Part Four

The Groosalug got back to his feet - and charged at The Beast, screaming defiance, his sword raised. But - before his blade could even make contact - The Beast had plucked it from his hand, thrown it to one side and then picked up the Groosalug. It hurled the undefeated champion through the window. The glass smashed and the wooden window frame splintered, as the Groosalug barrelled through it. He was thrown with such force that he was flung across the width of the walkway and over the railing. He crashed to the ground - and the asphalt split beneath him.

Kali had scrambled to her feet. She had rolled across the bed - so it stood between her and The Beast - and, as it was busy hurling the Groosalug out of the window, she made a mad dash for the door. But it was too quick for her. It smacked her down with a massive paw, backhanding her through the door. She stumbled and fell out onto the walkway - and tumbled down the external staircase.

Bleeding and breathless, she struggled to get to her feet again - her palms and knees were grazed; there was a cut above her right eye that was trickling blood, blurring her vision, and her breath came out in ragged terrified, gasps. With many a backwards glance back up the stairs, she began to stagger away … but The Beast was not following her.

Still looking over her shoulder, she collided with something soft and warm. She looked round - Doyle was stood right in front of her. The rest of the team, weapons in hand were behind him. He wrapped his arms around her, 'Kali … what?'

'It's… it's up there…' she gasped, sinking into Doyle's arms, her voice catching on her small sobs of relief, as she realised her protector had come to save her once again. 'The Groosalug tried to fight it…' she told the team, 'but it's too strong. I ran … it hit me. It's still up there.'

'What does it want?' Cordelia asked, looking from Kali round at the others. 'Why did it come here … if it only hurt Kali?' She didn't get it. They'd been working on the premise that Kali was in cahoots with The Beast - that she had killed Manny … but now The Beast had turned up and attacked the demon woman. It seemed less likely they were partners in crime.

'I don't know,' Kali gasped, still clinging to Doyle, 'it's not following me, now - it just … it just came to my room. It's still up there.'

A look of realisation dawned on Wesley's face. 'Maybe it needs to do the ritual…'

'In the place where Kali lives,' Gunn finished off. Wesley wasn't the only one who could figure things out.

Angel nodded, 'maybe - that's not important right now. We just need to stop this thing - every one gear up. Wes,' he turned to the watcher, 'you got everything you need?'

'Ready,' Wesley nodded.

'Right - Gwen - you go for the orb, the wings - whatever you can get your hands on. Can't let him finish that spell. Gunn, Cordy - we're gonna keep The Beast busy long enough for Fred and Wesley to work their portal mojo. But distraction only, Cordy, you hear? He's big and strong - but you're quick; keep moving, don't let him land a blow. Doyle,' the vampire turned last of all to the Irishman, 'you stay here with Kali,' he looked at the shaken demon woman, 'take care of her - and if The Beast gets past us - comes back for her…'

'He won't,' Doyle assured him. 'If Groo wakes up, I'll send him up to you,' he nodded over at where the undefeated champion still lay on the asphalt. Angel nodded - and the team made their way up the staircase - leaving Kali and Doyle down in the motel forecourt.

Inside Kali's room, amidst the destruction he had already wrought, The Beast held the assembled artefact in front of him. The wings had been attached to the base of the orb, as the illustration in Lorne's book had depicted, and the three component parts now made one whole. The Beast blew out black smoke directly into the orb, which turned a smoky black inside, and then set it down into a circle he had drawn out on the floor. Then he knelt down, by the circle, and held out a bloody heart - letting the blood drip down on to the orb. He began to chant: 'Ket sahv Ma'at. Ket sahv Mesektet. Ket sahv Ma'at. Ket sahv Mesektet. Ket sahv Ma'at. Ket sahv Mesektet.'

Angel burst through the doorway, the others just behind them. They came to a halt when they saw the kneeling Beast performing the ritual. 'He's already started,' Fred said. Glancing at Wesley, she pulled a book out of her bag and began to flip through it, quickly, looking for the right page.

Down on the forecourt, Kali and Doyle leaned on the hood of a car and stared upward - nervously. 'What do you think's happening?' she asked him. He shook his head. 'Well, do you really think they can stop it?' she asked again - tearing her eyes away from the higher storey and instead turning to look at him. But Doyle kept his own eyes glued on the doorway to Kali's room and didn't answer her.

Besides them, the Groosalug groaned and began to stir.

Wesley and Fred both held books now, and stood in the doorway, side by side - chanting. Angel launched himself at The Beast - blade at the ready, but The Beast - having finished it's incantation - was back on its feet and easily overpowered him; throwing him right into the wall that the Groosalug had crashed against earlier.

