PART ONE.
Willow thought it would be harder to collect the ingrediants for the spell with Faith around, although Faith only left the house at night to patrol. Thankfully, Willow was able to go out in the day and collect the things she needed, like fawns blood. Finally, night had fallen and Willow and Tara left the house, saying they were patrolling with Xander and Anya. Thankfully, Faith and Angel bought it which meant that they wouldn't go out wandering about in the cemetry whilst they were doing the spell. And Dawn, who hadn't been happy about Faith staying, decided to go around to Spike's for a while.
Willow, Xander, Tara and Anya were stood in a semicircle around Buffy's grave, Willow was directly at the foot of the grave. Tara and Xander were both holding lit candles, whilst Anya was still trying to light hers.
"Damn," cursed Anya.
"Hurry Anya, it has to -"
"What time is it ?" asked Tara.
"A minute till midnight," replied Xander, looking at his watch.
"C'mon Anya, do you have it ?" questioned Willow, impatiently.
"I got it, I got it," smiled Anya, holding onto her, now, lit candle.
"Ok. Start the circle. Now," instructed Willow.
They all kneeled, holding onto their candles, except Willow who held the Urn of Osiris. Willow pulled out a small jar containing the fawn's blood, which she had collected earlier, and poured it into the urn. Tara and Xander looked rather nervous, however Anya looked relaxed.
"Osiris, keeper of the gate, master of all fate, hear us," chanted Willow.
She dipped her finger into the urn and marked her forehead and both cheeks with the blood.
"Before time, and after. Before knowing and nothing," she continued.
She poured the rest of the contents of the urn onto the earth.
"Accept our offering. Know our prayer," said Willow.
Suddenly, Willow jerked backwards and began panting heavily. Her arms opened at each side, deep gashes appeared all over her arms.
"Willow!" cried Xander, reaching out towards her.
"No! She t-told me ... she'd be tested. This is supposed to happen," stuttered Tara.
"Osiris! Here lies the warrior of the people. Let her cross over!" cried Willow, louder than before.
Willow winced in pain. Blood ran from the cuts on her arms, a lump rised and began to move around - under her skin! Willow gave a small moan of pain, she had to be strong because it was for a good cause. The lump moved up her arms and over her arms, heading towards her kneck.
"She needs help!" cried Xander, who was now panicking.
"Xander, she's strong! She said not to stop, no matter what. If we break the cycle now, it's over," said Tara, trying to sooth her panicking friend.
Willow continued to hold out her arms, panting heavily, whilst the lump continued to travel around her chest. The others watched with concern, Xander looked close to tears and hated seeing his best friend like that.
"Osiris, let her cross over! Ah -"
Willow's yells broke off, she began to make choking noises. The lump under her skin was moving up her kneck.
"Oh my god, oh my god," whispered Tara, watching in horror.
Willow leaned forward, putting her hands on either side of her and gagging. A snake head appeared out of her open mouth, Willow's finger digged into the grass, as the snake slithered out of her mouth and onto the ground. The others watched in terror, all looking sickly now.
"It's a test, a test," soothed Tara.
"OSIRIS, RELEASE HER!" shouted Willow.
Suddenly, they heard someone running up behind them. A vampire was running towards them, followed by two dark figures that no one could make out. Willow was now encased in a tube of reddish-orang light, panting heavily. The vampire run infront of her, stepping onto the Urn of Osiris, shattering it. The light faded around Willow, she fell to the ground.
"NOOO!" cried Willow, gripping onto the grass.
The two figures slowed down, however they continued to walk towards them.
"Willow ?" questioned Dawn.
Everyone squinted as they noticed that the two figures were Spike and Dawn. Tara put out her candle and kneeled towards Willow, putting her head in her lap and stroking her hair. Anya and Xander put out their candles aswell and crawled over to Willow, checking her arms as the cuts and blood vanished.
"What the bloody hell are you lot doing ?" questioned Spike, standing besides Dawn.
"Could say the same to you," grumbled Xander, helping Willow up.
"Was teaching Nibblet here how to slay a vampire, damn bastard got away," sighed Spike, pulling out a pack of cigarettes.
"What's up with Willow ? How come you're here ?" asked Dawn, noticing where they were.
"It d-d-doesn't matter," panted Willow, weakly.
Willow swayed on her feet, Xander picked her up and cradled him in his arms.
"Xander. I-i-it didn't work, she's gone, Buffy's really gone," trembled Willow, tears flooding her eyes.
"Let's go home," whispered Tara.
Everyone nodded. Spike watched them carefully, he too wanted to know what they were doing besides Buffy's grave. Dawn followed behind with Spike, not raising the matter again. Although, she knew questions would be asked by Angel when they all arrived home, in the state that they were. As they all walked out of the Graveyard, they hadn't realised they left one of their friends behind; gasping for air ,underground, in her coffin.