Chapter 13

Last Time

She looked back at the bed. Her sword…her Xiphos. "When did I learn ancient Greek?"

Getting up she walked to the door, pausing to look down. "Why the hell am I wearing sandals?" Shaking her head, she went to open the door and nearly crushed the steel doorknob as she ripped it off the door.

Blinking owlishly at the knob in her hand she managed to make a shocked noise before she fainted.

oOoOo

Watchtower

Amanda almost stumbled as she felt a surge of emotion through her link to Sara. The tether, while not as strong as X-man and Miri's, still allowed her to sense Sara's emotions. When she felt for it…now it felt solid. She could sense Sara's confusion and then her shock. Frowning she pulled out her communicator and selected Sara's profile. When it didn't connect, she tried again with no success. Worried now, she looked around for Xander. Who, it turned out, was talking to Miri and Isis on the other side of the room.

"Xander!"

Xander turned to see Amanda waving and making her way toward him.

Seeing her concerned expression, he lowered his voice. "Hey, what's up?"

"There is something wrong with Sara…our tether went crazy," explained Amanda. 'Now she's not answering her communicator."

Miri who had followed Xander frowned, "What did you feel Amanda?"

Amanda considered what exactly she had felt. "There was surprise, panic and fear."

"We haven't got long until we leave," Xander reminded them. "But with the tether, you should be able to open a portal."

Amanda but her lip, worried. Miri had taught them how, but she'd never done it before.

Seeing her concern, Miri smiled reassuringly. "Normally portals can be tricky but with a tether, your ring will do a lot of the work. Picture Sara and feel for the tether. Xander, I'll go with Amanda you stay here and I'll portal us back."

Xander nodded, "Okay, be careful."

A moment later a purple doorway, constructed of light, appeared. Much to the surprise of those waiting in the area outside the conference room.

oOoOo

"Something the matter Alexander?" asked Wonder Woman as she watched Miri and Amanda walk through the portal before it winked out.

Xander shrugged, "I'm not sure. Amanda sensed something was wrong with Sara and then she wasn't answering her communicator."

Wonder Woman frowned thoughtfully, "The wards on their house should protect them. But such things are not foolproof."

Now it was Xander's turn to frown. He had been concerned, now he was worried. Then there was a moment of relief as a portal formed that quickly evaporated as Amanda appeared carrying an unconscious Sara. Miri and Sara's father quickly followed carrying an armload of weapons.

oOoOo

"What happened?" Xander asked Miri as he followed behind Amanda as she made her way to the medical wing.

Miri shook her head, "We found her unconscious on the floor. According to her father, she had been upset went to her room and then the first he knew that something was wrong was when we arrived. She was dressed as he is now with the weapons on the bed.

Wonder Woman, who was following behind them studying the weapons with an odd expression on her face. "Alexander, those are ancient Greek weapons and she is wearing a Chiton, a Greek dress."

Xander turned to face her, "What does it mean?"

Wonder Woman was about to answer when Aphrodite and Artemis appeared beside him with a flash of pink light.

Wonder Woman offered stopped and offered the two Goddesses a deferential nod. "Divine ones, how may I serve?"

Aphrodite had, for once, a serious almost severe expression on her face. While Artemis looked smug. The Goddess of Love shot her 'sister' a dirty look. "I suspect that Artemis, who's timing sucks, owes a few people an explanation."

Xander had a rather worrying epiphany, The Greek dress and weapons and the Goddesses appearance were raising a lot of 'comic book' reader red flags. "What is going on?"

Artemis ignored the bite in Xander's tone. "Since the Slayer has been claimed and is acting for Aphrodite…even though she is practically a priestess of the Hunt, I claimed my own Priestess and gave her a few gifts."

Wonder Woman groaned, more than familiar with the dangers around 'divine' gifts. "Is that wise Divine one?"

Aphrodite rolled her eyes, "No it's not! The others are going to go through the roof."

Artemis shrugged, "We are going to war! I am within my rights to empower a priestess. That right was never revoked!"

"Oh ho, so that's the way we are playing it? You know that right or not, it isn't going to be ignored."

"I'll deal with them," stated Artemis with a rather feral look on her beautiful face. "And besides, I'm not the first. Zeus created the Olympian and the Egyptians have created their own champions."

"What exactly did you do?" Xander asked evenly.

