Flesh Wounds

Part Eighteen

"He's got Gabe," Athena announced, striding into the warehouse. "And, unless we stop it, he's going to sacrifice him tonight."

"And we know where's it's supposed to take place," Xander replied.

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"Okay, the spell was destroyed."

"So how do we stop this?"

"Carefully. Not many know this, but this is a key universe. Destroy this one, and all the other ones crumble."

"Why?"

"Who knows?" She lifted up yet another book, displaying a picture. "There's only one thing that can end all this in one sweep."

"Baskera," Giles whispered.

"Say what?" The captain exclaimed.

"Baskera," Athena explained. "More than demons. The worst thing I have ever, ever heard of."

"Ever faced them?" Xander asked.

"No. It takes a hell of a lot of power to summon them."

"How many?"

"Five besides me, Dasseren included," she answered.

"How do we stop this?"

"I don't know. The spell was how to stop them, and it was the only copy. Maybe something about the location…Xander, where is this happening again?"

"Right here," the teen replied, pointing to…

"The Empire State Building?!" The group exclaimed.

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Gabriel slowly awakened, groaning at the elephants tap-dancing in his head. Then he discovered he was tied to a large, overstuffed chair. "I thought you might like to be comfortable," Dasseren told him from the shadows.

"How kind of you," Gabriel said through gritted teeth, yanking at the ropes.

Gloved hand stopped him. "Now, now, you'll waste your blood, and I need it."

"Why?"

"You should know. Hell wants the universes, and I can supply."

"I hate to sound cliché, but you won't get away with this."

"Such fire. I can see why she loves you."

"Yeah, well, I'm a special guy."

"You have no idea."

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"Are we going to be much help?" Danny asked bluntly.

"Probably not," Athena replied reluctantly. "Are you very religious?"

"What?"

She repeated herself.

"No. I've ignored Him for so long, why should he care?"

"Danny, you're going to need faith."

"Why?"

"The Baskera…they still have one weakness. They feed on the faithlessness. The truly faithful are defended by their faith. Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, it don't matter, you must have faith."

He caught her hand. "I have faith in you."

A small, wistful smile was his reply.

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"How much blood is needed for this ritual?"

"A drop, but more is always helpful. Then he'll be given to the spirits. Xander, you and Sara will be with me. Danny, Captain, Jake, I don't know what he'll have, but I want you surrounding the building, and keep people away. And you'll need faith."

"Like religion?" Jake asked.

"Only way to defend yourself," she explained quickly. "Just believe in something."

"Ooh, I sense twenty-three churches," Xander muttered.

"Hey, it works." She bit her thumbnail.

"What do you pray to?" Xander asked so softly none but she could hear.

"Nothing wants to hear my prayers, honey," she answered just as quietly.

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"Why Pez?"

"Kindred spirit," Athena replied, pulling off her gloves.

"Athena," he stopped her with a hand on the arm. "It's something to do with your mysteriously matching bracelets, isn't it?"

"Yes," she replied frankly. "But Sara's the one who had to tell you."

"Okay. Hey, Athena? Be careful, okay? I don't want to lose you."

She hugged him hard. "You, too, grasshopper."

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"Okay, there's so much black here, Deadboy would be in Heaven," Xander muttered, and was rewarded by a chuckle from Athena.

"Deadboy?" Sara asked quizzically.

"A…friend of ours," the blonde replied, gazing up at the Empire State Building. "They'll be at the top, but we'll have to stop by each floor and clean it out. You two ready?"

"As we'll ever be," Sara replied.

"Have faith, darling."

Xander half-smiled. "I love you, 'Thene."

She tossed her braid over her shoulder. "You, too, Xand. Let's do this."

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Gabriel worriedly gazed down at the ground far, far below his slim form, which was chained to a beam near the top of the Empire State Building. And he was shirtless, never a good sign. Closing his eyes, he began to breathe deeply to keep from becoming ill.

"Comfortable?" Dasseren sneered.

"Oh, yeah," Bowman replied, and sent up a silent prayer. "So, what are you waiting for?"

"Like all things, there is a time," the warlock replied, waving his hand. Five candles floated around Gabriel's body, streams of smoke forming a pentagram with him in the center.

"Most would be begging for their lives. I'm impressed."

"Yeah, well, what can I say? I'm a special guy."

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The two women rolled, avoiding a clawed swipe. Xander was waiting; he sliced down, and the claw fell sizzling to the floor. Sara kicked the demon's legs out from under it, and Athena slashed with her Witchblade, decapitating it.

"Is that all?"

"Yeah," Athena replied. "But just for this floor."

"'Thene, we're only on the tenth floor," Xander told her.

"And it's going to get worse on each floor." She hopped to her feet. "C'mon."

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"So your spirits…Akri is the leader, right?" Gabriel asked, eyes still closed.

"Technically. I created the curse, and she was the first to fall ill." The warlock placed a silver blade on the beam near Gabriel. "Tell me, do you have faith?"

"Yes."

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Athena took Xander's face in her hands, examining his head wound. "It's started to heal," she reported as the elevator dinged to a stop. "Last floor."

The teen slowly straightened, regaining his strength quickly. "Let's get this over with."

Then he saw what was waiting for them. "Magic, 'Thene," he whispered. "Fireballs?"

"Won't work. But this will…" The girl held up her hands; streams of water flew out, forming walls around most of the demons. But that still left plenty for the small group, and they rushed in.

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"What do you have faith in?"

Gabriel slowly shifted before replying carefully, "Her love for me. My love for her."

"How touching."

"Glad you think so."

Dasseren smiled. "You have no idea, do you?"

"About what?" Gabriel asked warily.

"What your love means. Why her stone turns green."