Xena had a week off before Athena approached her
about another mission and before Xena or anyone else knew it, she
was gone on yet another mission. This one however who less
aggravating than the last but this one also called for a lot more
fighting and outsmarting the enemy which she didn’t mind at
all, it just tested her skills and helped to sharpen her skills
where she may be lacking. On this mission she was recovering a
stolen artifact for Athena, which had been stolen by a warlord, who
was trying to gain territory and respect among the other cut
throats. It wasn’t as simple as Xena thought it was going to
be. In fact she had to go undercover and make her way up to the
warlord which took two almost three weeks. When she finally had the
artifact in her hands, she thought everything was done and over
with but a battle broke out and all she could do was thank Athena
that she had taught her what she did.

 

 

Athena also sent Xena some help in the form of her
Elite Archers and Xena walked away from that battle with a small
cut on her upper arm but nothing more. “Why don’t you
gods keep things like this up there on Olympus?” Xena asked
Athena as she handed the goddess the chalice and Athena grinned at
Xena. “We can’t keep everything up there and the
mortals that take care of our temples see it as a huge honor to be
trusted with something so important. In other cases, some of the
precious artifacts we leave in temples or more than just artifacts
to some. Some are seen as a symbol, a sign of worship,”
Athena said and Xena nodded. “Yea I can see that but you guys
need to tighten up security. Some of these things in the wrong
hands can do a lot of damage,” Xena said and Athena nodded.
“I agree, which is why this one is going back to Olympus with
me,” Athena said, “what about the others?” Xena
asked and Athena grinned at her, “that’s what I have
you for,” she said and Xena grinned as she rolled her
eyes.

 

 

“So if you drink from that cup then
you’re immortal huh?” Xena asked and Athena nodded,
“yes and its not a cup it’s a chalice, Zeus made it for
Hera.” Athena said and Xena nodded, “why do you ask?
Would you like to be immortal?” Athena asked her chosen and
Xena looked at her, “immortality does have its perks but
knowing you can’t die and that you’re fated to watch
all those that you love die is not something I want. So to answer
your question, no,” Xena said and Athena nodded as she looked
at her. She looked at Xena’s arm then reached out her hand to
heal it when Xena stopped her, “leave it, it reminds me that
I have to train harder,” Xena said and Athena looked at her
then slightly bowed her head in acknowledgement. “I’ll
be back in twenty minutes, be ready to go by then,” Athena
said and Xena nodded then watched the goddess disappear.