"I answered a prayer and made her a Priestess of the Hunt. She is now my mortal hand on Earth and of course, that will mean she is faster, stronger and has the skills she needs."

Xander gave Artemis a long look, "Right fine, all for girl power and all but your timing sucks. Amanda and I are needed and right now, she's totally distracted by Sara's situation and what do I do when Sara wants to come and help Amanda?"

Artemis wasn't fazed at all by Xander's anger, "There is no question that she'll come and fight by my side! My priestesses are hunters of dark things!"

Wonder Woman cleared her throat, "Divine Artemis, I believe that Star Sapphire Alexander is concerned with her current lack of training."

Artemis looked rather offended, "She will have the touch of my Theias! She has the memories of each of my huntresses and when she awakens, she will wield her celestial weapons with the strength of ten and the skill of hundreds."

"You made her a slayer!" exclaimed Xander.

Artemis paused and then shrugged, "It is an apt comparison."

"Well shit," muttered Xander.

oOoOo

Sara was less than amused when she woke up in a hospital bed. That quickly morphed into happiness when she spotted Amanda. Xander left them to their reunion and walked over to Miri, who was leaning against the wall with a thoughtful look on her face.

"What a mess," muttered Xander. They had less than an hour to get moving. He really needed Amanda's head in the game.

Miri sighed and tapped Xander's ring. "Look at their tether."

Xander used his ring and quickly did a scan and asked his ring to show a comparison chart. The chart was very clear on one thing, their Heart Tether was growing stronger. "Wow, so that's another wrinkle."

He turned to look where Wonder Woman was all but berating Artemis. Aphrodite wasn't paying attention but was studying the bronze sword Artemis had given Sara. Xander made his way over and Aphrodite looked up.

"Sooo," prompted Xander.

Aphrodite passed him the sword, "The sword is the real thing, Celestial bronze. I don't know if you realise how much of a big deal this is going to be."

Xander studied the sword for a moment, "What are we talking about here, smiting, lightning bolts?"

Aphrodite's pause worried Xander.

"No…well, I don't think so. We are really not meant to empower champions anymore, or interfere at all," explained Aphrodite.

"But given the circumstances, the pantheons will have to accept it," interjected Artemis. "I know Apollo is considering linking up with some of the sun-powered heroes."

There was a flash of white light and an unnaturally tall dark-haired woman appeared between Aphrodite and Artemis. The new arrival was dressed in a long flowing robe and carried a long spear in her right hand and a carried a Doric helm with a red crest under her left arm.

"Athena!" exclaimed Aphrodite in surprise before quickly recovering her composure. "It's good to see you sister. Perhaps I should…." She trailed off as Athena raised her hand and glowered at her.

"Don't start Dite," warned Athena with a foreboding expression on her face. "Father is absolutely furious that you forced his hand. If I was you two, I'd make myself scarce after the battle. But you have managed to get things moving." Turning to face Xander her expression became more neutral. "Greeting Star Sapphire, I am Athena and I bring word from my Father Zeus."

Xander nodded hesitantly.

"The Gods of Olympus and our allies will aid you against the Nameless. My father has consulted the oracle and believes that the prophecy holds true. Only by opening a dimensional rift to your dimension was its prison weakened. You have the means to destroy the Nameless one but to do so it must first be released. Therein lies our peril…if the Nameless is released from the void in which it is held it will immediately seek to regain its power. The planet itself is designed to hamper its efforts. If it escapes the planet, then it will quickly regain its full power."

"Then as we suspected, we have to stop it before it leaves the planet," replied Xander. "It's good to have that confirmed."

Athena nodded her regal face stern. "We will reinforce the wards and help your allies deal with anything that seeks to stay you in your task."

"Do you have any suggestions?"

The Goddess looked toward Aphrodite for a moment before answering. "While the prophecy is clear the protagonist is not. You must have a strategy but be flexible in facing the unknown. Prophecy can only truly be deciphered after the events have passed."

Xander wasn't entirely sure what that might mean to them, but he had a lot of experience dealing with cryptic crap and had to admit that often it never really made sense, even afterwards. "Thanks for the advice. Um, can you tell us what we should do about Sara?"

