Chapter 3: Making Sense of the World

Ashley was a good Slayer, but before she was summoned to her calling, she had been a good tracker. Sometimes, the latter proved to be more useful than the former.

When she received instructions from a mysterious phone call to save Aidan, she was also given directions on where to find him as well as how to revive him. She made a quick stop at a small warehouse where she retrieved a small box, she then proceeded to one of LA's piers, where she managed to find signs of blood and struggle. Eventually, this led her to one of the docks, where she found a lone Turok Han dragging what appeared to be a body.

Dispatching the demon was no simple matter. Nonetheless, she was able to defeat it while sustaining only a couple of scratches. The body turned out to be Aidan. He was still alive – barely alive.

Ashley took out the small box and removed a syringe. She then plunged it into Aidan's inert form. She didn't know what this will do, but she was instructed that it would save the watcher's life. So she could only hope that none of this was a mistake and that she was doing the right thing.

Whatever it was within the syringe, it was reviving Aidan. For his body convulsed into spasms and his black veins began spreading throughout his body. Where his breathing had been weak, it now began to pick up strength. Aidan awoke with a hard gasp and saw the slayer watching over him. Her face looked stony against the night sky.

"Hey," Aidan muttered.

"Hi," the slayer answered.

It took Aidan a few moments, to find his composure. "Thanks for saving my life…"

"Save it," Ashley snapped with uncharacteristic steel, "I don't know all that much about you or what your agenda is, but I do know that you're playing a crooked game here."

"Yeah, I… uh,"

"Don't interrupt me. You're charged with murder… with Treason, with god knows what… However, I do know that you know what's going on."

"Do you?"

"Yes, I do." Ashley produced a bound leather journal – Aidan's journal. The one he had been carrying around.

"Oh. So how much do you know?"

Ashley threw the journal on Aidan's lap. "Everything there."

"My journal," Aidan said sadly, "how'd you find it?"

"I got a call. Didn't know who though. Told me that your little diary would fill in the blanks."

"How convenient." Aidan got up but fell down once more, wondering who it was who called her. "So you know about Sirk and Pryce." The slayer nodded her head. "Well, let me fill in the missing spaces. They're not the only ones out to screw the Universe. Malcolm Ingram is also in on the loop."

"I know. My mysterious call said as much. You were working for Sirk and Pryce," she accused.

"Yes, I worked for them."

"To betray the council? The slayers?"

"We better get going."

"Answer the question!"

"Yes!" The answer came out like a hard lump. "Yes. That was the idea. The old guard wanted the council back to the way it was. It doesn't matter now. They're both dead, and their accomplices back across the pond have probably scattered like rats by now. So what are you going to do now? Get me back to the council to stand trial?"

"That can wait," the slayer answered, "and besides, you don't look too well."

"I'll live. Any news about council?"

"Everyone's spread thin right now. It seems like demons are getting worked up for something. Slayers, watchers, anybody not nailed down is trying to get a hold of things, but…"

"The situation is just grim."

"Aidan, what's going on?"

Aidan told her, as much as he knew anyway. From the reason he was here all the way up to his near fatal meeting with Malcolm. It was tough. By the time he finished, she looked like she was either going to burst out laughing or collapse in despair. Aidan took the initiative to ask a few things, including what had happened to Sirk, Pryce and their ill advised coup.

"Dead," Ashley answered, "The council took care of the body. Some of the girls are gossiping that Rupert Giles had a fit when they brought him the news about you and your splinter cell." Ashley sighed. She didn't know what to say to the watcher. On the one hand he was treasonous bastard who kept secrets and was someone who worked for a split group of watchers. But, on the other hand, he saved a lot of lives. Ashley was terribly confused, she didn't know how she should treat this… thing or whatever he is. So she just kept quiet.

"Too bad," Aidan muttered, wasting no sorrow over Sirk, but inside, he was troubled. Price and Sirk were supposed to be one of the best in this line of work. "Bloody Nuisance. We need to move… We need to… ahhh! Warn the others!"

"I'll warn the others. You need to go to a hospital. You're not exactly looking too sharp."

