Family Ties II
Chapter 13
Reunion: Redux
"Hello, my love," Jennifer cooed as Seth walked over to her, dragging the unconscious bodies of Spike and Buffy behind him. As she glided towards him, the vampire dropped the arms of the two warriors and met his bronze beauty halfway.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered, his hands coming to rest on her hips and claimed her mouth as his own. The quick greeting soon escalated and both participants barely contained the lust that had fired through them.
Finally, Jennifer broke the kiss, smiling seductively at her vampire. "Now, none of that, Seth. This vessel must be pure for the ritual."
Seth laughed throatily, his hands roaming up and down the expanse of her back. "Well then, I guess you can chalk this one up because, after last night, there's nothing pure about that vessel of yours."
She couldn't bite back the chuckle and swatted him in the chest. "You really are something, you know that?"
"So I've been told," he replied. He released her but not before giving her one last kiss. As she walked away from him, Seth noticed for the first time the symbol that had been etched in the center of the room. It consisted of a diamond shape centered in a circle of candles. He sniffed the air and deciphered that it had been drawn in blood. He watched as the two remaining Jct'ars situated Buffy, Giles, Willow and Tara at four points, an unconscious Dawn in the middle. The latter wore the same robe as Jennifer though Dawn's face had been painted with several unfamiliar symbols. He listened as Rack circled the area, all the while chanting in some archaic language.
Seth rolled his eyes at the warlock and walked over to Jennifer who was now painting her face with the same symbols that covered Dawn's face.
"In case you were wondering what I meant," she said, never breaking her concentration, "is that while you guys with your showcasing your testosterone, a cleansing ritual had to be performed directly above the spot where the Enjoining is to take place."
"Is that why you're doing this here?"
"Yes. That and the fact that we will need the energies of these unfortunate people to power the ritual."
"What about the slayer and the others positioned around the symbol?"
"The Enjoining does not just require the energies of these people," she gestured casually, "but the four closest to her in blood, mind, spirit and heart. Only with their blood will I be able to merge with her."
"Hmmm," he said as they both walked back towards the center of the Bronze. With everyone in place, Seth watched as the Jct'ars shackled Xander to the still bleeding Anya while the unconscious Spike was chained to a pillar. Faith remained untied and Seth watched her head swivel back and forth and he knew she was on the cusps of waking up.
"Seth," Jennifer's voice broke him from his thoughts and he turned blue eyes toward his consort. "Remember," she said, her eyes focused, "once the ritual starts, nothing will be able to stop it. Be that as it may, I would keep an eye on that slayer of yours and her vampire of a father. Something about her…" she paused and shook her head before continuing. "After the ritual, I will be extremely weak so I will need you to be there for me."
"Always," he smiled at her but did not move to touch her, not wanting to disrupt the flow of magick through her. "So, what about them?" He gestured towards Buffy and the others around the diamond's points. "Will they die?"
"No. Taking too much of their essence would only increase Dawn's resistance to me and, in all likelihood, would set her up as the dominant personality as Emerald with only trace elements of mine infused with it."
"Can't let that happen, now can we?" he winked at her and she smiled genuinely.
"Remember, love, after tonight, nothing will stand in our way."
"That's right," he replied, his tone holding a hint of sadness, "nothing."
***
"Are you ready?" Rack asked as Jennifer took her place in the center of the diamond opposite Dawn.
"Ready," she replied and took Dawn's hands in her own. When they touched, the unconscious teen's body stiffened and she mimicked the cross-legged pose of Jennifer. The raven-haired woman closed her eyes and inhaled deeply before starting the chant.
"For that which is of nothing and everything, nonexistent and omnipresent, powerless and omnipotent, I beseech you." She felt the energy slowly build within her as the air became heavy with the forces she was calling forth. "From those that lie before us, I draw from them life--siphon into me the eternal energies that have been granted them, give me that which has been created unto them so that I may take as my own and create new life."
