CHAPTER 53: ENTER A GOD
The blonde woman moved through the corridor with long, graceful steps. Power was practically radiating off of her. Her looks may at first glance be the one of an everyday, ordinary woman, one you might pass on the street without looking twice – but to anyone taking a closer look, it would be evident that it wasn't the case. She let the slightest wave of disgust wash over her face as she eyed the interior in the apartment building. Hardly suitable accommodations for a god, but it would have to do. Means to an end.
She casually swung the door to her apartment open and entered. Upon seeing the scene inside she stopped in her tracks, cocking her head. Someone – a short, cocky looking blonde that she already knew would cause trouble, was standing in the middle of the main room with the five Traklah demons – her minions, servants and sacrifices – surrounding her. She took a good look, mentally sizing her up.
While Glory herself was neatly dressed in the latest fashion that this measly small town held at her disposal, the threads that this angry looking little princess wore were… rougher. Dark colors, leather, boots – so obviously a fighter, she thought. Oh well, she would soon get to experience that just because she looked like some sort of lumberjack, it didn't mean that she was stronger one of the two. Though she most certainly thought so, judging by her cocky smile.
"Look what the lizards dragged in," she said slyly with a sardonic grin. The other blonde advanced at her, her green eyes darkening. Ooh, seemed she had stepped on someone's little tail.
"Stop." She simply put out a fist and let the smaller woman walk right into it – which she did, with a thud that should knock the air from her lungs. She stumbled backwards but stayed on her feet. "Chill blondie," she said, shaking her hand. "That almost hurt my hand. Well, okay, not really but, hello? Rude? Even if you were raised as one, it's about time to lose the street urchin 'tude, don't you think?"
"Your benevolence, mighty Glorificus," one of the Traklah demons acknowledged. She took no notice of it. Their pronunciation may have gotten better and their manners as well, but they were still just big, stupid street-trash – well, fiery hell-pits-trash, not worthy of as much as sweating in her shadow even if they crawled a thousand miles on broken glass just to get there. But, again. Means to an end. With the Key annoyingly missing this was her best shot at getting what she wanted.
"Glorificus?" the other blonde said, snorting. "Pfft. This is your almighty goddess? Please, she looks like a skankier version of me without the fashion sense and on a really bad hair day. How come SHE gets to have a leading role in this and I'm just a lackey and one of the ingredients? That caught Glory's attention.
"This… is Angelus?" she snorted. "I thought you were supposed to be intimidating, good looking – and male. Don't know exactly what you are, but it doesn't fit into any of the above listed categories." This time the Traklah's practically had to hold Buffy back.
"Whoo, feisty!" Glory said with a grin. "Geez, if you're so into the male thing I'm sure there are suitable clinics that could help you out with that." Suddenly she dropped the smile and sniffed the air.
"At least you're a vampire. I'll tell you what; you have ten seconds to tell me who you are and why you are substituting the real deal before I get a little more forceful. See, I've always had this thing where I wondered how many pieces you can cut your kind into before you, you know, bite the dust? I'll have to let the claw boys manhandle, well, creature-handle you to more suitable accommodations first of course, 'cause, getting your blood and ashes all over my furniture? Eeww."
Buffy stood tensed, angry, ready to fight and considering a snappy comeback but found herself at a severe disadvantage – if she tried to take on the five Traklah demons and this woman-god-demon-whatever Queen Skank, her unlife may very well be a lot more un- and a lot less life. She wasn't stupid, after all. She had enough fighting experience to recognize overwhelming odds. So even though every muscle in her body itched for lashing out and hearing bones go crunch, she forced herself to relax, deciding to play this one carefully.
"Okay, I'll play," she said at last as she shrugged of the hard claw like hands of the Traklah. "After all," wouldn't wanna bruise your goons here," she couldn't stop herself from adding with a sneer. "So I'll play the introduction game. I'm Buffy, former vampire slayer, sired by Angelus. He's not here because his soul has been restored, again…" she made a face. "But since my blood works just as well, I guess you'll have to have me around instead. Angel's off the menu. So to speak. He and his little cartoon like buddies are probably working to sabotage this ritual as we speak."
