The slayer was mesmerized as she stares at the axe, she could feel its power radiating from it. As she steps forward towards it . . .Caleb blasts the door to the cave and comes walking proudly down the steps! Seeing the slayer near the axe, he taunts her that she could not remove it from the stone . . .but because of the added strength I was had given her, so she was able to lift it up easily. Caleb steps back when he saw her lift the axe out. . . he knows of the power that the axe possess but even though, he will be defeated he was still willing to fight. But the First appears beside him in the slayer's form and tells him to back out . .It also told him to let the slayer go and to let her bring the weapon with her . . . It even told the slayer that the potentials were in danger of getting killed because they were walking into a trap . . . . With that said, The slayer sets out to aid the potentials. I saw this event happen with my mind's eye, so even if I was with the potentials I am able to see what was going on with the slayer. I even aided her by giving her an idea where the potentials were at the moment. But just as I finished sending this hidden message to the slayer, my mind's eye turns black . .all I could see was black . . I tried searching for the slayer and I could see her running towards the sewers but as I try to see what Caleb is doing . . .all I see is black! I could not see where he is or where the First is . .I even could not see where those wretched Bringers and ubervamps are presently hiding. This revelation and change of events was unexpected . . . I was right in saying that the future is not set in stone . . now everything I saw during my merge with my sisters will be completely changed. . . At this point in time I am stunned and overwhelmed with the events . . .. I keep on asking myself how this thing could happen, I should be all knowing ! . . .. Now I don't know anything or how things will end and for the first time in my life . .. . . ..I was scared!!!!
Plenty of things are now occupying my mind and my emotions are all jumbled up. . . The First has something in mind and since it knows of my presence it has now successfully blocked all means that I could use for probing out Its plans. . . At that moment I was at a total loss, I am confused . . .I am at a disadvantage . .And I hate being in this position . . . I was clueless and hopeless . . But I was brought back to reality when one of the potentials got up from the rubble . . How could I faze out like that??? How could I be so selfish?!? There are lives here needing my help! And there are more important things now that should concern me . . . ubervamps were on their way to kill them! I may not see them coming but I can still feel their evil presence getting stronger which means they are getting nearer. . . I had to make sure that all the survivors would be able to get out safely. And I had to do it quickly. so I created magically some growling noise to get their attention . . . And it worked! They are now aware of the danger coming. With quick and correct decisions, they are now running away carrying the unconscious Faith. She was nearest to the chest of explosives during the blast, If I had shielded her too much, they would be shocked how she would get out of it standing . . .this is for the best. Faith would recover in no time, that I can guarantee!
I did my best of protecting the potentials but because there were so many ubervamps, three of them got away from me. One against about a hundred ubervamps is not an easy task especially if no strong magic is used. I could not take the risk of using magic here and now, it is too early for them to know of my existence. I just hope the potential could handle those three ubervamps. As I finished off the last ubervamp I could get my hands on, I began running towards the direction were I knew the potentials were, it was then that I felt the slayer near the potentials. . they will be ok . .the slayer could take care of the ubervamps, she will bring them to safety. It only takes one strike with the axe and those creeps will instantly turn to dust. With that settled, I best make my way to Spike . . .he should know about the turn of events . .things are about to get nastier.
SSSBBBSSSBBBSSS" Spike? " I called out as I appeared at the bedroom and did not find him.
" Sere? "
I quickly turned around to face the bathroom door, there was Spike standing with a towel in his hands . .he apparently just finished his bath.
" Are you ok? " He quickly came towards me and touched a bruise that was beginning to form on my cheek.
I maybe a very powerful fighter with enormous magical abilities but that does not mean I am invincible, I am still part mortal. I do get an occasional bruise, bump, cut whenever I fight.
" I am alright! I was not able to save all the potentials, Had little time to protect them from the bomb. I also had to make sure that the ubervamps would not get to them immediately. " I spoke as I was waving a hand over my face, then the bruise disappeared. One of the perks I have, instant healing with a wave of a hand.
" I told you! I should have been there with you! "
" No, It was the best things to do, especially now. . . "
" What do you mean? What has happened? " He asked as he grabbed hold of my shoulders.
" Spike! The future I saw . .It will be or better yet it has changed! " I said as I removed his hands on me and took a step backwards.
