Title: Something New (12/15)
Author: Luisa
Notes/Disclaimers: as in the Prologue
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Part 12
Everything about her was shrouded in darkness and a chill filled the air. As the darkness gradually brightened a little, Willow became aware of a presence... well several, actually. Glancing to the side she drew in a harsh breath as she realised she was encircled by dozens of different demons.
A voice spoke suddenly, soft and approving, yet it held a note of... menace. A shudder travelled along the Wicca's spine as she realised it was speaking to her.
"You have much anger and pain... your magic is strong, but your pain..." The voice paused, as if it was trying to find the right words. "It's like a scream that pierces dimensional walls. We heard your call."
Willow gulped nervously as the owner of the voice stepped out of the shadows. A tall demon with horns, joined by what she guessed was his minions.
"I... I'm sorry. I'll try for a quiet rage. Bye." She turned, hoping she could go, despite knowing it would be pointless. As the circle of demons closed in on her slightly she let out a defeated sigh.
The demon called her back. "Our intention is not to quash your potential... quite the contrary." Mystified she turned back as she realised what he was saying. Now that he had her attention, he continued. "The pain and suffering you brought upon those you love is inspiring. You are ready to join us here in Arash Ma'har."
Her brow furrowed in deeper confusion. [Pain? Suffering? What's he talking about?] She bravely voiced her question. "Pain? What pain?"
The demon looked at the young witch with interest and chose to allow her to see the result of her vengeance as he opened a small window into her normal dimension.
A cross between a gasp and a sob escaped her as she watched her best friends furiously battle demons as they kept on coming. "Oh god. But I didn't mean to!"
He spoke again, pride swelling in him at having picked such a fine candidate. "But you did. This is the result of your power. You will make a fine vengeance demon."
A whimper escaped Willow as she watched a demon creep up behind an unsuspecting Xander. "No, please! You have to help them!"
He shook his head, baffled. "It is not my concern. *You* are my interest in this matter."
The Wicca collected her wits and tried for a friendly approach, realising this demon wasn't as scary as he looked. "Really... no offence intended... I mean, you've been super-nice and everything, but... I don't *want* to be a demon. I just wanna go back and help my friends."
A shocked look crossed his face as some of his minions began whispering to each other incredulously. "That is your answer?"
She swallowed noticeably as she tried to be brave. "It... it is."
"I'm sorry to hear that." He loomed over her threateningly for a moment, hoping to change her mind. Seeing that she wasn't about to, he sighed. "Oh well. Here is my talisman." He passed it to Willow, offering some parting advice before conjuring her home. "You change your mind, give us a chant."
With a wave of his hand he and his cohorts vanished once more into blackness. A second later Willow realised she was standing on the stairs in Giles' apartment. She took a deep breath and chanted loudly. "Let the healing power begin. Let my will be safe again. As these words of peace are spoken, let this harmful spell be broken."
A sudden clap of thunder accompanied by a bright bolt of lightening resounded in the small room and each person present closed their eyes against the brightness. When they opened them again, the demons were gone.
"What the...?" Buffy started, looking around in confusion. She spotted Willow on a middle stair.
The redhead gave a sheepish smile and a small wave. "Hi guys."
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Part 12
Everything about her was shrouded in darkness and a chill filled the air. As the darkness gradually brightened a little, Willow became aware of a presence... well several, actually. Glancing to the side she drew in a harsh breath as she realised she was encircled by dozens of different demons.
A voice spoke suddenly, soft and approving, yet it held a note of... menace. A shudder travelled along the Wicca's spine as she realised it was speaking to her.
"You have much anger and pain... your magic is strong, but your pain..." The voice paused, as if it was trying to find the right words. "It's like a scream that pierces dimensional walls. We heard your call."
Willow gulped nervously as the owner of the voice stepped out of the shadows. A tall demon with horns, joined by what she guessed was his minions.
"I... I'm sorry. I'll try for a quiet rage. Bye." She turned, hoping she could go, despite knowing it would be pointless. As the circle of demons closed in on her slightly she let out a defeated sigh.
The demon called her back. "Our intention is not to quash your potential... quite the contrary." Mystified she turned back as she realised what he was saying. Now that he had her attention, he continued. "The pain and suffering you brought upon those you love is inspiring. You are ready to join us here in Arash Ma'har."
Her brow furrowed in deeper confusion. [Pain? Suffering? What's he talking about?] She bravely voiced her question. "Pain? What pain?"
The demon looked at the young witch with interest and chose to allow her to see the result of her vengeance as he opened a small window into her normal dimension.
A cross between a gasp and a sob escaped her as she watched her best friends furiously battle demons as they kept on coming. "Oh god. But I didn't mean to!"
He spoke again, pride swelling in him at having picked such a fine candidate. "But you did. This is the result of your power. You will make a fine vengeance demon."
A whimper escaped Willow as she watched a demon creep up behind an unsuspecting Xander. "No, please! You have to help them!"
He shook his head, baffled. "It is not my concern. *You* are my interest in this matter."
The Wicca collected her wits and tried for a friendly approach, realising this demon wasn't as scary as he looked. "Really... no offence intended... I mean, you've been super-nice and everything, but... I don't *want* to be a demon. I just wanna go back and help my friends."
A shocked look crossed his face as some of his minions began whispering to each other incredulously. "That is your answer?"
She swallowed noticeably as she tried to be brave. "It... it is."
"I'm sorry to hear that." He loomed over her threateningly for a moment, hoping to change her mind. Seeing that she wasn't about to, he sighed. "Oh well. Here is my talisman." He passed it to Willow, offering some parting advice before conjuring her home. "You change your mind, give us a chant."
With a wave of his hand he and his cohorts vanished once more into blackness. A second later Willow realised she was standing on the stairs in Giles' apartment. She took a deep breath and chanted loudly. "Let the healing power begin. Let my will be safe again. As these words of peace are spoken, let this harmful spell be broken."
A sudden clap of thunder accompanied by a bright bolt of lightening resounded in the small room and each person present closed their eyes against the brightness. When they opened them again, the demons were gone.
"What the...?" Buffy started, looking around in confusion. She spotted Willow on a middle stair.
The redhead gave a sheepish smile and a small wave. "Hi guys."
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