Inner Light

by Tabard

When two immortals come to Sunnydale Buffy and the rest of the Scooby Gang find themselves caught up in a centuries old struggle where the final objective is not death, but life. The first in the King Trilogy.

9. The Last Alignment

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER

INNER LIGHT

Part Eight

The Last Alignment

Marcus waded hurriedly through the sewer water clutching the prone body of Buffy in his hands. He might not be able to feel things in the same way as a person but it didn't take a genius to see she was dying. Her face was pale and her breathing shallow and raspy. Her hair was matted with blood from the wound on her throat and she was moaning deliriously.

In his life Marcus had seen way too many people die but up until now he had never really cared about any one of them. He had not liked seeing it happen but at the same time he had never felt any true regret at seeing it either. He had thought it was just part of what he was. Detachment had always come naturally to him. When you lived among humans but couldn't feel the things they took for granted you tended to become a little introverted. For once though he did care. He didn't want to see Buffy die. It would be too painful. He looked down at her again. If it was possible she looked even paler than before.

"Hold on Buffy." He muttered as he struggled onward. Each time he looked at her Buffy only grew more and more beautiful to him. Another first. He had never met a woman he would call beautiful before. He just hoped she wasn't the last he would meet. Up ahead the flickering glow of torchlight lit up the tunnels. No sign of vampires. That was good. When he had first arrived in Sunnydale he had spent weeks finding and memorising the layout to the tunnels. He knew the quickest ways to the temple from just about anywhere in Sunnydale. It was a knowledge he was extremely proud of and one he was now glad he'd earned. Slowly he stepped up the rubble trying desperately to keep his balance.

"Giles!" he yelled into the temple, "Willow! Xander!"

"What?" he heard Giles yell, "What is it."

"It's Buffy!" he shouted back "She's hurt!" The bespectacled British Librarian appeared at the entrance.

"Buffy!" he whispered.

*****

King glanced back at his followers and smiled inwardly. This brought back memories of better times. Memories of when he hadn't been infected by some cursed poison, memories of when he ruled over more than just a ragtag band of sorry excuses for vampires. Such a life he had lead then poof, he was suddenly something so much less, something as weak and pathetic as those that followed him. But now after three centuries his torment was coming to an end. By the end of the night he would be what he once had been. Strong and powerful. Maybe he would begin a new kingdom. Return vampires to what they once had been, Lords of the underworld rather than its victims. He turned a corner and smiled at the sight of the flickering torchlight. It was so near he couldn't believe it. A long empty tunnel and he would be there. A long empty tunnel.

"There it is master!" whooped one of his servants rushing forward toward the light. As the young vampire hurtled forward King held up his hand to stop the others.

"Wait." He said. As the vampire ran smoke began to rise from around his legs. Suddenly he tripped stumbling face down into the water. His screams echoed round the tunnels long after his body had turned to dust.

"Clever." He hissed.

"They consecrated the water." Said one of the other vampires behind him. "Now what do we do?"

"I would have thought that was blindingly obvious." King snarled. "We're going to get to that temple and kill everyone inside."

*****

Marcus peered out of the entrance of the temple to catch sight of a third vampire burning up in the consecrated water. Buffy's idea had worked well. The water was slowing them down but it was only a matter of time before the creatures reached the temple and when they did all hell would break loose. There was no way he could defend the ancient place from so many of them without the aid of Buffy but unfortunately she wasn't in any state to fight right now. In fact things weren't looking too good for the Slayer at all. Another vampire's legs gave out beneath it and it collapsed screaming into the water. For the first time in his long existence Marcus actually felt nervous. The stars were still not in position and they were in serious danger of being overrun. When that happened King would have the temple and a terrible vampire would be restored to full strength. To say things weren't looking good was something of an understatement. Finally a vampire reached the rubble at the foot of the entrance and scrambled free of burning water, its legs blistered and burned so badly the creature must have been in agony.

