Frost motions and Quinn drags Buffy away --

INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT

Frost leads Quinn and their captive, Buffy, down a dirt covered 
hallway in mid conversation.

 QUINN
 Oh you're going to love this --

 FROST
 You would've figured this guy would turn, 
 right?

 QUINN
 No man, this guy couldn't make it through!

 FROST
 No, he turned into some kind of zombie!

Quinn shoves Buffy forward into an open doorway, and then starts 
to do a poor imitation of a stereotypical Hollywood zombie, 
shifting and moaning.

INT. BONE PIT ROOM - NIGHT

Frost drags Buffy to the mouth of one of the open pits.

The mouth of a pit some forty feet deep, its lichen-encrusted 
stone walls worn smooth over time. As Frost gestures to the 
yawning darkness beneath them, Quinn forces Buffy towards the 
edge.

 FROST
 We call this the Bone Pit. It's where we 
 keep our mistakes, the ones who couldn't 
 successfully make the transition from 
 human to vampire.

 QUINN
 Yeah man, they're complete scum. They'll 
 feed on anything -- rats, animals, 
 corpses, and sometimes, they'll even eat 
 other vampires.

 BUFFY
 Oh that's a plus.

 FROST
 And bearing that in mind, I like you to 
 meet an old friend of yours.

Frost nods. Buffy struggles against Quinn, but it's no good. In a 
manner of seconds, she's falling

INT. THE BONE PIT - NIGHT

-- making a decidedly rough landing on a heap of bones far below. 
She GROANS, taking stock of her battered body.

up above,

Deacon watches from the lip of the pit.

 FROST
 It's too bad. I kind of liked you. You've 
 got spunk. What a waste.

And with that, he's gone, stepping away from the pit. Buffy 
rises, wary, taking in her shadowed surroundings.

HEAPS OF HUMAN BONES

are piled against the pit walls -- skulls, rib-cages, femurs, 
tibias - all picked clean of flesh. Some of the skulls have 
large, canine-like fangs - the remnants, no doubt, of long-
deceased vampires.

Suddenly we hear a WHISPER of sorts, the soft CLINKING of bone 
fragments grinding together -

Buffy spins, trying to place the source of the sound. Then she 
hears the SOUND again. Behind her now, closer.

 VOICE (O.S.)
 I do not feel obliged to belieeeeve that 
 the same God who -- who whaat? Endowed?
 No, no, no. That'sss not it. 

Buffy looks up with a growing sense of dread.

A FACE emerges from the darkness. Pallid, cadaverous, shedding 
its desiccated flesh. Lidless eyes like black marbles slick with 
Vaseline. A mouth like a raw wound.

 REVENANT
 In theory, there is no difference between 
 theory and practice. But, in practice, 
 there isss.

Buffy backs away, realizing who she's standing before.

 BUFFY
 Owen?!

 OWEN REVENANT
 Buffyyyyyy --

Buffy staggers back, confused and frightened.

 BUFFY
 Oh my God, Owen --

 OWEN REVENANT
 Bufffyyyyyy. I never thought I'd see you 
 againnnn.

What used to be Owen SNARLS, knocking Buffy back into the drift-
pile of bones. It pins her to the ground, kneeling above her, 
gurgling through its gutted trachea.

 OWEN REVENANT
 Tell, me, Buffyyyy - ever have second 
 thoughts - about us?

Buffy SCREAMS, trying to force the revenant away from her, but it 
lunges closer, lolling its distended tongue over her mouth in a 
pathetic approximation of a French kiss.

 OWEN REVENANT
 Better a fair heartsss than a fair 
 facccce, don't you think?

She fumbles behind her, choking, grabbing hold of a human femur, 
blindly swinging it upward --

CRACK! The blow shatters the Owen-thing's jaw. It rears back, 
falling to the side.

Buffy crawls out from under its weight, swinging the femur again 
and again --

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Buffy pummels the howling horror, driving it 
back until the femur actually splinters in half. The creature's 
head hangs at an awkward angle now, its neck broken - but still 
it advances, dragging itself back up.

Sobbing, Buffy retreats, clutching the splintered femur like a 
makeshift dagger.

Owen charges at her, a blur of slashing claws. At the last 
moment, Buffy ducks, thrusting the bone dagger up into Owen's 
chest --

Owen impales himself, right through the heart. For one split-
second, his eyes widen in surprise -

-- and then he goes into a death-spasm, vomiting up a spray of 
caustic vampire blood-bile, spattering Buffy. She sinks to her 
knees, GASPING, as the thing that used to be Owen shrivels up, 
melting away into burbling puddle.

After a beat, Buffy rises and moves to the pit wall, running her 
hands over the lichen-slick surface, searching for a way out. The 
mortar between the brickwork is ancient, crumbling.

