Part 14

Tara crept along the wall, bent low, trying to stay in the shadows. She could feel Buffy inches behind her and again found herself appreciating the slayers friendship and quickness in volunteering to join the mission. She pushed the disparaging thoughts about Willow from her mind with a mental kiss and an "I'm sorry, baby." She had to focus on what was at hand. When saw the signal she advanced forward, seeing one of the rebels grab a guard and slit his throat. "Ew. I didn't need to see that." She thought with a shudder.

The slayer's hand patted her on the shoulder then pulled gently on her arm as Buffy took the lead. Another guard was quietly dispatched and the rebel team had breached the back entrance. Just as Tara was thinking they'd gotten in way to easily, a warning cried out and suddenly the rebels were swarmed from all sides.

Buffy pushed Tara into a corner and put herself between her and the oncoming hoard. Tara pulled power into herself, and focused on a spell. She stepped past Buffy as the slayer took a demon down, letting the power lose. A circle of fire swept up around a group of the demons. They howled as the flames moved inward, and began burning them. Tara dodged behind Buffy as a demon lunged at her. Buffy dropped the demon she had just slain, and whirled to defend Tara.

Tara looked around, she didn't dare try too big a spell or the rebels could be taken in as well. She noticed several demons were guarding a door and not entering the fight. She narrowed her eyes, and begin picking her way slowly towards them. A body was flung in front of her, almost bowling her over. She grabbed the wall to keep from falling. More fighters were maneuvered between her and Buffy. Buffy called a warning then ducked a sword, slamming her dagger into the demon's abdomen. The young witch was now on her own.

She pulled her dagger out and held it in her right hand. A warrior lunged in front of her, snarling. Tara ducked and the beast's sword clashed against the wall, just inches over Tara's head. Tara thrust her dagger as hard as she could, managing to get the blade in between the demon's armor. He howled and stepped back as she withdrew the blade. Lightning flashed from her hand and the demon died before he hit the ground. Tara quickly stepped over the body and raced for the doorway. The three demons saw her and raised their swords.

Tara's hands raised as she cast the spell, the dagger still in one hand. She'd forgotten about that, she wasn't sure what effect that would have, but it was too late, the spell had left her lips. The runes on the blade suddenly seemed to glow with a life of their own as the power was sent through the dagger and shot out incinerating the guards in a burst of blue fire. Tara's eyes widened in surprise. Remembering herself, she quickly dodged another battling couple and dodged through the door. It opened to reveal steps leading down. She raced down them, keeping close to the wall.

She reached the floor and pulled a torch from the wall bracket. She carried it high as she walked down the dark corridor which was lined with cell doors. She didn't hear anything, but there had to be someone here or they wouldn't have been guarding it, right? She asked herself. Biting her lip she finally called out, "G-grandmother?"

Her stomach was full of butterflies that erupted into a frenzied flight when she got no response. Was she too late? Her eyes misted up and she called out again, her voice trembling, "Grandmother?"

"Tara?"

"Grandmother!" Tara began to walk faster down the hall, peering into cell after cell. Her grandmother called to her again, and she followed her voice. She peered into the last cell, and saw her grandmother chained to the back wall. "Oh gods, grams!" She tucked her dagger away and placed her hand over the lock. "Open." She whispered. The lock clicked and the door creaked open, pushed wider by Tara. As she began to enter, something grabbed her. She screamed as she was thrown back.

She sprawled on the ground, the torch slipped from her grasp and skittered along the stone floor. She flipped onto her back and saw a huge demon coming at her. Tara swept her hand in the air and the beast was flung through the air to smash against the wall. It landed on its hands and knees, grunted, then stood up. Tara stood up as well and pulled her dagger out. She focused her next spell through the dagger as she had before, feeling the power magnified as it shot forth and ripped into her attacker.

