[amphipolisrising]

#AMPHIPOLISRISING —— independent & selective   XENA from XWP / Hercules.  established June 2016. re-established November 2023. heavily canon based with some personal influences included.      portrayed by rae ( 30+, she/her ).     warning: blog may contain triggering content.

— affiliated with: olympusrising & sadauroras

[olympusrising]

@amphipolisrising asked: i can handle myself.

"Oh I've no doubt, but me handling you...well that's just more fun," the god smirked as eyes ran over the warriors form. They soon returned to piercing blue orbs as he took a step forward, cautiously and aware of Xena's hands and where they were placed. Though she couldn't ( nor would she though that might have been some wishful thinking on his part ) kill him, he didn't enjoy being stabbed let alone sliced by the chakram.

Ares knew how far he could push the woman, but he also liked pushing the boundary. To see if he could get his hooks into her further and further, hoping that each time they met it would be it. That she would finally return to him and the life that she was meant to live. She was the greatest war lord, warrior, destroyer of nations that he had ever seen in all his years. The way she could cut down an entire army it was...delicious and made him yearn for every battle that would follow soon after. It's been years now since he had seen the warrior princess in true action and there was a deep need, still, for him to bring her back to that path.

"But if you wish to handle yourself in my presence...I wouldn't object," Ares murmured, brows arching and lips down turning into a playful curious pout.

[amphipolisrising]

IF SHE COULD TRUST ARES WITH ANYTHING, IT WOULD BE his uncanny ability to turn every little quip into something more personal and intimate. Inappropriate, even — something she used to love about him but now found excruciatingly unappealing. Or at least, that's what she continued to tell herself time and time again. That repulsiveness may have lingered upon expression, but deep down, there lied a secret she wasn't willing to tell herself because the truth was an enigma. Admitting to such things would only make things worse for the both of them and she wasn't willing to dive into that spectrum of chaos now, if ever. Upper lip curls into a snarl at his playful words, wanting to smack that teasing look off his face with one swift swoop, but she knows too, that he'd probably like that a little too much. ❝ Keep dreaming. ❞ She snarls, having half the mind to turn her back to him and just walk away. But what good has that ever done, truly? He would forever remain a constant growth at her side that'd never go away no matter how many times she tried cutting it off. Hand still at her hip, fingers lightly touching upon the edge of the chakram that itched to slice through him regardless of the fact that it would do little to nothing in the process. A nuisance if anything at all, but it'd be amusing none the less.

❝ You're just gonna have to find your fun elsewhere. Per usual and preferably, far… far away from me. ❞

[sadauroras]

it was always known that they'd find each other in every universe. no matter what, they'd be together in some form or another. the way that xena had impacted every part of who gabrielle was - that type of mark meant something. stubbornly, she had assumed she'd be the one to die first. maybe she'd even hoped for it. anything seemed better than the grief that she was feeling right at this moment. "xena..." she says, wanting nothing more than to be in the comfort of the other woman's arms. just one last time. "i think i'm going to mourn you forever."

she had always held such a feeling of reverence and love for the other woman. there was nobody in the world who could ever compare and she's been aware of that fact for a very long time. shivers move down her spine as she watches xena reach out as much as she can, the feeling of longing passing through her in a way that was almost suffocating. she chokes back a sob as the other speaks, nodding her head in a sad sort of agreement. i'm so proud of you echoes in her mind though, a warmth forming in her heart. it felt like just yesterday that she was only a farm girl from potidaea, who just wanted more. now that she'd gotten it, she knows she should be grateful, and she was, but it never felt like enough. not when xena couldn't be by her side forever.

"can you stay?" she whispers, a feeling of hope in her voice. even if it wasn't the same .. she just needed to hear her voice. she feared forgetting. what she looked like. sounded like. the way that she would be a constant source of strength for gabrielle. who would she be if all of that went away? "at least for a bit longer? there's so much ... i never got to say. seeing your face again... can't we just pretend that everything's fine for a while? at least while i can see you?"

