2. The Haunting of Amphipolis

Looking down from the heavens, archangels Michael and Raphael discuss Xena's difficult destiny as she arrives at Amphipolis with Gabrielle and Eve to visit Xena's mother, Cyrene. When they arrive, the trio realize Amphipolis has become a ghost town. In Cyrene's tavern, Eve sees Cyrene's spirit and tells Xena her mother is dead. Xena goes to the mausoleum where she finds Cyrene's sarcophagus, which contains charred remains.

While eating, Eve tells Gabrielle that she feels something terrible is about to occur. Gabrielle's food becomes instantly infested with maggots. Maggots then begin to emerge from Gabrielle's hands and her flesh rots. When Eve prays to Eli to cast out the evil presence, the maggots disappear and Gabrielle's hands are restored. Later, Gabrielle is grabbed by numerous hands and lands in a pool of water filled with ghouls. Hearing her screams, Xena and Eve save her. Eve tells Xena and Gabrielle the demon Mephistopheles is preparing for war, that the tavern is his exit from Hell, and that Eve's presence there is deliberate.

Mephistopheles possesses Gabrielle as she takes a shower. He tells Xena he has kidnapped Cyrene's soul and will not release it unless Eve's blood is spilled because the blood of the Messenger of Eli is necessary for him to escape Hell. Xena refuses and Eve exorcises him. Mephistopheles then torments Eve, reminding her of her bloody past before her redemption. He also joins Xena and Gabrielle's bodies every time they touch. Once Eve separates them, Xena uses the pinch—a skill that allows her to stop blood from flowing—on herself. She visits the spirit realm to defeat Mephistopheles, who tells her whoever kills him must assume his reign over Hell.

After Gabrielle revives Xena, Eve says she is ready to sacrifice herself to stop Mephistopheles. Xena decides to fight him instead, so Eve cuts her palm and spills a few drops of blood. Mephistopheles emerges from a Hellmouth and battles Xena until she kills him. This releases Cyrene's soul, who tells Xena she will always be in her heart. While pondering the consequences of Mephistopheles' death, the trio notice the Hellmouth is starting to release steam.