Aidan looked at Ashley - his face and his body – looking like a pincushion, and he grinned as an animated cadaver would. His hair was in disarray. Blotches of red were all over his body. His complexion was dead white. His pupils were barely visible, and large black veins covered most of his wounds. If Ashley was not a slayer she was sure she would have puked at the sight of him. "I'm just fine and dandy, luv."

"Aidan! Stop being a guy for a moment and listen to reason."

"Dammit to hell woman!"

"You're injured, so I'll pretend I didn't hear that last part. And besides, do you have a death wish? Look at you. You can barely walk."

"I don't care. We need to stop Malcolm. We need to stop him now."

"What is he doing?"

"He's helping the First. They're up to something."

She paused but she said nothing. Aidan would not indulge a moment of self-pity and began attempting to get up once more, this time succeeding in standing up shakily.

"Don't. You'll hurt yourself."

"We have to find Malcolm."

"The council will do that. You need a doctor."

"Do I detect a hint of concern in your voice?"

"Don't get the wrong ideas buddy. You're still in big trouble."

"Sorry overstepped myself there. But nothing's changed we are desperately short of time. We need to gather up all the slayers available in the city. Thing's are going to get very very ugly."

"Sorry. That's not gonna happen," Ashley answered quickly.

"What?"

"We're spread thin Aidan. Everybody's busy fighting off an unidentified number of demons that have been converging in areas near LA these past few weeks..."

"The Kluthu'kar," Aidan muttered.

"You know what they are?"

"Yes, keep going."

"They've suddenly spilled outside our city limits and even now, are beginning to trying to set up positions. Every slayer in California is being assigned a squad and told to fight them off."

"That can't be good," Aidan muttered to himself."

"No, it isn't good. I told you what I know. Now, you tell me what you know."

"The Kluthu'kar are only a diversion, and they're not your only problem."

"Just tell me what's going on."

"I will. Help me up," Ashley helped the watcher limp his way out of the pier, "I'll explain along the way," he then looked at the slayer intently, the slayer that he was supposed to watch over, "and you can tell me all about the oh so mysterious phone call that brought you here."


5:00 AM

Lawin flew over LA in the form of a small bird of prey, sensing the massive amount of energies that now seemed to permeate the entire city. It was something else, a deepening infection that seemed to spread out across the entire world.

This was ground zero. LA was ground zero. He landed near an alley and transformed back into human. In the distance, he could hear the wail of police sirens, of the subtle hysteria waiting to explode. It's almost there. What happened these past few weeks will pale compared to what is about to happen. Lawin leaned against a nearby wall and drank his entire alcohol flask empty.

Keep drinking. That'll help.

"I'm screwed. We're all screwed. Let me drink"

Drinking your brain out will not help.

"Shut up."

Okay, I'll shut up, but we both know that you're being weakling.

Lawin let the empty flask drop and then stared out into space. He was about to make a terse response when a commanding voice took away his attention.

"Lawin!" a stern voice called out his name. The young Scion turned to see that it was Malachi. The mentalist looked a bit haggard but not unkempt. "You!"

"Yes me. How long were you planning to feel sorry for yourself?" Malachi asked.

"As long as I have to," Lawin said flatly, "I heard Connor killed you."

"He did," Malachi answered, "the Powers then gave me a new body."

Lawin cocked an eyebrow.

"Look, it doesn't matter. Right now, we need to find Travers and Connor."

"What do you mean we? There is no we."

Malachi looked at Lawin intently. "You want the same thing I want: To keep this world from being blown up. The same thing holds true for them."

"Try another line, Mal. That one's getting old. And, you're being presumptuous," Lawin said sardonically and took a step back, as if to walk away but he didn't.

"I presume nothing. You and I both know what's at stake. We have a better chance at dealing with this mess together than alone."

Lawin's countenance became grim. He knew this to be true but he didn't have to like it. He's right, you know. You have a better chance as a team.

And Anash? We must stop her.

And then what? In case you forgot, she's not the only threat. We need help. You need help. So do they.

