"Buffy! Duck!" Angel yelled, throwing the scaly demon from him once more.
The blonde looked up from her spot, just in time to barely miss the sharp claw aimed at her skull. Gulping slightly, she shook her head and charged at her opponent, managing to kick him back a few yards, twisting his neck in the process. Blocking a punch from another, she jumped over it and before the thing had a chance to turn, she had the sword in and out of his orange (partially exterior) heart. Growling as the demon-goo spewed onto her jacket, she advanced towards the final demon, knocking him squarely upside the head for her dark companion to finish off with a swift beheading. The short demon fell with a dull thud, landing just next to one of the many tombstones surrounding them.
Letting out a breath, the warrior examined the five dead carcases, her nose scrunching at the sight.
"Demon goo that not only smells like dead rot, it glows purple. Can I just say ew?"
Ignoring her comment, Angel leaned down and carefully looked at the bodies, noticing the small shape imprinted into their arms.
"Brailehck demons." He said, dropping the lifeless limb once again.
"Bray-what?"
"Brailehck, not overly bright but make for good foot soldiers. They'll do practically anything for an unfair price, usually a bit too risky to be put out against any major forces."
"Gee, I'm so flattered." Buffy mumbled, taking off her now ruined jacket with a whine. "That's the fourth jacket this week! They seriously do not pay me enough for this."
Laughing slightly at his girlfriend's grumbles, Angel leaned down and kissed her soundly on the lips, keeping his arm wrapped around her waist.
"They're getting stronger." He said, giving the area a quick visual, and pleased to find nothing other than graves and abandoned crypts.
"Nah," Buffy shook her head, "they're always this strong, just usually don't come in such large groups. More manageable when you only have one trying to kill you."
Nodding, Angel once again brought his lips to her own, revelling in the kiss as though it was their first.
In the past three months the two had grown even closer, with Buffy's training kicked up (which, to Angel's pleasure, she was doing extraordinarily well in) she ended up spending most of her time at his home. Usually falling asleep in his arms or on his couch, for him to put her to bed and curl in beside her. Buffy not only had a drawer, she had a good portion of his closet filled with various outfits, and his cupboards with food. Although he pretended to be manly about it and annoyed, Angel was thrilled with this. It had started one day with a single yellow flower, she had come over a few hours before sundown with it and promptly placed it on his coffee table, saying although she loved his apartment more than she could admit, it needed a woman's touch. Seeing the satisfied smile that lit up her face, Angel had caved in and welcomed her to add any feminine needs she felt necessary. Here he was, three months later, with a flower in the living room, bedroom, and kitchen, more of her clothes than his own, various scented soaps decorating his bathroom, and more small notes and doodles lying around than he could sanely admit.
And he loved every second of it.
Their relationship had grown physically closer (slowly, but surely) and although they hadn't thought about (okay, scratch that, TALKED about) sex, both were more than happy with the way things were going. It seemed that every day they learned something new about each other (like that Buffy was afraid of spiders, or that Angel could draw almost lifelike pictures with nothing more than a piece of charcoal and some paper), and found themselves more and more enthralled by the other. Neither had worked up the courage (or "found the right time") to say those three little words to the other, although both knew of the love that they felt, they were, in the end, hopelessly lily-livered to say anything about it.
As their innocent kiss began to sneak into 14A-rated territory, Buffy pulled back and smirked.
"We'd better get going, Faith and Gunn will be coming to get rid of the bodies pretty soon, don't want a repeat performance of last time."
Angel rolled his eyes, remembering all-too well what had happened two and a half months ago. He and Buffy had been out necking on patrol when Faith and her dark friend had spotted them, immediately assuming the worst they'd thrown him off her and come about a half-inch away from staking him. It took Buffy a good half hour of explaining and guarding him, before he and the familiar black man could be properly introduced. Not some of his most admirable moments to say the least. He and the two got along fairly well now, but the thought of being caught necking a senior officer by two warriors and their teams wasn't one he really felt the need to play out.
Taking her hand, he picked up his forgotten axe and slinging it over his other shoulder, headed towards the exit of the graveyard. Buffy smiled and looked up at him.
"By the way, there's this thing going on tomorrow night. Nothing major I just kinda forgot to ask you if you'd be my date before so, ya." She said, giving him an innocent smile.
Obviously not catching on, Angel shrugged.
"Sure. I mean, if you want to go somewhere I'm sure we could work it."
Buffy smiled.