"And . . .and I don't know what will happen . . .I . . . tried looking into the future . .but I can't see anything anymore! . .. I . . .I . . I am scared! . . .OH God Spike! For the first time in my life . .I am terrified of what is to come . . . I . .I ." I burst out as I crumbled to the floor. . . Tears came streaming down my face.
" Spike! What are we going to do?!? I can feel it inside of me . . .something very terrible will happen! . .I am afraid that I might loose you . . . I cant bear it! . . .Not now! Not Now! . .Now that I have you! Oh God Spike! I don't know what to do! "
" I don't know what Caleb and the First is planning . . .I cannot see where the bad guys are! . . . I feel useless . . I don't even know what rule I am to take in this fight . . I am clueless . .I . . ."
I just could not help myself . .the feeling just came hurling down on me . . . I just could not contain it any longer.
" Shhh! Shhh Love, everything will be alright . .we will get through this together! " Spike comforts me as he gently hugs me and rocks me back and forth.
" Nothing will happen to me, just wait and see, when everything is done we will both walk out of this place hand in hand and never come back again. We will live a very long and happy life together . .Just you and me! " He said this as he lifted my chin with his two fingers so that I could gaze into his eyes and see that what he was telling me was from his heart. He then gave me a soft kiss on my forehead.
Hugging him with all my might, I then sobbed into his shoulders. After which, Spike lifts me up and places me on the bed, he then lays down beside me and held me as tight as he can.
" Now it is your turn to take a rest . . . do not worry about anything for now . . .I will be here to protect you . .I will be your guide . .I will be here for you whenever you need me . . . Go to sleep my love . . you need it. And I am sure when you wake up you will feel better and your mind will be clearer . .. trust me! " Spike whispers softly in my ear as he gently gives me butterfly kisses on my cheek.
My eyes began to drop as I feel myself getting sleepy . . . the fear was still there . .. but somehow at that time, I felt safe and secure . .so I let myself succumb to feeling of sleepiness now taking over . .. Sleep! . . .sleep . .. I have not done it for some days now. Maybe Spike is right, a good rest would do me good.
" Spike! The slayer has It in her hands now . .I think you should know " I said groggily then I fell asleep.
SSSBBBSSSBBBSSSBack in the slayer's house, everyone was very busy. Each one was helping the injured potentials get medical attention. As most of them are being treated in the living room, they brought Faith into the slayers room. After getting Faith safely in bed, the slayer then begins to narrate the events that had happened to her. After the talk, they went on with their separate works . .time was of the essence. . . Willow and Giles started their research on the axe. Anya and Andrew, while patching up a potential, decided that they should head out to the hospital to gather some badly needed medical supplies that they would be needing for the upcoming battle . . The slayer? She is presently talking with Xander in the kitchen. She is convincing him to leave.
Night has just arrived and all things are still peaceful . . . The First is up to something and it is big . .really big! And into the night Willow and Giles are still researching about the axe and the only clue they have is of an old pagan temple which is now located in the cemetery.
And somewhere deep in the underground, The First and Caleb makes their move! . . . In order make Caleb more stronger . .He and the First merge!.
And in the room where Spike and me are staying, I wake up with a jolt.
" What's the matter? " He asked. His voice filled with concern
" Something bad is about to happen, I have to go! " I frantically replied, as I got up quickly.
" This time I will go with you! "
" You can't! You have to go to the slayer, talk to her. . .stall her, I need time! " I quickly told him.
Spike did not bother to reply this time. He might not say anything, but I could see it in his eyes, he was worried about me.
" Do not worry Love, I will be safe . . .We will see each other again after this . .Trust me! I have never told a lie and I will not start now. " I told him softly. I then gave him a quick hug and a kiss on the lips. Then I disappeared.
SSSBBBSSSBBBSSS
Outside the slayer's house, Xander was asking for Dawns help to look for something in his car. And as soon as she moves to the front seat to check, Xander whips out a handkerchief soaked in chloroform and placed it over her mouth effectively knocking Dawn out. He then hurriedly gets in the drivers seat and set off. He did not want to leave but he was just following the slayer's request.
Inside the slayer's house, Faith had just woken up and the slayer was there, waiting. She then shows Faith the axe. And for the first time, they have a somewhat decent talk about their feelings and about the life of being a slayer. It was this time that both of them understood one another. With everything settled between her and Faith, The slayer makes her way down to go out on a solo mission . . .find out what she can about the axe. As the slayer reaches the last step of the staircase, Spike comes in the door. They then start a conversation. It was a sort of awkward conversation but Spike was able to delay the slayer as long as he could. And with my request fulfilled, He then left the slayer's house.
