettin' too old for this?
Now, tell me… Which direction
are you hitting Pylos from?
I've been sent in answer
to your prayers.
The kingdom of Heaven is beautiful, Eli.
The kingdom of Earth
is beautiful too, angel.
My place has always been
among the people.
And it always will be.
Are you sure this is
how it has to be?
Isn't there some other way?
The new world can only be built
on the foundation of the old one.
The order of the gods must fall.
And you, Eli, are the hammer.
There is no reason to be afraid.
Your faith is stronger
than any who have come before you.
-Until now.
-You said it yourself.
All fear is the fear of loss.
And only through that fear
can we truly love.
You wouldn't have been chosen
if you weren't afraid.
Remember.
In everything you do…
…we are always with you.
Xena…
Eli!
Come here.
Ares' army is on the move.
Pretty soon they'll be coming
over the bridge north of the village.
If we leave now,
I can get you and your people…
…to safety through the southern pass.
-I'm not leaving, Xena.
-Eli, these people are in danger.
I might not share your view, Eli,
I am trying to respect it.
But you gotta listen to me.
You have to pick and choose
your battles.
I have, Xena.
I appreciate your concern for me,
but I have to handle this in my own way.
Ares is a god.
You can't win this.
Maybe not this battle.
But you should know, sometimes
you have to lose a few…
…to win the w*r.
Eli…
So much for convincing people
with words.
Gabrielle, I need you to stay here.
Make sure nothing happens to Eli
before I get back.
Sorry, boys.
The bridge is closed.
Yeah.
If we are united
in the spirit of love…
…then no one can
stand against us.
If we are joined
in peace and friendship…
…then we have no need of the gods.
You really are
quite the salesman.
Such passion…
I am truly honored…
…that I get you so worked up.
People…
Eli is lying to you.
He's gonna lead you all
to your deaths.
The only thing these people
are being led to is the truth.
The truth…
The truth is… I am a god.
I decide whether you live or die.
We can make the same choice
for ourselves.
I really don't have time
to debate this with you.
Now, I'm gonna give you
one last chance.
Eli…
It's all right.
No, Ares.
I'm gonna give you
one last chance.
No, Gabrielle!
If you save my life with v*olence,
the future will pay the price.
-Eli!
-I understand my calling now.
Please, it's for the greater good.
Believe me.
Enough talk.
Gabrielle, please!
I've never asked anything of you.
So I'm asking you now.
Have faith in me.
Since the beginning of time…
…it's been warriors
who have shaped the world!
That's about to change.
I don't usually take matters
into my own hands…
…but in your case…
…I'm gonna make an exception.
Eli?
This can't be…
What happened?
Ares…
I…
She let Ares k*ll him!
She betrayed us all!
-She should be punished!
-That's right!
Is that what Eli would have you do?
Try to find a scapegoat
when you should be banding together?
Eli…
I believed him.
You defended him, didn't you?
You defended him, didn't you?
Don't you blame me.
-You put up a fight, didn't you?
-Don't you dare blame me!
-Don't you dare blame me!
-You didn't put up a fight?
Xena, you were gone!
I did what he asked me to do!
What about what I asked you to do?
The only reason
that people like Eli exist…
…is because people like us defend them
when they won't defend themselves!
So Ares is right?
The whole future is shaped by warriors!
When I first met you,
you barely had the skill to skip a rock.
I guess Xena's been
a positive influence on you after all.
You're gettin' pretty good with these.
Not good enough!
You did it! You did it!
I did what I had to do.
I didn't.
Don't be so hard
on yourself, Gabrielle.
It was selfish of Eli
to put you in that position.
You can't fool me, Gabrielle.
I can see you know the truth.
What truth is that?
That might… is right…
even when it's wrong.
You don't know what I believe.
I can see into your heart,
Gabrielle.
I know you're trying to do
the right thing.
You'd have no regrets
if you listened to your head…
…instead of Eli.
Imagine… how it could be…
if you had the power to save him.
Let me show you what it feels like.
That is how I feel
every moment… of every day.
It is the power of the gods.
And with it…
…you can change the world.
Isn't that what you've always wanted?
Eli lived and d*ed
by his message.
And as long as you keep it in your heart,
his spirit will live on.
I'm not much
for flowery sentiment.
I'm not gonna start now.
What can I do
to ease your pain?
Nothing.
You wanted him dead.
Eli's death was not arbitrary,
Xena.
I know that!
You set it in motion!
This isn't an ending.
It's a beginning.
Eli will continue the cycle of life…
…as a soul that's reincarnated
into a new body.
I liked him just fine in the old one!