The ground shook and Seth righted himself, tightening his grip on the unconscious Faith. The two Jct'ars stood on either side of him and their fear was a pungent odor in his nostrils. Not that he could blame them. To be honest, he could barely contain the jagged edge of fear that ran through him as the power in the room pressed upon him. There was no doubt in his mind nor his demon's that whatever it was Jennifer was bringing forth was a power no demon, no one should ever experience. In it was the presence of life and death alike. A life of untold contentment that he could only assume to be that of Heaven and a death so dark and oppressive that Hell was not a strong enough word to describe it. As fearless as he was, Seth wanted nothing more than to be done with this ritual so that he could have his Emerald back. Even if it's never the same with us, he thought sullenly before turning his attention back to Jennifer.
***
Jennifer knew that the purity of the life forces she had just brokered could not be contained in this mortal shell but they had been required in order that she break through the first barrier of defense of the Key. She had to cloak herself in the essence of light in order to be accepted into the Key.
Her body spasmed as it was inundated with the life forces of the Bronzers. Her body was outlined with a whitish glow whose luminance increased to the point that her features were barely visible through the light.
"Out of the Darkness comes the Light of Day. In love's heart, hatred is born. Created in innocence, dying in sin. The spark of the life is shrouded in death. Lord of Lords, Creator of all, subservient to none, I beseech from thee the power to unite that which was created as One--that which shall never be disjoined. The Key of Light--keeper of the eternal flame of life and restitution." The bright glow emanating from Jennifer had died down and was joined by a similar emerald glow from the teenager.
The jolt of purity startled Jennifer and she faltered momentarily before she began again with the preordained words. "The First. That from which sin is born and life is ended. Bind us together as One--the Keepers of Life and Death, our mind and thoughts cohesive as one."
Dawn's eyes snapped open as she was ripped from the darkness, her skin unnaturally warm as thoughts of yesteryear and a million tomorrows bombarded her mind. She tried to scream but instead found herself repeating Jennifer's words though in a language she did not know.
The symbols etched on Jennifer's face began to pulse and the heat they generated was past uncomfortable but nothing could be done. She watched as Dawn's eyes filtered green, the pulsating glow surrounding the teen increasing with each second. It brightened unbearably though Jennifer could do nothing to look away. After Dawn finished the words, however, it dimmed to the same dull radiance that encompassed Jennifer.
Now it is time to bridge the gap, Jennifer thought to herself. Both her and Dawn nodded simultaneously and she read confusion written in the teen's eyes. Truthfully, Jennifer hadn't been aware that both she and Dawn would be willing participants as she figured the girl would be unconscious throughout it all. She mentally shrugged her shoulders and caught the glint of steel as Rack held the knife in hand, approaching the first Scoobie from which to draw blood from.
Buffy.
***
As she shook off the final vestiges of darkness, the first thing Faith became aware of was the overwhelming power buzzing around her. It was like nothing she had ever experienced and she knew that a power this great was something reserved for only the most celestial of beings.
She tried to shake the cobwebs from her mind only to choke as Seth's arm tightened around her neck.
"Nah, nah, nah," Seth whispered into her ear, his free hand caressing her midriff, "none of that sweetie bear." She tried prying his arm from her throat but coupled with the wave of nausea roiling in her guts and his superior strength, she could do nothing but wait for him to loosen his grip.
"Now," he said as she ceased struggling, "are you gonna be a good girl and watch the nice ritual or do I have to muss you up some more?" he punctuated the last part by running his tongue over her neck. Faith shivered at the touch and was powerless to stop the tears that began to fall from her eyes. "That's my girl," he smiled and brought a hand up to her face to taste the salty moisture. "Mmmm, just as good as ever," he sung as he brought his fingers from his lips. "You know, after all this is over, I can't wait to taste the rest of you."
Faith whimpered when Seth's erection ground against her butt. She knew that, if this succeeded, she would be at his mercy again and she'd rather die than to feel him on her, violating her again. Daddy, please help me, she cried inwardly when her eyes came to rest on the unconscious Spike, bound to a support pillar.