"We will help each other, Lawin De La Vega of the Zarakim. We will each other because it is the only thing you and anyone can do."

Lawin swallowed hard. He had to get something out of the way. "We betrayed Connor."

"He betrayed us, and we pretty much betrayed each other. Don't act so pure and pretty." Malachi answered, referring to Connor's ill-made plans to save the late Laurence Reilly.

"He tried to save his father. I would hardly call it a black and white situation."

"I know and we betrayed him because he was being used by the Destroyer."

"You betrayed us by working with the Kluthu," Lawin persisted.

"And you lied to me about killing your mentor, Anash, who last I heard is planning to cast a very nasty spell! The same goes with Aidan with his watcher buddies!"

"Okay!" Lawin snapped. "Shut up! We're all assholes. Don't get your panties in a knot. I just hope you have a plan to sweet talk Connor and Travers, cause you did crap with me."

"I'm working on that. Come on." As Malachi began to walk, Lawin noticed something underneath his black jacket. It looked like a small glowing cube.

"Is that an Orlon Window?" Lawin asked.

Malachi cursed himself for not hiding the damned thing properly.

"May I ask what that's for?"

"Loose ends," Malachi answered quietly.

For the past hour or so, Giles kept staring at Connor. It was the kind of stare a predator when stalking its prey.

"Will you stop staring at me?" Connor snapped at Giles.

"Sorry." Giles looked at Connor intently then backed off. "I'm sorry. It's just…" Giles looked like he was about to jump up and down in joy. "Sorry." He then began rubbing his glasses vigorously and pacing around.

"We still have a problem."

"Yes, the smog that has covered Los Angeles." Giles looked at Connor again - more intently this time. "You want to dissect me, don't you? Come on. Say it. You want to cut me open and see exactly how I work."

Although he knew that Connor was messing with him, Giles blanched a bit. He was annoyed that his curiosity was getting the best of him and that he was powerless to examine this strange creature - this child of two vampires. When this began, he wanted answers, but his discovery of Connor along with the work that he's done these past few days only raised new questions. It was very frustrating.

One thing's for certain though. He's telling Buffy… about Connor (And what that inevitably means - Angel), the extent of the demonic incursion, and the hidden lies and deceit that was weaved for all these events to happen. He had delayed long enough. Dawn had delayed long enough.

There would be no more secrets.

"No more secrets," he muttered.

Connor heard him but showed no sign that he heard. He knew well enough what was going on inside Giles' head. It doesn't take a telepath to sense what was going on in his mind. Connor wanted to talk to him about it, sort out the confusion, but his phone rang unexpectedly.

Mom? Connor was suddenly worried. Surviving the emotional beating of Laurence's death was one thing. Figuring out what to tell his mother and sister about it was another matter entirely.

Connor's answered his phone and to his surprise and relief, it wasn't his mother or Kit. It was Malachi. "Hello Connor," Malachi greeted.

"I killed you," Connor answered calmly, not the least bit surprised.

"You destroyed my body, nothing more. The powers simply gave me a new one," Malachi answered with a hint of amusement in his voice."

"I can kill you again if you want." With the way the conversation was going about killing, Giles couldn't help but feel an icy chill run down the base of his spine.

"I'll consider the offer, but right now, I need to talk to the watcher who's standing right next to you." Connor looked at Giles and then lowered his gaze once more. "I need to talk to him."

"Who's that?" Giles asked. Dawn and Tracy had entered the room as well after hearing the phone's ringing.

"Who's that?" Dawn asked excitedly.

Connor raised his hand for some quiet.

"Why?" he asked Mal. "Why do you want to talk to Giles?"

"To help him protect the slayers. Something's come up."

"You can tell me. After all," a bitter tone of humor entered Connor's voice, "we're buddies, right?"

"If you must know, a fog is spreading throughout LA. It's main purpose is to exterminate the slayers, but it's also being used as a diversion."

"I already know about the disease ridden fog. What's the diversion for?"

"You know the answer already."

Judging from Malachi's tone of voice, Connor quickly understood what was going on. "The Deeper Well, it's in LA isn't it? How did Marastoth do it?"

