Realizations
Disclaimer - Don't own the Buffy characters. Joss does. But everything else is from the mind of me.

Chapter ten recap: Buffy and Balinn bond on the way to the ocean for the first part of the key. Giles talked to Buffy. Slayer and Guide reached the cliff overhanging the ocean. And that's about it.

**** Chapter 11 - The First Test ****

Something wet fell onto her face.

Buffy cracked open an eye, confused as to why it was raining in her bedroom. Then she remembered she was outside.

She opened both eyes and stared at the sky. The clouds were so dark that it was hard to tell it was morning. A light drizzle fell about her, and she sat up, looking for Balinn. The blonde saw him sitting on the edge of the cliff, feet hanging over the edge, looking out into the ocean.

She walked over and sat next to him, and the pair watched in silence as waves crashed angrily onto the large rocks on the beach below. Buffy looked over at the man next to her.

So what's on today's agenda? She asked.

Balinn didn't answer for a few minutes. Today you take the first test.

She nodded. So what is it?

I can't tell you. But you should probably get going before it starts to pour.

Buffy carefully looked over the edge of the sheer rock face. I would... if I knew how to get down.

There's a little stone staircase just over there. Her guide answered, pointing at a point to his left.

I should go then, huh? She stood up, stretching her muscles. Sleeping on the ground and in a rock-hard bed was not doing anything for her strength...

He only nodded.

Aren't you coming with me?

He looked up at her with a hint of sadness in his eyes and quietly answered. Your body is being tested. That's all I can say. You need to go alone. I'll be waiting up here when you're done. Buffy pouted and started to walk away.

He called. She turned her head, and Balinn walked around to face her. He grabbed her hand and pushed something in it.

What's this? She asked, opening her palm. In it was a small, blue gemstone and a piece of paper. Willow's thing?

Balinn raised his eyebrows. Just in case.

Buffy nodded and put both objects into her tunic pocket.

Well, then wish me luck. She turned and walked a few yards to the left of where her guide was sitting and noticed that part of the cliff jutted out a little further than the rest. Leaning over, she saw the steps and started down them, giving a small smile to Balinn before she disappeared from view.

Good luck, Buffy. Balinn whispered.

***

The stairs ran parallel to the edge of the cliff, making their way down in a straight line. But they were narrow, and Buffy had to grip the wall as she walked. By the time she reached the bottom, she estimated that she was about a hundred feet below where she had started.

She looked around the empty beach. It was more rocky than sandy, and the large rocks right by the water created a teeth-like appearance. Coupled with the dark sky and furious waves, the beach looked almost... menacing?

She had no idea what she was supposed to do. Balinn had said the key was in the ocean. Not by it, but in it. And Giles had said that something was guarding it, and if Balinn's hint meant anything, she would have to fight something. She really didn't want to think about what it was.

She started looking for a boat, or anything to help her, when she came upon a small, wooden sign stuck in the soggy ground.

She read aloud. Wait? That's it? She circled the sign, looking for more writing, but found nothing. Grumbling, she sat down on a low rock. *Wait. That's all I've done since I got to this stupid dimension.* She threw her head up. Hurry up already!

As if on cue, the sea calmed. Buffy stood up, a little wary. She saw flashes of lightning on the horizon, and had a feeling this was the calm before the storm.

She saw something moving. At first, she thought it was a trick of her mind, but it kept coming closer. Horns appeared and soon a demon was shaking water off it's back and eyeing Buffy.

With six eyes.

*Three heads? Why does it have three heads?!* She panicked. It reminded her of a dragon. The thing was at least twenty feet tall, covered in dark purple-blue scales. The necks leading up to the three heads were at least ten feet each, and each head had wicked looking horns attached. Four powerful legs extended from it's torso, each foot ending in four or five inch black claws. It's tail was as long as the neck, and was tipped with six black spikes.

So. I guess I gotta fight you, huh? The dragon-thing didn't answer, choosing to lick all of it's lips instead.

Then she realized she had no weapon, except for a tiny dagger strapped to her waist. Her eyes widened in fear as the monster started towards her, giving off a sound that was a mixture of a scream and a roar.

***

Balinn closed his eyes. He had hated not telling her what was waiting, but he had been forbidden to say anything. Technically, he wasn't even supposed to give her the stone. But he couldn't leave her with no way out. Of course, if she used it, her chance of getting the vampire back would be gone. Maybe he should have told her that.