"He can't help you," Seth murmured, "and neither can mommy dearest." At the mention of Buffy, Faith turned toward the pulsating energy and saw Jennifer and Dawn surrounded by varying glows of white and green, respectively. Her attention was taken from them as she saw the raggedy form of Rack approach an unmoving figure that she finally made out as Buffy. Faith screamed for her as she watched, helplessly as the knife Rack held bit into the flesh of the unconscious slayer.
For a fleeting moment, a renewed strength coursed within her only to die down as Seth pushed her to her knees, his grip tightening further.
"I said settle down," he grunted and Faith knew that in a few more minutes, her strength would return. How, she did not know, just that it would. And when it did, she'd be able to get away from Seth.
The only thing she didn't know was whether it would be in time to save Dawn.
***
Dawn Summers was vaguely aware of what was going on around her. To her, it was more like a movie that she watched out of her periphery, unable to get a clear picture of the action. But that was not completely true, for there was a part of her, the Aged part of her, that was intimately aware of every molecule of energy that crackled through the air. That part of her danced and wove through the swirls of light and power that flowed through her and her dark sister's veins. Yes, the First was here to and, despite what the others may have thought, the Aged part of Dawn Summers wanted nothing more than to be reunited with her dark sister. They had never been meant to be separated for so long but the time for their reunion was nigh. It was all as it was supposed to be--except…except something was missing. Something important.
Something that, once the Enjoining was complete, would give her a choice. And without it, what should be a glorious union would be nothing more than the beginning of the end…
***
Jennifer saw the recognition within the Key's eyes and, as their thoughts were coalescing as one, she knew that the Key understood Jennifer's plan. The Enjoining was the beginning of what would be the millennium before the final battle of Armageddon, where the One would lead the six and the warriors of Heaven against Lucifer and the true forces of Hell. It was a battle that, as respective beacons of Light and Dark, the Key and the First could not partake in individually, thus the reasoning for the Enjoining. However, with Jennifer as the dominant personality, as she would be without the Heart, the armies of Satan would have the advantage. There were no books that contained this knowledge, however as only the first two created housed that particular knowledge. But they would know, in time, they would all know…
Jennifer watched as Rack sliced into Buffy's palm, reciting the required incantation.
"Blood of the blood," he said before slamming the knife into the edge of the diamond symbol.
"That from which the shell of the Key was created, sister and mother both, I beseech you, oh Host, bind our bodies as one," Dawn/Jennifer said, their voices low though the power of it reverberated throughout the club. The blood that dripped from the knife snaked its way into the diamond's center and stopped between the two women.
They watched as the blood congealed, seeping underneath them, an endless pool forming from the handful of drops that had fallen from the blade. Slowly, the pool began to take shape, the swirling energies around the two women facilitating its growth. They felt it sap the energy from them and, though the pain was immense, the knowledge of what was to happen fueled their concentration even as their bodies faded between physical and incorporeal states, their essences bleeding into the third ethereal entity that had formed between them.
Rack had pulled a second knife from his waist and duplicated the same thing he had done with Buffy, though his words differed.
"Mind and Knowledge, that which is the father," he said and sliced into Giles' palm.
"That from which the Key's mind has been nourished and cultivated, trust to bind us and our intuitions to understand."
As before, the blood snaked towards them until it rested in between the two women. Pulling the energy from them, it filtered into the third shape that had formed between them at the spilling of Buffy's blood. It shimmered before glowing with an electric blue tint, twirling in and out of the ethereal forms of Dawn and Jennifer before lancing through the top of the third figure between them.
Dawn's mind shook with the inundation of thoughts that were not her own, yet were. She saw through dark eyes as He was nailed to the cross and laughed as a spear lanced His flesh. She oversaw the slaughter of billions with the inclusion of an errant thought. Then there was Angel, his eyes wide with fear as she taunted him with the blood that would always be on his conscience…then she saw the slayer, heard Buffy's sardonic words before she dissipated. She waited patiently, then the body had become ripe for possession and she resurrected the body of Jennifer Calendar…
The images shifted for Jennifer as she saw an existence not of the physical but the metaphysical. It had been a state she had not been privy to for countless eons. The physical had always been the First's primary weapon even in her wraithlike state. But now, she was overwhelmed by the sheer brilliance of existing between time and space, transcending all but Him, and the peace that was within her was indescribable. Then, it changed, watching as she became one with the body. Standing over her irate sister, she asked annoyingly 'Can we go Now?'…The pain of the knife as she cut herself, her human mind unable to comprehend not existing. Her heart fluttered as she watched him light the cigarette, 'I feel safe with you…' she said dreamily…the fear as Doc sliced into her flesh was overwhelmed by the grief of watching her sister jump into the portal…
Then the confusion was gone as the two minds had now fell in sync with one another. Though their purposes were at odds, their focus was as one…
Halfway there, Dawn/Jennifer thought, sensing Rack approach the third form that represented the heart.
