Spike was psyched. He had hunted all night. Killing and feeding over and over til he was bursting. Now that the chip was gone, he was his old self again. Vicious, arrogant, unstoppable.
Athene sat in silence while he hunted cooped up in the house by the sea that she'd somehow aquired, she always had to be by the sea. Or she would explore the city, looking at all the new achievements that man had built.
When Spike returned the second night, Athene had a computer set up and was surfing the web, staring at images, memorizing them.
"Love, don't you want to come feed?" Spike asked, leaning over and kissing her hair.
"I do not hunger yet. Perhaps in a year or so." she answered absently.
"Must be boring not to feed." Spike commented, straddling a chair backwards, and watching her fingers fly over the keyboard.
"It's not that I can't feed, I just don't have to. I'll still kill if I feel someone deserves it. Killers, rapists, pedophiles. I feel no remorse for such a kill." she answered.
"I don't feel any remorse anyways." Spike said with a laugh.
"But you only feed on evil now, did you not notice that? You no longer kill the innocent. A residual effect from your chip-controlled time I would say. That and keeping company with the humans. That usually does it as well." Athene said, turning from the screen to smile at Spike's amazement.
"How did you know who I've fed on?" Spike questioned.
"I can read your mind and are connected to you constantly. There isn't a thought you have that I can't read if I so choose. You know this. It was always so." she admonished.
"I never thought of it as 'mind-reading', I just thought we had a connection." Spike said, uncomfortable.
"We do. We always have, always will." She said softly.
"Why the big hurry to catch up?" Spike said pointing at the screen and changing the subject, this was a downer conversation.
"I am looking for someone, and this is the fastest way to do it without draining my powers." She said tightly.
"Who are you looking for?" he asked, jealously.
"An old friend, no one you need to be concerned about. Now, go rest. It will be day soon. I will see you later." and kissing his lips gently, she turned back to the computer and effectively dismissed him.
"Come with me." he said belligerently.
"I'm not tired, and this is too important." Athene said, then in a tone that he remembered. "Go, Spike, now."
He bit off what he was going to say, and left.
Buffy was worried. Spike was missing and even though she'd always wanted him gone, she was a little worried none the less. He hadn't looked that safe last time. And this goddess vampire that he was with seemed a little detached, not a fully formed personality. Willow pointed this out to Giles.
"Well, you have to understand, if you're in a coma for a year, you take a while to come back to the person you once were. Now, imagine sleeping for 150 years, more than once. It is probably very disorienting for her. Especially since the last 150 years have been ones of great technological advances." Giles explained.
Spike walked into the magic shop, or rather, burst in, smoldering a few days later. Everyone stared at him in amazement.
"She's asleep, I need Willow's help." he burst out, throwing the burning blanket off of his back.
"Willow's help on what? And where the hell have you been?" Buffy demanded.
"Got a new pad, nice beachfront property. I need Willow to trace this on the computer and tell me what Athene is looking for." Spike held out a piece of paper he'd scribbled on.
Willow took it and read it, then going to Giles' computer, she did a few movements then sat back as a webpage came up.
It was beautifully done, many colors, dark purples, burgundies, and blues all mixed together. In gold writing were the following words:
"Searching for a loved one? Need help of a supernatural nature? Log on with your magic password and enter the realm of Athene. Only the true need enter. Tartarus awaits those who enter falsely."
Underneath was a line of symbol script that ran around the outside edge of the pages: ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
"Can you decipher the code?" Buffy asked.
"It'll take a minute. Just hold on." Willow said playing around with the controls.
Then a few minutes later she made a sound of elation. "Yes, got it."
And she printed out the words again.
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
"Essentially it says.
Artemis Athene awaits you. The time draws near when you must come out of your exile and help me to fight him. I cannot do it alone, I need you.
Please contact me, he is arisen, he comes soon. As does the end."
"Spike, has she mentioned Apollo? At all?" Giles asked.
"No, and if this means what I think it does….I've got to get out of here." And with that Spike headed for the door.
Buffy grabbed his arm, "Wait, we still have questions, you can't just take off."