Buffy looks to the ground, reaching for one of the splintered 
femurs. She pounds it into the mortar between two bricks - and it 
holds, working as a makeshift piton.

Buffy reaches for another broken femur, lodging it a foot above 
the first. She hauls her body up now, suspending her weight from 
the two makeshift pitons. Again, they hold.

Trembling from exertion, Buffy pulls the right piton free, 
hanging solely from her left hand now. Though her handhold is 
precarious, she manages to swing the right hand up again, 
pounding that piton another foot above the left.

In this slow, torturous manner, Buffy begins to climb her way up 
out of the pit.

INT. TEMPLE OF NIGHT - BLEEDING CHAMBER - NIGHT

We are in a small, elevated antechamber which is situated above 
the main vampire sanctuary.

Jehonas now weakened to the point of collapse, is being stripped 
of his vest.

Alyssa walks up to Jehonas with a switchblade in hand. With a 
slight motion, SNICK! It fully extends. Carefully, she slides the 
length of the knife up his black tanktop, slicing the cloth in 
two.

The vampire goons move efficiently, quickly securing him to a 
large sarcophagus-like chamber. A coffin made of black obsidian 
stone. When they are through, the straps to his wrist and neck 
tighten -- effectively pinning him into the small chamber. 
Jehonas WINCES as the leather straps are drawn tighter.

Alyssa watches quietly as they finish with her son. As soon as 
they do, she draws up close to Jehonas, reaching out her hand and 
feeling his body, his sweat. Jehonas tries his best to keep his 
strength together, ignoring his mother touching him --

 ALYSSA
 Poor child. So sick -- so thirsty.

 JEHONAS
 Don't touch me.

Alyssa stands on her toes, eye to eye with Jehonas.

 ALYSSA
 Jehonas, my son, look at me.

Jehonas looks down, focusing now on Alyssa. Jehonas stares at 
her. As terrible as his physical torment is, his mother's 
betrayal is infinitely worse.

 ALYSSA
 There's no use fighting us.

 JEHONAS
 How could you be a part of this?

 ALYSSA
 Jehonas, vampires are my people now. I'm 
 one of them.

 JEHONAS
 You can't be.

 ALYSSA
 You don't understand. I was corrupted by 
 human reasoning long ago, but that's all 
 been changed.

She draws closer, caressing her son's face. There's just a hint 
of creepy eroticism in her action, a dash of incest.

 ALYSSA
 I've killed, I've hunted, and I've enjoyed
 it. How about you? I know you have. I wish
 you could see the world as I do. Sooner or
 later, the Thirst always wins.

Jehonas struggles to turn his head away, forcing himself to leave 
his mother's gaze, shaking with hatred.

We PAN BACK as Alyssa turns away and comes to a small sphere-like 
switch on the floor. She turns back, regarding her son one last 
time before stepping on it with the heel of her high tops.

The lid of the black chamber slides forward towards Jehonas' 
sarcophagus and in an instant, seals the chamber with the Day-
walker inside. The SOUND, frightening, echoing throughout the 
temple. 

 CUT TO:

INT. THE TEMPLE OF NIGHT - NIGHT

Quinn is kneeling with a large cigar in hand as the sounds of 
Jehonas' chamber closing up echoes into the main atrium of the 
temple. He looks up to the sound. It has begun --

Down below, Mercury leads her cohorts and the elders of the House 
into a different area.

pull back to reveal

THE RITUAL ARENA

A large circular room, the perimeter of which is lined with 
recessed alcoves housing the remains of the vampire ancients, set 
into the sanctuary walls like the cells in a hive. In the center 
of the room is a large raised platform surrounded by a moat of 
emptiness, a vast pit with an island.

 MERCURY
 Spread them out. One on each tomb. Make it
 perfect.

The vampire goons roughly position each of the elders in each 
tomb, tying them down with leather straps just like Jehonas. In 
moments, each of the tombs are occupied with each Elder.

 CUT TO:

DEACON FROST standing on the highest chamber, looking around, 
also hearing the sound of the lid slamming shut on Jehonas' 
chamber.

 FROST
 It's starting. Bring up the elevator!

 CUT TO:

INT. TEMPLE OF NIGHT - BLEEDING CHAMBER - NIGHT

TIGHT ON one of Jehonas' hands within the chamber. We SEE sharp 
steel blades were on each of the wrist area of the lid and when 
they joined, methodically cutting deep into each of his wrists -- 
opening up the cephalic and basilic veins for bleeding.

Blood wells up from the fresh wounds, running down Jehonas' 
fingers, collecting in a cistern beneath his feet. His hands, 
shuddering violently from the pain --

JEHONAS' POV: Through a slit in the lid, where Jehonas' eyes 
could see from his chamber, we SEE Alyssa walking into view 
looking back at him. We see what appears to be pity in her 
expression. She turns her head away. 