Willow.
***
"Balls," Spike muttered as he swam from the confines of darkness. His head (not to mention several other parts of his body) was throbbed deliciously. He reached to touch the back of his head but received a notice in the form of immobility that he was chained up.
"Fan-bloody-tastic," he swore and jerked at the chains. Though they had been set in place pretty well, he didn't doubt that with a few well-placed tugs here and there, he could free himself from them. "In about two days," he told himself, pissed that he would be of no use to the Scoobs if…
Daddy, please help me, the voice sounded in his head and he instantly recognized it. "Bitlet?" he called aloud, his eyes falling on his girl for the first time. He stared in fury, vamping out as he watched Seth's arm wrapped around her waist. He tugged violently at the chains, oblivious to the metal indenting his skin, intent on ripping that look of smugness off the vampire's face. When he got out of…
And that's when he smelled it.
Though extremely concerned about Faith, the power that filtered the air drew Spike's attention to the center of the Bronze. His face melted back into its human form and he felt a knife turn in his chest at the site before him.
There, in the center of it all, holding hands with that Jennifer woman, was his Nibblet. She looked nothing like the uncertain, precocious and sarcastic teenager he had spent the majority of last summer with, though her traits, albeit cloudy, were still the same. The rigid posture she sat with coupled by the surety of her limited movements told him that the power that had slept within her for the past year was finally coming forth and he didn't know whether to be elated or terrified. Considering the scent of blood in the air—Buffy's blood, no less--his mind clung to the latter. He had to free himself from these bonds if he was going to be of any assistance to his girls.
Yanking at the chains once more with an even greater tenacity, Spike felt them give some more. If he had just a little more time, then maybe he could stop the ritual before it was completed. He ignored the nagging feeling that, even if he did escape in time, what he did would have no consequence on the remainder of the night.
But that wouldn't stop him from trying.
***
Rack studied the serene face of Willow, her eyebrows scrunched in exhaustion and dread. Even unconscious, she sensed what was going on, and was powerless to stop it.
There, there my sweet Strawberry, Rack cooed internally as he slashed the knife across her palm, fascinated as the rich coppery scent of her blood flooded his nostrils. Can't get distracted, he reminded himself.
"Will and determination, strength of heart," he chanted before stabbing the knife into the floor. Don't worry, my strawberry, he smiled to himself as he walked to the final Scoobie, after all this is over, you and I will have a nice, long acquaintance.
***
"Fire of the heart, that which gives us power, awaken within us." As the blood congealed in the center, an indigo flame enveloped the center of the circle and the onlookers turned
away as the radiance of the flame was too much to bear.
The flames licked at the outer edges of the circle, the barrier biting back the power that threatened to destroy all outside it. But just as quickly as it begun, the indigo blaze simmered until it was nothing more than a glistening jewel in the chest of the third figure whose corporeal state increased exponentially until it was the only solid form inside of the ritual area.
Only a sliver of form remained of the Key and the First, though they were frozen in the same position. They were only vaguely aware of their individuality, instead, their personas flowing as one. Not after the final piece has been completed, Dawn/Jennifer thought as Rack stood over the final piece of the puzzle.
Tara.
***
"No," Faith choked out as Rack cut into Tara's flesh. Seth's tightening grip elicited a sharp cry from Faith.