"I don't know, and that's the truth. Now, will you let me talk to the watcher?"

"We still have a lot to talk about Mal," Connor said seriously. "He wants to talk to you," Connor threw the phone to Giles.

Giles caught the phone and looked at Whistler briefly before answering. "Who is this?"

"The biggest dick in the world," Connor answered laconically.

Giles ignored him and listened to the mystery man. "Mr. Rupert Giles. An Honor. Please refrain from interrupting me as we have very little time. As you may have surmised, I am an… associate of the little monster you have there next to you. I am also an associate of Whistler, albeit loosely, considering his recent betrayals." Giles looked at Whistler briefly and saw that the demon looked edgy. "However, that's not why we are talking. An event has recently emerged. As you can plainly see outside, a massive fog has covered the city and is causing quite a panic. We both know it's supernatural, and you can expect it to get a whole lot worse."

"How worse?" Giles asked.

"How many slayers do you have in LA now?"

Giles became still. The answer was more than half of all the slayers under council control. This whole thing was a trap. "This smog - this spell. It's here to kill slayers?"

"That's one reason. The other reason is that they want to distract people. A few thousand dead will cause chaos – leaving the uh… enemy to do as it wants."

"To do what?"

"A battle that will decide the future," Malachi continued, "Mr. Giles, I don't have much time. If you want to help, you will listen to me very carefully. I have with me the means to help you, but you must trust me. You can meet me in this address." Malachi gave Giles the address. "And bring Connor with you."

"And why should I trust you?" Giles snapped.

"Let me put it this way, what choice have you got?"

Giles took the phone away from his ear and looked at Connor.

"Told you he was dick," Connor said.

"Very well. We'll meet you there." The call ended.

"Apparently, you're right He is a twat." Giles answered exasperatingly.


When Giles met Malachi, he wasn't impressed. The voice on the phone sounded like an old soul. Malachi appeared… too young, certainly no older than Xander when they first met. Nonetheless, there was something wrong about him, something that should not be. He wasn't human, and he moved about like an old man.

"Mr. Giles," Malachi thrust out his hand in greeting, "you will pardon my lack pleasantries but we are pressed for time. I take it Aidan will be with us?"

"I followed your instructions to the letter," Giles answered blandly. One of Malachi's instructions was to call Aidan to where they were.

"Good. Then please follow me."

"Terribly sorry. I'm not taking another step unless you tell me the answers I want."

Malachi looked at Giles and his company. Dawn and Tracy looked haggard but strong. Whistler was with them, and the demon made it a point to stay away from Malachi.

"Hello Whistler," Malachi said pleasantly.

"Mal," Whistler answered with surliness.

Malachi smiled and turned back to Giles. "How much did he tell you?" he asked pointing Whistler.

"Enough. I just need you to fill in the missing pieces." Giles turned his gaze towards Connor and Lawin. There was no mistaking his questions. He wanted to know what the boys have been doing these past few weeks.

"Lawin," Connor greeted Lawin who was standing quietly behind Malachi. There was hint of resentment and hostility in his voice.

"Connor," Lawin responded in the same tone of voice then drank from his flask.

"Still drinking a lot I see," Connor said snidely.

"Pretty much," Lawin answered. "Any plans once you're done singing Crawling in My Skin?"

Connor shrugged as if the insult meant nothing.

"Where's Traverse?" Connor asked.

"He'll be here momentarily."

"You two sure figured everything out didn't you?" Connor said with mirth.

"Don't insult me, boy," Malachi snapped and emphasized the boy part.

Giles intervened before the fight could erupt. "Right. Now that we've finished with the introductions, I'd like to get straight to business."

"Very well." Malachi answered. "Follow me."

Connor tried to stop Giles but the watcher assured him that he'll be fine. Connor nodded his head and began to walk away with Lawin while Whistler, Mal and Giles entered a small room.

Once there, the mentalist took out a glowing orb and revealed it to Giles. "This artifact will tell you everything you need to know." Giles peered into the sphere and within it shapes and colors danced like so many fairies. However, as he peered closer into that abyss made of light, he was shocked unconscious.

