Title: And the Saints Boweth Before the King
Author: DOKChairman
Time/Spoilers: Takes place after the events in 'Grave'.
Summary: I could write a summary, but then it would give away everything. So no summary, but I'll give you a hint. The opening I put down for the story is indicative of some of what the story might be about. Not much of a hint, I know, but it's all you're getting.
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy own the rights to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all of its characters. I own nothing except the story, and the Anna Kournikova poster on my bedroom wall.
Author's Note: Warning! Time paradoxes abound in this story. If that is too confusing for anyone, I suggest watching a few episodes of Star Trek and all will be sufficiently explained. I do not have the time, ability, or inclination to explain how this is possible. All I know is that it happens, at least in my story it does. And since I am the god of this little fic universe; I can create my own laws of physics.
Chapter 7: The Tale of Two Xanders
Thomas sat back in his chair after dropping his bombshell and waited for the inevitable fallout. He didn't have to wait long. Staying true to his character, at least as Thomas remembered his character, Xander reacted explosively. Jumping out of his chair, Xander stormed over to Thomas, yanked him out of his chair and slammed him against the table.
In a low and dangerous voice, Xander growled out at Thomas. "I don't know who you are or what you want, but let's get one thing straight. I've never been to any place named Loria and I've never seen you before. So let's stop playing this damn game and tell me the truth. Who are you and how do you know who I am?"
Thomas just inwardly smiled. He knew that as untrained as Xander was, he could easily get free if he wanted to. But Thomas didn't resist, he didn't want to. He could see the raw power emanating out of the young man in front of him. He wanted to help mold that power into something useful.
Thomas spoke calmly, "You're right about everything Xander. You have never been to a place called Loria before, and you have never seen me before either. At least not yet."
Xander let go of Thomas's front and let out a growl of frustration. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Thomas just smiled, "Everything that I am telling you is all new to you, because it hasn't happened yet. You see, unlike you, I have been around for a while. I know things about this world and the beings in it, and what I am telling you is the truth. I have lived the past, and despite my old age, my memory is quite intact. You are who I say you are."
Xander moved away from Thomas and walked over to stand in front of the counters. He began pacing up and down their length, deep in thought. Meanwhile, Thomas stood up from the table and straitened his clothes.
So far the others had been quiet during the exchange between Xander and Thomas, but Buffy could contain herself no longer. "Lemme get this straight. Are you saying that Xander is traveling through time?"
Thomas shook his head, "That is partially correct, Miss Summers. Although, it is also wrong." At Buffy's very confused look, Thomas elaborated. "At the present, as it stands now, Xander has in fact never been to the kingdom of Loria or met me. However, in the near future, that will change and Xander will travel into the past. Once in the past, Xander will meet me, hence completing the circle and bringing us back to where we are now. Time is circular, Miss Summers. What happens in the future affects the past, and what happens in the past affects the future."
Buffy just stared at Thomas and then smirked slightly, "You know, that explained absolutely nothing to me. I'm sure if Giles were here, though, he'd probably know what you were talking about."
Buffy then turned to look at Xander and saw him still pacing and mumbling to himself. A look of concern crossed Buffy's face. She began to get up, to go talk to Xander, when she felt a strong hand grab hold of her arm. She looked to see Thomas holding her back. "No, you can not help him. He must do this on his own. Only he can truly come to terms with what I am telling him. And only he can accept it."
Buffy sighed and sat down heavily in her chair. She really, really wanted to help Xander get through whatever he was going through. She knew how he must feel. She knew what it felt like to know that your life wasn't exactly what you thought it was.
Finally, Xander stopped pacing. With his head down, he slowly walked toward Thomas and the others. Facing Thomas, he said in a quiet voice, "Give me the sword."
Thomas was hesitant to do as he asked. He remembered what happened the last time Xander had the sword, and he didn't want a repeat performance. "Are you sure?"
Xander nodded, "Yes. I think I understand now."
Thomas still hesitant, but unable to deny Xander what he asked, picked the sword up off the ground and placed it in Xander's outreached hand. Xander brought the sword up, and before anyone could stop him, slid the razor sharp edge along the palm of his left hand. The sword easily cut into his palm and a slow trickle of blood flowed out of the wound and onto the blade.
Both Buffy and Thomas leapt out of their chairs and moved to Xander. "Xander! What the hell do you think you're doing?" Buffy cried as she rushed over to him.
Xander just ignored Buffy's shout and watched a single drop of his blood run down the blade of the sword. In a surprisingly strong voice, Xander simply said, "Watch."
Thomas and Buffy, despite their wish to stop Xander from hurting himself any further, did as he asked. The trickle of Xander's blood continued down the blade until it reached the hilt. Once there the blood, seemingly moving of its own will, spread out and circled around the entire hilt of the sword, creating a ring. As soon as the ring was completed, the sword exploded with a bright light. The light was so bright that it temporarily blinded everyone in the room.
When the light faded and everyone could see again, they saw that all the little symbols that had been carved into the handgrip of the sword were glowing. Xander switched the sword from his right to his left hand, and then tightened his grip as much as he could. Ignoring the shooting pain that aggravating his cut caused, Xander watched his blood being sucked into the grip of the sword. The symbols grew brighter and then the blade began to glow, and continued glowing.
Xander stopped staring at the sword and looked up to see everyone in the room staring at him. Buffy was the first one to speak, "Ooookay. Somebody tell me that I'm not the only one that just saw that sword go all glowy."
Dawn spoke up, "I saw it to Buffy. What just happened here?"
Xander shook his head in wonderment, "I don't know."
Buffy looked at him strangely, "How did you know that was going to happen Xander?"
Xander responded again, "I don't know."
Buffy got frustrated, "What do you mean you don't know? You knew."
Xander got frustrated himself, "Damn it Buffy, I don't know! I just knew that if I cut myself that would happen. Don't ask me how I knew, because I can't tell you. I just knew." Xander's voice trailed off as he looked back down at the sword.
Thomas's deep voice intruded on Xander's thoughts as he stared at the sword. "I believe that I may have an answer to your question Miss Summers."
Xander looked up from the sword with anticipation. Thomas began speaking, "As I'm sure all of you know from you're many dealings with the evil of this world, blood is life. By many different evils, blood is sought out. Some seek it as sustenance, some as power, while others seek it as a means to further their destruction. However, there are some beings in this world, which seek blood for good instead of evil. One of those beings created a weapon, the Sword of Life. A weapon powered by blood, used to destroy the evil creatures of the night.
"That being, a wise and powerful sorcerer, gave this sword as a gift to my king. The sorcerer said that as long as a member of the royal family lived and fought against the dark forces, the Sword of Life would continue to serve the forces of good. However, only a member of the royal family can use the sword, and only a member of the royal family can give up his blood to power the sword.
"When Jonas threatened the kingdom of Loria and all those who lived in it, the people began to worry that there would not be an heir to the throne. Without an heir, the Sword of Life would go dormant, never to be used against the dark forces ever again. But thankfully, one week before your arrival, Xander, the queen gave birth to a baby boy. Because of the young prince's future role as protector of Loria and by extension the Hellmouth, they named him Alexander, protector of mankind."
Thomas paused and turned to see Xander's pale face. "So you see Xander. Only a member of the royal family could do what you did to that sword. You are the young prince and the protector of mankind, you are that young boy named Alexander."
To be continued…………………..