Spike picked her up and threw her into the wall, then backhanded Giles as he ran at him. "Yes, now I can." then with a wry smile, he left.
Giles got up from where he'd fallen and said, "Well, guess she removed the chip for him. That's a problem we didn't need."
At the house, Spike skidded to a halt in the foyer, hearing voices in the crypt downstairs.
"Come in, young one, I will not harm you." a voice, strong and clear came.
He knew that voice.
Going downstairs he saw the sight he'd been dreading.
Apollo.
Black curls on his head, perfect body, perfect face, what a fop.
His eyes were amber, like Athene's but his were a little mad, glittered a little too much.
"Well, if it isn't my sister's vampire pet. Still alive, Spike, very impressive." Apollo intoned.
"Yeeah, okay. Where's Athene?" Spike asked.
"I do not know. I followed her here, but I cannot sense her now. I thought you might have an idea." Apollo played with his hunting blade absently.
"Well, I hate to disappoint you but I have no idea where she's gone. If I did, I'd be with her, not you." Spike answered.
Apollo laughed, that resounding laugh that Spike hated. A god's laugh.
"I'm sure you would. Well, I guess we will await her return."
He paused. "I'm sure she would not leave without you."
And he gestured for Spike to sit down.
"What if I need to feed?" Spike asked, "Tonight I mean."
"I shall provide for you. " Apollo said with an evil smile. " I have already met one of your acquaintances and feasted, he was quite tasty. Not much of a fighter though." he admitted.
Well, so much for Xander, Spike thought. I always thought I would kill him.
He sat down and closed his eyes. Blimey, he was tired, this whole week was nutters.
It was dusk when Apollo started getting antsy.
He tossed Spike around a bit then when that didn't make his sister appear, he started to lose it.
"Come on." and he drug Spike out into the night, killing whoever they met.
At the cemetery they ran into Buffy, Giles, Anya and Willow.
"Spike." called Willow.
Bloody stupid woman, thought Spike, why not wear a sign that says 'fast food' on your head.
Apollo dropped Spike for a moment and laughed.
"Do you think your Slayer can save you? I shall eat her first."
Spike was at the end of his limited patience.
Where was Athene, and what did this nut want with her?
"Uh, Apollo, what about looking for Athene, no offense, but if you keep stopping to eat everyone, we'll never find her." Spike commented.
"I'm not scared of him, come on, Apollo, do your worst." Buffy taunted.
Spike just stared at her. He sticks his neck out for these people, and they throw his effort to the wolves, great.
"Brave. Let us hope you fight better than your friend." Apollo smiled.
Buffy looked at Spike for explanation. "He ate Xander." Spike muttered.
Willow paled and Anya looked devastated but Buffy just looked madder.
"You'll pay for that, god or no god." she promised.
"Such threats are a waste of time, infant. Immortals die when I pass, what hope do you have, human?" Apollo questioned.
"Oh, just some good friends, that's all that I've ever needed. How about you? Do you have any friends. Anyone who loves you? I doubt it." Buffy shot out.
"Many have loved me, many have worshipped me…." he began, but Giles cut him off.
"In the past, perhaps. You ' had ' worshippers, yes. No more.
And you had a wife, but Artemis is gone. So now you have nothing."
Apollo's eyes were flinty. " Artemis loves me still, she will return. She is not ready yet."
"She has been asleep for a thousand years, Apollo. That's more than enough time for any divorce court. She's not coming back to you. Even your twin deserted you." Buffy commented.
"What do you know of it." demanded Apollo. "Athene loves me, always."
"Yeah, you keep telling yourself that." Buffy replied, shaking her head in mock pity.
"I think I will keep you as a plaything, mortal. Til you beg to die. Until its all you think of." Apollo said, his tone ice.
Buffy paled but held her ground and looked him in the eye.
"I'd be begging after 10 seconds in your company, I'm sure."
Apollo started to smile then laugh as the sky darkened and the winds began to blow. "Ah, my twin approaches. How nice she'll be able to see you die."
"No one will die, my brother. Not this time." Athene came out from under the earth in front of Buffy and the others. At a gesture from her Spike was brought to her side.
"You slept, that's why I couldn't detect you. Clever. Why do you hide?" he asked, honestly curious.