Athena frowned and studied Sara for a moment. "She has been chosen as the High Priestess of Artemis. As such she has been gifted with a portion of her patron's power…a small portion but enough that she will be a skilled combatant. Much like your slayers. Regardless of your or our wishes, her place is to follow Artemis." She shook her head and straightened. "Now, as per the will of Zeus, I must speak with the leadership of the Justice league about our aid. And you Aphrodite will accompany me. Artemis it is our father's command that you ensure your new champion understands what you have done."

Athena then gestured and both she and Aphrodite disappeared.

"What the hell have you gotten my daughter into?" demanded Sara's Father.

oOoOo

The announcement of a delay to their departure was followed by the arrival of the Olympians and their allies among them the Egyptian deities and several heroes who had a connection to their pantheons.

There was soon an announcement that they would be leaving after the Olympians had secured the portal to their destination. Almost immediately after the arrival, Xander witnessed Willow and Aluwyn being introduced to Hecate. The Greek goddess was seemingly amused by Willow's awed obeisance and laid a gentle hand on the witch's head before reaching down and pulling Willow to her feet. She then led the two witches to a corner of the room and began a private and seemingly intense conversation.

It was less than thirty minutes later that Amanda, in full Star Sapphire uniform, proudly led a rather stunned-looking Sara into the room. Sara was dressed in the armour and clothing supplied by Artemis, including her new weapons.

Xander gave them their moment and then walked over.

"Looking good Sara," he said with a smile. "Are you okay?"

Sara smiled back and nodded, "I think so, I feel fantastic!"

Xander studied her, looking for evidence that Sara, the teenage student and waitress was now some sort of Greek version of the Slayer. She looked the same, a bit, okay a lot more toned. It was her stance that made him pause and offered him some evidence. She stood and indeed walked like a Slayer. Graceful in the same way a predator is graceful.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

Sara nodded without hesitation. "I spoke to Artemis…I'm needed and even if I'm not a hundred percent ready, I'm still needed."

Xander had heard so many variations of this from the Slayers he had helped train. "Well okay then, but first you go and talk to your Dad. Whatever he's said, the truth is that he's probably worried and scared."

"I will," agreed Sara.

Xander held her gaze for a moment before smiling, "Okay well you had better get moving. I think everyone is here now."

oOoOo

A somewhat chastised looking Aphrodite opened a glowing portal that was almost the size of the observation port in the main cafeteria. "This will open of the surface of the planet we identified. A trio of Green Lanterns have confirmed that the planet, while mostly lifeless, does have sufficient oxygen and atmosphere for us to be okay."

Superman stood and signalled to the group the comprised of most of the Leagues heavy hitters. Super Girl, Captain Marvel, Black Adam, Wonder Woman, Big Barda and Maxima. They would be the first group through.

Xander looked over to his small team, Amanda and Miri and then to those that would be helping them get to the entrance of the prison complex. Namely Young Justice along with Isis, Green Arrow and Giovani Zatara.

The rest of the league would be supporting the Magic Users and Mystics who would be countering any magic they could and potentially holding the wards together should the Greek and Egyptian Gods fail.

Xander had to shake his head at that part of the plan. He was going to be fighting alongside literal Gods…wow.

Artemis, Athena, Ares and a Goddess who had to be Bast, given her cat head, were protecting the others whose role was to try and hold the nameless to the planet. They would be reinforcing the ancient wards. By the side of Artemis, Sara stood tall, bow in hand.

The first group disappeared and after a moment Aphrodite called them forward.

oOoOo

The planet was dead, or at least as good as.

Amid the vast broken city, not a single building stood whole. Around the broken husks of the fallen city there was nothing but grey dry dirt and sand.

"Lovely place," snarked Kid Flash.

Xander had to agree with the speedsters sarcastic comment, it was probably the most depressing place he had ever seen.

"Be careful," warned Robin. "I've got a bad feeling about this place."

"Why would you say that?" complained Artemis. "That's just courting bad luck.

Aqualad rolled his eyes and was about to speak when a feeling of unease hit him. "I believe we are about to get some company."

A moment later the grey sands began to shift and form into shapes. Green Arrow drew an arrow from his quiver and Isis stepped forward.

Zatara studied the shapes forming before nodding grimly, "Get ready!"

Like some sort of B-Grade stop motion film, the sand shifted exposing dry bones that joined together to form monstrous skeletons.

Isis gestured and the ground exploded upward sending skeletons flying but it wasn't enough. All across the vast, dead waste, more skeletons were forming. Tens of thousands of them.

