Chapter 10: The Big Bad

I tossed and turned in my sleep. It was getting really sticky inside my room and I considered getting up to open my window.

As I opened my eyes I realized I wasn't alone. Quickly I grabbed a large knife from my nightstand and got up to face my attacker.

"Hunter?" I questions as the moonlight revealed his face. "What are you doing here?"

Something wasn't right about him…A red tint to his open eye raised my suspicion. And that's when he lunged at me holding a strange looking blade.

Seriously, what was it lately about things wanting to attack me, kill me, in my bed?

I was ready to take him on…but when he came at me he pushed me backwards…taking us through the second story front window.

Of course I didn't realize it until I could feel and hear the glass breaking against my back. He let go of me in midair and I fell with my back to the ground…my arms were just dangling as I prepared for landing.

It was almost like the fall I took in Georgia, but that was way longer. Scarier. Wetter. Okay maybe they had almost nothing in common.

Lucky for me I hit the gravel…while our friend Hunter made a hard landing on a cement step.

While he struggled to get up, I jumped to my feet and ran at him. I had him weaponless and pinned down in a matter of seconds.

"What have you done with Hunter?" I questioned him.

He laughed at me with blood spitting out of his mouth.

I clocked him jaw, "TALK!" I threatened.

His red eye locked on to mine, "he's here…He says hello by the way."

"What's going on?" Angel asked standing a few feet away with Giles.

"I don't think what we brought home is really Hunter. Something is possessing him. He came in my room holding this knife…" I tossed it over to Angel with my free hand.

Meanwhile I was holding Hunter down tightly and I held my knife against his throat. If he did make a move…this throat would be cut down to his spine.

Angel was studying the knife, "I've seen this before…the Dagger of Lex." His face turned to disappointment as he looked to Giles.

"Dagger of who? Look…whatever, what do I do here?"

Hunter let out a deep growl and grabbed the wrist that was holding the knife to his neck.

"Shit…" I cursed as his grip was so damn tight. He was going to break it…that's what I deserved for my carelessness.

He looked at me again…still holding tight, but now his arm was trembling…lips were quivering to speak.

"Run. Vivian." Hunter seemed to regain control of himself for only a few seconds as he let go of me and threw himself to the ground.

I stumbled backwards in shock. That's when Angel grabbed me by the arm and pulled me away from Hunter.

Once whatever possessing Hunter regained control he looked at the three of us and took off into the trees.

We stood there and stared at the trees until Angel said he was gone. The front yard was now a mess of broken glass and I was trying to get it all off of me before we headed back inside.

"So what is this thing?" I asked Angel at the kitchen table. I played with the knife until Giles took it away from me.

"The Dagger of Lex. If the blade penetrates the skin of anything remotely demon you will wish you were dead. It was enchanted by a watcher before I was even a vampire. I didn't think any were still around. Whatever is possessing Hunter must be working on their side."

I looked at the tiny dagger in Giles's hands, "That? Well what does it do?"

"It's like poison," Giles answered, "slowly kills the demon over a course of five years. Although it may be longer…most demons find a way kill themselves at that point."

"Oh…I see." Now I wished I hadn't asked. "Well on the bright side he didn't get me!"

"No. That doesn't mean he's going to stop there either. Who knows what else Kali has in her possession. Means we need to work out a strategy on this one— 'cause going in blind could get us killed."

Angel sounded grim. I could tell he was a little upset that he wasn't prepared for what happened to Hunter. "It was too easy…" I remember him saying earlier.

"If we free whatever is inside Hunter…perhaps Hunter could tell us what he's seen. Of course it could take hours to find the right exorcism ritual for what's inside him. Or we could capture him and try to extract information from him," Giles shrugged and went back to the stove for more tea.

"Couldn't that possibly kill him?" I asked…not that I cared much for the guy…but still.

"It might. But he also might not survive an exorcism ritual…it depends on how strong this demon is."

Giles seemed oddly cool with this. It freaked me out though.

"K. you guys figure something out…I'm going to finish sleeping on the couch because there is no way in Hellmouth I'm going back upstairs."

I found some blankets in the closet and set up a little bed on the couch in front of the tv. Angel and Giles stayed in the kitchen with a pile of Hindu books. I didn't envy them. Fighting I did. Research was only fun if it meant reading a language I could actually read. Yeah…. More power to them.

I laid there and I wanted to sleep so badly. My eyes were dry and sore from being forced open. It felt better to have them closed, but my mind was still working and showed no signs of quitting.

I could tell Angel and Giles were trying to be quiet for me. Their voices were a dull murmur to my ears.

Most of my thoughts were on Hunter and Kali now. I had mixed feelings about Hunter…He was a jerk, okay…maybe a little more than a jerk. He was also stupid. I couldn't believe he thought he could take on that witch alone. So perhaps he deserved to be possessed by some demon.

I tossed around to face the back of the couch and sighed, "Hunter isn't even my problem. A Hindu goddess that I have no idea how to destroy is my problem," I whispered to myself.