Cordelia winced, as he landed with a thump, 'Gunn - cover me,' she yelled - and Gunn ran at The Beast, his own axe ready, whilst Cordy rolled across the bed and got behind the demon. 'Close in,' she yelled at Gunn - and the pair of them attacked from both sides. But it was not enough - and The Beast used one powerful blow to take out first Gunn - and then Cordy, with the backswing.

Whilst The Beast was distracted by Angel and the others, Gwen began to sneak across the floor, headed for the orb. She reached it and grasped at it but - before she could melt the metal, The Beast spotted her and threw the ratty motel armchair right at her. She was knocked to the floor - and the artefact fell from her hand, smashing into its three separate parts.

'The orb,' Angel cried, from down on the floor, 'don't let it…' but he was too late. The orb had rolled away from Gwen's reach and landed right at the feet of The Beast. The massive demon smirked down at Angel, who watched on helplessly.

'Noble Majesty,' The Groosalug had finally got back to his feet and spotted Doyle standing nearby. He bowed his head to Kali, 'I am sorry I did not protect you better, My Lady. I am no longer fit to be called The Groosalug - the brave and undefeated.'

Kali stared at him, 'get up there!' she said to him, 'The Beast is still up there, Angel's fighting him - he needs your backup. Go!'

With a nod, The Groosalug gripped his sword once more and - ignoring all the aches and pains and injuries his last run in with The Beast had caused him - ran back up the stairs. 'Will that help?' Kali asked Doyle, 'now Angel has the Groosalug, as well, d'y' think it'll help?' But Doyle still said nothing. He seemed to be holding his breath - and keeping his eyes fixed firmly on the doorway above.

The Beast was back in the circle he had drawn for the ritual and was chanting once again. ' ...Ahmun Semkhet. Vesh Ra'at Manjet.'

'Angel,' Wesley's voice had a note of warning in it - and the vampire heeded it. He nodded. 'Yeah. I got it. Everybody get ready.' The team all began to back away from the circle containing The Beast, as the air in front of it started to shimmer and distort.

'It feels like … maybe I'm passing out,' Kali said, staring upward at the sky. Doyle tore his eyes away from the door - away from where the team were risking death to face The Beast - and turned to look at her. 'What's that?' he asked, sounding confused.

Kali's eyes remained locked skyward. 'Everything seems like it's getting dimmer,' she told him, 'like I'm about to pass out.' Doyle followed her gaze and also stared up at the sky. 'It's not just you, darlin',' he told her, 'I see it too.' The pair of them sat huddled together on the hood of the car, their arms wrapped around each other - as they stared up at the darkening sky. The disc of the sun was beginning to fade behind enveloping blackness - and they shuddered in the sudden cold.

The Beast was continuing to chant. The portal shimmered in front of him. 'Ket Mesektet,' he intoned. 'It's now or never,' Angel called - and he Gunn, Groo, Gwen and Cordy all launched themselves towards The Beast at once, weapons raised - cornering him, leaving him with nowhere to go … but the portal.

As it was forced inside the dimensional gateway, it closed behind him - swallowing him whole. The four of them came to a halt - staring at the spot where the massive demon had stood just a moment before, and then turned to look back at the two people chanting. 'We did it, didn't we?' Gwen's voice shook - but she sounded triumphant.

Down in the forecourt, Doyle and Kali continued to stare upwards as more and more of the sun disappeared into the blackness. 'The ritual,' Doyle said, softly, 'it must have worked - the Ra -tet …'

'They didn't stop it,' Kali said.

Doyle continued to stare upward. 'No.'

The gang looked around the room - at the place where the Beast had stood - and then out of the broken window. 'Uhm… why is it still getting darker?' Fred asked.

'I told you once' a voice said. It was deep, like it came from the very core of the earth itself. They all turned to look - The Beast stood in the doorway. 'You need not be my enemy,' it said - as it began to walk further into the room. The team tried to back away - though there was little space to go. The Beast stared straight at Angel. 'Angelus,' it said.

Cordelia inhaled. 'The answer is among you,' she whispered to herself. The Beast stood in front of them - staring them down - and then raised the orb to its mouth, swallowing it whole. It looked at Angel, one final time, 'we'll meet again soon,' it said - and them leapt from the window.

They ran over - just in time to watch it disappear upward into the blackness. 'My God, the sun,' Wesley said, as he looked out. He sounded sick. 'It's gone. Completely obliterated.'

