Willow sat on Giles' couch, reading a text on chaos worshipping sects. Or
trying to read, at least. Concern for Xander was sort of distracting, in
that my best friend might be dying kind of way. Giles had refused to let
her leave, saying they had to trust Magneto and the Brotherhood, because if
they didn't, they were screwed. Or something like that, only more British.
And wasn't it really bad that she was more worried that her cousin was killing people than evil demons? Though, technically, it would be the evil demon causing her cousin to kill people. Except that Erik had already killed people without any evil demons. Or at least that's what the magazines said. But maybe the media wasn't 100% trustworthy, 'cause they sure don't like mutants. Or maybe...
Focus, Willow. Worry brain babble does not help with the research. Research is good. Research is a productive use of your time. Research is - Xander! Might be in trouble!
Willow stopped even pretending to read the chaos text. Xander didn't have any super powers and Erik seemed awfully freaky about the non- empowered people of the world. And even if her cousin didn't get all kill!Xanderish, there was still all the other mutants and demons and regular people like the police lady with guns and -
Thankfully, the answer was not in her book. Oddly enough, the necessary information was in Giles' book, as it always was.
"Aha! Here it is. 'The Cult of Chaos, related to but not including worshippers of Eris, Loki', mm-hmm, yes that's very interesting, but 'contains various sects of the noted demon clan of the Yaogwkjh, who are numbered among the multitudes that pay homage to the Drinvksh, a greater Sl'kanith demon'."
Willow shook herself from Worry! Mode.
"What does that mean?"
"It means that we will die shortly. Drinvksh isn't just a greater Sl'kanith demon, he is THE Sl'kanith. Their king," Anya explained. "Do you think Mexico's nice this time of year?"
"I hear Mexico's lovely," Melly agreed. "But personally, I see a visit to Russia. Stop off, visit our old friend Baba, then take the sixty- third dimensional gate to Pylea. A bit primitive, but a decent enough vacation spot."
"True, but don't the Pyleans have human issues?"
"Don't worry dear, we'll think of something."
While Anya and Melly continued to debate the merits of various escape plans, Willow and Giles discussed the new information.
"Does this mean the dampener spell won't work?" Willow asked worriedly.
"its effectiveness might be limited," Giles admitted, "but if it is performed correctly, we should gain a measure of protection. For the human population, at least."
"But what about killing the Sl'kanith?"
"My interpretations of the prophecy are somewhat vague, but I believe an option will make itself known. Any demon summoned to this dimension is given a specific set of weaknesses, since it possesses a tenuous grip on this reality. Attacking any such weakness should banish it, in theory."
Willow worried her lip, concerned. "But how do we find the weaknesses?"
"And there's the rub." Giles frowned and considered the possibilities. "Perhaps a reveal spell of some sort? Dracoiin's Compendium contains some excellent forms of divination magic."
"Or maybe The Grimoire of the Unseen?"
"Better check both."
Willow hurried off to locate the appropriate text. At least this would get her somewhere. Even though Xander might be hurt or maimed or ...
"I still say the Gramark dimension had the best cocktail sauce this side of Arashma'har!"
"But the cocktail sauce wasn't any good without the shrimp!"
***
sorry this is so short. And took so long to get posted. Hopefully, I can post Xander and Magneto's return, followed by the spell, soon. As in maybe this weekend.
And wasn't it really bad that she was more worried that her cousin was killing people than evil demons? Though, technically, it would be the evil demon causing her cousin to kill people. Except that Erik had already killed people without any evil demons. Or at least that's what the magazines said. But maybe the media wasn't 100% trustworthy, 'cause they sure don't like mutants. Or maybe...
Focus, Willow. Worry brain babble does not help with the research. Research is good. Research is a productive use of your time. Research is - Xander! Might be in trouble!
Willow stopped even pretending to read the chaos text. Xander didn't have any super powers and Erik seemed awfully freaky about the non- empowered people of the world. And even if her cousin didn't get all kill!Xanderish, there was still all the other mutants and demons and regular people like the police lady with guns and -
Thankfully, the answer was not in her book. Oddly enough, the necessary information was in Giles' book, as it always was.
"Aha! Here it is. 'The Cult of Chaos, related to but not including worshippers of Eris, Loki', mm-hmm, yes that's very interesting, but 'contains various sects of the noted demon clan of the Yaogwkjh, who are numbered among the multitudes that pay homage to the Drinvksh, a greater Sl'kanith demon'."
Willow shook herself from Worry! Mode.
"What does that mean?"
"It means that we will die shortly. Drinvksh isn't just a greater Sl'kanith demon, he is THE Sl'kanith. Their king," Anya explained. "Do you think Mexico's nice this time of year?"
"I hear Mexico's lovely," Melly agreed. "But personally, I see a visit to Russia. Stop off, visit our old friend Baba, then take the sixty- third dimensional gate to Pylea. A bit primitive, but a decent enough vacation spot."
"True, but don't the Pyleans have human issues?"
"Don't worry dear, we'll think of something."
While Anya and Melly continued to debate the merits of various escape plans, Willow and Giles discussed the new information.
"Does this mean the dampener spell won't work?" Willow asked worriedly.
"its effectiveness might be limited," Giles admitted, "but if it is performed correctly, we should gain a measure of protection. For the human population, at least."
"But what about killing the Sl'kanith?"
"My interpretations of the prophecy are somewhat vague, but I believe an option will make itself known. Any demon summoned to this dimension is given a specific set of weaknesses, since it possesses a tenuous grip on this reality. Attacking any such weakness should banish it, in theory."
Willow worried her lip, concerned. "But how do we find the weaknesses?"
"And there's the rub." Giles frowned and considered the possibilities. "Perhaps a reveal spell of some sort? Dracoiin's Compendium contains some excellent forms of divination magic."
"Or maybe The Grimoire of the Unseen?"
"Better check both."
Willow hurried off to locate the appropriate text. At least this would get her somewhere. Even though Xander might be hurt or maimed or ...
"I still say the Gramark dimension had the best cocktail sauce this side of Arashma'har!"
"But the cocktail sauce wasn't any good without the shrimp!"
***
sorry this is so short. And took so long to get posted. Hopefully, I can post Xander and Magneto's return, followed by the spell, soon. As in maybe this weekend.