Angel and Giles were also working on those theories. There was some lore in an old book…but there were several methods listed. They may all have worked…or none of them could work. Cross checking was the only way to be sure, but from what it sounded like…that could take a week or longer.

After lying there I finally gave up trying to sleep and sat down at the table. I opened the nearest book and pretended like I knew what I was reading.

I wish I could have photographed this moment. If only we knew. If only we had been warned.

The lights cut out.

I couldn't see a damn thing, but I felt Angel's cold hand on my arm.

"Don't move," he whispered.

I did as he said and watched the windows. The full moon brought shadows to anything that moved past the windows.

-Flash-

Something quick moved by all them on the south side. Angel saw it too.

As for Giles…I think he was still there. Before the lights went out he was on the other side of the kitchen and now I couldn't see that far.

Angel moved his hand away as he stood up from the table.

"Where are you going?" I growled and reached out for him.

"Weapons..." he took hold of my hand before pulling me with him to the weapons trunk in the living room.

He got it open and handed me an ax and took a couple more weapons.

I looked at the ax and knew that I needed a lot more than that if I was going face what was coming.

When I turned around I heard someone punch Angel and knock him against a wall. He was about to go after Angel until he saw I was also standing there. It was Hunter.

He kicked the ax out of my hand and it dropped to the floor right before he picked me up and threw me against the couch. How the hell did this guy get so strong?

The couch broke my fall…and I broke the couch. I didn't have time to worry about injuries or the throbbing in my head. Hunter was also two feet from me when I struggling to get up.

Angel pulled Hunter back and started to choke him around the neck. Hunter's legs were struggling and kicking and suddenly he went limp.

"Is he dead?" I questioned as Angel laid him down on the ground.

"Not quite. The demon left his body. Hunter should be fine…I think."

Angel pushed me away from where Hunter was lying and urged me to help search the house.

"There could be more…we need to leave, otherwise we're just sitting ducks here. Check the upstairs and I'll find Giles…meet you outside."

Then he left. I picked up my ax and slowly made my way upstairs. As I went up I could see the doors to Giles's room were closed. When I got to the top of the stairs I realized all of the doors were closed.

My bedroom. There were noises coming from the other side of the door. Of course it would be my bedroom. After all, the window was missing now thanks to Hunter.

I kicked open the door and raised my ax to fight anything that stood in my way. Empty. The room was vacant and was as I left it.

"Interesting…" I sighed and made my way over to the window to gaze at the spot in the front yard where Hunter and I landed.

"Oh god…" I looked out only to see ten people gathered outside the house. All different kinds of people…just staring mindlessly at the house. Where they alive? Where they also possessed?

I heard Angel come into my room.

"Angel…look at them. It's like they're waiting for someone…you know?"

When I turned around it wasn't Angel I was talking to…it was far beyond what I was prepared for.

'They're waiting for us Vivian…'

Her mouth didn't move…but her voice was clear to me as I could hear it in my head. Kali in the flesh. I couldn't remember how Giles had described her, but she didn't look terrifying or freakish in any way.

Kali did have blue skin. Her eyes were like the lava that flowed from volcano which contrasted her dark hair. It was so dark it seemed to be tinted blue, or perhaps that was just a reflection of her skin. She was my height and appeared to be around my age. Her right arm had a tattooed band of skulls and these strange boned earrings danged down to her shoulders. What really struck me was the smell…it was like scent of asphalt after a heavy downpour. So this was the embodiment of destruction. Didn't seem so bad.

"Us? As in me and you? Sorry….I thought the dead witch would have tipped you off."

Where was this sarcasm coming from? The words were just leaving my mouth effortlessly as I smart talked to a freakn' goddess.

She laughed, 'the witch wasn't worthy. She was weak….prideful…..human.'

I gave her a confused look and lowered the ax.

'Vivian. I intend to unleash destruction upon the world…catastrophes that are unheard of. Almost all of humanity will be wiped out in a matter of days. I'm giving you a choice slayer demon. My army needs someone to lead it, to take charge once the siege of destruction has ended. I demand to be worshipped again by millions…to have sacrifices at my altar and to be the words off the tongues of my followers.'

So this is what it was about: A power hungry goddess dreaming about the olden days of sacrifice and really bad hygiene. To think she wanted me…Didn't I feel special.

"I'll pass on world destruction. In fact, I plan to shove you right back down the hole from which you came from," I grinned and held the ax tight. "I don't care who you are. I just know that it's my job to protect this world from things like you..."

Her eyes turned a deeper shade of red as I angered her. 'Is that how you feel? What about protecting the world from things like you? Demons…Slayers…You're just as evil as the creatures you slay.'

The lights in the house started to flicker and I could see Angel and Giles standing near the door to my room. Angel was holding some kind of gun and he pointed it at Kali. Unfortunately Kali was smart to this and the door slammed shut…preventing them getting in. I could still hear Angel trying desperately to break the door down with his vampire strength, but Kali wasn't allowing him to break through the wood.