Green Arrow pointed toward the crumbled building that was the one identified as their target. "We need to get them to the prison!"

"We must clear the way," said Isis as the skeletal horde continued to grow.

A huge chunk of rock crushed hundreds as Black Adam hovered overhead. "Hurry, there are worse things than the Skeletons and they are converging here. I will clear the way." With that Black Adam picked up another huge rock and hurled it into the ranks of the Skeletons. "I can help here but I am also needed by the League."

Young Justice found themselves fighting for their lives as the dead surrounding them closed in.

"Keep moving!" ordered Isis.

Robin smashed his staff into one lumbering skeleton as Kid Flash circled another, smashing it to pieces with rocks held in each hand.

Aqualad and Conner were relying on their strength, smashing apart any Skeleton apart that closed on them. Artemis and Green Arrow fought side by side sending explosive arrows into any skeletons that clumped together.

Overhead Miss Martian was directing them and sending warnings to the team.

Isis used her powers to clear the way as her husband destroyed thousands with brute force attacks.

For Xander, Amanda and Miri their main weapon was their power rings. They fought as a team, pushing forward toward their goal.

For a few minutes' things were in balance, then it changed.

A huge flying monster was flying on tattered wings towards them. Far larger than any dragon it was shrugging off hits from Superman and Captain Marvel.

"Dear God," whispered Robin as the huge thing sent Superman crashing into the ruins of a building.

"Keep going!" ordered Isis.

"Look out!" warned Miss Martian. "There are gigantic ones approaching from the right."

Xander looked to where Miss Martian indicated and let his shoulders slump. Approaching were dozens of huge skeletal spider-like beings. Each at least thirty feet high. They were moving to cut-off their advance to their target. "I think we are going to need help!"

"There is none in a position to help Xander…everyone is engaged," warned Miss Martian.

"I'll hold them," said Isis.

"And we'll help," added Robin. "You three get to that building. We'll do our job holding them back."

Amanda hesitated, "We…we can't just leave you. You'll die!"

"We all die if we don't stop the Nameless," replied Isis. "Go!"

"Come on Amanda," prompted Xander. "We'll fly the rest of the way."

The three Star Sapphires took to the air and sped toward the prison.

They had barely started when a trio of winged horrors, looking like giant bats with tattered wings tried to catch them, only to be taken out by Black Adam and Captain Marvel.

The next attack was foiled by Wonder Woman and Superman.

Then they were there, at the broken temple that imprisoned the Nameless. Its doors were fractured by damage and age and offered no real hindrance so the flew past them into the dark passage beyond.

Their rings provided light as they landed, not having sufficient room to fly. The broken building was huge and once must have been grand. Even now they could see the faded iconography on the walls and the broken alien statues. In the centre of the room was what might have once been a huge spiral staircase leading down but it was now a shattered ruin. They approached the hole in the floor and looked down.

"There is something down there, moving, look," Amanda pointed, and they could see faint movement below.

'I'm guessing they are probably not friendly," said Xander. "Are we ready?"

"As I'll ever be," muttered Amanda.

"No," replied Miri. "But let's do it anyway. Charge our rings first?"

"Good idea," said Xander with a strained smile as he pulled out his power battery.

All three recited the words together.

"For hearts long lost and full of fright, for those alone in blackest night, accept our ring and join our fight, love conquers all…with violet light!"

oOoOo

They flew down to land in a vast cavern. As their feet touched the ground silver runes inlaid in the floor lit up, illuminating what they were facing. Inside the circle of silver runes, a huge black statue stood, with its fisted hands raised. The statue was so black that it seemed to absorb the light. Its shape was all that they could comprehend because it looked more like some sort of hole in reality rather than a physical object.

"Now that's an ominous statue," muttered Xander.

"What now?" asked Amanda. "Do we just stand around until it jumps up and tries to suck our brains out?"

Miri squatted down to study the runes. "The placement of this pattern and the writing…logically it would be part of the defences."

"Yeah, but which part?" asked Xander as he warily studied the pattern. "I've seen the coven use this sort of thing before. A mystic circle but I have no idea what this one does."

'It keeps me trapped here…waiting for the right person to free me.'

The power of the voice, speaking directly to their minds, almost drove them to their knees.

"Wow, so you are awake then?" Xander asked as he straightened to stare at the statue.

'Aware…enough to sense the arrival of my puppets," said the voice with a touch of triumph. 'You have performed so well…with but one task left to fulfil.'

