Queen Of Darkness
Chapter Seven: The Meeting
The Cathedral was massive and stunningly beautiful. Its walls rose three stories high, spires at the eight points of the structure climbing ten stories higher. It was a palace, a fortified castle, a temple and a focus for her powers, all in one. Its true purpose, however, was something that none of her minions suspected. The white walls gleamed in the moonlight, the dome at the heart of the Cathedral shimmering as it collected the magical energy of that light and fed it to the immense reservoirs of pure power that the structure possessed.
Willow looked on the building that she had meticulously designed, and smiled as the memories came to her. Years ago this had been the sight of another temple, of sorts, but one of learning, and not of magic. Sunnydale High School had nearly been her home away from home for four years, three of which were the most exciting, and terrifying years of her life. It had seen her at her worst, seen the ups and the downs, her triumphs and follies. It had been a place which was truly hers, where she didn't need to be anyone she didn't want to be.
Now, she had another place that was hers. True, the Cathedral's sense of belonging was inspired because it was literally created by and for her, but it was nice to feel it anyways. There was only one other place where she had ever felt so completely at home, and that place was gone, for now at least.
"It's singing!" Drusilla breathed, staring up at the huge structure.
"Damn well should be," Willow said, glancing at her Vampiric companion. "Gotta give it up to Xander, when he's got the money and motivation, he really can do some damn good work. Must remember to give that boy a raise," she started walking up the path towards the massive gate in the Cathedral walls, Drusilla trailing after her, clutching a doll to her chest. "Meeting starts in ten minutes, Amy's probably ready to gnaw her own leg off with worry, and while it would be fun to watch, I still need that girl standing for a little while longer."
"It calls to you," Drusilla said, coming up beside Willow. "It worships you."
"Well, duh," Willow answered. "That's what I designed it to do. Not the easiest feat of magical engineering, let me tell you. And if you think it's impressive now, wait until it's finished. It will blow you away."
"It might blow you away, too," Drusilla said quietly.
Willow laughed. "It might. But that's got a chance of slim to none of happening."
"I wonder why you need this," Drusilla said, sounding completely lucid.
"I don't, it just makes things easier," Willow answered her. They reached the doors. "Now, this should be pretty cool," she said as her eyes turned to black. "The trick with turning an entire building into a dimensional warp is to make sure that your doors actually go somewhere. Like this door, for instance. Now in a normal structure, it would open on the grounds between the walls and the central dome. Since everything beyond the walls resembles something like an overenthusiastic dimensional pretzel, well this door could actually open onto the space between dimensions. Not a fun place to walk into unprepared. Now, one of the many, many spells that I had Amy's little coven do here is a nifty little number that allows anyone opening a door to choose where it goes. It works mostly on expectations, if you expect to see the grounds, you'll get the grounds, but if you expect to see the main hall, you'll go there instead. There are, of course, restrictions on this. You're limited to places within the bounds of the walls for one, and my personal will is the final decider on where you end up, for two. But since you're not listening, I won't bore you with the details," Drusilla had started humming to herself halfway through Willow's ramble. "Are you ready?"
Drusilla nodded. "We should really go quickly. Miss Edith says that the rat has been a naughty girl, and must be punished."
Willow tilted her head, she might have been looking sidelong at Drusilla, but their midnight color made her eyes unreadable. "Now that's interesting. Remember to stay in the back when we get in there, Drusilla. I don't want you wandering around during my little pep-talk to the masses. Okay. Here goes," she raised her right arm, pressing her palm flat against the door. "Open," she said simply, and the great doors swung back.
Hundreds of voices gasped as a massive swirling portal suddenly appeared in the center of the gigantic domed chamber that was the main hall of the Cathedral. Willow casually stepped out of the vortex, Drusilla scurrying after. The portal flashed closed making some of the more light-sensetive demons in the hall cringe. Xander hadn't gotten around to installing the permanent seating yet, so a portion of the assembled hoard were seated on folding chairs, while the rest were left to stand where they could. They stared at her, wide-eyed, and she gave them all an encouraging smile. Finally, one of the smarter demon lords got off his chair and went to one knee. "My Queen," he intoned. Within moments the entire congregation followed his example.
"Much better," the Queen of Darkness said, her black eyes scanning over those assembled. She focused in one particular demon, and her forehead furrowed in a slight frown. "Amy," she said, her voice carrying only to the ears of the witch she had named. "Could you come here please?" It was a request the ex-rat dared not deny.
Amy got up and scrambled as fast as she could to the round platform on which Willow stood. She dropped to her knees in front of Willow, her head bowed. "What do you need of me, my Queen?"
Willow sighed. "Amy, stand up and look at me," the witch did as she was told. "Do you see the big rocky, horned thing over there next to the chair he would likely be sitting on if he weren't kneeling?" Amy glanced over, and then nodded. "Now, what were my orders earlier today?"
"That there would be a meeting of the leaders of all the forces you've gathered here," Amy answered, her voice almost pleading for Willow to accept the answer.
"And?" Willow prompted.
"And that only the important ones should get chairs," Amy said, and then squeaked with fear as she realized what Willow was getting at.