TIGHT ON THE CISTERN beneath his boots. We follow the blood which 
has collected there as it flows into a crude drain and --

INT. SANCTUARY - NIGHT

-- emerges from the ceiling of the sanctuary below. The stream 
of blood is directed down the channels of the ceiling, into 
smaller channels leading to each of the twelve tombs below.

 CUT TO:

THE ELEVATOR,

really a working man's scaffold for skyscrapers. Frost and Quinn 
are being lowered down into the main ritual arena. There's an 
excitement in the air, a sense that something remarkable is about 
to happen.

 FROST
 Tonight, the Age of Man comes to an end.

ON QUINN, laughing with glee as he ponders what a wonderful 
future it'll be. We can also SEE the blood slowly coming down 
from the channels within the walls.

 QUINN
 We're gonna be Gods!

Frost looks back, not as amused, but somewhat confident.

 FROST
 Of course we are --

 QUINN
 I'm gonna be naughty. I'm gonna be a 
 naughty vampire God!

Frost nods in silence as the elevator makes its final descent.

 CUT TO:

THE RITUAL ARENA

The elders are very nervous and very afraid. Meantime, the 
vampires have taken noticed of the blood and bellow out a CHORUS 
OF CHEERS, their voices resonating off the stone walls like 
thunder. Mercury leading --

 CUT TO:

INT. TEMPLE OF NIGHT - BONE PIT - NIGHT

Buffy's hands appear over the lip of the bone pit. She heaves 
herself up, collapsing onto the floor -

-- but there's no time to rest. Even now she can hear the 
VAMPIRES CHEERING. She drags herself to her feet, careful and 
looking for Jehonas.

 CUT TO:

THE RITUAL ARENA

One of the struggling Elders, Slavic, tries his own brand of 
reasoning with Mercury nearby.

 BAVA
 You stupid girl. What do you think is 
 going to happen? LaMagra? It's nothing but
 a fairy tale for petty little vampires.

Mercury hearing this, moves intimately close to the Slavic Elder.

 MERCURY
 Then why are you quivering, old fang? Are 
 you afraid of diablerie? Afraid we're 
 going to take your blood?
 (beat)
 You should be. Read the prophecy.

Mercury backs up and points accusingly at all of the Elders.

 MERCURY
 It's about time you fucks contributed 
 something to the cause.

 PALLINTINE (O.S.)
 Even if Frost was right --

We SEE Pallintine Elder, who isn't strapped to any tomb. 
Apparently, he was the odd figure.

 PALLINTINE
 Do you think he would care about you? 
 You're going to die, just like the rest of
 us.

In a flash, Mercury unsheathes Jehonas' sword and SKEWERS 
Pallintine, silencing him. The Elders watch with shock as Mercury 
screams and kicks the Elder, sending him flying back into a wall. 
The sword IMPALES into the concrete wall, Pallintine EXPLODING 
into ashes and bits.

 CUT TO:

INT. ANTECHAMBER - NIGHT

Buffy slips around a corner, searching. She SEES it's empty, and 
a large BLACK CHAMBER alone in the center, quiet.

Buffy notices the swivel system in the chamber, and with her 
strength starts to rotate the sarcophagus around. In an instant, 
the lid flies open and back into the wall, startling Buffy. She 
looks around and SEES Jehonas, seemingly lifeless.

 BUFFY
 Jehonas!

She sees the straps, runs around to the back and unbuckles each 
of them. Jehonas crumples to the floor, lying still. Buffy is at 
his side in an instant --

 BUFFY
 (whispering, urgent)
 Oh my God, Jehonas. Jehonas!

Jehonas doesn't answer nor move. Buffy starts to break down as 
she heaves his body into her arms, cradling him.

 BUFFY
 (desperate)
 Don't leave me, please.

Then, Jehonas' eyes flicker open, fixing on her. Inhuman. He's 
shaking like an alcoholic going into delirium tremens.

INT. TEMPLE SANCTUARY - RITUAL ARENA - NIGHT

Frost hops off the elevator, sees the blood slowly making its 
descent down on each of the tombs. He is enthralled, excited --

 FROST
 (grinning)
 Is everybody thirsty?! I hope you're all 
 very fucking thirsty!

As soon as he finishes, the lids of every tomb SLAMS shut on each 
tomb, sealing off the SCREAMS of each Elder.

 CUT TO:

INT. ANTECHAMBER - NIGHT

As before. Jehonas tries to sit up, gripping Buffy's wrist.

 JEHONAS
 Get out of here --

 BUFFY
 I'm not leaving without you!

 JEHONAS
 You don't understand. The Thirst --

He convulses in Buffy's arms, experiencing phenomenal pain.

 JEHONAS
 (gasping)
 -- tearing me -- apart.

Buffy examines one of his wrists, she sees the deepness of the 
cut, flesh and blood exposed. His body, growing alarmingly less 
warm as his strength continues to dwindle away.