Xander frowned, "I'm nobody's puppet."

'And yet you dance to MY tune mortal,' replied the voice.

"You know, with an attitude like that it's no wonder you don't have friends," replied Amanda with more than a hint of bravado.

The voice didn't reply, but despite the silence, all three were starting to feel uneasy.

"So, no hints then?" asked Amanda.

"We have to free it if we want to end its threat," Xander reasoned aloud. "So why did it let us in?"

"Because it wants to be released," replied Miri distractedly as she considered the statue. "It needs to be released by you two."

Xander frowned as he studied the statue and the blackened and cracked stone around it. "Either it doesn't fear us, or it has a plan."

Amanda glared at the silvery runes, "How though, do we just smash them up and then the statue?"

Xander cursed silently as he turned to Amanda and Miri. "Maybe…I don't like this. What we need is to get some magical backup in here," suggested Xander. "Maybe Willow or Giovani can make sense of this."

"Not a good idea boy," said a horribly familiar voice as a figure stepped out of the shadow of the statue.

Xander froze staring in disbelief at the man dressed as a priest. "You…you're dead…fuck, the First!"

Caleb smiled smugly and shook his head, "Nope, just me boy. Brought back by a real god."

"Xander?" questioned Amanda as she moved to protect her distracted friend.

Xander glared at whatever it was imitating the First's former servant, "Bullshit, you're the nameless playing games and you just walked through a bit of rubble. Bit of a giveaway mister insubstantial."

Caleb shrugged, "You can think whatever you want, you'll see soon enough how real I am. Actually, I might need to something about that again." Caleb stuck out his thumbs and wiggled them. "Since you seem to have done something about that. One of these slatterns I suppose?"

Amanda glared at Caleb as if daring him to do anything, "Who is the A-Hole?"

"A flunky of the First. He's the one that took my eye and a whole lot of my girls."

"Well aren't you just chock full of rage…it's a wonder you are not in red," replied Caleb with a wide grin.

"He's trying to make you doubt yourself, Xander. Remember its name my love, the whisperer in the darkness," warned Miri.

Caleb frowned and studied Miri as if examining something puzzling, "It seems you've stepped up in the world Xander. This one smart but is she smart enough to run and hide?"

Miri surprised everyone by laughing, "You will have to do better than that."

Caleb looked over his shoulder at the statue and nodded before stepping back as another figure took shape. Towering over Caleb, a figure dressed in purple with glowing red eyes and yellow skin stepped out of the shadows.

"Mogul," whispered Miri.

Xander found his fists clenching as he turned to look at Miri, "The one that killed Kered?"

Miri nodded but her eyes were locked on Mogul.

"Why would he be here love? It's pulling bad memories out of our heads!" warned Xander.

'Oh no child, they are here…your fears come to life. The shadows in your mind.'

There was sadistic glee in the voice and dark amusement.

Xander felt the support of Miri, a pulse of emotion through their shared tether and the dark presence was suddenly absent. 'What the hell just happened?' Xander asked himself as Mogul and Caleb moved forward halting just short of the silver runes…no, wait, they were touching them. Both figures were looking more 'real' and less shadowy.

"Oh shit," whispered Xander as he had a sudden realisation. "This is a fucking set up…we need to get out now."

Caleb laughed mockingly, "Too late for that my son."

"Xander!" warned Amanda.

Xander risked a glance at the shadows surrounding them, hoping that he was going to be wrong about what he would see. All around the room, there were things moving. He clamped down on his fear as he realised what they were, Turok-Han.

"They are Turok-Han, Amanda, Miri we'll need to decapitate them. Watch out they are strong," explained Xander as he used his ring to create a sword.

"Warning power level at forty-two percent." Xander's ring reported.

"What? Check your rings," warned Xander.

Both Miri's and Amanda's rings were far more drained than they had expected.

"Something here is draining our rings," acknowledged Miri.

Xander had a flash of insight, "That was its plan, this is a trap to give it access to something that could break its chains."

'Not quite monkey, but close. I need the energy from your rings to defeat those trapping me here, but I also needed something from outside this dimension to fulfil the prophecy. The rings and your power sources are perfect.'

"There is no escape White Knight or is it Star Sapphire?" asked Caleb mockingly as he walked past the silver runes. "There is no army of the impure to save you now boy!"

