Chapter 26

Spike's eyes flashed gold and the vampire moved towards the entryway, the slayer beside him. They crossed to the nearest two guards in a flash , arms and legs lashing out with deadly accuracy. Jack and Sam laid down covering fire, moving out from their hiding places and into the room. Giles Willow and Tara moved into the perimeter helping Giles to cover the door. Nefu screamed in anger as the intruders decimated his Jaffa, he grasped the crystal in his hand and started to chant. Buffy and Spike stiffened as the spell he cast immobilised them with a wave of his hand. Willow and Tara hands entwined chanted softly words of power, but without access to the magical energy were unable to withstand Nefu's assault. Giles, Jack and Sam fell to their knees as the magic squeezed them in its grip, dropping their weapons and clutching their throats.

Daniel and Xander remained kneeling at the foot of Nefu's throne oblivious to the rescue. More Jaffa streamed into the room and surrounded the fallen teams. Nefu's face was a mask of rage, he whipped his cloak behind him as he took the stairs to his throne. The Go'auld faced his captives with a triumphant smile on his pinched features, his swarthy face aglow with victory.

"So you thought to attack me….Nefu your god…you shall be suitably punished for your transgressions"

The Jaffa chained the fallen scoobies and sg1 to the walls, Spike was dragged across the floor. His hands bound behind his back before Nefu released him from his spell.

"You have returned Daywalker, have you come to give yourself to me willingly"

William shook his head as the spell cleared, his eyes falling to Xander sitting tamely beside him.

"I have come for my mate, release him"

The icy sound of Nefu's laughter chilled him to the bone, the Go'auld's eyes glowed as they ran over his body. The hilt of the dagger bulged at his waist and he saw Nefu's eyes light upon it.

"Slave rise, search him for weapons."

Xander rose fluidly to his feet, turning to stare at William with dull brown eyes. His hands went to the neck of William's shirt and tugged hard, tearing the material asunder. Nefu peered around Xander's body, looking at the weapon that had lain concealed.

"A weapon, and a poor weapon at that, not worthy of a god. You thought to slay me with such a paltry thing."

Nefu laughed again, his whole attention concentrated on William.

"Come forth Tokra, show yourself to me so that I may bestow my sentence upon you"

William's eyes glowed with white light as Radic made his presence known.

"Ah there you are, you are to vacate the daywalker's body immediately Tokra."

"We are agreed, we shall not be separated"

Nefu stood his anger plain on his face as he stepped forward stopping mere inches away from his prisoner.

"You dare to defy me?"

Radic's voice was strong as he answered the Go'auld

"I do"

White shifted to gold as Spike's consciousness assumed command.

"And so do I poof"

Amber faded to blue, steely determined and calm as William came to the fore.

"We are united, we shall never bow before you false god"

Nefu's face darkened as fury overcame him, as he turned to command Xander. He stepped back slightly as he saw the struggle in the boy's body, green flickering through his chocolate eyes.

"If you will not obey me you shall die, by your lover's hand"

"No"

"Take his weapon slave, kill him for me, your god"

Xander's hand reached out immediately, his fingers closing around the hilt of the dagger and pulling it free of William's clothes. As soon as he held it in his hand the metal warmed with the magic buried deep within. Silver shocks ran through his arm, sparking against the dark magic binding him. Green light flickered madly in Xander's eyes as the hyena fought for release. The magic ran with a roar through him overpowering Nefu's hold and banishing it with a flash. His human spirit wavered under the assault allowing the hyena free rein. Xander threw his head back with a howl, sinking to his knees holding the dagger close to his chest. Mad cackling laughter danced around him as the hyena took control. William panted as wild green eyes found his, recognition dawning in the feral light there.

"Kill him"

Nefu's roar of fury startled him and the hyena turned his baleful gaze on his would be master. Faster then William would have thought possible Xander threw himself at Nefu, the dagger still in his grasp.

The Go'auld staggered back astounded that a slave would dare to try to harm him.

"I command you to halt."

Nefu grasped his crystal chanting again, but Xander was quicker. In the dim recesses of his human mind he knew he had to use the dagger. The hyena coiled in on himself then flew at Nefu, using the dagger to stab him deep in the stomach. Green light cascaded through the room in wild waves as Nefu lost control of the crystal. The magic building in a whirling tornado of light and energy that threatened to kill them all. Willow felt the spell blocking her from her power fading, she reached inside and let it fill her. The chains holding them suddenly disappeared, flying across the room to wrap around their jailors. Willow chanted, feeling Tara's hand in hers as the blonde witch added her strength. The wild light gained strength, magic roaring around them. Willow and Tara chanted louder, trying to dispel the gale. Sam staggered to Willow's side and took her free hand, the grateful witch spared her a thankful glance. The chant sounded in Sam's head and she joined in feeling Giles hand in hers as he chanted alongside them. Willow took their strength and wove it into a powerful spell, her eyes glazed over as she drove all her magic into it. The wind whipping her red hair around her face as she shouted out the words of power. The green light flared wildly then a shockwave slammed into them as it dispelled in a mighty roar, the energy rushing back to its source.