"Which is nothing," Malachi sad without mirth. "You don't need to know anything Mr. Giles." Whistler didn't say anything. He just stared at Malachi with uncharacteristic stoicism.

"You made a mess," Malachi said.

"So did you." Whistler responded.

"We have a lot to clean up then."

Seeing the flash of light erupt caused Connor, Dawn, Tracy and Giles barged into the room. Connor arrived just in time to see Giles collapse to the ground, a terrible darkness coming over him. He knew what had happened. He hoped that he was wrong but he knew what had happened. The darkness within him turned into pain then into despair. Dawn yelled something but no one heard her over the din that came from Malachi and Connor arguing. "Malachi!" He called out to the mentalist. "What did you do to him?"

Before Connor could utter another word, Malachi aimed the orb at Dawn and Tracy, causing them to collapse as well.

"I did what I had to do. You and I both know that it was the only way."

Connor's face twisted into a feral snarl. "You son of a bitch! What did you do?" Connor ran towards Malachi, anger and rage in every fiber of his movement.

"I wiped his memories clean. We cannot allow him, slayers or anyone else to interfere at this point of the conflict. There's too much at stake!"

"You son of a bitch!"

"He knows too much and that makes him dangerous!"

"So you ass rape his brain? Dammit! That's the last thing we need right now!"

"Oh, you bet it is. Mr. Rupert Giles hasn't the foggiest idea about what's going on."

"And you do?" Connor asked snidely.

"Don't tempt me Connor. I did what I had to do to stop a desperate situation from escalating into a disaster."

"A disaster? He was gonna help us."

"No one can help us! Don't you get it? The Slayers have their battle, and the same thing goes for us. I did what I had to do. The slayers are safe for now, but if we involve them into this, things will just spiral out of control! I did what I had to do."

"You did what you wanted. Nothing more, you backstabbing sonuvabitch."

"This is an already fucked up situation. You don't want to make it worse."

"You mind wiped them. What's to stop you from doing the same to us?"

Malachi frowned. "I mindwiped Giles. Only Giles. Dawn and Tracy are safe provided they don't get in the way."

"You didn't answer my question Mal. What's to stop you from doing the same to us?"

"Because I need your help," Malachi snapped.

"So you say," Lawin said quietly, "What about the girls? They'll find out what you did to the watcher and they won't like it."

Malachi smiled. "Don't worry. I have a plan and Whistler will explain it to them when they wake up."

Connor raised an eyebrow. He wondered what devilment was inside Malachi's head this time. "Whistler's on your side now?"

"He's on the side that he's always been. His own and the powers. He knows what's at stake here. It's like what I've always said. There are no permanent friends or enemies. Only permanent interests."

"Spare me the lecture. I'm not in the mood for it now."

"Well, perhaps you're in the mood for what I have to say."

"In less than 4 hours, every man, woman and child in this city will be dead from a demonic plague. Regardless of our feelings, I don't think you or I want that."

Connor grinned a bit, looking even more feral than before. "Nice try, but I ain't biting."

Malachi grinned back. He knew he'd say that, so he saved the best for last. "You need me to find Angel."

"What?" Connor was caught off guard by that.

"Angel. You know the prophecy about the coming strife. In case you've forgotten, Angel is the catalyst. You need to find him. We need to find him… for the final phase of your transformation. You need me to do that."

"Angel can end this?" Connor waved his hand at the mess around them."

"He will play a very important part in it."

"I'm sick of your riddles." Connor snapped.

"Nonetheless, you know full well that we need to find him. You know this deep inside of you. You need me."

Connor became quiet.

"I don't like it either Reilly," Lawin said, "but he's right we need his help. We need each other's help."

Connor glared at Lawin. Both them distrusted each other, had always distrusted each other, but once more circumstances put them into a difficult dilemma.

"Connor," Malachi began, "I know what I did was evil in your eyes, allying myself with Marastoth, using you like a puppet… but I did what I thought was right. Selfish or not, that was the best I could do."