"Because, your time has come, Apollo. You must join the others." Athene said softly.
He turned white. Then, "NEVER!"
"I promise you, there is no other way. " Athene said evenly.
"You cannot. I will destroy you, you know this. Don't make me." he warned.
"It is true, I cannot fight you alone. I have some help." Athene conceded.
"What? These mortals? You must be mad." he laughed.
"Do not discount them, it was they that helped me to find what I needed.
And they would fight you to the death, which is a noble trait. One that we lack because we are deathless."
And with a gesture she pointed into the trees and said, "Here comes my army."
And they all turned to see a woman come from the shadows, glowing like moonlight.
Silver hair, a dark blue gown, and pale blue eyes. Beautiful yet, somehow, distant and sad.
"Artemis." Apollo whispered.
"Come, husband, it is time. Do not make us take you. Come peacefully, as you should have before." her voice was whispery and soft.
"No, we can stay here, there is so much to do. So many to hunt." he enticed.
"I stayed for so long after the others had gone, waiting for you to tire of this life, to want to go home. But you insisted I wait longer, and longer.
Now it is my turn. Come with me, or be lost to me forever." Artemis said softly.
"Moongoddess, many people would worship you. Stay with me." he begged.
"I never wanted worshippers, I just wanted you. And peace." she answered. "You will deny me both?"
"You would fight me, you and my sister together?" he was incredulous.
"Why do you think I am here? Athene has called me back. And I do not come alone. Another will soon join us if you do not accede our request. And you will not survive against three of us." Artemis promised.
"Who accompanies you?" demanded Apollo then he smiled cruelly, "Of course, the crippled lover of my sister. The Forge God, Hephaistos. Tell him, she has not been a faithful love. The misguided, besotted, fool."
"You speak like a wayward child, Apollo, not a god. Decide. Now." Athene said, her tone chill.
Apollo stared long at his wife, walked up to her and kissed her hand then held it to his cheek.
"You are as beautiful as you were the first time my eyes beheld you." he said quietly. "And as cold."
He turned to his sister and smiled.
"Take me, if you can."
Here ends chapter 2 of the Triad
Athene sat in silence while he hunted cooped up in the house by the sea that she'd somehow aquired, she always had to be by the sea. Or she would explore the city, looking at all the new achievements that man had built.
When Spike returned the second night, Athene had a computer set up and was surfing the web, staring at images, memorizing them.
"Love, don't you want to come feed?" Spike asked, leaning over and kissing her hair.
"I do not hunger yet. Perhaps in a year or so." she answered absently.
"Must be boring not to feed." Spike commented, straddling a chair backwards, and watching her fingers fly over the keyboard.
"It's not that I can't feed, I just don't have to. I'll still kill if I feel someone deserves it. Killers, rapists, pedophiles. I feel no remorse for such a kill." she answered.
"I don't feel any remorse anyways." Spike said with a laugh.
"But you only feed on evil now, did you not notice that? You no longer kill the innocent. A residual effect from your chip-controlled time I would say. That and keeping company with the humans. That usually does it as well." Athene said, turning from the screen to smile at Spike's amazement.
"How did you know who I've fed on?" Spike questioned.
"I can read your mind and are connected to you constantly. There isn't a thought you have that I can't read if I so choose. You know this. It was always so." she admonished.
"I never thought of it as 'mind-reading', I just thought we had a connection." Spike said, uncomfortable.
"We do. We always have, always will." She said softly.
"Why the big hurry to catch up?" Spike said pointing at the screen and changing the subject, this was a downer conversation.
"I am looking for someone, and this is the fastest way to do it without draining my powers." She said tightly.
"Who are you looking for?" he asked, jealously.
"An old friend, no one you need to be concerned about. Now, go rest. It will be day soon. I will see you later." and kissing his lips gently, she turned back to the computer and effectively dismissed him.
"Come with me." he said belligerently.
"I'm not tired, and this is too important." Athene said, then in a tone that he remembered. "Go, Spike, now."
He bit off what he was going to say, and left.
