SACRIFICE

Callisto escapes from a portal in the sky! Elsewhere, Xena and Gabrielle rescue Gabby's childhood friend, Seraphin, from being sacrificed. We learn that she wanted to be sacrificed...for the goddess, Hope! Hope is helpless and in a cocoon awaiting her rebirth. She has promised Callisto oblivion in return for her help. Ares feels the threat of all this. Later, Xena manages to trap Callisto under some boulders. With Callisto out of the way, Xena goes in to kill Hope. But as she goes in for the kill, Ares disappears with Hope! Next, Xena, Gabrielle and Seraphin escape a zombie-like crowd of disciples. Seraphin places enough doubt (about Hope's evil nature) in Gabrielle for her to let Seraphin go free. However, it was an act and all part of Xena's plan. "That was good," says Xena. "Seraphin should lead me right to her." While Xena follows, Ares takes Gabrielle to the Fates. He's calling in her debt! (Remember how he got her to Chin ahead of Xena?) "The burden is on Gabrielle," says the Fates. If Xena kills Hope, they will cut Xena's life thread! Elsewhere, Xena throws her chakram just as the priests are about to sacrifice Seraphin...again. A fight! Seraphin is wounded and smears her blood on the cocoon to release the newly strengthened Hope. And just as Xena tries to kill Hope before she is reborn, Gabby comes out of nowhere and tackles her! Hope is reborn! And she looks just like mommy. To be continued....