"You can offer me diamonds bitch…I'm still not joining your death squad."

I was firm…even though I knew that she could kill me any second. How was I going to defeat her? Giles did say something about a dance…but he wasn't completely sure. It didn't matter now though, for I was staring down Death herself.

"Then you are no use to me…" she hissed and reached out her hand to me.

Her nails were like claws or…like tree branches slowly moving towards me through the darkness.

A hand pulled me backwards…a figure had appeared through the window, it was Angel.

"Get behind me!" he ordered, but I wasn't backing down.

"NO!" I shoved him away.

'You have to get that necklace…you need to break the charm.' Angel's thoughts seemed to blend with my own.

Her cold hand laid upon my forehead and I could feel the ice seep in and down into the rest of my body. My eyes looked up at her hand as they were filled with images of pain, sorrow, blood, fire, tornados, and nuclear destruction.

At the same time my hand was also reaching out from the darkness. By chance I was able to grab hold of the thick necklace around her neck. With the combination of her shock and the release from the pain…I was able to pull it from her neck.

Kali gasped in surprise as I held the charm tightly in my fist.

I breathed heavily as I recovered, "not so tough now are you?"

"Give me the necklace…" there was panic in the voice of the goddess.

I dropped the necklace and it landed down on the floor. I raised my foot and I crushed it with all the strength I had left in me.

A brilliant blue light filled the room. Angel ducked for cover as it hurt his eyes…but I stared straight into it. The blue light beamed from her eyes and her mouth as she screamed and twisted. Then her clothing caught fire with a flame that was also blue but didn't feel hot.

Kali fell to the floor as she became consumed by the fire and burned until there was nothing left.

Once she gone the lights returned the house. Angel stood up and opened the bedroom door. Just on the other side was Giles holding up a broken pair of glasses and concerned look.

"She's gone," I announced. "For good."

I moved past them and headed back downstairs. Hunter was lying on the couch and not moving. At first I thought he was dead…but then he cleared his throat.

Reluctantly I walked over to him and took a seat nearby.

"Good job kid," he congratulated in a broken voice. "I didn't think you could do it, but you did."

"Uh, thanks," I laughed, wondering if that was a compliment or not.

"You're a lot stronger than I gave you credit for. You really are a slayer…you know that? You put your life on the line for all of us. You could have been killed, but you knew you could defeat her. I should have had more faith in you Vivian, but you must understand something…I thought you weren't ready. When you attacked me…I deserved it. I shouldn't have pulled out that knife…but what choice did I have? You're stronger than me. I just reacted. I'm not asking for forgiveness Vivian…I just wanted to you to know this."

I didn't know what to say. Hunter was being truly honest with me and I could just tell…something was different about him. The arrogance was gone, as were his snarky remarks. Deep down I knew I couldn't totally forgive him…sure I roughed him up a little, but I was scarred for life.

"Okay. Get some rest," I said before I stood back up and met Angel and Giles in the study room.

Giles was glad to see me back and told me to take a seat.

"I'm proud of you Vivian. You defeated probably the toughest opponent you will ever face in your slaying career. Angel told me what had happened and you were very brave standing up to Kali. I have no doubt you will be able to manage this Hellmouth on your own with Hunter."

"What? You're leaving? No….you can't leave me here Giles. Not yet…I'm not ready," I pleaded.

"Hunter will teach you Vivian; he is your true watcher. I'm needed elsewhere. I have no doubts about this. You two will do fine here. Hunter has a lot to teach you about slaying and he is the more qualified person to teach you."

It was really sinking in. Giles was leaving me. I was selfish….I wanted him to stay and I didn't care if he was needed elsewhere.

"Will you come back to visit? What if we need help?"

"Then Angel or I will be glad to help you. We aren't going away forever Vivian. We'll always be available to help."

I nodded and relaxed back into the chair. I was getting so tired that I kept dozing off as Angel and Giles talked.

Angel explained that he needed to head back to Los Angeles while it was still dark. Giles bid him farewell and I rose to give him a hug and thanked him for his help.

November 13, 2005

I am the lonely slayer. I alone guard the Hellmouth of Nazareth, Pennsylvania. A 100 year old veil shields this place from any other slayer that attempts to enter. When I die, we have no idea who will guard it. Hunter tells me it's not my problem to worry about. I am unable to leave Nazareth for any length of time and no other slayers can visit me, that is unless they want to die. I have my watcher, Hunter; he has trained me to become an expert at weapons and lore. We've been able to kill hundreds of vampires and a few demons since Giles left for home. As for the half demon thing, I've come to accept it. In fact, I've gotten stronger and I've used some of those abilities to take down powerful demons. Hunter is still leery of these powers and I don't think he likes it when I use them, but that's his problem, not mine…I can't hide or deny this other part of me.

So, that's it diary. That was how I took down my first big bad as the lonely slayer of Nazareth. Looking back now…I think it was a miracle that we all survived, cuz it could have been a lot worse. A LOT. Well. It's time to patrol again.

Much 3

Vivian

Completed: November 20, 2010