Buffy was worried. Spike was missing and even though she'd always wanted him gone, she was a little worried none the less. He hadn't looked that safe last time. And this goddess vampire that he was with seemed a little detached, not a fully formed personality. Willow pointed this out to Giles.
"Well, you have to understand, if you're in a coma for a year, you take a while to come back to the person you once were. Now, imagine sleeping for 150 years, more than once. It is probably very disorienting for her. Especially since the last 150 years have been ones of great technological advances." Giles explained.
Spike walked into the magic shop, or rather, burst in, smoldering a few days later. Everyone stared at him in amazement.
"She's asleep, I need Willow's help." he burst out, throwing the burning blanket off of his back.
"Willow's help on what? And where the hell have you been?" Buffy demanded.
"Got a new pad, nice beachfront property. I need Willow to trace this on the computer and tell me what Athene is looking for." Spike held out a piece of paper he'd scribbled on.
Willow took it and read it, then going to Giles' computer, she did a few movements then sat back as a webpage came up.
It was beautifully done, many colors, dark purples, burgundies, and blues all mixed together. In gold writing were the following words:
"Searching for a loved one? Need help of a supernatural nature? Log on with your magic password and enter the realm of Athene. Only the true need enter. Tartarus awaits those who enter falsely."
Underneath was a line of symbol script that ran around the outside edge of the pages: ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
"Can you decipher the code?" Buffy asked.
"It'll take a minute. Just hold on." Willow said playing around with the controls.
Then a few minutes later she made a sound of elation. "Yes, got it."
And she printed out the words again.
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
"Essentially it says.
Artemis Athene awaits you. The time draws near when you must come out of your exile and help me to fight him. I cannot do it alone, I need you.
Please contact me, he is arisen, he comes soon. As does the end."
"Spike, has she mentioned Apollo? At all?" Giles asked.
"No, and if this means what I think it does….I've got to get out of here." And with that Spike headed for the door.
Buffy grabbed his arm, "Wait, we still have questions, you can't just take off."
Spike picked her up and threw her into the wall, then backhanded Giles as he ran at him. "Yes, now I can." then with a wry smile, he left.
Giles got up from where he'd fallen and said, "Well, guess she removed the chip for him. That's a problem we didn't need."
At the house, Spike skidded to a halt in the foyer, hearing voices in the crypt downstairs.
"Come in, young one, I will not harm you." a voice, strong and clear came.
He knew that voice.
Going downstairs he saw the sight he'd been dreading.
Apollo.
Black curls on his head, perfect body, perfect face, what a fop.
His eyes were amber, like Athene's but his were a little mad, glittered a little too much.
"Well, if it isn't my sister's vampire pet. Still alive, Spike, very impressive." Apollo intoned.
"Yeeah, okay. Where's Athene?" Spike asked.
"I do not know. I followed her here, but I cannot sense her now. I thought you might have an idea." Apollo played with his hunting blade absently.
"Well, I hate to disappoint you but I have no idea where she's gone. If I did, I'd be with her, not you." Spike answered.
Apollo laughed, that resounding laugh that Spike hated. A god's laugh.
"I'm sure you would. Well, I guess we will await her return."
He paused. "I'm sure she would not leave without you."
And he gestured for Spike to sit down.
"What if I need to feed?" Spike asked, "Tonight I mean."
"I shall provide for you. " Apollo said with an evil smile. " I have already met one of your acquaintances and feasted, he was quite tasty. Not much of a fighter though." he admitted.
Well, so much for Xander, Spike thought. I always thought I would kill him.
He sat down and closed his eyes. Blimey, he was tired, this whole week was nutters.
It was dusk when Apollo started getting antsy.
He tossed Spike around a bit then when that didn't make his sister appear, he started to lose it.
"Come on." and he drug Spike out into the night, killing whoever they met.
At the cemetery they ran into Buffy, Giles, Anya and Willow.
"Spike." called Willow.
Bloody stupid woman, thought Spike, why not wear a sign that says 'fast food' on your head.
Apollo dropped Spike for a moment and laughed.
"Do you think your Slayer can save you? I shall eat her first."
Spike was at the end of his limited patience.
Where was Athene, and what did this nut want with her?