"Right. Now, Amy. I'm never exactly up to date on the petty politics of any world, but as far as I know, rock boy over there is just a minion. An incredibly tough minion, to be sure, but a minion all the same. I mean, less than ten minutes after summoning him he was pledging his eternal allegiance to me and offering to make me a dagger from his own flesh. How much more utterly stupid, not to mention icky, can you get?"
"My Queen, I, I'm sorry," Amy whimpered. "The others, they're afraid of him, so I thought."
"Look, Amy," Willow said, smiling pleasantly. "It's not the end of the world. Yet, at least. I'm not going to turn you back into a rat, or pull out all of your magic or anything like that. You made a little mistake, nothing to get all worked up about," tears began to fall from Amy's eyes as the witch started sobbing. "Hey, don't cry," Willow said, wiping the tears from Amy's face. "It'll be okay. And I know that you'll never make the same mistake again. Did you pack your bags like I told you to?"
Amy nodded, controlling her sobs. "Yes, my Queen. I'm all packed."
"Good, I'll talk to you about where you're going later. Now, why don't you go and sit down in rock boy's chair. Don't worry, he won't mind. I don't want to hear another sound out of you until this meeting's over. Okay? Not a single peep, now, do you understand?" Amy nodded. "Good girl, now go sit down," Amy scurried off the platform, but before she was halfway to the demon's seat Willow called out. "Oh, and Amy!" She said forming a powerful spell as the witch turned around. The Queen of Darkness released the spell, letting the energies entangle Amy in their net. "Pain," she said, and the witch collapsed to the ground in agony.
Several of the assembled creatures shot worried looks towards the writhing witch on the ground, but none dared look up at their Queen. Amy twisted as if in seizure, her body contorting as she futilely tried to find a way to lessen the anguish, but not one sound escaped her lips.
The Queen of Darkness raised her eyes to the many still kneeling. "Who ever said drama class isn't good for anything," she remarked to herself. "My people," she said, her voice now amplified so that it echoed throughout the chamber. "Rise now and take your place," they did as she bid them, those with seats taking them and those without simply standing and staring at her. "Hey, rock boy," she said, catching the attention of the massive demon. "Could you help Amy here to your seat, that's a nice underling," the demon obeyed her command quickly, just the way she liked it in minions. "Okay, I bet the lot of you are wondering why I've called you all here tonight. Don't bother answering, if really I wanted to know I'd rip it from your minds. Well, there are a few reasons, actually. First of all, I'm showing off the Cathedral. Isn't it nice? I mean, it's nothing right now. That feeling of immense power pressing down on you from all sides? Yeah, that's nothing compared to how this place will be when it's done. I'm kinda proud. Kudos to Vrathraknia over there who donated the blood of half her brood to mix with the cement of the walls. Another big hand to Korkarian for slaughtering all eight of his sons to provide the jewels which are placed in each of the towers. Big thanks to both of you. I could have done it without you, but it would probably have been inconvenient. Another round of applause, to be made after I've finished talking, to Amy and her coven of highly trained, very powerful witches. They've helped so much that I just can't thank them enough. Amy, you might not be able to hear me right now, what with the unbearable torment and all, but I'm proud of ya. You've really come a long way from being a rat.
"Okay, so we come down to the second reason for me calling you here. That would be summary executions. The following beings are to be torn to tiny, tiny pieces immediately after the meeting. And don't bother running, people, you'll never get anywhere. Okay, here goes. Grackthor the Devourer, for breaking the 'no eating people who work at my favorite coffee shop' rule. Timor the Vampire for showing his true face in public without a good excuse. Althrek the Chaos Demon, 'cause he slimed all over a path I was walking down the other day at UC Sunnydale. I still go to school there, people, please try to remember that. And finally, the Vampires John Derricks, Eric Tobens and Maggie von Buren for not fighting Buffy on patrol two nights ago. She was really miffed when she got no action, and I had to listen to her whine all the next day. Anyways, all of you are doomed so I suggest you start saying your prayers, or whatever, right now. Escape is impossible, blah, blah, and blah.
"On to reason three. I commend all of you who helped repel the attack on our forces at the university the other night. Very good work, that. Unfortunately, that attack was only a distraction from what was really going on. The other side has summoned something terribly interesting, and it's only a matter of time before they decide to launch an all out attack on my fair city. You don't need to know the details, but I'm pretty sure that they're out of their league when it comes to controlling what they summoned, so I'm expecting it to show up here sometime in the next week. If any of you see a skanky Vampire version of me wandering around town, do not go near it. I'm not entirely sure about what its capabilities are, but the other side believes that it might be comparable to me, and you all know how dangerous that would make it. Let the Vampire do whatever it wants, up to and including ripping the guts out of each and every one of you, understand? Until I say otherwise it is under my direct protection, and if any one of you manages to injure her, I will personally take retribution on all of you. Any questions?"
