The Calling (Xena 2.0 episode)

Flashback
Arcane 22 Years Ago

A young Xena, Toris and Lyceus are playing in the kingdom grounds, with Cyrene watching over them. We see King Arthus is speaking to his men, he talks about threats to the kingdom. Arthus tells them to look after his 3-year old daughter, and that he will make sure nobody sets the events in motion that will destroy this kingdom.

Later Young Xena then wonders in an alley to retrieve a ball, she then sees a strange figure dressed in black robes, the figure then walks further into the alley and disappears. Cyrene then talks to King Arthus and he tells her her husband has gone out to investigate strange happenings outside the kingdom walls. He mentions that there's a secret he has been keeping from his family and his people, before King Arthus can tells Cyrene what it is, young Xena arrives and hugs Cyrene.

Present Day
Day 1

Several runners frantically search for Xena. Hera kills all but one. In a nearby town, A warlord challenges Xena to a fight. Xena defeats him with a well-placed fist to his head. The runner arrives shortly after, dying in Xena arms after asking her to find Arcane and restore it to its rightful glory. Athena appears and tells Xena not to go to Arcane, and that she can't help Xena because of the other gods, but tells Xena that king Poleaxe late had a compass that can help her find her way to the city.

On the way to Omphale to retrieve the compass, Xena reveals to her friends that she visited Arcane as a child when King Arthus ruled over.

At Night, while Gabrielle and Joxer are sleeping, Xena tasks Richard and Amarice with a mission to go to Amphpolis and speak with Xena's mother Cyrene on what she may know about Arcane. She tells the pair that they will all meet up in Omphale in a few days.

Day 2

The following morning, Gabrielle and Joxer awaken to notice Amarice and Richard nowhere to be seen. Xena tells the pair she sent them to find out information from Cyrene on Arcane.

As Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer set out on their quest, they come to the rescue of a young woman being willingly sacrificed to a water god by a tribe of forest dwellers. When Xena verbally reprimands the woman for being foolish, she tells her she wants to be sacrificed because her destiny is supposedly to be with the gods. Xena learns her name is Brittany. She decides to accompany her and her friends to Arcane since she now feels that perhaps her destiny is to follow her, since she saved her. Xena reluctantly agrees to let her tag along. During the night, as they camp for the night, Brittany tells them a story that she is the daughter of a King. someone spies on the young woman. She looks to see who it is, but they are gone.

Day 3

Richard and Amarice are traveling to Amphipolis, when the pair are suddenly attacked by the Dark Priest. He tells them that he has been watching them, and that they will not learn the truth. He mentions that Cyrene's memory has been erased of her past in Arcane. Two of his followers then capture Richard and Amarice and he tells them to depose of them. When the Dark Priest departs, Richard and Amarice are taken to a hill by the followers, both of them are then thrown off the cliff into a waterfall.

To Be Continued...

Appearances
Starring


 * Xena
 * Gabrielle
 * Richard
 * Ares (absent)
 * Athena
 * Amarice
 * Joxer

Guest Starring


 * Brittany
 * Dark Priest
 * Hera (in another form)
 * King Arthus (flashback only)
 * Cyrene (flashback only)
 * Toris (flashback only)
 * Lyceus (flashback only)

Continuity

 * This episode begins two months after "Vengeance and Mercy", as Gabrielle mentions Perdicas having died two months ago in the beginning of this episode.
 * The flashbacks in this episode briefly showcase Xena's childhood spending some time in Arcane with her parents and brothers.