"Well you say that…" said a woman's voice behind Xander.

He spun to see a flickering portal and a group of thirty girls led by Buffy.

"Hey Xander, nice outfit, good to see you too Mandy and hey a sexy blue alien…coolio," Buffy rambled on, but her eyes never left the statue and the two standing before it. "A horny little bird…" She paused and frowned before making a face. "Ew, that sounded sooo wrong. Anyway, a friend, well an acquaintance, told me you two had some big bad problems."

"Buffy," whispered Xander as the Slayers drew their weapons.

"In the flesh," replied Buffy with a small smile as she swung the Scythe back and forth. "So, what's the what?"

Xander took a deep breath, "We were tricked into freeing the black statue guy, who is Glory's brother. He's good with dead things and playing with your fears. Oh, and if he gets off the planet, this and probably every dimension is going to be having an early apocalypse season."

Buffy nodded, hefted the Scythe and rolled her shoulders, "So what's the plan?"

"We need to free it and then kill it before it gets its powers back or steals any more of ours," replied Xander. "Just before you got here, it summoned all the Ubervamps."

Buffy looked around seemingly considering the odds before shrugging. "There are less than last time."

"Kill them!" screamed Caleb and the horde of Turok-Han charged.

oOoOo

Willow checked her surroundings as Aluwyn sent a blast of magical energy shattering a group of skeletal horrors. "They aren't thinning out at all!"

"This is growing monotonous," complained Aluwyn. "It is just a delaying tactic."

Willow frowned as she considered, "You might be right. But why?"

Their conversation was interrupted by Wonder Woman and Big Barda hurtling past pummelling what looked like a giant skeletal bat.

Willow frown had turned into a scowl, "Since Xander and the others made it into the building everything has been stage-managed to keep us engaged. We need to get in there, now!"

There was a flash of white light and three figures appeared. The central figure was Athena. "Hold!"

"But…" began Willow only to be cut-off by Athena.

"We cannot intervene yet, things must run their course if we are to succeed," explained Athena. "We must continue to hold until the Nameless is freed. Then we can strike."

"Willow, your friends are already receiving the aid they need from your dimension," explained Aphrodite as she stepped around her fellow Olympian.

Willow sent out a wave of magic, disintegrating an approaching group of giant-sized skeletons before turning back to the three Olympians. "You brought Slayers!"

Artemis released and arrow which exploded when it struck the ground emolliating a group of approaching foes. "We did not, but a third party did. Our job is to hold until the right moment."

Aluwyn and Willow exchanged a look as they both wondered what they should do.

"Divine Artemis!"

Artemis turned to see a newly arrived Sara pointing westward, "We have incoming."

Willow stared toward the black specs that were rapidly approaching, 'What are they?' A moment later she paled as she realised what she was seeing, "Turok-Han! Aluwyn, we have an army of Turok-Han coming."

oOoOo

Xander and Miri concentrated on using their rings against Caleb and Mogul while the Amanda and the other slayers attacked the Turok-Han.

"He is not as strong as the real Mogul but…" Miri paused to move out of the way of a hurled section of rock. "He is still dangerous." She formed a giant hammer with her ring and slammed Mogul into the floor.

Xander was stopped from replying as he concentrated on blocking Caleb's attacks. He was able to hold the First's former mouthpiece off and do some damage but not enough to put an end to the fight.

"Xander…the statue!" Amanda pointed at the statue which was twisting and reshaping itself.

Xander created an enormous baseball bat to swat Caleb and Mogul into the Turok-Han as he and Miri moved to join Amanda.

Amanda was now fighting surrounded by Turok-Han and was being forced toward the black statue.

Miri called out to Xander and pointed, "She's being pushed toward the statue." With that, Miri used her ring to create a cloud of floating knives and banished them toward the Turok-Han.

Xander created a giant sized almost cartoonish axe and swung as he yelled a warning to Amanda. "They're herding you, Amanda."

Amanda seemed to realise her dilemma and leapt over one falling Ubervamp, using him as a springboard to clear the next. It was an unexpected move and seemed to take her opponents by surprise but unfortunately, she didn't avoid the third catching her foot.

Xander was moving even as the Turok-Han smashed Amanda into the floor with brutal force.

There was no finesse in his charge forward, Xander crashed into the Turok-Han like a charging bull sending them stumbling as he tried to reach Amanda. The Turok-Han holding her foot looked up and snarled before spinning and hurling the stunned Amanda toward the statue.