[amphipolisrising]

NEVER IN A THOUSAND LIFETIMES DID XENA EVER THINK she'd be deserving enough to have someone like Gabrielle in her life and yet, here she was. Always and forever willingly bound to her and to think, she almost forfeit that opportunity in the beginning. They'd been through so much turmoil together; heartache, hatred, betrayal, but the love that remained brought them back to one another each and every time. She owed Gabrielle her entire existence; more so if that were even possible. The question of whether she could stay was almost like a dagger to her heart, not because she doesn't want to but because in truth, she isn't certain as to how long she actually can. But she'd certainly try, regardless. Without saying another word, Xena takes a step forward, hand still elevated out towards the other though fingers curl inwards into her own palm as eyes soon come to close tightly. Lips formed into a thin line while in a state of concentration. It would take a lot of energy and it may limit the amount of time she's able to stay present, but it'd be worth it in the end even for just that one, final moment together. A small gust of wind forms, brushing through raven hair and she can feel herself slowly becoming somewhat corporeal again. ❝ Close your eyes. ❞ She says softly, knowing already that this would take far more power than she was capable of using, disrupting some sort of balance between life and death but again, being able to touch Gabrielle one last time was worth every effort. After a few passing seconds or so, her fingers uncurl and reach out further, hand drawing along the smooth surface of the other's cheek and feeling that hint of warmth that resonated beneath flesh. Her own eyes open and she nearly releases a gasping sigh of relief. It all feels, strangely familiar to her; memories of a time before when they were able to communicate between the veil though at that time, she had been using Autolycus' body as a vessel to do so. This was different, of course, her overall presence weaker but still present.

❝ I'll try to hold on for as long as I can. Leaving you is the last thing I ever want to do. ❞ She speaks again, thumb brushing against the other's cheek as she takes another step closer.

[sadauroras]

@amphipolisrising : you can learn from it… but you can't change it.

she didn't know it was possible to miss someone so badly. xena had died before, more times than gabrielle could count, but this time she knew there wasn't much she could do, if anything. the blonde knew that the vision in front of her was something like a ghost. but eyes water as she hears that familiar voice, her breath catching in her throat as she moves to speak. maybe she couldn't change anything, but she still couldn't accept it, either. "there's always a way, isn't there? what is there to learn, now that you're gone?"

deep down, she knew that she had to keep going. do what they had both set out to do -- be a force of good. gabrielle had learned enough, if not way more from the other woman, she could survive on her own. but she knows she doesn't want to. hands reach out to touch the apparition, a slight hesitation stopping her before she does. "please." there's a fear in her heart that she'd disappear again. that maybe this was just a trick of light, her own mind slowly unraveling. she can't move her eyes away from xena, a deep sigh passing her lips. almost selfishly, gabrielle didn't want to learn another life lesson, she just wanted her back.

[amphipolisrising]

EVEN IN A DEPRESSIVE STATE OF GRIEF, GABRIELLE never looked more beautiful in Xena's eyes. The irony of it all does not go unrecognized; the amount of times Xena's been drawn into the realm of death and each time capable of escaping, but this time was different. There was no coming back, she's accepted that line of fate and now, Gabrielle needed to as well, no matter how difficult it would be. But the blonde was strong, stronger than she gave herself credit for and Xena's seen that strength many times before. The love between them would never fade, this much she knows to be true and although it might have seemed like an impossible notion to grasp, their hearts would still be forever intertwined. Bound by the very love that never stopped pouring through their veins. Even in death, Gabrielle would always hold Xena in her heart, forever and that in itself would keep her alive in some small way. ❝ We always have things to learn, Gabrielle. I thought I had lost my way so many times, losing the people I loved dearly; Lyceus, Borias, Solan... but grief is just a construct. You learn to heal from it, one way or another. You know as well as I do, the people we love never truly leave us. ❞

The want to reach out and wipe away those falling tears was almost unbearable, but she knows that she can't. Even as Gabrielle reaches for her, it takes everything in Xena not to reciprocate and do the same, to feel her one last time. ❝ I'll always be there with you. Gabrielle, I-... ❞ out of pure instinct alone, she does eventually reach out even to the slightest degree, a sadness in her own gaze though no tears were capable of forming. ❝ I'm so proud of you. ❞ 

[lucyllawless]

[amphipolisrising]

gonna be making a comeback on here soon, i just need to do a little revamping on this blog and revisit some verses, fix tag links, etc. don't be shy to reach out for plotting! d.cord is available to mutuals upon request. WAKE UP XENA NATION!!

[sordidsensoryarchives]

date a girl that can beat the shit out of you.

[amphipolisrising]

warbuilt:

                 satisfied with the answer, bowing her head in a short, pleased nod, the heda once more reclined in her seat. a gloved hand gestured to a stray chair, offering it to the warlord in an attempt to broach a TENTATIVE truce. “rome spreads across more and more greek land every day, like a plague —— soon, there will be nothing left. but i have no intentions of letting it get that far.” expression twisted into a grimace of dislike, teeth bared in a silent snarl. “ceasar MUST die. him and his lapdog both. with his death, rome will retreat to their damned city like the rats they are.” she paused, idly lifting a glass of wine to her lips, the tip of her dagger digging a rivet into the armrest of her throne as it twirled lazily. “and then i will burn it to the GROUND .” 