"Yeah, whatever," Glory said, already losing her interest in the irritating little blonde. "Did you say vampire slayer? Uhh, how unbelievable common!" Buffy shrugged. Not like she was sorry to be rid of the title.
"Okay, since we're such best pals now… I think you should go watch over the do-gooders – we don't want anyone interfering with the end of the world, do we? You can kill 'em if you want to, in fact, I'd be delighted if you did." Buffy's expression hardened. So poor little Tinkerbelle didn't like to be bossed around. Aww.
"You want me to run your little errands?" she practically spat, her dissatisfaction evident.
"I prefer to think of them as our little errands," Glory said with a fake smile, waving briefly in the general direction of the door. "Run along now, or I might get cranky." Buffy hesitated before she slowly moved out of the fancy set up apartment. It was obvious that she didn't trust Glory. She even shot suspicious glares over her shoulder all the way to the door.
"Magnificent," one of the Traklah demons spoke when Buffy was gone and safely out of hearing range. "You be sure this creature is to trust?"
"Of course not," Glory replied lightly without looking at the ugly thing. "Isn't that obvious? No, of course it isn't to your little feeble brains… Sorry, I should have remembered not to count on you when it comes to the thinking department… Did you collect her blood like I told you?"
"Yes, Magnificent."
"Good. That's all I need from the little vamp tramp. I don't want her around when the ritual is performed – do you understand me?"
"What do then, goddess?"
"We kill her." Glory let the corner of her mouth curl into a small smirk that slowly grew larger, crazier. "A lot."
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"Go alphabetize your hair products or something," Spike whined from his perch on the countertop. He gestured, mimicing Angel's back and forth path across the magic shop. "It's like a sodding vampire shooting gallery in here, and believe me, I don't need the temptation."
"No one's forcing you to be here, Spike. Give me something to hit, and I'll stop," Angel said, irritation clear in his voice. The gang had been researching for several hours, and the sun was already setting. Time wasn't exactly on their side. Angel's frustration grew larger by the minute.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist, tinsel toes," Spike said with a smirk. "Scooby gang here is highly skilled when it comes to discovering boring facts and details about…" he frowned, thinking for a second. "Well, can't actually think of anything they do that's not bloody boring. Sure you'll get to beat something to a pulp at the end of the day." Angel stopped pacing and gave Spike a look.
"What was that; your interpretation of a pep talk?" Spike shrugged.
"Call me the Encourager… On second thought, don't, cause then I'll have to kill you." Angel frowned and shook his head dismissively.
"Here it is!" Wesley exclaimed from his seat at the table. He made a gesture towards the book he was reading. Angel approached him.
"Finally. Does it say something about a location?" Wesley quickly eyed the text in front of him again.
"Ah, yes. The temple of Proserpexa was supposedly last seen on a hill called Kingman's Bluff…" he frowned. "While I admit that I never took the time to learn about every single location in Sunnydale while living here, I've never heard of a place with that name." He looked in the direction of Giles, Willow and Xander.
"Doesn't ring a bell," Xander said. Giles shook his head and Willow looked miserable. Fearing that they would have to waste time with looking up where Kingman's Bluff was located, Wesley looked at Angel.
"Angel? Do you have any idea where this hill is?" Angel looked at them with an expression even more somber than usual.
"Yeah, I do."
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"Knew there had to be a reason you were drawn to this joint in the first place," Spike commented. He, Angel and Faith were shuffling along the path that came from the mansion and led up to a hill, THE hill – Kingman's Bluff.
All carrying shovels, they were ready for some digging. Angel had also opted for bringing a fighting axe, just in case. In Sunnydale one never knew what sort of trouble might creep up on them. Literally. Should they encounter the Traklah's or anything else, he wanted to be prepared.
"If this hill is stuffed with the energy of an ancient ol' evil, it sounds right up your alley."