"Uh, Apollo, what about looking for Athene, no offense, but if you keep stopping to eat everyone, we'll never find her." Spike commented.
"I'm not scared of him, come on, Apollo, do your worst." Buffy taunted.
Spike just stared at her. He sticks his neck out for these people, and they throw his effort to the wolves, great.
"Brave. Let us hope you fight better than your friend." Apollo smiled.
Buffy looked at Spike for explanation. "He ate Xander." Spike muttered.
Willow paled and Anya looked devastated but Buffy just looked madder.
"You'll pay for that, god or no god." she promised.
"Such threats are a waste of time, infant. Immortals die when I pass, what hope do you have, human?" Apollo questioned.
"Oh, just some good friends, that's all that I've ever needed. How about you? Do you have any friends. Anyone who loves you? I doubt it." Buffy shot out.
"Many have loved me, many have worshipped me…." he began, but Giles cut him off.
"In the past, perhaps. You ' had ' worshippers, yes. No more.
And you had a wife, but Artemis is gone. So now you have nothing."
Apollo's eyes were flinty. " Artemis loves me still, she will return. She is not ready yet."
"She has been asleep for a thousand years, Apollo. That's more than enough time for any divorce court. She's not coming back to you. Even your twin deserted you." Buffy commented.
"What do you know of it." demanded Apollo. "Athene loves me, always."
"Yeah, you keep telling yourself that." Buffy replied, shaking her head in mock pity.
"I think I will keep you as a plaything, mortal. Til you beg to die. Until its all you think of." Apollo said, his tone ice.
Buffy paled but held her ground and looked him in the eye.
"I'd be begging after 10 seconds in your company, I'm sure."
Apollo started to smile then laugh as the sky darkened and the winds began to blow. "Ah, my twin approaches. How nice she'll be able to see you die."
"No one will die, my brother. Not this time." Athene came out from under the earth in front of Buffy and the others. At a gesture from her Spike was brought to her side.
"You slept, that's why I couldn't detect you. Clever. Why do you hide?" he asked, honestly curious.
"Because, your time has come, Apollo. You must join the others." Athene said softly.
He turned white. Then, "NEVER!"
"I promise you, there is no other way. " Athene said evenly.
"You cannot. I will destroy you, you know this. Don't make me." he warned.
"It is true, I cannot fight you alone. I have some help." Athene conceded.
"What? These mortals? You must be mad." he laughed.
"Do not discount them, it was they that helped me to find what I needed.
And they would fight you to the death, which is a noble trait. One that we lack because we are deathless."
And with a gesture she pointed into the trees and said, "Here comes my army."
And they all turned to see a woman come from the shadows, glowing like moonlight.
Silver hair, a dark blue gown, and pale blue eyes. Beautiful yet, somehow, distant and sad.
"Artemis." Apollo whispered.
"Come, husband, it is time. Do not make us take you. Come peacefully, as you should have before." her voice was whispery and soft.
"No, we can stay here, there is so much to do. So many to hunt." he enticed.
"I stayed for so long after the others had gone, waiting for you to tire of this life, to want to go home. But you insisted I wait longer, and longer.
Now it is my turn. Come with me, or be lost to me forever." Artemis said softly.
"Moongoddess, many people would worship you. Stay with me." he begged.
"I never wanted worshippers, I just wanted you. And peace." she answered. "You will deny me both?"
"You would fight me, you and my sister together?" he was incredulous.
"Why do you think I am here? Athene has called me back. And I do not come alone. Another will soon join us if you do not accede our request. And you will not survive against three of us." Artemis promised.
"Who accompanies you?" demanded Apollo then he smiled cruelly, "Of course, the crippled lover of my sister. The Forge God, Hephaistos. Tell him, she has not been a faithful love. The misguided, besotted, fool."
"You speak like a wayward child, Apollo, not a god. Decide. Now." Athene said, her tone chill.
Apollo stared long at his wife, walked up to her and kissed her hand then held it to his cheek.
"You are as beautiful as you were the first time my eyes beheld you." he said quietly. "And as cold."
He turned to his sister and smiled.
"Take me, if you can."
Here ends chapter 2 of the Triad