The offered seat justified the symbolic nature of their inevitable truce with a solidified gesture that granted Xena’s presence. What once had been a quarrelled pursuit of one established power over another now became the essence of two enemies coming together against one singular antagonist to which they equally shared. Taking a seat, Xena’s attention was ensured, though her mind continued to analyse the scheme in her head that suddenly flourished with growing anticipation for the upcoming events in which would no doubt take place. Cortese had destroyed the structure of her being by placing alcohol on an already burning flame, but it was Caesar who danced on it and made it grow by attempting to stomp it out - only to fuel it in another direction. Now, she had found her destination and she would let that flame ignite further before sweeping across the nation and devouring everything to ash that stood in her path. ❝ No, we will burn it to the ground. ❞                         Before I burn everything else. One step at a time. 

[themotivationjournals]

Girls like her were born in a storm. They have lightning in their souls. Thunder in their hearts. And chaos in their bones.

Nikita Gill (via themotivationjournals)

[amphipolisrising]

warfxrged:

He had no doubt the irritating little blonde would poke her staff where it didn’t belong, just as she usually did. What has she got against fun? But in the mean time Xena was all his, well as much as she would allow and in that present moment it wasn’t much, for now. Was he lying about the threat that was directed at Xenas village, of course not. Did he have a hand behind it? Maybe, he was something of a trickster naturally, but he also saw a potential to kill two birds with one stone. Xena had the determination and reputation to slay any who would oppose her, a valuable weapon if pointed at the right god(s). 

“Usually I would agree with you, but I wouldn’t go celebrating just yet.”

With usual display of power Ares disappeared in a bright flash of lightening only to reappear at the exact moment Xena arrived. Sure he might have made a few pit stops, started a feud or two that would lead into war by next day break but it was part of the job. Utter disdain is what he felt for her kinsmen, these cowards deserved to be wiped out. To birth such a legendary warrior of whom he sculpted, molded into the perfect conqueror. This place deserve to bear the honor she once brought it. What a waste - It was too peaceful and yet he could hear the beats of their hearts as they trembled with fear. 

“Oh they’re here, hiding among the rats and vermin - gotta love the irony.” 

She could smell that the air was still fresh- untouched by the tainted erosion of battle which could only mean that she had made it just in time. For now, Ares’ presence goes completely ignored once she removes herself from her horse and ties him to the nearest post just outside of her mother’s tavern. There’s enough water in the basin that would allow him to quench his thirst for a while as she configures the nature of what’s to take place and for an instant she begins to hear rustling occur within the small hut. No doubt most of the villagers have taken refuge there, which is of no surprise.                      ❝ The only irony in that statement, Ares is you                       seem to be the only vermin present here. ❞ Naturally, she doesn’t trust the overall reasoning behind his being there. Ares may have enjoyed a good chaos wherever it may arise, but his intentions were never entirely pure. Upon entering the tavern, there is no welcoming light like she might have expected under different circumstances but instead lingers a disturbing darkness. Already she can sense the amount of fear in the room - something that used to thrill her when it had been her own army wreaking havoc among neighboring villages - but it was her mother’s sudden voice that broke the barrier of silence; ❝ Xena? ❞ Soon the image of Cyrene is made present as she steps her way out from beneath the shadows. That expression of relief clear on her face, a rarity in itself, that brought with it its own form of light. ❝ Oh Xena, I prayed to the gods you would come. ❞ How ironic that it had been a god who had sent her here and another god who remained the sole benefactor that initiated the very threat which brought her. Only for a moment does she indulge in her mother’s embrace before pulling away yet keeping both hands firm upon the woman’s shoulders. ❝ I need to get you and everyone else out of here as fast as possible. ❞ She pauses then, coming to a full stance before turning her attention back towards Ares.                              ❝ How much time do we have? ❞

[amphipolisrising]

warbuilt:

                       her features HARDENED at the accusation, and lips pressed into a thin line. “i hide behind nothing. ai laik heda. non na throu daun gon ai.” no, her warriors would never respect a commander that didn’t fight and bleed (even die) beside them on the battlefield and, indeed, not a single skirmish or war had passed without lexa on the front lines, facing it all head-on. her coalition hadn’t been built on peace talks and sweet promises, after all. indeed, it’d been forced in blood and death and CONQUEST. in that respect, her and xena were much alike. twelve clans bent to her will because she’d forced them all to their knees and, in result, she’d built an army the size of which had never been matched on the battlefield — one cohesive unit trained to IRON discipline that marched and killed at her word alone. yet, despite her words and taunts, lexa couldn’t deny she respected the warrior woman, noticed the flame of a kindred spirit. “if you wish, you may have your war, and we will see who is the better in the end of it,” lexa paused, leaning forward on her throne, perched on the end as her gaze SEARED with an eagerness, “or, you can join me, and see the legions of rome fall.” 