"Get Ready!" He yelled down into the chamber. "Here they come!" Behind him he could hear Xander muttering to himself as he wrenched a hefty tree branch from the wall to use as a makeshift club and swung it a few times as a test. The vampire on the slope gave an animal snarl of anger and hurled itself up the slope at him. Marcus swung his fist out in a perfectly executed uppercut that caught the vampire under its chin sending it tumbling back down the slope into the water where it disintegrated. Within moments two more had taken its place. Reacting on instinct he lashed out his foot catching one in the gut, knocking it back slightly while its friend moved closer to him. As he whirled to face the second vamp the first recovered quicker than he had expected and launched itself at him. The vamp barrelled into him with such force that both Marcus and his assailant were sent tumbling down the rubble slope into the ancient chamber. With the entrance open the remaining few vampires spilled through into the room and soon Buffy's friends were fighting for their lives. Marcus was impressed at just how well they handled themselves, particularly Buffy's former Watcher Giles. But still none of them were any match for their attackers. As he staked one vampire he reached into his pocket with his free hand, uncorked a vial of holy water and hurled it into the face of another. The creature threw its hands up to cover its face and howled in agony. Marcus took his chance and planted a boot squarely in its stomach that sent the vampire staggering backward to impale itself on a sharp tree root jutting from the wall. Across the room the young girl called Willow was having difficulty defending Buffy's body from an attacking vampire. Quickly he darted across the room and plunged a stake through the unsuspecting monsters back. At a nearby pillar the Watcher had managed to stake a vamp of his own and was looking thoroughly exhausted from the exercise while close to the entrance Xander was busy laying into the remaining vampire with his makeshift club.

"Hey Xander, think fast!" yelled Marcus throwing him a spare stake. Xander reached up and successfully caught the object one handed, pivoting on his right foot as he did so to stake his attacker. They'd won. They'd defended the temple from the vampires and now all Marcus had to do was wait for the alignment and he would finally be rid of this existence and free to explore the myriad possibilities presented to him by its alternative. He glanced down at his watch. Ten seconds to go. He could just picture the night sky above ground right now. Slowly but surely the stars would be shifting into their final positions, one last alignment forming around the previous two in a beautifully synchronised ballet whose performers were millions of miles apart. The first beam ripped down through the holes in the hole in the ground to meet one of the mirrors before bouncing off it to shine upon the dais in the centre of the room. A moment later another beam of light lanced down through the hole in the ceiling to its respective pillar followed shortly by another and another. In less than ten seconds all six pillars were reflecting light down onto the dais, which began to give off an unearthly glow. Tendrils of energy shot down grooves carefully positioned at each corner of the hexagonal dais to lead back to a pillar. As the light met the pillars again, the symbols carved into each began to glow with that same unearthly light.

"Its beautiful!" gasped Giles.

"Isn't it just." Smiled Marcus delightedly. Eight hundred years he had waited for this moment. Eight hundred years he had been tormented by the pleasures that those surrounding him took for granted and that he would never achieve. Now he would though. Now he would live as those around him lived and nothing would stop him.

"Uh Giles!" shouted Willow from where she was kneeling on the floor. "I think you'd better get over here."

"What's wrong Willow?" Said the former Watcher, concern spreading across his face.

"It's Buffy!" she cried. "She's dying!"

*****

King stood at the edge of the consecrated water listening intently to the sounds from inside the temple. The last of his vampire servants had disappeared inside a few minutes ago and about half a minute ago everything had gone quiet. He was beginning to get a sinking feeling down in the pit of his stomach. Those pathetic wretches had gone and lost hadn't they. There was a sudden flash of light from the temple entrance that lit up the tunnel like a fireworks celebration. The time had come and no more could be wasted. With a roar of pure rage and frustration his face contorted to that of a vampires feeding frenzy. With a deep breath he stepped down into the water and began to move through it unharmed.

*****

Marcus knelt over Buffy's body and felt despair mounting inside him. Life, he had officially decided, was a bitch. Eight centuries of waiting only to develop what could be called a crush on a young girl who then transpired to get herself into trouble that she could only be saved from by the same thing that could only save him. He let out a long groan and ran a hand through his hair before glancing despairingly at the light.