The hall was silent. The Queen of Darkness smiled. "Good. Meeting adjourned. Everybody out!" She shouted, and all those assembled, Demon, human or other rushed to the eight doorways of the main hall. Willow decided to help them along by connecting each doorway to the main gate. In a matter of a few minutes the entire hall was cleared save for Willow, Drusilla, and the silently quaking Amy. "Well, that was boring," Willow said, letting the darkness bleed out of her eyes. "A lot of nothing accomplished. I should probably just send an E-mail next time. Or maybe get a speechwriter. What do you think, Amy?" She asked, the witch stared at Willow with wide eyes, her body trembling, near exhaustion. "The meeting's over, Amy, you can talk now," Willow said. What Amy did was scream, the sound reverberating off the walls so that it sounded like twenty people wailing, and not one. Willow focused her will, and with a slight tug, unraveled the spell she had cast on Amy. The witch fell silent as the agony she had been experiencing suddenly disappeared.
"She didn't like that," Drusilla said, sitting down at the edge of the platform.
"That was the point, Drusilla," Willow told the Vampire. "Amy? Are you still in there, or will I have to repair your sanity again?"
Amy gasped for breath, tears of remembered pain flowing down her face, mingling with the sweat from the effort keeping silent had cost her. "I am . . . listening . . . my Queen," she said.
"Good. That was great, by the way. I never knew you had that much control. Or were that afraid of me. I didn't hear a single peep, did you, Drusilla?"
The Vampire stared intently at the witch. "Her lips didn't move, but her eyes were flashing nasty curses all around."
"Great to hear you making sense," Willow said to the Vampire, then turned back to Amy. "Can you stand up? Do you need any help?"
"No, I am alright, my Queen," Amy said, pulling herself to her feet.
"Bullshit. You just went through several long minutes of unimaginable torment. Alright you are not," Willow said as Amy shakily made her way to the platform. She collapsed just as she reached its edge, and Willow hopped off and crouched down next to the fallen witch. "You've served your punishment, and even did it without breaking another one of my orders. That's pretty good. I think you deserve a reward. Here, hold still," Willow's eyes went dark again as she reached out and lay her hand on Amy's head. The witch gasped as powerful magic streamed into her, energizing her body and cleansing her mind, filling her with pleasure far greater than the pain she had just experienced. It was over in a moment, but it left no residue, no longing or emptiness that Amy would have expected from such an experience. "There, how's that?"
Amy pulled herself to one knee. "Thank you, my Queen. Thank you."
Willow stood up, pulling Amy with her. "No problem, Amy. Now, I've got a little job for you. It involves going to LA and spying on what those wacky people at Angel Investigations are doing. Think you can handle it?" Amy nodded. "Good! Now, I'll be in contact with you once you get there, and I'll give you orders according to the situation. If necessary, I'll also feed you power, but only if absolutely necessary, okay? Alright, now, go on your way, and make sure my executions have been carried out before you leave."
Willow watched as Amy scurried her way to a door and willed herself out of the Cathedral. "Honestly," she said to the Vampire. "I've been taking drama and public speaking classes for years now, and I still can't make a good speech. You'd think that almost taking over the world would make it so that I don't nearly throw up every time I'm in front of a crowd, but no. At least I didn't have to sing."
"There are teeth under us," Drusilla said. "Gnashing, mean teeth. They want you, but they want her more."
"Who? Amy?"
Drusilla shook her head. "No, not the rat. The other you, the one with the lying eyes. They scream for her, but she can't hear them, not yet. Am I a princess, Willow?"
"No, Drusilla, you are not a princess."
"Spike used to call me his princess all the time. I would laugh and dance, and he would say I was his black princess. If you're a Queen, could you make me a princess?"
"I'm not that type of Queen," Willow answered, sitting on the platform next to the mad Vampire. "Is it the Hellmouth you're sensing, Drusilla? It's right under this platform, you know."
The Vampire nodded. "I hear it growling at us. Grrr, grrrr. It knows what you are planning, but it doesn't care any more. It only wants the other you. It wants her to come and join it."
"What happens if she does?" Willow asked.
Drusilla shrugged. "It won't say, but I know a secret it doesn't. Shhhh. Mustn't say anything or it will hear."
"What do you know?"
"You closed a door on it, a long time ago. It can't see the door, so it doesn't know. No one can get through that door, not even you. Not without," she trailed off.
Willow caught on easily enough. "Not without a key, right?" Drusilla nodded. "I understand. Good work, I would never have found that out myself. Being sane and all. I'm glad I keep you around. What's say we get some ice cream?"
Drusilla clapped her hands together, her eyes lighting up. "Oh! Can we have butterscotch! I do so love it!"
"Really? I figured you for a bubble gum type of girl. Something way out of left field, you know?"
Drusilla was rocking with anticipation. "Can we go to the park, too? I want to see the little children playing."
"Too late at night for most kids, but you never know in Sunnydale, you just might get your wish. Come on now, Drusilla. Let's get you your treat," she held out a hand, which the Vampire quickly took, and together they went out into the night.
Author's note: This chapter's pretty boring, and not exactly well written either, but it does put out a lot of information that will become important later on, kinda like the filler chapter. Personally, I'm surprised at how fast I wrote this. Anyways, the next chapter takes us back to the Hyperion, and more fun with Vamp Willow. Stay tuned, and keep the feedback rolling!
-Aeliar
