A/N: Don't own Slayers, I just like to play with them.
Product of a bad dream followed by a fantastically crappy day. Ended up using it for a short writing assignment since the prompt-words were "cost", "ridiculous", and "supernatural". Might add continuation chapter, still haven't decided.
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For the briefest of moments her mind went blank from pain, causing a short thrill of panic. Losing total concentration now could be fatal. Strained muscles screamed for release, but she had to hold on for just a little longer. Her internal organs constricted violently and she was sure that her body would pop at any minute like an overcooked sausage. The deep sluggish ache that had taken over the whole of her brain frightened her beyond belief; it was an ache she had felt only once before, a time when there had been a possibility that she would fail. That previous inkling of panic now multiplied, quickening her already labored breathing.
Why did she always insist on attempting the impossible? Whatever this spell was, it was beginning to sap at her life-force now that it had used up every drop of magic in her reserves (which was really saying something). But the spell had to be maintained: there was only one phrase left to recite. Not only that, but she had people to protect. The rest of the world, sure, but some fifty feet behind her was a bubble of layered protection magic sheltering her three friends from the radiation. She couldn't let them down especially not after this. The vortex in front of her pulsed ferociously and she barely bit back an involuntary whimper of pain. Bitterly, she refused to let herself give into the scream begging to be wrenched out and ruin her vocal chords before her task was done. One phrase left, and then it would all be over.
In one way or another, it would be over.
She hoped.
Pale-faced, her raised and trembling arms directed the writhing ball of white-hot miasma in front of her towards the impossible threat that it was meant for. The waves of twisted power rolling steadily from this… thing... she had summoned made her want to retch, furthering the abuse on her already excruciating innards. Had she known or bothered to find out the consequences of this ridiculously old spell, she wouldn't have tried it. No wonder it had been buried beneath the most powerful protections she'd ever encountered, deep beneath the surface of the earth. It didn't matter that everything else in her arsenal had already failed her and she had no other options. Some things were just meant to stay hidden.
Kill or be killed.
Through heavily blistered lips she finally managed to croak out the final words.
Time seemed suspended for a moment. Her heart fluttered weakly. And then the surrounding world exploded into fire and her vision went black.