Xander raised his ring but was too slow. Amanda struck the statue and screamed as the cavern was plunged into inky blackness.

oOoOo

Athena and the other Olympians staggered then recovered. Athena looked pale as she gestured toward the 'prison'. "The Whisperer in the Darkness has been freed. We must hurry!"

Willow didn't need to be told twice. Taking Aluwyn's arm she teleported to the ruins.

oOoOo

Xander smashed aside another Turok-Han as he reached Amanda slumped, bloody figure. He noticed as he dropped to his knees that Miri had raised a shield between him and the statue. Not that it helped when the glistening black figure on the pedestal reached out and grabbed him by the throat to lift him into the air.

"At last…free at last," the Voice of the Nameless was deep and filled with contempt. "Normally I'd reward such good service, but I find it more amusing to crush you and your hopes." As he spoke the vice-like grip tightened. It didn't lessen when Miri started throwing everything she had at him.

"A valiant attempt but doomed to failure. In fact, to paraphrase from your insignificant memories, your friends are dead…and your allies will soon join them. And I will be free of these tattered fetters."

Xander's vision was tunnelling as he fought to free himself. Then there was a huge cacophony of noise then brilliant light and he was flying through the air.

oOoOo

Willow simply blasted the Ubervamps out of her way as she fought her way to her friends. Aluwyn was either using magic or simply demonic strength as she followed behind her flying lover. When they reached the cavern, she could see Buffy and the Slayers fighting a huge horde of Turok-Han and more worryingly Xander weekly struggling as he was held aloft by his throat. The creature doing the holding seemed to consist of some sort of black substance. With a wince she spotted a motionless Amanda.

She gestured and called out to attract Miri's attention, "Miri!"

Miri turned seeing the arrival of Willow, Aluwyn and many others behind them. "Watch out, the nameless is free!"

"Then the Chosen have completed their first task" announced a deep voice and there was a crash of thunder and what looked like a portal made of lightning appeared. Out of it stepped a huge figure in black hoplite armour and an attic helm.

As it appeared the Nameless tossed Xander aside and turned to face the new arrival. The armoured figure stepped forward and behind it, another six figures appeared. One was armoured the rest were dressed in blinding white robes. Willow could spot Artemis, Aphrodite and Athena among the seven.

"Olympians…" hissed the Nameless. "Your presence will not avail you of victory. Look around at your allies. My Turok-Han only have to delay you long enough for me to recover enough of my power to break the bindings placed on this form."

"I think not," said Athena who looked over to a blonde headed Olympian. His form was young, and he was un-naturally handsome with a golden nimbus around him.

The Nameless was motionless for a moment as if frozen in place again and then Caleb and Mogul were charging forward toward the smiling Olympian.

"Now Apollo!" called out Aphrodite.

Apollo raised his hand and the cavern was filled with warm natural sunlight.

For a moment, everyone froze and then the Slayers were charging forward, intercepting Caleb and Mogul.

Miri used the distraction to gather up Xander and Amanda and re-join Willow, Aluwyn and the Olympians. As soon as her feet touched the ground, Aphrodite stepped forward and laid a hand on the heads of Amanda and Xander who both jolted back to consciousness as they were healed. As they stood the Nameless was surrounded.

Xander resisted the urge to cheer as Buffy cut Caleb down, the Scythe barely even slowing as it bisected him. As he fell, Mogul was swarmed by Slayers and soon lay unmoving on the floor as more and more heroes arrived.

They had taken down the lackeys but the Nameless was another story. How in Hell were he and Amanda meant to defeat him? Was the prophecy even real?

The Nameless laughed, his deep voice carrying to the far corners of the room. "I am power incarnate, a true God…with every moment that passes I win back my strength."

Xander felt the start of panic. He needed to act but what could he do?

"But you are still less than you were…while we are greater than our predecessors," said a voice, almost as deep as a large figure stepped out of the shadows.

"Holy Shit!" exclaimed Xander as his eyes widened in shocked surprise. "Darkseid."

The Nameless gestured sending a wave of power toward Darkseid who seemed to brace himself. The burst of power seemed to do little beside pushing Darkseid back a few steps. "Impressive, we shall see how you deal with my Omega beams."