"Great, now all you need is to pick up your tux and we're good to go." She said, in a chipper voice.
Angel stopped dead in his tracks, holding his hands up.
"Whoa, sorry but what?"
"Oh, it's nothing huge, just this small, black-tie-ish…thing."
"Thing? Buffy the last time you used that phrase I ended up having to save Doyle from Faith."
"Well hey, he's all irish and half-demony. He should know better than to hide suspiciously outside your place like that." At Angel's raised eyebrows, she caved. "Fine, it's a ball. The council has it every year for all the warriors and their watchers and everyone. I've only ever been to one, when I was really little Giles took me and Tara, but from what I remember it was really fun and this year I'm invited, and it'd really mean a lot to me if you came."
Angel sighed, trying to forget the "mean a lot to me" card.
"I donno, I mean this sounds like a thing for council people. And they don't like me much over there."
"But come on Angel! I mean you're more of a warrior than most of those stuffy british men could ever be! And so what, they don't all know you or else they wouldn't think that way." Seeing his stubborn look, she glared at him. "Well too bad, you're my boyfriend. It's your boyfriendlyish duty to go. I want to get all prettied up, and girly, and walk in with my honey and have a zillion and a half dances, and if anyone has a problem with that they're just gonna have to deal."
Angel smiled, shaking his head.
"As long as you're okay with this, fine, I'll go. And for the record you always look beautiful."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. And of course I'm fine with it, otherwise I wouldn't have asked."
Angel suppressed a smirk, it's ironic how nicely she "asked" when really he had no choice at all.
With that, the two started towards Giles' place, walking leisurely along the streets. Usually, Buffy would just take her bike out patrolling, but Angel insisted that it wasn't 'stealthy' enough (and considering that he refused to ride with her on it, she eventually relented). Although she still used it during the day, it had been practically retired for night use.
Angel stared down at the small blonde, going over the last few months in his mind. Although he was happy about Buffy being a more active part of his life, there was one drawback to it; secrets. Or the impossibility of keeping one. For the past while he'd spent most of his free time researching for any clues that may explain what Lindsay told him that night in the bar. He'd managed to make some progress, finding bits and pieces on warrior girls and the beginning of the war (as well as, to his surprise, a few tidbits on the Ireland situation all those years back). The information was hard enough to find; searching endlessly through both his and Giles' multiple books, as well as more than a few council volumes that he managed to convince Buffy would help them with the appending Armageddon. That, and Buffy's curious (for lack of a better word, nagging) for an explanation was making it more than a little difficult to accomplish anything. Still, he wouldn't let himself give up, Lindsay's grave words still haunting him.
Not long after they set off, the two were in the foyer of the trainer's home. Heading into the library, they saw what had become a common scene; Tara sitting at a table researching, mountains of book scattered in an array across the metal surface. Her face buried in a book, and one (unknowing to anyone but Buffy) that had little to do with their current problems. It had been several weeks ago when Tara had admitted to Buffy her interest in the dark arts. Not heavy-duty evil stuff, just magics and charms- simple spells. With her sister's enthusiastic encouragement (and promise to secrecy for the time being), she'd been reading more and more books of Latin chants, and fewer and fewer of much else. Angel had noticed last week when walking by, recognizing the words from one point in his long life, he hadn't said anything, being less than surprised (after all, he was a vampire with a soul in love with a warrior- his life couldn't get much weirder).
Across the room, Giles was outside his office with Wesley, pouring over a book and discussing one thing or another with the younger trainer. Wes had been coming around for quite some time now, he and Doyle working closely with their small group ever since Angel had first found out about Wesley's sudden change in sides. Although hesitant at first, he, Giles, and Tara had all managed to accept his new role fairly well, although slightly confused by it all they saw him making a sincere effort. Buffy however, was a different story. Despite the reassurances of Angel, Giles, Doyle, Tara, and even Wesley himself, she was still cold and wary towards him, not believing his sudden change of pace one bit. Even though she wouldn't admit it, Angel knew what she thought; that he was a council spy come to keep them from finding anything. No matter how much (or little) progress they made, Buffy had her mind set, and Angel was quickly learning that nothing was going to change it.
Finally noticing the two warriors, Giles turned his attention from his books to the two, giving them a welcoming smile.
"Ah, Buffy, Angel. Patrolling went well I assume?"
Buffy moaned and rolled her eyes, leaning her forehead against Angel's shoulder.
"Found a couple of Brailehck demons, put up a pretty good fight." Angel supplied.