Angel couldn't protest. When he had first gone looking after at new place to set up in after the factory had been burnt down, he had wanted something big, stylish, old and outside the city – but Sunnydale had hundreds of miles of "outside the city". It wasn't at all far fetched that the buried energy of Proserpexa had driven him in this direction.
"A hill," Faith muttered, treading on briskly, glancing at the long ever rising path that stretched out before them. "Isn't this more of a mountain? What's the difference, anyway?"
"All 'bout the size, luv," Spike smirked.
"And here I thought size didn't matter," Faith grinned back mischievously
"No one believes that. 'Course it does. Just look at old Haggis here. Every time his forehead swells he gets a little dumber, if such a thing is even possible."
"Don't drag me into this. Let's just say you keep everything about me and my forehead out of your mouth from now on," Angel shot back, then pausing for a moment. "I'll think about rephrasing that."
"Bloody right you will," Spike sniffed and they kept walking in silence.
"Here we are," Angel said and pointed towards a shrubbery. "Right through there."
"What are we waiting for then?" Spike swung his shovel and stalked off through the bushes. Angel looked at Faith with a frown before they hurried after him.
Even if it was pitch dark, Angel spotted something further up the path. Not something as much as someone. He hurried after Spike and grabbed his coat to stop him from rushing into trouble without even knowing it.
"What the hell are you doing, you…"
"Shh! Keep quiet. Look." Angel pointed to the top of the hill where a woman was standing. She was neatly dressed and Angel could sense the smell of perfume even at the long distance. Not exactly the looks of someone that was supposedly there to grab a shovel and dig all the way down to Proserpexa's temple.
"A blonde. Is it B?" Faith squinted, straining to see, but her vision didn't begin to compare with a vampire's.
"No," Angel said. "Not Buffy."
"Human at least," Spike stated. Angel frowned and nodded briefly, unsure. Well, the woman did have a heartbeat, but something wasn't right. She didn't smell like an ordinary human.
"Hmmm," he answered simply.
"Maybe she's just here for the view," Faith suggested, half joking. "There's a great view over the city, right?"
"Yeah, right, maybe," Angel said, not really believing it. They watched in silence as the woman moved back and forth on a small spot on top of the hill.
"Bugger this, sittin' around playin' peekaboo. We don't have time for this," Spike said with something that could perhaps be interpreted as concern in his voice. Angel gave him a look.
"You're aware that we could be facing the end of the world if we can't stop this ritual, right?" Spike glared at him.
"Yeah, Chairman of the Repressing. I never wanted to end the world, that's your bloody tune, remember? Meself – I like it here."
"Guys," Faith interrupted. "Look."
The three watched in silence as the ordinary looking woman moved with lightning speed on one particular spot on the hill. They saw less and less of her as a hole quickly formed and dirt piled up around it.
"Bloody hell," Spike said simply. "Must be using magic of some kind," he continued. "I say we break up this party right bloody quick before she nicks the trinket and gets cracking." Faith looked oddly at him and turned to Angel.
"Did you get that?"
"As frightening as that may sound – yes. But he's right. We need to do something. Now."
They moved quickly and soundlessly close to the hole. They were only 20 feet away or so when the woman leapt out of the hole, holding an amulet. She looked at them carefully, but she wasn't afraid at all. Her heartbeat was steady and unaffected. She smoothed down her rumpled dress and brushed some dirt off her leg, completely unfazed.
"Okay luv," Spike said, waving his shovel in what he hoped was a menacing gesture. "Why don't you just drop the little knick-knack and step away from it slowly. Or else someone might get hurt."
The woman pulled her smooth features into a frown as she put the amulet around her neck.
"What the hell is that, and why is its hair that color?" she said, staring at Spike.
"That, we all wonder," Angel smirked. Now, that was an opening like that he couldn't resist despite the earnest situation.
"Hand over the trinket," Spike hissed at the blonde woman, channeling his anger towards Angel against her instead. She simply laughed. Spike roared and attacked her with all his might. She didn't even bother to move before he was almost ready to strike. Only then she raised an arm, grabbed Spike's shovel and swiftly hit him with it. He flew several yards before landing hard on the ground, dazed and rendered harmless for a moment. The woman threw the shovel to the ground and brushed off her palms.