...

Defeated, they left the smashed up motel room and headed back outside. 'I can't believe we lost the sun,' Fred said.

'Did it … did it know me?' Angel asked, as he walked down the steps. The tip of his broadsword was dragging along the floor behind him. 'It was… it was talking to me, right? Why? Or does he just know me from before. All those times it's … kicked my ass,' He looked at the others. Cordelia ducked her head down and said nothing.

'We'll figure it out back at the hotel,' Wesley said, 'whatever the connection - The Beast has plans for you. It said you would meet again. We need to work this. Maybe Lorne can read you.'

'How can it know me?' Angel worried. They came up to where Doyle and Kali were waiting for them. 'We're headed back to the hotel,' Wesley told them, 'we need to regroup - decide what to do next. Research…'

Doyle glanced down at where Kali was still huddled in his embrace, leaning against his chest. 'We'll catch up with y' later, yeah?' he said, 'I'll take Kali back to mine - get her patched up.'

'We need to work this,' Angel disagreed.

'She's terrified - and exhausted. I'll bring her back in a while, just … let her get some rest?' He held eye contact with Angel and - after a moment - the vampire nodded. It wasn't worth the fight. 'Don't be too long, though,' he warned, 'maybe Kali should sing for Lorne again. We're drawing a blank so far.'

Cordelia shot the vampire a swift look, her eyes narrowed, but then looked away just as quickly - and said nothing. Doyle nodded at Angel and then swept Kali up into his arms, like she was his new bride, 'come on, Princess,' he said to her- his voice gentle, 'let's get you back inside. Groo -' his voice lost the gentle edge as he spoke to the undefeated champion, 'go with the others for now - I can take care o' her.'

'As Your Majesty wishes,' the Groosalug bowed. The team headed back to their car - and Doyle carried Kali up the stairs, back to his own room. Cordelia's eyes followed them the whole way back but, again, she didn't say anything. In the darkness, Angel switched on the engine, turned on his headlights and drove the crew back to the Hyperion.

Once they were back inside his room, Doyle placed Kali down on his bed, gently - and then went into the bathroom to get the first aid kit that was stored there. 'OK, love,' he said to her - his voice still soft, 'let's get you fixed up.'

They both sat on the edge of the bed, as he gently dabbed away at the cut above her eye. She was shaking. Once he had stopped the bleeding he took her hands in his own and looked at her palms. 'These could do with a bit of a tidy up,' he smiled at her - a soft, warm smile. He took out an antiseptic wipe and began to clean her hands. She winced as the disinfectant stung. 'Hey - hey,' his voice was still gentle, 'it's OK, yeah? It's all gonna be OK.'

She still said nothing. She still trembled like a leaf. He tidied away the kit and then poured her a tumbler of scotch. 'Here, try this - it'll calm y' nerves.' She tossed it back and shuddered at the strong, bitter taste. He poured her another. She drank this one more slowly, sipping it.

As she sat on the edge of the bed, drink in hand; still shaking, Doyle reached out and began to caress her face. He stroked her cheekbone with his fingertips and gently brushed her lips with his thumb. 'Look at me, Kali,' he said, trying to peer into her eyes. She didn't meet his gaze and he tipped her head slightly, still gentle - so they were looking at each other. 'Listen. I know you're afraid. I know things seem bad right now. But it's all gonna be OK. Do you believe me?'

She breathed in sharply.

'Do you believe me?' he asked again.

'I want to go home,' her voice was barely above a whisper. Doyle sighed, 'y' can't - not yet… but soon, everything will be better.'

'I'm afraid,' she told him.

He stared into her eyes for a long moment - and then took the drink from her hand, placing it on the bedside table. Then he brought his own hand back up to caress her face once more. They stared at each other - hearts beating in tandem - and then Doyle leaned forward, closing the distance between them. His lips brushed against hers' in a soft, breathless kiss. She whimpered quietly - and he kissed her harder, more intensely. He brought his other arm around and pulled her close to him - deepening their kiss even further.

'I'm just so afraid,' she murmured, as they broke apart, 'all the time.'

'It's OK,' he kissed her neck, behind her ear, and down towards her collarbone 'it's all gonna be OK.' He pushed her down - so she was lying on the bed. She lay back without complaint and wrapped her arms around him as he climbed on top of her - still kissing every inch of her bare skin that he could reach. 'I'm gonna make all that fear go away,' he breathed, before pushing his lips against hers' once more - and beginning to unbutton her blouse. 'Trust me...'

A/N next episode is 'Awakening'.