A single brow arches with intrigue at the sudden shift in the woman’s disposition; her offer coming as somewhat of a surprise given the nature of their quarrel. But even Xena could not help but to be intrigued - for there was much to be gained by such a union of two strengths - two women in a state of POWER over the entirety of the Roman empire. The Gods alone knew of the extraordinary disdain Xena felt in regards to Julius Caesar and the ultimate BETRAYAL he had bestowed upon her. Had it not been for him, perhaps her heart wouldn’t have turned as black as it was. But in that experience, so too did her willingness to TRUST become tainted by the very hands of fate. However, already was a plan forming in her mind and with that came a most devious smile across the warrior’s lips. ❝ You’re making me an offer I can’t easily refuse. You’ve got my attention. ❞

[amphipolisrising]

warbuilt:

              it was unavoidable —— a peal of short, but dry laughter slipped past lexa’s lips, and reclined in the stiff seat of her throne, as if it was made of silks and pillows, and not fire-hardened spears and mangled branches. xena’s threats did nothing to shake her —- lexa could very well claim the same; her warriors would die for her at a simple command, and they far outnumbered the conqueror's ‘army’. “i do not fear the words of a BLUSTERING warlord. destroying a few helpless villages, ripe with women, children and defenseless farmers does not make you as fearsome as you might like to believe. indeed, the only notable victory you can claim is that against the northern amazons.” the commander waved a hand in casual dismissal, looking almost BORED beneath xena’s threats. “a poor opponent, barely worth mentioning. what else can you claim? you couldn’t even defeat cortese, and you expect me to fear you?” 

It wasn’t even the mocking laughter that had set Xena’s anger into a flourishing flame building from the very base of her abdomen to its brink. Nor was it the outlandish slander against her or that of her army - no, it was the mentioning of Cortese that struck the match. It was the memory of her brother, Lyceus and the DISDAIN that had been made upon the nature of his slaughter. All that had made her, all that created her, everything that forced the burning HATRED from deep within her core had begun the day her brother was killed. ❝ Oh sweetheart, my army has forged victories surpassing that of menial villages and amazons - not all of which needed an entire ARMY to conquer. While you hide behind a sea of men in armor, I’ve won more advances with my bare hands than you could even dream to count on your own fingers. ❞ Surprisingly, her voice does not heighten in range though her mouth curls with snarling contempt just the same. ❝ The only thing I expect you to do... is DIE and believe me, you will. ❞

[amphipolisrising]

warbuilt:

        “you have not won it YET, destroyer of nations. nor will you, i think.” the confidence in lexa’s tone was unwavering, bordering on arrogant, “not even YOU can stand against the armies at my call.” a near feral smile overtook lexa’s marble facade, the stark shift almost startling, “the war god has ABANDONED you and your men whisper of rebellion.” 

        ❝ My god - nor my men - would dare contemplate the idea of ABANDONING me. I’m their champion, I’m their salvation, they worship me. ❞ There was no doubt of truth in which she held within her own words. Ares had created her and her men FEARED her. No army had yet survived Xena’s own and she would not gain a losing streak now. ❝ I do like your CONFIDENCE, I’ll give you that. But you’re a fool if you think you stand a fighting chance. ❞

[amphipolisrising]

warfxrged:

For as long as man as thrived under their gods graces they have tried to understand the divine, search for some type of context or clarity, a reason why if you will. In all the halls of Olympus no such thing existed the gods did what they liked, the mortals came to accept that for a time.

Until a mortal warrior clad in dark leather rose up and slayed most of the Olympians. The scent of the woman filled his nostrils as he drew closer, such a succulent smell that filled him to the brim with desire. He knew Odin very well, living as long as he did he crossed paths with gods from other regions from time to time. “So soon? Ah – Yes, you have a village to save.” While the other gods may have feared Xena he relished seeing her on and off the battlefield. 

“You go do that– oh but wait, I may have left out one small detail. Minuscule really, Tyr’s champion is leading the siege and rumor has it he’s as skilled and ruthless as you used to be in the good ole days.” 

Lips muttered together in tone so low and seductive, they were practically drooling at the thought of Xena slaying everyone and everything in her path. Oh would this be a beautiful sight to see, one he would be watching of course perhaps from his temple in Amphipolis. 