"Come on, now!" Angel hissed at Faith. They both lunged at the same time. The woman grabbed Faith by the arms and whirled her around as a rag doll. At the same time she jumped and kicked Angel hard in the chest, sending him flying backwards. Faith fought roughly to get loose. She managed to wriggle one of her arms free and she used it to punch the woman squarely in the jaw. She looked at Faith in dismay and anger.
"What are you doing?! You HIT me, you can't just go around hitting people!" The woman tightened her grip around Faith's left arm, she squeezed hard and twisted. Faith screamed as the bone snapped audibly.
"Angel!" Faith cried out. The woman stopped and grinned in recognition as she plainly shoved Faith away. She fell to the ground, cradling her broken arm to her chest.
"So YOU'RE Angelus. Yeah, that's more like it." She shrugged. "Oh well." Angel frowned. He didn't know her, but apparently she knew who he was. No matter how or why she knew him, it couldn't be good. She had retrieved the amulet of Proserpexa and wasn't about to give it up, that made her an enemy for sure. An enemy that was… too strong for comfort.
Angel got up and grabbed his axe, leaving the shovel behind as it wouldn't do much good here. He rushed up to the woman and was able to stay close to her by avoiding her stone hard punches and kicks. He ducked several of her strikes and grinned scornfully when she started to throw unbalanced, frustrated moves at him. Spike ran up to her from another angle. When she had her concentration fixed on him, Angel resolutely buried the axe in her neck with tremendous force.
If she had been human, even a strong demon for that matter, her head would easily have separated from her body. As it was, she gave a cry, pulled the axe out of the side of her neck and threw it back at Angel.
Not even his vampire speed was enough to move him completely out of the way. Barely avoiding decapitation himself it hit him in the shoulder, the force behind the blow throwing him back and slamming him to the ground. The heavy axe left a deep gash that benumbed his arm and soaked his dark shirt and the ground beneath him with blood in just seconds. A human would have died from the blood loss within minutes.
Spike whirled away from the woman when she tried to send him to the ground.
"Yeah, I get it. You're a bloody super being," he said. "Guess what, have a speck of super powers meself."
"Oh yeah? Then you're hiding it well because all I smell is a vampire – a cheap overgrown leech. Your kind can't even be brain sucked. So… not impressed." Before Spike had a chance to defend himself, she attacked him with a series of furious kicks and blows. The last punch almost knocked him unconscious, and he decided to… take a step back. It came out more as a headlong fall back.
Angel helped Faith to her feet. They were all wounded and still they hadn't managed to do any lasting damage to their devilishly strong opponent. The wound that Angel's axe left on her neck had healed completely in just seconds. It was almost like she was a god.
Just as he processed that thought, the obvious truth hit Angel. Of course. Idiot. Stupid, stupid idiot. For one reason or the other, the hellgod had returned. Glorificus. It was the only reasonable explanation. No one else with a human beating heart should be able to take out two strong and experienced vampires and a skilled Slayer without even breaking a sweat, or a stiletto heal for that matter.
"Spike, come on!" Angel shouted. Spike was on his feet again but staggering and obviously in severe pain, which slowed him down enough for Glorificus to grab him again when he tried to flee. Angel and Faith could only watch as she lifted him up and walked close to the edge of the mountain.
"You know what I always wondered?" Glorificus said with a maniacal giggle. "What happens to a crushed vampire? Do they dust or just break every bone in their bodies? 'Cause that's gotta hurt. You know what? Think I'm gonna try it!" Spike wriggled and tried to get free, but Glorificus iron hard grip effectively smothered his attempts. She easily flung Spike off the cliff and turned smirking to Angel and Faith.
"You okay?" Angel asked Faith. She nodded briefly. "Then come on!"
The blonde goddess yelled at their fleeing frames.
"This was fun, we'll have to do it again some time!" Glory looked on with a grin as they disappeared down the hill. That Angel type had been pretty strong for a lesser being but still, he was just a vampire. A vampire that would be dead very soon.