He opened his eyes and watched the hydra back Buffy against a large rock.

***

*What to do what to do what to do...* The thought kept repeating in her head as she whipped her head in every direction trying to find something to help her. She was up against one of the huge rocks on the edge of the beach, the monster getting dangerously close. She braced herself for pain, but it never came. She cracked open an eye. It was watching her. Sitting not fifteen feet away and watching her.

This confused Buffy. What was it doing? Waiting for her to make a move? Well, then it could just wait all day. She didn't mind.

But the thing had other plans. Slowly, it got up and stalked towards her, black claws making scraping noises on the rocky beach. Buffy sighed. Well, she always knew she would go out fighting sometime. Okay, the first time she died was drowning, the second was jumping into a portal, but now she got to hopefully take something out with her. She bent down, never taking her eyes of the monster before her.

She picked up a rock, and with blinding speed, hurled it at one of the heads. It hit an eye in the center head with a sickening sound, and the beast reared back and roared, furious.

*Maybe I should keep doing that. Blinding it or something. Then run away...*

She picked up another rock, this one jagged and sharp. She yelled. The monster stopped fussing over it's ruined eye and reached out to hit her, slamming her into the cliff with the force of the blow.

Dazed, Buffy picked herself up. *Okay, don't try to get it's attention anymore.* She threw the rock in her hand, this one embedding itself in the shoulder of the scaly monster. It roared in pain again.

*Dragons... how to kill dragons... they don't exist, right? But how'd they kill them in the books? Soft spot of flesh right around the heart, right? Stab it's heart. Stab it's heart...*

*Kinda wished I had a sword.* Buffy thought idly, remembering the dagger. Pulling it out, she waited for the demon to make it's move.

A bolt of lightning hit the water nearby and the waves picked up again, crashing into the rocks. Thunder boomed loudly, and the wind buffeted around her, howling in rage.

The monster leapt at her, amazingly fast for something so large, and Buffy had a hard time keeping her eyes on all three heads as they tried to bite her from all directions. She dodged every way she could, waving the dagger frantically, hoping to slice anything. She got one good, long slit opened up in the throat of one of the heads, but another head rammed into her, flinging her up against the cliff wall again.

The rain started pouring down, drenching her almost instantly.

Before the Slayer could recover, the thing was on her. It pinned her against the wall with one of it's clawed feet. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe. It was cutting off her air as she tried to push it away with her free hand while maneuvering the dagger in the other. Not an easy task, considering the arm was pinned to her side. With careful consideration to her own limbs, she flicked her wrist, slicing off one large finger with the sharp metal.

More lightning flashed, momentarily blinding her. The monster released her, and she fell to the ground, panting for breath. Picking up the dagger, she launched herself onto the back of the dragon-thing before it had a chance to think. She stabbed it repeatedly in the back, but the thick scales prevented her from doing much damage. It managed to reach around, and threw her to the ground. When she hit, her only weapon flew out of her hand and landed ten feet out of her reach.

Buffy scrambled for the dagger as the monster descended upon her. But the rocky ground was slippery, and the rain was still falling hard, and she was unable to grip the surface. She was still a foot or two away when a large foot pinned her to the ground.

Three heads grinned at her wickedly, and Buffy put all her energy into reaching for the weapon. But it was too far, and the monster was too close.

She grabbed a rock and threw it as hard as she could. The monster faltered, letting her get a foot closer to her target before it pinned her again. The tips of her fingers brushed the handle of the blade, and when the enraged demon screamed and bent down to kill her, she used all her strength to slam the small weapon directly into it's heart.

Green blood poured from the wound. It let go of her immediately, letting out an unearthly scream. Buffy covered her ears and watched as the dragon stumbled and fell, finally silent.

Buffy stood up slowly, warily watching the three-headed monster in case it was still alive. Wiping water from her face, she took slow steps towards it, careful not to make any noise. But before she could reach it, a green light began to emanate from it. In a blinding flash, the monster had vanished. In it's place was something shiny.

She moved her wet hair out of her eyes. Glancing around the beach, she reached down to pick it up. It was a pie-shaped, heavy piece of metal, and she knew without question that this was the key. *Probably silver or something.* She thought, fingering it. A design was embedded into the metal. Studying it closely, she saw that it was a small person, a girl. Holding a dagger. The rounded edge had several notches in it, as if it fit into something. Gripping it, she made her way back to the stairs she had come down.