"No different than I," Connor said wearily. He cast a weary look at Malachi which said, that although he would rather drink a bottle of cyanide, he was in.


"You're not really going to trust him after all he did, are you?" Tracy asked flabbergasted. Connor explained the situation to Tracy, while Malachi explained it to Dawn.

"It's complicated, Trace. I need his help. All the trust and treachery in the world cannot change that."

"It's not about need. What if he's planning to kill you?"

"He's not," Connor said with certainty.

"And you know this for sure?"

"Completely."

"Yeah, well. You better pray he's planning to kill you. Because if he betrays you again, I'm kicking your sorry ass for being a dumbass…" Connor's face did not break into a smile or chuckle, so Tracy brought out the heavies. "Or give you the punishment of a lifetime." The tone was both naughty and humorous, but in fearful and tense way.

Connor laughed on with that one. "I'm going to be fine, Trace. I promise. No need to get worked up over your ex-boyfriend-slash-not-so-ex-boyfriend-with-benefits"

"You're my bitch and I'm your mommy. And you better keep your ass alive. That's my property."

Connor laughed even more heartily. "I still can't believe I broke up with you," Connor said with an awkward smile.

"Spare me the mushy teen crap, Reilly. It's the damned apocalypse," Tracy answered playfully. "So what happens now?"

Connor shrugged his shoulders. "It's strange. It's like I know what to do and yet I don't know why or how to do it."

"It's always gotta be complicated with you isn't it?"

"It's not really all that complicated when you understand how it all works."

"And how does it work."

"The unknown," Connor spoke quietly.

"That doesn't make any sense."

"So did our entire relationship."

Tracy laughed and Connor smiled. She began talking about something inconsequential but he wasn't listening.. He reached out his hand and slipped a piece of paper into her coat. He held her to make sure that she doesn't move.

"Give that to Dawn," he whispered.

"So you have a plan something?"

"Always did. Oh and one last thing," he leaned close and kissed her deeply. "No more heroics okay?"

He left before she could think of something witty to say.


The boys quickly left. Dawn and Tracy, along with Whistler said their goodbyes to them. They, along with Giles, will go back to the Slayers and the Scoobies to help. They already have an alibi on why they were missing. It was up to Connor and his little band now. They each have their parts to play.

Whistler grabbed Connor's arm and looked at him intently. "Remember kid. Whatever you might discover, You are Angel's son. Face darkness and defeat it, just as your father did before you."

Connor pulled away from Whistler. He didn't say anything but he was grateful even now that the smog began to envelope the entire city.

"This is bad," Lawin muttered.

Connor ignored him. He turned to Malachi again. "Before I continue, I want you to answer something."

"It's always something with you, isn't it?"

"What did Whistler say to Dawn to get her cooperation?"

"He offered her a deal. An exchange, on behalf of the powers that be." Malachi said crisply, hoping it would end at that.

"What kind of exchange?" Connor repeated the question more loudly. "What kind of exchange, dammit?"

Malachi face became grim. "Buffy Summers is destined to die tonight. The Powers have seen it. It is fate. Dawn will help us in exchange for her life."

"What?" Connor was dumbstruck.

"Her sister, Buffy is meant to die tonight. It was destined… sort of. Everything's a mess right now. The powers were willing to allow this happen… that is until our latest problems popped up."

"I don't get this. What do you mean the powers were willing to let this happen?"

"Gods help me! We're talking about the powers, Connor. The powers that be. They have within their power to control the very heavens themselves. I assure life and death are mere arbitrary options for them. The fates themselves bow to their whims. In this case, Buffy Summers' life was meant to end today. A lot of people's lives were meant to end today, including… Laurence." Malachi was going to say Angel but he managed to stop himself just short of uttering the name.

"And in exchange for her silence and willing participation in your plan, she get's to save her sister's life," Connor said coldly.

"Yes," Malachi answered without emotion.

"Dawn will keep the secret in exchange for Buffy's life." Malachi wanted to say something else, but Lawin interrupted him.

"Sheep boy's here," Lawin announced grimly.