“That’s the spirit Xena.” 

She isn’t fazed by his words but instead snickers under a low fit of exhaled breath once she’s fully mounted upon her horse. As one battle ended, so too did another always begin like a never ending cycle of chaos and destruction. She would send word to Gabrielle later explaining the details of her disappearance, but the men in this town needed her here as their own victory had been waged. The knowledge that Tyr’s champion held any similar degree of skill that she had once in a time where darkness weight heavy in her heart only proved that opportunity was still fruitful in her favor of protecting her home land and those closest to her. A hunger for death and destruction did not initiate power - something she learned the hard way before realization flourished truth - in that sense, she had the advantage.                    ❝ If that’s true then I have nothing to worry about. ❞ Legs gave a gentle kick to the sides of her horse, attention immediately shifting forward as they galloped towards the mountains. It would be a full days ride until she finally reached Amphipolis - perhaps longer - but her determination remained as strong as ever. She would have to hurry if she wanted to beat Tyr’s army.  When she finally arrived, the town was quiet - just as peaceful as she always remembered it - but there was one thing missing; the singing. There were no women collecting herbs upon the hill nor the laughter of children. The very sounds that made Amphipolis so warm and welcoming to those who entered it. The place seemed desolate. Isolated.                                        ❝ Where is everyone? ❞

[warbuilt]

[ open starter ;; ]

“you think you OWN whatever land you land on.” 

[amphipolisrising]

             ❝ I think I’m ENTITLED to own whatever land I fight for. ❞

[amphipolisrising]

✧ - eve/livia

 send me a ✧ and i’ll bold all that apply to your muse.

I would kill you. ✧ I would physically hurt you. ✧ I would attack you unprovoked. ✧ I would manipulate you. ✧ I dislike you. ✧ You annoy me. ✧ You scare me. ✧ You intimidate me. ✧ I hope I intimidate you. ✧ I pity you. ✧ You disgust me. ✧ I hate you. ✧ I’m indifferent toward you. ✧ I’d like to get to know you better. ✧   I’d like to spend more time with you. ✧ I’d like to be friends with you. ✧  I’m unsure what to think of you. ✧ I’m unsure how I feel about you. ✧ You are my friend. ✧ You are my best friend. ✧ You are my mentor. ✧ I look up to you. ✧ I respect you. ✧ You are my hero. ✧ You inspire me. ✧ You are my enemy. ✧ You make me happy. ✧ I want to protect you. ✧ I would fight by your side. ✧ I consider you an equal. ✧ I think you are beneath me. ✧ I think you are above me. ✧ I would lie for you. ✧ I would lie to you. ✧ I would sleep with you. ✧ I would sleep by your side. ✧ I would hug you. ✧ I would kiss you. ✧ You are family to me. ✧ I would die for you. ✧ I would kill for you. ✧ I would trust you with my life. ✧ I would trust you with my most precious belonging. ✧ I would trust you with a secret. ✧ I would trust you with my biggest / darkest secret. ✧ I love you (platonically). ✧ I love you (romantically).

@battleincarnate

[amphipolisrising]

✧ - callisto

send me a ✧ and i’ll bold all that apply to your muse.

I would kill you. ✧ I would physically hurt you. ✧ I would attack you unprovoked. ✧ I would manipulate you. ✧ I dislike you. ✧ You annoy me. ✧ You scare me. ✧ You intimidate me. ✧ I hope I intimidate you. ✧ I pity you. ✧ You disgust me. ✧ I hate you. ✧ I’m indifferent toward you. ✧ I’d like to get to know you better. ✧   I’d like to spend more time with you. ✧ I’d like to be friends with you. ✧  I’m unsure what to think of you. ✧ I’m unsure how I feel about you. ✧ You are my friend. ✧ You are my best friend. ✧ You are my mentor. ✧ I look up to you. ✧ I respect you. ✧ You are my hero. ✧ You inspire me. ✧ You are my enemy. ✧ You make me happy. ✧ I want to protect you. ✧ I would fight by your side. ✧ I consider you an equal. ✧ I think you are beneath me. ✧ I think you are above me. ✧ I would lie for you. ✧ I would lie to you. ✧ I would sleep with you. ✧ I would sleep by your side. ✧ I would hug you. ✧ I would kiss you. ✧ You are family to me. ✧ I would die for you. ✧ I would kill for you. ✧ I would trust you with my life. ✧ I would trust you with my most precious belonging. ✧ I would trust you with a secret. ✧ I would trust you with my biggest / darkest secret. ✧ I love you (platonically). ✧ I love you (romantically).

@battleincarnate