She watched the corpse for a second, the mystical energy leaving it. Satisfied it was dead she took a step towards the cell door and nearly fell as dizziness assaulted her. She took a deep breath. She wasn't used to channeling so much magic. She entered the cell, and kissed her grandmother's forehead before focusing a burst of energy into the shackles. One by one, they fell and clanked to the floor. Amilia wrapped her arms around Tara. "I knew you'd come."

"Of course I came." Tara smiled as she rubbed her grandmother's arms and legs.

"Where are the others, love?"

"Still fighting I guess. Can you stand?"

"With help." Tara put Amilia's arm around her shoulders and helped her stand, to lean against the wall.

"And Willow?"

When Tara didn't answer, she looked in her eyes. "What has happened?" Tara fought back a sob. "Oh, grams." Tara quickly told her what all had transpired, ending with "Corwitthen said you were our only hope. He said you could save her." Tara's eyes looked over into the older women's, pleading.

"First, we must get out of here. I have been bound, I need you to undo it."

"I-I don't know how to do an unbinding spell."

"I will teach you. Repeat these words with me…."

******

Willow was thrown to the floor. She caught herself with her hands, easing her fall. "Really tired of being tossed around, now." She thought to herself, angrily. She sat Indian-style, trying to look calm. "Bring them in." The first priestess said, looking at Willow. The other two left the room. Willow found the silence unbearable.

"So. Um. Come here often? I like what you've done with the place. The torches give it a real rustic sort of appeal." She commented, as she looked around. "Your voice betrays your fear." The women told her, smirking. "But you seem to want to talk. Shall I tell you how you will die?" She watched the red head clench her jaw and try to look calm.

"We have beasts called Syraneaks. They like to suck the blood from their victims. Slowly. Draining them. It's very painful. And takes a long time. We can let them feed on you, stop them, then let them feed again. It can lasts for weeks, if I want it to."

Willow's hands were trembling and she tried to hide them in her lap. The priestess walked towards her and knelt, staring into her eyes. "I'm going to let you live long enough to see what Shaledon has planned for your lover. Then you'll die, knowing her fate and knowing you can do nothing." Willow looked back at her, hatred burning in her eyes.

******

The Shaledon waited outside of the compound. He could feel the witch using her power. He licked his lips in anticipation. So close. He wanted her. He wanted her power. As clouds floated in front of the moon, he swam through their shadows and passed through the gate, hunting his destiny.

Part 15

Willow screamed, inching back along the wall as the two beasts approached her. She threw a pleading look at the Priestess who was laughing. The creatures hissed at her, slither the snake-like tongues over their lips, barring the needle like teeth. Their scaly skin was burnt-red, and they moved like tigers. Willow knew there was no way she could out run them. "Tara." Her heart cried out. One of Syraneaks lunged at her, its front paw-hands reaching out, claws extending.

Willow lunged towards the attacking beast, sliding under it, one of it's claws racking across her back. She go to her feet but was immediately knocked flat by the second beasts attack. It stood with it's forelegs holding her down. It bent it's head to hiss into her ear. The other creature approached again, but hung back when the creature on top of Willow growled at it. "Please!" Willow cried out, then screamed as the Syraneak punctured her shoulder with it's needle like teeth and began to drink from her. The second Syraneak lifted its snout and sniffed. Hissing, it moved closer, ducking as the feeding beast swiped at it.

Willow couldn't believe they were going to fight over her, literally. She reached out with her hand. The pain in her shoulder was unbearable, but she desperately tried to grab something. Push, or pull..she had to get away. "I can't die like this." Her mind screamed at her.

******

Tara helped Amilia up the stairs, surprised at how quickly her grandmother's strength was returning. The reached the door as Buffy appeared, panting. She has a cut over her right eye, and a welt on her neck. "Buffy? You're hurt." Buffy brushed it off. "Grandmother?" She asked. "Yes, this Amilia."

"We need to get out of here, there's too many. And I think that High One person is coming, some of the rebels started freaking."