Superman and the rest of the newly arrived Justice League looked somewhat stunned at the presence of Apokolips ruler until Ganthet appeared followed by a trio of Green Lanterns.

Xander jumped as a hand touched his shoulder.

"Don't turn and draw his attention. Your time to strike is approaching."

The voice had a sibilant quality but was still rather feminine. He was about to ask what exactly he was to do when the hand removed itself and he just knew the messenger was gone.

As Darkseid strode forward, seemingly at ease, Ganthet glanced at the shocked faces and sighed, "Our own disagreements are irrelevant compared with the danger here…and I did mention warning him."

Darkseid gave the gathered heroes a rather contemptuous look before turning back to the motionless figure of the Nameless. "You may once have been God…but now howl in despair, for I have eclipsed you in every way."

"Even you lack the power to destroy me!" declared the Nameless.

Darkseid clasped his hands behind his back. "Perhaps, but I do not need to defeat you, just weaken you until the tools of prophecy deal with you." Darkseid paused and smiled cruelly. "Oh, and your manipulation of the prophecy was pointless, you pitiful fool. Had you simply ignored it…well you will never know."

The Nameless straightened, "PITIFUL…I AM A GOD!"

"Try and draw on those reserves you have been building," taunted Darkseid.

"Now would be a good time to strike Alexander," warned the same voice, just above a whisper in his ear. "The dark one has been freed, it's chain broken and with it, it's protection. Hold it in place, just for a moment and use the Slayers weapon to break it's connection to this plane of Existence."

Xander turned his head to see a rather beautiful woman, dressed in a black hooded cloak.

"How?" asked Xander.

The figure smiled, "Blood…it's all about the blood. Yours and Amanda's holds the key to breaking his hold on a physical body. Once that is broken…he's finished."

"Who are you?" whispered Xander as he realised that nobody was paying any attention to the woman.

She gave him a smile, "Hecate, daughter of the Titans Perses and Asteri and Goddess of Magic. With that, the shadows seemed to grow and curl around her until she disappeared. Xander looked at the empty space, speechless before forcing his attention back to the Nameless. Something told him that he had damn well better listen to Hecate's advice.

'It's always about the blood,' whispered Xander. How many times had he heard Buffy say that line?

"Amanda?"

Amanda turned and looked at him.

"I've just received instructions, from the local powers that be…go and get the Scythe off Buffy. When I hold him run him through," instructed Xander.

Amanda nodded and took off toward the gathered Slayers as Xander gestured to Willow.

Willow appeared by his side, "Xander?"

"I know how to break his connection to this plane. Amanda's getting the Scythe. We need to hold him in place so Amanda can finish this," explained Xander. "Can you help?"

"When?" asked Willow with an expression of steely resolve.

"When I grab him," explained Xander as he began moving toward the Nameless.

Darkseid didn't even look at him as he approached the Nameless, although the ruler of Apokolips had to be aware. Instead, he sent two Omega beams smashing into the Nameless. Keeping its attention on him.

Miri must have realised that something was happening as he could feel her concern through their tether. In fact, he could feel her eyes on him. He didn't dare look…fearing that his courage would fail.

oOoOo

Willow saw Xander behind the Nameless, just as the black figure was struck by Darkseid's Omega Beams.

Extending her will, she watched and waited for Xander to be in place. She could see Amanda moving forward, Scythe in hand.

The moment was here.

Xander jumped toward the Nameless, as she exerted all here considerable power to lock the Nameless in place, if only for a moment.

Xander's ring flared as he used it to help him wrap his arms around the Nameless.

"NOW AMANDA!"

Amanda swung an overhead blow, almost faster than the eye could see, as she charged forward.

Xander swung himself around, eyes looking for and finding Miri as the Scythe struck home, through him and into the Nameless.

The Gods and Goddesses struck as one…linking their powers and for just a moment cutting off the Nameless for the power he had been stealing.

For Xander, time almost stood still. His gaze locked on Miri who seemed to be reaching out to him. Between them was Amanda her face shocked and dismayed as she looked at him.

It was all about the blood. His blood had been magically mixed with Amanda's and it was the blood of a chosen and one who chose to fight the darkness. It was infused with determination, loyalty, the power of the Slayer line and love.

Love…

An anathema to the Nameless.

Xander could feel power welling up around him, fighting against the abomination that was the Nameless…then there was pain and then…nothing.

oOoOo