 BUFFY
 You're bleeding to death.

 JEHONAS
 I know. Without the serum - I can't heal. 
 You - better go - now.

Suddenly, Buffy's face changes in expression. It's as if she's 
making a quick life and death choice. She pulls her hair away 
from her neck, revealing the BANDAGES and peels them off. There 
are still some remnants of the original bite wounds. Having made 
up her mind, Buffy pulls up Jehonas closer to her.

 BUFFY
 Jehonas, listen to me.

She can feel him getting heavier, sagging.

 BUFFY
 Listen to me. I - I want you to take some 
 of my blood.

 JEHONAS
 No. I won't --

 BUFFY
 It's the only way. You know that. We'll 
 never get out of here alive if you don't.

Jehonas suppresses a shudder. Simply keeping himself from 
attacking her takes every ounce of his resolve.

 JEHONAS
 I can't -- I won't be able to stop --

 BUFFY
 Don't give me that. The human side of you 
 is stronger. I know it is. Look at me, 
 please.

Buffy matches Jehonas' gaze, steeling herself. The truth is, 
she's terrified.

Jehonas stares back at her. At this moment, he wants what Buffy 
is offering more than anything he's ever desired. And so he rises 
--

 CUT TO:

INT. TEMPLE OF NIGHT - SANCTUARY - NIGHT

Mercury rips open Frost's shirt, kissing him hungrily as the 
blood is gathering at one focal point high above them. She steps 
away, charged and ready to see it begin.

Frost looks up to the ceiling, his arms beseeching, calling --

THE CEILING

full of the channels of blood as it gathers to a mass in the 
center. A silent whispering starts, voices of the ancients 
chanting in the b.g.

Mercury, Riven, Quinn and the other vampires are alarmed at the 
sudden introduction of the chants. They look around, searching 
for the origin of the voices, but there are none. It's all 
around, the chant LOUDER and LOUDER, wind starting to pick up 
from an unknown source, swirling around the arena.

And as the vampire incantation reaches a fevered pitch, we SEE 
the stone tomb tablets off the vampire ancestors beginning to 
judder -- as if some force within were trying to break free --

 CUT TO:

INT. ANTECHAMBER - NIGHT

Buffy and Jehonas are locked in a deep passionate embrace. Their 
lips together, tongues entwining. Then, Buffy turns her head to 
the side, baring her neck, offering herself to Jehonas. Jehonas 
opens his mouth. His canines elongate. He lowers his head --

-- and starts to feed. Buffy involuntarily stiffens as Jehonas' 
teeth puncture her skin and we --

 CUT TO:

INT. TEMPLE SANCTUARY - THE CEILING - NIGHT

The blood finally reaches a point where it is all drawn together, 
finishing with one mass, then the blob becomes a large drop, 
forming from the mass and then in the slow motion, falls 
downwards.

WE FOLLOW TO Deacon Frost with his arms outstretched, welcoming 
it. It lands onto his forehead and a sudden loud CRASH OF THUNDER 
rocks the room. Frost shakes, possessed by an unseen force. The 
wind picks up, swirling about the chamber, accompanied by a new 
and strange HUMMING.

Suddenly, one of the tombs BURSTS OPEN. A WRAITH-LIKE SPIRIT 
rushes outward in a fountain of light, penetrating Frost's body.

Then ANOTHER TOMB SPLITS APART. Then ANOTHER, and ANOTHER - until 
a torrent of SPIRIT-WRAITHS are surging into Frost, buffeting him 
about like a scarecrow in a cyclone.

Mercury, Riven, and the other vampires back away, apprehensive. 
The wind starts to cycle, gathering in speed. Quinn SCREAMS as he 
sees all of the wraiths circling all about. He FLEES to a safer 
distance. Mercury, Riven and the others follow suit, hiding 
behind the large pillars. They can HEAR the cries and wails of 
the wraiths louder and louder.

 CUT TO:

INT. ANTECHAMBER - NIGHT

Jehonas moans, sinking his teeth deeper. Buffy's head rolls back. 
Her eyes open -- glassy, unseeing -- as a wave of ecstasy 
overtakes her.

She shudders, her breath quickening, falling into a synchronous 
rhythm with Jehonas'. Her fingers dig deep into his back, clawing 
downward, tearing into him --

She's not Buffy the Vampire Slayer anymore -- she's a red blood 
cell, an erythrocyte, spinning in a river of plasma, roaring up 
Jehonas' femoral artery, racing towards the pumping chambers of 
his heart which beats like the deafening breath of God, which 
blots all other sounds out of existence and we're --

CUTTING BACK AND FORTH NOW

between Frost's transformation and Jehonas', each of them growing 
stronger by the second, caught in an ever-increasing feedback 
loop of expanding energy until --

 JEHONAS
 NO!!!!