The watcher walked up to his 'allies' looking like hell. He was covered in dried blood and bandages. His skin was covered by the black marks and veins which was now allowing his body to repair itself.

The watcher walked up to them quietly. He glared at Lawin first then looked at Connor and Malachi. The other three glared back at him. There was no love among them, only mutual hatred and perhaps a mutual respect for each other's ruthlessness. A dark hatred seemed to permeate each of them, goading them to violence.

Connor looked at Aidan briefly then returned his attention to Malachi.

"Tell me more about what you have planned for Dawn."

"There's nothing more to tell," Malachi answered.

"I don't believe you."

Aidan looked at one then to another. Always quiet. Lawin stood impassively, somehow becoming more dangerous with each passing moment.

"I told you everything I know," Malachi sneered.

"You're partially responsible for my father's death – for Laurence Reilly's death. You owe me an answer."

"I did not kill your father! The First evil killed him! So don't even start!" Malachi snapped.

"If you hadn't used me like a fucking pawn, I could have saved him." Connor Reilly said this. The human in Connor asserting itself.

"Don't pin this on me! Laurence Reilly died because the first was trying to get to you." Malachi sneered.

"He does have point, Reilly." Lawin said quietly.

"Stay out this!" Connor hissed back at the Scion.

Aidan mentioned something that they did not hear.

Soon enough Lawin and Aidan got dragged into the fight. Each one accused each other of some imagined treachery, and before long they were hurling insults at each other.

"You backstabbing…" Lawin snarled.

"Godrotting…" Aidan roared.

"Shitfaced…" Malachi snapped.

"Son of a Bitch!" Connor yelled.

Each one was surprised at the sudden explosion of rage and pain, but they were more surprised that they said the same things to each other, accused each other of the same sins. The boys saw something in each other they didn't like, or perhaps they were just looking at their own reflections. Either way, they didn't like what they saw. They had all pursued their own agendas, each one in his own way, believing that he was morally superior to the other, but knowing full well that that was all bull. Each of them muttered their apologies, and let go of the momentary outburst. Pursuing it would be pointless. Nothing's changed. They didn't like each other but they still have to work together.

"Right, we are obviously going nowhere by arguing like douches."

"Agreed. So what's the plan?"

"You're asking me?" Malachi asked.

"Aren't you supposed to be the Wizard of Oz, the man behind the curtain?"

"If only I were, but we are past the point of planning and surgical strikes."

"And what point are we in now?" Connor asked.

"You tell me Connor," Malachi said, "you're supposed to be the one who's destined to resolve the paradox."

Everyone looked at Connor. "Okay, let's examine priorities. Marastoth said that the First is hiding in one of the council's safe houses. And assuming we trust a hell god, that's our only lead."

"Malcolm is working for the First," Aidan said, "so if we can find him. We can find the source of this bloody smog."

"That's not our only problem though," Lawin spoke up, Anash may be trying to cast a spell."

"A spell?" Aidan asked.

"She's planning to turn every slayer into a demon, and after them a large chunk of humanity, to help her fight whatever nasties pop out of the deeper well. Don't ask how – all I can tell you that it's going to be a bitch. She already did to herself and her minions. She believes that this is the only to stop Marastoth and the First. "

"Dammit! Just what we need. Another army of demons." Connor cursed. "What are her chances of succeeding?"

"Don't know. One thing's for sure though. I gotta intercept her before she does."

"And of course, we can't forget about Marastoth," Connor reminded them and he looked at Malachi with accusing eyes.

"Yes, Marastoth," Malachi replied bitterly, "he wants to open the Deeper Well. He must be stopped."

Malachi glared back at the watcher and then back at Connor. Lawin too was looking at him intently. The mentalist – the great servant of the powers that be – had once been allied with the Kluthu because the powers told him to, and for the good of the mission. They wanted a guarantee that that was no longer the case.

"I'm not working with Marastoth anymore," Malachi said simply, "and if you don't believe that there's really nothing I can do."

Connor, Aidan and Lawin said nothing, but it was clear that they were still distrustful of him. Connor decided to break the silence. "So what's the plan?"

And thus the final battle begins.