"They ruined another jacket!" Buffy added, unmoving from her position.
"Brailehck? That's odd, usually they are used as foot soldiers, yes?" Wesley asked, disregarding Buffy's complaint.
Angel nodded,
"The demons have picked up lately, getting in more than I'd like. Like they're dong everything they can to take out whoever and whatever they can."
"You think they might be planning something? I mean sooner rather than later, if they're sending all these guys in." Tara asked, looking up from her spell book.
Giles shook his head,
"It would be best not to assume anything at the moment, however it seems to be becoming an apparent possibility. Wesley and his crew have yet to hear anything to indicate anything immediate though."
"Speaking of, wha'cha doin' here Wes?" Buffy asked with false cheerfulness, looking up at the trainer.
"He came to fill me in on the situation in town." Giles cut in, giving Buffy a small glare.
"Yes, I'm afraid we haven't found much else of news, but we've managed to recruit some new warriors into the mix; mostly demonic. Spike, actually, is becoming one of the largest supporters; seems to help out as much as Doyle or I. He wants to meet with you, Buffy. He said to stop by whenever you find the time, he's at the bar most of the day, so you're best to catch him there."
Buffy nodded, admittedly anxious to meet the vampire herself. She still knew little about him, only that he was helping them out a lot in recruiting demons and getting info. She preferred to know her allies in person, and had been meaning to meet with him sometime soon anyway.
Sighing, Wesley looked at the clock.
"Well, I'm afraid I must go. I'll check in again soon, goodnight." He said to the room, before heading home.
Once he was gone, Giles tiredly turned to the two warriors.
"I'm sorry, but Wesley mentioned that the south-east end of town is looking like it may have some activity soon. Would you two mind checking it out briefly tonight? I know it's late."
Buffy sighed and reluctantly nodded, half-suppressing a yawn.
"Alright, I'll go check it out, head home afterwards."
Angel put his hand on her shoulder, a concerned look evident on his face.
"No, you're tired. Go home, I'll finish up without you."
"Angel, I-"
"Nuh uh." Angel cut her off, a playfully berating look crossing his features. "Go to sleep. Now."'
Buffy shook her head, knowing that this was the end of discussion. With a grateful smile, she gave him a quick kiss.
"Thank you." She said softly.
"No problem, I'll come by tomorrow night just before the ball okay?"
She nodded, turning to the others in the room.
"Night guys."
A chorus of "goodnights" rang out, and with a final smile at Angel, Buffy headed out the door, sheepishly trudging her way home.
The journey across town was short, but oddly quiet for Buffy. Usually she would have Angel by her side, as it was rare that he didn't accompany her on patrols; something that she was now doing nightly from dusk to dawn. Although hard to adjust to at first, she had managed to fit into her new role at the council fairly well. Every morning she would have to stop by to pick up her instructions and report on what's going on; usually including the minor demonic activity, places to patrol at, and such. So far only two of the missions had been particularly dangerous, situations that had in the end made Angel furious and her glad he came along. The first time she'd ended up having to take on twice as many demons as they'd expected, and wound up with a nasty head injury and near broken arm because of it, it had taken her over an hour of reasoning with him to keep the vampire from storming to the council and tearing their heads off.
Other than that, things had been going fairly well. Every now and then she'd be forced to do a monthly report to Garrison (much to her exasperation), and had received a few odd glances from both Riley and Quentin, but so far so good. The fact that she and Angel had been spending so much time together was also something to brighten her mood. Over the past few months she'd opened up to him more than she had to anyone; found out things about him that she never would have guessed, and loved him more and more each day. He'd been so patient with her, in her training, patrolling, as well as there physical distance (or lack thereof).
Sex. Something that had been going through her head a lot the last few weeks. She and Tara had ended up talking about it one day, her sister had told her to only go as far as she was ready for, knowing that Angel would always make sure she didn't go too fast and regret anything. That, and one of Buffy's older sayings: "Life is short. In our positions probably even shorter. I'm not saying that you have to do anything, just… if you know you're ready, and really love and trust him, seize the day. When that is, doesn't really matter. I mean, he has forever after all, he's waited hundreds of years to meet someone like you, I'm sure a little while longer isn't going to kill him." She hadn't said much that Buffy didn't already know, but still, it was good to hear it from someone else; a small reassurance that she needed.
Arriving at her apartment, Buffy quickly threw off her demon-ified jacket and got ready for bed. About a half hour later, she snuggled under her covers and fell into a deep sleep, finally allowing her tiredness to catch up with her.