On the road, Dawn was just coming to. Before she could burst out in anger, Xander hands her the letter the slayer had written for her. But after reading, Dawn becomes more infuriated than ever. She then takes out her stun gun and stuns Xander on the neck, this time knocking him unconscious. After taking over the wheel, Dawn turns the car around and heads back to Sunnydale.
SSSBBBSSSBBBSSS
" Old one! I know that I should not have come here but . .. " I spoke as I kneeled and bowed before the person I had spoken to.
" Aah! Serenity . . . no need to worry, I knew that you are coming as I know the slayer is coming! " She replied wisely.
" Old one, Your life is in danger! I foresaw it! "
" I know of it, My time has finally come. "
" But, you are the last of your kind . . . you helped in forging the weapon the slayer now wields . .can you not do anything? "
" I will do nothing . . .As I told you, my time has come . .. there will be no need for me anymore. Do not worry about me dear Sere " She told me as she cupped my face with her right hand and using her left hand she took hold of my left hand and helped me up.
" You and I are the last of our kind and if I will be gone then you think you too might have the same faith. All I can say to you is that nothing lasts forever. Everything on this earth has a time limit, others longer than most . . just like us but they too eventually dies. And we are no exception for we too have die. " He spoke to me while holding both of my hands in hers
Something she said hit me . . . She was not telling me everything . .Maybe my time too has come? Or maybe Spike's? Or maybe none of us will survive? Is this the earth's doom? Will I fail and bring about its destruction? . .These questions plagued my mind.
" Do not dwell on it to much my dear! There are more important things you should consider for now. The fight will be difficult but you must remember this, believe in yourself and your abilities and most of all believe and have faith on the love you and Spike share, it will be your strongest weapon. Now you must leave, he is coming. "
" Caleb? But how? "
" Yes it is he, The first and he are now one! They will wait until the slayer arrives. They will let me say what I have to say then kill me. "
" Please let me stay and fight him! I know I can defeat him! "
" I know you can but your fight is not with him, it is with the First. You must go, but if you choose to stay then stay . .but all you can and will do is watch the events as they unfold. You could learn things here that may aid you in your upcoming battle. "
I know that there is no way that I could convince the Old one to change her mind. I must obey her wishes and to make sure that I would not be detected by the First or Caleb, she put upon me one of her most powerful invisible spells and as soon as I left from her sight, I felt the presence of Caleb. He is now here waiting .. waiting for the slayer just like me. Just as soon as Caleb was in place, the slayer came in with a bang. She had kicked the door very hard that it came crashing in. After a few seconds of wearily watching her surroundings, the slayer was a bit startled when the Old One decided to show herself. She then talked with the slayer on who she was, and what she did. It was about the time when she was talking about the axe when Caleb came out from behind the curtains and placed his filthy hands on her neck. I could not bear to see what was about to happen, so I turned my head and closed my eyes. Then I heard a snap, I knew then that she had died. As I turned my head to see what was happening, I see her lifeless body on the ground. The Old One is truly gone . . . and I am the last one of the ancients . . . . A tear trickles down my face as I felt a deep sadness not only from myself but also from the old ones that has already left and that includes my sisters.
The slayer and Caleb are now locked-in a fierce fight. Caleb has grown very strong ever since he merged with the First. And even though the slayer still posses the powers I gave her, she is no match this time for the all-powerful Caleb. Now he seems to be winning. No amount of kicking and punching was able to faze him. And now he has gotten the slayer pinned down, I was about to step up and intervene but lo and behold Angelus arrives. Angelus then gives Caleb a hard punch to his cheek sending him flying to the wall. And after a few exchange of words with the slayer where she had insisted that she finish what she has started, Angelus steps back and watch. A few more kicks and punches and flying to the walls, the slayer was able to swing her axe at Caleb's mid-section. With a laugh, Caleb staggers backwards and falls down dead. With smiles on both their faces, Angelus and the slayer exchange some very short hellos and what are you doing here, the slayer then kisses Angel passionately. And in the shadows watching this happen was me . .. . Spike and the First . . It taunting Spike . .telling him what a slut the slayer is . . . And so begins the events to the final battle . . .all the important characters have now assembled . .the time is now . . IT IS HERE!