"Buffy said – " Tara started to translate but her grandmother stopped her. "I remember the language dear." She said with a smile, then touched the slayer's face gently, mumbling almost to herself. Buffy closed her eyes as she was flooded with warmth; her knees almost buckled. Suddenly it was gone and she opened her eyes, astonished that the throbbing was gone. She lifted her head to her forehead but there was no bump or blood.

"He's coming! Quickly, everyone retreat!"

"No, we aren't done."

"Seth! Behind you!"

Buffy whirled as the voices escalated. She looked back at Amilia. "You can understand them now, and be understood. Come we must hurry." As she spoke, the far wall exploded, and the High One stood there, his slaves attached to him with araki leashes. More demons poured in from the breach. Amilia wasted no time in launching a magical attack. Tara followed suit and sent wave after wave of bolts and fire balls. Buffy grabbed a sword out of the hands of a corpse and began hacking at anyone who tried to approach the witches. The demons through their own magical attack, careless of who were in their way. This lessened the number of demons, but the rebels were still out numbered.

Tara's body was shaking and she felt like she was going to collapse. "I…can't keep this up." She hollered at her grandmother. As the High One bullied his way closer to the two witches there suddenly more explosions and another wall feel. But this time, it was Corwitthen and more rebels. Several stepped forward, throwing spells at the demons, causing them to lose ground. The battle was beginning to turn.

******

Pain burned through Willow's body. Her was having trouble staying awake, thinking…everything was so hard. She began to let herself sink into. Tara. The word floated at her from the darkness. Tara? She blinked wearily, trying to make sense of the word. Tara! She moaned and tried to move. She needed…..Tara. A weight lifted off her, as the suction from the beast was released, Willow whimpered.

"Can't have you dying too soon, now can we?" A voice said from somewhere.

Tara.

"Heal her…just a touch. We want to play a bit longer."

Tara. Tara. Willow repeated the name in her head as she finally passed out.

*******

Shaledon was furious. Why was he here? Why was he here!!? He paced in the shadows, watching. His eyes fell on the blonde witch. She was his. "He came for her…but she is mine. She..IS…MINE!!" The Shaledon continued watching the battle. Finally, he decided it was time. He focused, and broke off the link from his source. "Let him see who the master is now." He seemed to sink into the ground, becoming one with the shadows, he moved forward slowly….ever so slowly.

*******

The High One howled in fury. He seemed somewhat distracted and Amilia snatched at the opportunity like a frenzied shark. She circled her prey, then attacked. Lightening flew from her fingers hiting him in the chest. He flew back as he slaves cried out. Tara followed her grandmothers lead and pulled her dagger out, using it to help her focus. The large demon blocked Amilia's next attack and lunged to his feet. He sent his own barrage at the woman, forcing her defend herself. Buffy slipped past a demon and slashed her sword at the High One. She slashed again then darted back out of the way, knowing she had to stay clear for the witches.

Amilia smiled inwardly. "Good girl, Slayer." She thought. She took a deep recovering breath, then began her attack anew. Tara was working he way from the right, the dagger glowing brightly in her hands. Amilia reached out and touched Tara's consciousness, a brief word, a thought, then the two combined their power. Amilia became the anchor, feeding Tara's source of power as she had often done for Willow. Willow. Her lover's name caught in her throat. This was all his fault. He had done this to her family. He had been why Willow and she had been dragged to this realm. Tara's anger grew. Now Willow was lost. Possibly hurt and it was his fault. Willow. She focused her energies and her anger and assaulted him in a rapid-fire method. She wanted to kill him. She wanted him to hurt like her family had hurt. Like Willow was hurt. Willow! The bolts and energies crackled in the air as the witch thew spell after spell, walking towards the High One. Rebels and demons a like parted before her, wanting no part of the wild look that shot from her eyes.