And what about Gabrielle?
She's suffering because she's caught up
in the middle of your game.
I'm afraid Ares will cause her
the real harm.
That's why I'm going after him.
I realize you may never believe this,
but I care about Gabrielle…
…and about you.
Well if that's true…
…you can take me
to the dagger of Helios.
They say that no person on Earth
knows where it is…
…which is why I'm betting you do.
I don't know if I can do that.
Well, why not?
Doesn't your god believe
in free will?
Is this your big accomplishment, Eli?
If I hadn't listened to you…
…I wouldn't be talking
to your ashes.
You probably think that I'm betraying you
by standing with Ares…
…but… I am just trying
to use his knowledge for a greater good.
I keep telling myself that.
You believed in me, Eli,…
…but you always knew
that we were on a separate path.
Have faith in me now.
Eli chose his path.
Now you choose yours.
I've remained in this realm,
simply to help you along.
So if it's the dagger you want…
…it's what you'll get.
The dagger of Helios…
The power to k*ll a god.
Consider this… By k*lling Ares,
are you honoring Eli's memory?
Eli's dead.
Now we do things my way.
Listen.
Please, listen.
I've spent my time in Heaven
trying to reconcile…
…the monster I was
with the being that I am now.
And I've come to realize…
…we are all born
of two natures, Xena.
Good and evil.
The side we choose to nurture…
defines who we are.
Last person I need
a morality lesson from is you.
If you won't listen to me,
then listen to Eli.
He sacrificed himself to make it easier
for people to follow the way of peace.
Like sheep to the slaughter.
It's easy to preach peace
when you live in Heaven.
Where I come from, you've gotta
fight for what you believe in.
Why don't you come along?
It's not every day you get to witness
the twilight of the gods.
It should be a good show.
Your precious Eli is dead.
So is his crusade.
No!
His spirit
lives on in all of us!
Eli! Eli! Eli! Eli! Eli! Eli!
Eli! Eli! Eli! Eli! Eli! Eli!
I'm glad to see
your faith is strong…
…because you're gonna die with it.
Not if I can help it.
Gee, Gabrielle. I'm kind of in
the middle of something here.
We'll continue our lesson later.
It's actually a lesson for you.
Something I learned from Xena
a long time ago.
Oh, please…
Enthrall me with your insight.
-Peace is worth fighting for!
-Oh, really?
Why the return to form?
I thought you'd given up on Xena.
It would take more than you to do that.
I guess this means
it's over between us.
-Well, your loss.
-What do you know about loss?
-You'll always be a goodie-two-shoes.
-Yeah, but with a really big sword.
I warned you about getting
in my way again.
You took the words right out of my mouth.
Make a move on me. Please.
A dagger? You're gonna have to do
better than that.
The dagger of Helios.
So, no, I don't.
How'd you get it?
Let's just say I have friends
in high places.
Even if you k*ll me, you've already lost.
Eli's dead!
Then it's only fair that you pay
for his life with yours.
We don't need a sacred dagger!
Love is the only w*apon
we need!
So Ares is right?
The whole future is shaped by warriors!
If you won't listen to me,
then listen to Eli.
He sacrificed himself to make it easier
for people to follow the way of peace.
I believed him.
Come on, do it!
When you k*lled Eli, you made sure
that his cause would never die.
It's what he wanted, Ares.
You played right into his hands.
Now you're hopin'
that I'll play into yours.
Sounds to me like the rationale
of a coward.
I'm gonna do worse than k*ll you.
I'm gonna spare your life.
And what makes you think
I'm gonna spare yours?
You martyr me to Eli's cause, Ares,
and you make it twice as strong.
It's the beginning of the end.
Enjoy your reign
while it lasts.
The twilight's upon you.
You make no mistake.
We're gonna see each other again…
when we've got a little more privacy.
Count on it.
And you…
I could 'a given you the world.
You can't give me what you don't have.
I'm sorry.
Gabrielle…
I shouldn't have blamed you
for Eli's death. I'm…
Xena, I was blaming myself.
-I'm sorry.
-No, I'm sorry.
Your enduring faith in one another
is the greatest miracle of all.
Thank you, Xena,
for keeping my cause alive.
I had help.
Thank you, Gabrielle,
for listening to your heart.
Like I said,
you can never disappoint me.
Xena…
My time has come to be reincarnated
into the mortal world…
…and the body that will bear my spirit
has been ordained.
I can think
of no greater mother than you.
It was you all along?
You gave me this child.
In the past, I destroyed your life, Xena.
And I destroyed yours.
Maybe it's time
that we both gave back…
…what we once took from each other.
Love is the way.