Buffy hazily looked around, a dark fog surrounding her so thick that she couldn't make out where she was. The smell of death and smoke were heavy, a cold atmosphere all around. Where was she? What was she doing here?
Suddenly, as if hearing her thoughts, the fog began to fade, leaving Buffy gasping at what she saw. A battlefield. Hills decorated with corpses of humans and demons alike, blood and body parts seemingly everywhere. Weapons look as though they'd been smashed, most bodies almost too mangled to make out at all. An icy chill ran down her spine as she gazed around in horror; it looked like a massacre, every last bit of life wiped out, even the very ground she stood on turned grey with death.
Slowly, a figure began to emerge from afar; drawing closer and closer by the second. A girl, no more than seventeen, with long black hair and piercing dark eyes, filled with more horrors than most would ever know of. She was dressed simply in brown pants and a black turtleneck, a large sword in her hand. The weapon appeared almost unreal; it's flawless blade shining through the darkness, the handle an elaborately designed silver and almost embroidered with gold details and emeralds. Buffy tried to speak but found herself mute, as the figure lifted her hand to be silent.
"We are at the field of the dead; this is where it all went off." The figure said in a strong voice, hearing Buffy's unasked questions.
"What went off?" Buffy asked, unable to hold back the question.
"The war. This is the hill where it started, where the human and demon forces converged on one another, neither able to force the other from their position at first. But then it happened, and everything fell apart."
Buffy gave her a strange look, a dawn of realization coming across her features.
"This is where you died, you were a warrior."
The girl shook her head.
"No, I was so much more than that. I am what lies hidden, the one that you are destined to become. I was the first fallen."
Buffy's blood almost ran cold. In her training she had heard vague references to her, the warrior that had almost won for humanity. But then, sometime during the battle, there were demons sent after her, strange ones all of the sudden; ones that no one had expected. She had died taking them down with her; as well as any hope humanity had left.
"Yes, you have heard the stories. Lies and truth all too twisted to see right and wrong, fact no longer separate from fiction. The true face of my killer, one you know, one that you trust."
"What?" Buffy asked, suddenly confused.
Before she could ask again, the blonde found herself in an oddly familiar classroom, desks lined up row by row, small children all sitting at them. She stood dumbfounded by what she saw; herself, as a young girl, sitting in the front row. It was her first day of demonic studies in training, the day when she'd first found out what being a warrior truly meant. At the front of the room was her instructor, a middle-aged man stalking across the front of the room, lecturing words that even now seemed all-too familiar.
"…As warriors, you will not only have to be able to kill any demons that you are faced with, you must also understand them. Know how they work, why they are the way they are, know what their weaknesses are and why they're there; it is the only hope you will have against them. For example: one of the basic rules of life in our dimension is balance. Therefore, in theory, one can only be made immortal once they have already deceased, in order to maintain the balance of life and death within our world. This is why vampires are brought forth the way they are; only able to walk after a painful death, when they're forced back into existence by their sires. It's a vicious, animalistic act, one that it is your ultimate goal to avoid, this means…"
Buffy turned away from him, remembering how scared she had been when hearing the way he described it. She'd known that really he was telling you this because he knew some of them would die that way, and that it was something they needed to avoid at all costs. One less to our side is one more to theirs, losing a man is one thing; losing him to the other side is a crisis.
"Why are you showing me this?" Buffy yelled out, unable to see her dark companion.
"Your chosen destiny is a parallel to my own. To use your enemies' weakness, you have to understand them. Their fears are what they hurt you with, what they take away."
"Wait? What do you mean? Are you saying I'm going to die?"
"Death is but the beginning to a new journey." Was the only reply, before everything started to fade away into black.
"No! What do you mean? I can't die- how! I need to know more! Don't leave me like this! Come back! I won't do it! NOOO!"
"NO!"
Buffy shot up in bed, barely aware of her own screams of horror. Her chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath, tears pouring down her face. Her wide eyes frantically searched her room, the nightmare foremost in her mind, she felt as though she were chocking, drowning in terror. So many questions were left unanswered, questions that, if she was right, were pointless. Questions wouldn't matter if she was dead, right?
Overwhelmed with fear and panic, she broke down, her body shaking as she sobbed. She didn't want to die, she couldn't die, not when everything was finally working out.
As her room with broken sobs, she found herself left with one simple question.
Why?
End of Chapter Twenty Three.