"Now I thought we were clear on your behavior, Faithie? Don't make me have to do something I really don't wanna do." Though his words were sure, Faith detected a hint of uncertainty underneath his bravado. Her strength had returned considerably though not enough to break his grip, so Faith knew she needed a diversion.
"Seth," she forced and he loosened his grip minutely.
"What is it, honey bear?"
"You're afraid." It wasn't a question and she felt his body tense ever so slightly, so she pressed her advantage. "You don't think she will be the same when all this is over."
"She's going to be either Emerald or Jennifer," he said casually though the doubt was evident to her trained ears.
"No, she's not. Do you really think that the Jennifer you know will be the same after she garners all that power?"
Seth hesitated before he replied. "Even if that's true, she'll be my Emerald again," Faith heard the longing in his voice and knew she didn't have much time to press the advantage. She could feel Tara's blood seeping towards the center of the diamond, the final component: The Spirit.
"No it won't be. Don't you see? The Emerald you know never went through the ritual."
"How do you…?"
"I was with Dawn for ten years before she left us. The Emerald you know did not have the purity that this ritual will give her. And with the blood of the four any traces of Dawn's personality will be wiped out…she will be the First completely. Don't you realize what that imbalance will do?"
"What do you mean?" Seth's grip loosened more and she edged herself closer to him, glancing towards Dawn she saw the increasing glow of a purple light in the center of the ritual. Time was almost up.
"The One is supposed to be an even balance of the Key and the First, the blood of the others will allow her to subvert all the goodness that you love in Dawn. She will never be the same, the one you love." Seth inhaled sharply, the wheels turning in his mind. He had wondered why Jennifer had refrained from telling him what Buffy and the others would be used for until the last minute. And Faith was right, his attraction to Dawn had been instant, unlike the lust he had felt for Jennifer. In fact…
Before he finished the thought, Faith slammed her head into his chin, causing him to stumble backwards. She swung her left arm around, smashing it into the first Jct'ar's face and before the second could react, executed a vicious jump spin kick, her right heel cracking its jaw. Already, she saw Seth on his feet and knew she would never get there in time.
You always have a choice. The words of Emerald rang in her mind and she grasped at the locket around her neck. A warmth she had never felt radiated from it, as if it was speaking to her. It's all I have left of my family she had told Buffy and Spike.
"My family," she whispered and automatically brought her elbow up, momentarily stunning Seth. She heard him growl and knew her time was up. So, without another thought, she hurled the silver locket into the maelstrom that was the Enjoining.
***
"Essence of spirit, give us direction and vision of spirit," Jennifer called and Tara's blood joined the others and slowly grew, its purple flare coursing with energy as it snaked through the three silhouettes that burned bright as everything else slowly fell away.
Jennifer was shaken as her spirit and Dawn's weakened essence clashed. It would take longer than the other three pieces though after it was completed, she would ascend as the One.
She smiled as Dawn's spirit was pressed away. Now all she needed was to close the circle with a simple phrase, thus locking the two together for eternity.
"Oh Lord, as this circle is never ending, bind us eternally, never to be torn asunder! Let it be done! Let it be done! Let it be done!"
The wave of power shot from out of the circle just as Faith's locket fell into the lap of the only solid figure in the circle. The figure that was now Emerald.
Faith and the others were blown to the floor, the pulse sapping their energies and they fell away into unconsciousness.
The Enjoining was complete.
***Note: The colors representing the four Scoobies were used as I saw their personalities and abilities.
Buffy (red)--Energy, determination, passion.
Giles (blue)--Trust, intuition.
Willow (indigo)--Power.
Tara (Purple)--Spiritual, visionary.
***Those were the descriptions I felt best described what they were contributing to the Enjoining. Of course, there are other adjectives that the colors represent but I listed the ones that I used. Creative licensing of sorts. Hehe.
***If you have questions, feel free to email me. Some things will be answered in the coming chapters. As far as other questions, we shall see if the sequel, Severed Ties, delves into them.
***Next chapter, A Father's Rage. Spike is shocked when he finds out who Faith really is. But not for long as he has a score to settle with a certain bad ass vamp…
***Next update will be Friday, Nov 1st. Only three chapters left!!!