"Can it heal her?" asked Giles quietly.

"Yes." Marcus nodded.

"Then we've got to use it." Said Willow, her face steady as a rock.

"But Willow…" Marcus protested.

"No buts, ifs or what abouts," said the young witch staring directly at him. "If she doesn't get on that dais then she dies. What happens to you?"

"You wouldn't understand." He said exasperatedly. "You can't understand."

"Try me." Said Willow defiantly.

"Uh you guys," said Xander from the entrance where he was staring out into the tunnel, a look of panic beginning to spread across his face. "We did consecrate the water right?"

"Yes." Said Giles. "Why?"

"Well its just that there's one vampire out here who doesn't seem bothered by it." Both Marcus and Giles scrambled up the slope to join him and catch a glimpse of what was going on out in the tunnel.

"King!" muttered Marcus at the sight of the vampire striding purposefully towards them.

"He looks pissed!" said Xander obviously noticing the snarling face King was wearing. "And why isn't the water hurting him?"

"Kings origins do predate all symbols of religious significance to Christianity." Said Giles, staring dumbfounded at the sight before him. It stands to reason that having witnessed their origins first hand he won't fear them and therefore won't be hurt by them."

"Could you two save the history lesson!" yelled Willow. "We need to figure out what we're going to do here." Marcus stared at Buffy's prone body and gave a long sad sigh. Eight centuries of waiting all for nothing. Slowly he made his way over to where the Slayer lay and scooped her up in his arms. She groaned slightly as he did so.

"We're going to do what we set out to do." He said carrying her toward the dais. When he reached the glowing stone hexagon he gently laid Buffy down on top of it. She groaned again as her head met the cold stone.

"We're going to use it." He whispered and stepped back away from the dais. Slowly unseen forces lifted her into a standing position, her limbs hanging limply at her sides. Suddenly the light from each symbol on the pillars flared brighter as small particles of light began to form around Buffy. With each passing second more and more particles appeared floating peacefully in the air around her. The particles began to pack more densely together as they were slowly dragged down into Buffy's chest forming a large glowing orb. Marcus and the others watched fascinated by the spectacle unfolding before them as the orb began to grow brighter and brighter until it was so glaringly bright it hurt to look directly at it. For a brief moment nothing happened then suddenly the orb of light burst like a balloon and a huge beam shot upwards from the dais with Buffy at its centre being lifted by the energies surrounding her.

"No!" came a low guttural snarl from the entrance to the temple. Marcus whipped around so fast it was as if he had simply materialised facing the opposite direction. King was stood there staring straight past them at the beam of light. Slowly his eyes left the beam and fell upon Marcus.

"You!" he hissed. "You did this didn't you." Marcus stared back defiantly at him.

"You son of a bitch!" King roared and hurled himself down on top of the stunned Reaver. At first Marcus was shocked but he quickly recovered. As the enraged vampire slammed into him he rolled with the force of the blow. Dropping down onto his back he braced his feet against Kings chest and used them as leverage to send his opponent sailing overhead. As King flew across the chamber, Marcus backward rolled up onto one knee twisting as he did so and at the same time pulling a stake loose. In the same flowing motion he brought his arm back and threw the wooden spike across the chamber. King landed perfectly on his feet but there was no way that he could avoid that stake now. Marcus smiled. He never thought it would be so easy to dispatch this one. His smile disappeared as King shifted his position so quickly he was little more than a blur. He even had to blink to make sure he wasn't seeing things. When he opened his eyes again King was stood slightly differently. He was leaning slightly to the right his left arm lifted creating an arch so that where his heart would have been a mere moment earlier there was now only thin air. His right arm was bent round and holding the rear end of the stake in the gap beneath his raised left.

"Nice throw." He said as he straightened. "But then it would have to be coming from you wouldn't it. After all, you don't have the nerves to interfere. No cramps, no unexpected twitches, just perfect practised motion." He held out his left hand in front of him. It began to tremble.