Amilia worked harder to try to keep Tara anchored. She could feel the girls' anger growing. She had to temper it or Tara might lose herself. The High One howled as he was struck again and again, his barriers weakening. He reached out for his own anchor, but it was still gone. He shot a bolt at Tara's head; she flicked her hand as if flicking away an annoying fly. The High One looked into her blue eyes, and a feeling of dread entered him. He could not remember the last time he had felt fear and he hated it. He hated Tara. He snarled and launched himself through the air, grabbing for her, but something hit him the side knocking him of course. He grabbed blindly and clutched a throat. They landed and rolled, the High One ending up on top. It was the one called the slayer. He grinned. Lets see how she likes her friend as a corpse. He began to squeeze the girls throat but she fought back. She was stronger than he had thought and Buffy almost got out of his grasp. He clenched his other hand in a fist and brought down and into her side as hard as she could.

Tara screamed Buffy's name but had to dodge another demon's attack. She slashed him with the glowing dagger and he fell away from her. She attacked another and rushed towards the slayer and the High One. She brought the dagger up and with both hands she slammed it into the High Ones back. He jerked his head up howling as pain filled his body. Buffy kicked and twisted and managed to free herself. Tara lost her grip on the dagger as the demon flinched away, snarling. Before Tara could move he had lashed out and grabbed her wrist. A dagger bit into his side and he let go, howling again. Buffy withdrew the blade and stabbed again. "Now!" Amilia spoke inside Tara's mind. Tara spoke the binding spell and the other spell her grandmother had taught her. The High One screamed as his power was stripped away. He tried to lunge at the witch again, but Buffy cut the hamstring on his right leg and he back to his knees. "Buffy, get back." Tara warned.

Buffy stepped back towards Amilia and watched. Tara's whole body seemed to be glowing, radiating energy. A black pool began to spread underneath the demon, but Tara was beginning to weaken, her hands trembled. The two remaining rebel witches walked up beside Amilia then, joining their powers. Amilia filtered the new strength to Tara who gasped at the surge, she immediately focused it on the banishing spell. The black pool grew bigger, the High One roared and cursed, he couldn't move. He screamed at the witch, promising her death and pain, swearing he'd come for her. Nothing could hold him. As the pool crept over him he tried to thrash away as it began to envelop his arms and neck. Tara was straining again, the pool started to receed. No! she gasped.

One of the few remain slaves pulled it's collar off and walked towards Amilia and whispered to her. The slaves energy was then added to the "magical potluck" and the pool rose rapidly over the demon, cutting off his last threats. As the pool and the demon vanished into the ground, Tara sank to her knees, bereft of energy, natural or magical. The other witches also sank as they released the link to one another. Buffy raced to Tara's side, and held the gasping girl. Tara closed her eyes and leaned against her friend, trying to stop the shaking in her body.

Buffy held the trembling girl as the residue of the magic and adrenline left her. "You did it. You destroyed him." Buffy soothed. Tara shook her head wearily. "N-no."

"What do you mean 'no'?"

"Bound….cant….." Tara panted heavily. "Cant…kill…..a god…insane…god…"

"He was, is, a god? We have to do this again?"

"Drawk….h-he's imprisoned…." Tara sank her head back on Buffy's shoulder, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Someone brought some water to her and she gulped it down greedily. She felt as if she had just run a triathlon…well, maybe two. She closed her eyes, she just wanted to sleep. "We need to get out of here, I think." Buffy suggested. Corwitthen stood there with a cup in his hand and agreed. "Won't be long before some of the High One's minions decide to seek revenge, or try to take his place." He said. Amilia stood with the help of a girl and walked towards Tara and Buffy.

"We can go to the caves. Easy to fortify." She suggested.

"We should get to my ship and leave here." Corwitthen debated but Amilia said no. "We're too exhausted. Tara can't even move."

"I'll carry her." Amilia placed a hand on Corwitthen's shoulder, "I know you would. But there are many wounded. Everyone needs rest. The caves. We wouldn't make it back to the ship without rest anyway." Corwitthen finally agreed then bent and took Tara into his arms. She moaned tiredly, unable to open her eyes. A blanket was brought and covered over her and the rebels slowly picked their way out of the carnage.