***

Balinn let out the breath he had been holding the entire fight. Relief flooded through him. She had gotten the first part of the key. Standing up, he waited for Buffy to get to the top.

***

The wind and rain made it hard to climb the stairs. It took what seemed like hours, until she finally reached the top and stumbled onto the ground. She sat down, shaking, and tried to get ahold of herself. When Balinn sat next to her, she gave him a weak smile.

Yay me.

He laughed lightly. He repeated. We should get out of this mess and dry off. Buffy nodded, gripping Balinn's hand as he helped her stand up. She winced as she started to feel the beating she had received.

Balinn waved his hand and a white tent appeared. Helping Buffy inside, he waved his hand again and the pair were dry. The wind continued to howl outside, but at least they were warm and dry. That was something.

Buffy winced. Did you know?

Balinn suddenly found his feet interesting.

Thought so. What was it?

A Hydra.

*Hydra.* She thought. *Why does that sound...* Hydra? Wasn't that a mythical creature?

He affirmed. Not really a myth. Just extinct in your world. And at least the one you fought only had the three heads. Most have nine... He smiled.

She grinned, feeling a little better now that she wasn't so wet. Good thing, huh. So when you said IN the ocean...

I meant it.

I just didn't think that's what you meant.

Balinn shrugged. What can I say? I like being difficult.

Buffy shoved him lightly, but instantly regretted it as pain shot up her arm.

You hurt? Balinn asked, concern showing in his eyes.

No, I didn't get hurt at all when I was thrown into the cliff, thanks. She answered sarcastically.

And what did we say about sarcasm, young lady? The man chided, shaking his finger at her.

Buffy stuck her tongue out at him, the only part of her that wasn't sore. You never said I couldn't be sarcastic.

He thought about it. Yup. She was right. Okay, fine. You're right. But that doesn't mean I like it.

The blonde smiled. So now what? I passed the first test. She turned to face him and whimpered. Okay, can't you do something about this? Make a Motrin or something with the hand waving? He shook his head. And I thought you were useful.

Sorry Princess. You gotta deal with this.



Balinn grew serious. So why didn't you think of the stone?

*The stone? What...? Ohhhhh...* Balinn watched confusion play over her face. Ya know, I completely forgot about it.

The man smiled. Good. I didn't tell you everything. If you use it, you forfeit your chance of getting Spike back.

That would have been good to know. The blonde grumbled. So answer my question. What now?

Now we go back to the castle.

Buffy groaned. That's two days from here!

Balinn smiled and raised an eyebrow. Not now. He grabbed her hand with one of his and waved the other.

***

Buffy felt the strange sensation of flying. At first it was exhilarating, but with the injuries she had, it started to hurt. But just when she thought she would faint, the flying stopped. She looked around and almost did faint when she found herself outside the gate of the black stone castle.

You could have done that all along?! She punched Balinn in the arm.

He scowled. She may not be at full strength, but that Slayer still packed some pain. No, I couldn't have done it all along. I can only do it after you've passed each test, and only to bring you back here. With that said, ouch! He rubbed his arm.

Buffy sighed. Sorry. It's just been a long day. At least it isn't raining here. She looked up into the cloudless blue sky. I wonder what time it is? She wondered aloud.

About one.

She looked up at the castle. So now what do I do?

Go up to the front doors. You'll know.

Right. Here I go. Buffy squared her shoulders and ignored the aching pain in her muscles. She entered the gate, and walked resolutely up to the front doors. Looking them over, she tried the handle, but it wouldn't budge. She pushed. She shoved. But she couldn't open the door. She took out the key and tried to find a place to use it, but didn't see one.

She had exhausted all of her options. All but one. *Oh, whatever. Can't hurt.*

Feeling stupid, she knocked.

***

Spike was singing to himself. Loudly.

So I sat down for a while... yeeeah... Forcing a smile... In a state of self deniiiiiaaaal...

He barely noticed when the mist started to form above him.

William

Spike jumped in surprise.

Don't do that do a bloke! He yelled. He panted.

The Chosen One has completed
Completed
Her first task

It is time for you to join her

*Join? What do you mean?*

Join her

Spike felt a rush of wind and found himself staring at a surprised Buffy.

****

A/N - I know, I know. Took longer than I thought. Just haven't had the time to write this weekend, what with lots of work and all! Ill probably put the next chapter up tomorrow evening. Review please! Pretty please? Ill... make Spike take his shirt off if you do... yeah. :p