"Do you know what it's like Reaver," he spat, "to have your muscles go into spasm? To have your whole body shaking so violently you think your eyes are going to fall out? To be so wracked with pain you can barely find the breath to scream? I do." He snatched the quivering arm back to his side and raised the other, which held the stake.

"And it's all thanks to you." His arm snapped forward sending the stake sailing straight back at Marcus. The wooden object plunged perfectly into his heart. The pain was incredible. He'd never felt so vibrant and alive as in that moment. It burned intensely as his dulled nerves cried out in agony. A look of surprise spread across his face as he tumbled back to the ground. Through his blurring vision Marcus watched as King began to stride purposefully toward him. Suddenly Xander had leapt onto his back and was pounding ineffectually at him. King merely backhanded the young man sending him sprawling on the tiles. Giles tried as well, dashing forward with a stake in his hand. Kings arm flashed out gripping the librarian by the face then pushing him away so hard he that he was sent flying into the chamber wall. Then the vampire was standing over him.

"Do you want to scream yet?" hissed King. He paused for a moment. "No?" a dark smile spread across his face.

"Then let's make you." He raised his foot slowly into the air and pressed it down hard on the back of the stake, pushing it deeper into his chest. Marcus screamed.

*****

The light around her was so intense Buffy felt overwhelmed by it. It assaulted her every sense, coursing through her body, making her blood boil as it burned her injuries away. Her back arched as a fresh surge of energy swept through her and she gasped when another quickly followed it. Then suddenly the light was gone and she was falling. She hit the dais almost immediately and lay still for a moment breathing heavily. The last few things she could remember were hazy and indistinct. She closed her eyes and concentrated hard. She'd been in Giles' house. Why had she been there? Fighting! She'd been fighting. With who? She'd been fighting with King. She'd been fighting King and he had… Gingerly she reached up and touched her neck where he had bitten her. There was nothing. Not even a scar. Just smooth skin under her fingers. A loud scream of pure agony echoed loudly around her. Her eyes flashed open and she leapt to her feet feeling a strange sense of vitality in her. It was like she'd just woken up from a really long refreshing sleep. The moment she was on her feet she took stock of the situation. Willow was helping Xander, who was nursing a bloody nose, to his feet while Giles lay unconscious against one of the temple walls. Nearby King had Marcus on the floor and appeared to be standing on his chest with one foot. It reminded her of one of those pictures where the brave explorer stands heroically with his nations flag freshly planted at his side. Only trouble was King was no hero. The vampire pressed hard with his foot and Marcus screamed again.

"Xander!" Buffy whispered. He turned to look at her, his eyes widening when he caught sight of her.

"Muffy!" he mumbled stunned still clutching at his streaming nose. "Mou're malive!"

"You noticed that huh." She said sarcastically. "Now listen, take Giles and get out of here now."

"But what about you?" protested Willow.

"I'll be fine but you guys need to leave. Xander, remember our little plan." Still clutching his bleeding nose, Xander nodded.

"Good." Said Buffy. "When I shout, you trigger them, okay?" Xander frowned slightly then sighed and nodded again.

"Okay, we're clear. Now get Giles and go!" she snapped. As Willow and Xander struggled with the weight of their librarian friend Buffy strode right up behind King who was still grinding his foot against Marcus and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Excuse me." She smiled as he turned around. "Could you tell me the way to getting your butt kicked." Her fist lashed out, catching the surprised vampire squarely across the cheek. As he tumbled sideways away from Marcus she followed up as quickly as she could. Her punches came thick and fast, pounding him so that he never had chance to block or defend against her. Slowly but surely she forced him across the chamber, her fists flying madly, until he was backed up against the wall where she continued to lay into him.

"Oh c'mon King," she taunted as she delivered a powerful blow to his head. "I thought you were meant to be good," she laughed. "I even heard you were better than me!" Suddenly her left arm was caught in his vice like grip. She'd never even seen him move!

