Michael Hurst

Xena must rescue Hades’ sister Celesta, the embodiment of Death, from the clutches of King Sisyphus or all mankind will be doomed to eternal life filled with suffering. As his wife, Queen Merope, nervously looks on, a confident King Sisyphus greets Celesta, the embodiment of Death, who has come to escort him to the Underworld of her brother, Hades. Through trickery, the King captures and chains his visitor, rendering her helpless by seizing her eternal flame. Meanwhile, Xena is attacked by the evil Toxeus while traveling through the forest with Gabrielle. In the heated battle which follows, Toxeus tries to stab her with a hidden dagger, but Xena narrowly escapes, driving the knife deep into the chest of her attacker. As she and Gabrielle walk away, they do not notice that the imprisonment of Celesta has already begun to have an effect - Toxeus’ eyes pop open and his mortally wounded body is suddenly very much alive.

Hercules and Iolaus join forces with Xena and Gabrielle to free Prometheus, who has been chained by the gods. After being attacked by four sword-wielding bounty hunters, Xena saves the life of Demophon, one of the attackers who has been badly wounded in the fight, and waits out a terrible storm with her captive and Gabrielle in a local tavern. When both Demophon and a loudly coughing customer in the bar suddenly die - and a man’s howling scream is heard over the sound of the thunder - Xena realizes that Prometheus has been captured by the gods. Gabrielle explains to the innkeeper that according to legend, if Prometheus is ever bound, mankind will lose all the gifts he gave them, including fire and the ability to heal themselves.

Xena is summoned to the Underworld by the ghost of her beloved Marcus to help defeat the madman Atyminius, who has stolen Hades’ Helmet of Invisibility. One night, the ghost of Marcus appears to Xena to ask for her help. He tells her that the Underworld has been thrown into total chaos and that good souls are in danger. Xena follows his instructions and dives deep into the Alcyonian Lake to gain entrance to the Other Side. When she arrives on the shores of the River Styx, Charon confirms that the wicked now have the run of Elysian Fields, while the innocent are suffering in Tartarus. He ferries her across the river where she rejoins Marcus and witnesses the evil that has overrun Paradise. Questioning Marcus, Xena realizes that he was put among the wicked when he died. She is, therefore, quite moved by the selflessness of his request for help in restoring order in the Underworld.

Dylan (Kevin Sorbo) attempts to save a group of captured High Guard ships.

Xena's spirit asks the thief Autolycus (Bruce Campbell) to help her live again by finding the life-restoring food of the gods, Ambrosia. Lucy Lawless and Renee O'Connor star.