"I've got news for you Slayer." He growled as he caught her other arm and yanked them up to head height, twisting them viciously as he did so.

"I am." His head flew forwards and their skulls collided with a resounding crack. Buffy stumbled backwards, stunned by the force of the head butt. King didn't waste time as he moved forward, his first blow as fast as lightning and caught her in the stomach. As she doubled over he brought his knee up catching her in the forehead. Buffy's world span as her head snapped back from the force of the impact and she could swear there were now three of him stood before her. A foot shot out catching her squarely in the chest and sent her flying backwards across the room. By an amazing stroke of luck rather than skill she managed to land on her feet but he was already right behind her. He moved so fast it was unreal. Every move she tried to make was always too late and he was usually on her blindside before the blow could even connect. Futilely she tried to block a punch to the head, which was easily knocked aside before he planted an elbow in her ribs that knocked the breath out of her. As she collapsed to all fours gasping for breath he crouched down beside her.

"You know it's funny." He said. "All my life I've tried avoiding you Slayers. I convinced myself it was in the best interests of my own survival to steer clear of you. And now that essentially my life is over, I find that there really was never anything to be worried about. You Slayer, are just like the rest of your miserable race. Sheep. That is all that you are. Or can you prove me wrong?" He stood up and stepped back from her. He held his arms firmly at his side and lifted his chin proudly.

"A free shot Slayer." He said. "I hope you're good enough to kill me in one because that is all you're getting." Coughing violently Buffy clambered to her feet. One shot. She just hoped it was strong enough to take his head off. Unlikely but that was neither here nor there. Summoning all her strength she threw it into a roundhouse. The kick was perfect catching King squarely in the side of the head with such force a normal vampire would have had his neck snapped. King barely even flinched. He began to laugh. It wasn't a nice sound.

"Is that it!" he said sounding astonished. He leapt into his own roundhouse that knocked Buffy back to the ground. She scrambled back onto her hands and knees, desperately trying to think of something to do. Then she saw the glint of metal and grinned.

"Is that really the best you're capable of?" he laughed even harder.

"No." snarled Buffy as she wrenched the old drainage pipe free from the crack in the wall. "This is!" In one smooth motion she stood and turned swinging the pipe out in a wide uppercut as she went. The pipe thudded dully against his chin sending him flying backwards into one of the pillars. His head slammed against it and he slid to the floor, out for the count. Buffy didn't waste any more time. She sprinted across the chamber to where Marcus lay with a stake jutting from his heart. Amazingly he was still alive. Perhaps even more amazingly he was still conscious.

"C'mon Marcus," she said trying to lift him. "It's time to go." Behind them King was already beginning to stir.

"Leave me Buffy," he groaned. "There's nothing left for me now."

"I'm not really sure what you mean but you're crazy if you think I'm leaving you down here. Now come on. We're leaving." Slipping one of his arms around her shoulder and helping support him she began to make for the entrance to the temple. King groaned and began to open his eyes. As they reached the entrance Buffy yelled into the tunnel.

"Xander, now!" The freshly acquired military issue explosives worked a treat. The explosions behind them shook the entire tunnel, bringing dust tumbling down into the water. Summoning all her courage Buffy dived headfirst into the putrid sewer waters with Marcus in tow as a ten-foot column of flame roared out of the temple entrance before subsiding. For moments that seemed to drag on for hours the surface of the water was still before Buffy broke it. The moment she surfaced she began gasping in great lungfuls of air. Slowly she clambered to her feet in the rank sewage and began to stride off to the end of the tunnel with the now unconscious body of Marcus in tow. Just before she reached the end of the tunnel she turned and glanced back at the temple. The entrance was gone. In its place were dozens of boulders of rubble and huge slabs of concrete that had collapsed from the roof above. Inside was probably even worse, after all, Xander had planted the explosives all the way around the temple. If he'd done as instructed he would have even placed one on each pillar. She smiled at the thought. The temple was gone, well and truly buried. And so, she hoped, was King.