Ring on her Finger

By Nickeltaffy

Disclaimer: I would like to thank Joss for the use of his characters. They are still his and will never be mine.

Authors note: Please bear with me! Previous version had some grammar issues. Hey, it is hard to write action in the past tense. I have great hopes for the next chapter.

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Chapter 27

As she stumbled to a halt, Buffy could barely discern the outline of Spike standing in front the portal as the brilliant light made her eyes water. The air became deadly quiet as the harrowing chant that had filled the area suddenly ceased and all eyes of the occupants in the annex turned toward the figure. Sensing the break in the tension, the remaining demons began to scramble in an effort to escape the creature. Not caring what or who they had to clamber over, they scattered over the area tearing doors from their hinges in the frenzy to get away. As the demons fled, the remaining soldiers regrouped to consider a new strategy to deal with this new ominous threat. Standing motionless, Buffy could just hear the sound of what sounded to be commands being gruffly given to the soldiers who were huddled behind a rather large transport parked there. Finally shaking off some of her stupor, Buffy staggered over to a railing, leaning against it for support. She blinked her eyes to clear them, as she watched the lone vampire challenge the creature.

Spike seemed to be severely outmatched by the sheer size of the giant figure as he stood there. It was an unearthly sight as the two opponents faced off. The ragged edges of the portal were continuously moving like a living being itself as it poured an eerily brilliant light into the room. The edges floated around the vampire, like a jellyfish trying to capture its prey in its tendrils. The Diye creature loomed in the center of the portal, its metallic skin casting disturbingly bright flashes of eye piercing light. Yet, Spike continued to stand there undeterred. There was an element of strength and defiance about his stance as he braved the creature. There was a sense of energy coming away from the man, yet he appeared to be as still as a statue.

Diye leaned forward to measure his opponent as he leaned to regard Spike. The creature began to extend what would be called an appendage toward Spike. Buffy noticed the sound of Spike's voice, low and soft but cutting through the air. He was speaking, but it wasn't English. It was in a language that sounded older and exotic. She strained to make out the words. She noticed a warm glow began to emanate from Spike. It began to become a deeper color and a hum accompanied Spike's voice. Buffy felt something; the ring was vibrating on her finger. She brought up her hand and held it at her waist cupping it in her right. A vibration crawled up her hand as the stone in the ring flashed at her. The power of the ring responded to Spike's call.

The Diye creature began to pull back from Spike. Spike reached forward with his left hand, as Buffy began to see a glowing ball of energy form in it. The creature roared at Spike through the portal, but it seemed to have no effect on the vampire who stood resolute in his action. Buffy held her breath as Spike seemed to be pushing the creature back. The creature strained at the force that Spike was exerting. To Buffy's relief, it appeared that Spike was defeating the creature and closing the portal.

Suddenly a military rocket flew overhead and exploded at the portal. The violent explosion did not penetrate the portal, so all the backlash of the attack was thrown back upon Spike. Buffy watched as Spike's body was cast away like a discarded doll. Landing with a hollow thump that made her cringe, Buffy saw Spike lying dazed on the floor. Buffy dashed toward him as she bounded over debris that lay between her and her vampire. When she reached him, she went on her knees as she picked up his head.

"Spike?" Buffy entreated as she brushed her thumbs over his cheekbones.

While Buffy knelt next to Spike, the soldiers moved forward into positions to attack the creature. The sound of rocket explosions and gunfire filled the building as the humans continued their assault against the creature. Teams of soldiers moved to flank the creature, firing rapidly in a concerted effort. The Initiative brought out their most advanced weapons developed to control the demon populace. Electrical weapons created a sparking network of electricity over the surface portal. But for all their effort, their attempts to subdue the creature turned out to be futile. All the destructive power was deflected by the surface of the portal and thrown back upon the soldiers without affecting the creature. The creature began to chant once again, ignoring the meager barrage from the humans. The Diye appeared fixated in looking for its opponent, Spike. It was then that chant began anew to draw his adversary to him.

As the chant swam out into the annex, Buffy could feel the pull now herself as the Slayer in her responded to the call. She fastened her hands to Spike's arms and urgently shook him.

"Spike! We gotta get out of here!" Buffy pleaded with the vampire who was beginning to open his eyes. Moving behind him, she placed her hands under his arms and began to pull up. Grunting with exertion, she managed to get him propped up on his feet into a standing position. Dazed, Spike's head bobbed on his shoulders as he reached a wavering hand back toward her.

On the far end of the annex, the soldiers were continuing their hopeless fight against the Diye. The creature scanned the area and issued a roar of challenge. In the next instant, the creature suddenly ripped through the surface of the portal as an arm was thrust through the barrier. The arm stayed there for a moment, slowly turning and giving off an earthly shine. Then, it suddenly jammed its fist downward through the portal into the ground. As it did the ground seemed to evaporate around the fist, it crumbled into nothingness. The vortex created by the creature began to draw all that surrounded it into blackness. Buffy heard the shouts and screams of the nearby soldiers as they were drawn toward it. The remaining troops retreated, rushing through the exits. Soon, only Spike and Buffy were remaining in the annex.

As soon as the creature's arm broke through the barrier, Spike's eyes flew open. His eyes were a brilliant blue, so bright that light seemed to pour out of him. He straightened up so quickly that Buffy nearly toppled over with the momentum. He stood there staring at the vortex and then up to the creature. Then with bold strides, Spike moved passed Buffy as he began to approach the portal again. Desperately catching his arm in both of her hands, Buffy sought to stop him.

"Spike, you don't have to do this." She pleaded as she placed her hand on his arm and tried to pull him toward the door.

"Problem is, pet, there's nobody else. This is an old family feud that needs to be put to rest. I've been owing this wanker a good clobbering for a long time now." Spike said as briefly pulled his eyes away from the portal. He stopped for a moment as he looked at her. His hand came up to smooth a hair away from her cheek. Then breaking his fascination, he pushed her toward the door, calling. "Go on! Get yourself outta of here!"

In the next instant, the creature pulled his arm from the vortex which immediately disappeared. Before Spike can turn around, the creature has extended his arm toward Spike. Dark and metallic motes seemed to fall from the creatures arm. They floated over the surface of the floor directly toward Spike, like a tide coming into shore.

The mass of dark wispy energy enveloped Spike, causing his body to become immobile. It felt like a million tiny spiders were wrapping him up in unbreakable diamond threads. Struggling to break free, Spike wrestled against the magical bonds covering his body but to no avail. He felt the spiders begin to cover his head with their tightening webbing, sealing his jaw shut. Inside, his demon was screaming, as Spike fought to listen to what the blood was telling him. As he struggled, he could now feel the creature's inexorable pull drawing him ever closer. He tried once again to fight the panic inside him and tried to concentrate on the blood. He raged against the impending doom facing him as the lights began to flash in front of his eyes. In his head, he thought of all the people he had failed: his father, his grandfather, his aunt, Buffy, the Scoobies…well, he really didn't mind so much about the Scoobies, come to think of it. Spike was so wrapped up in his thoughts, that he didn't hear the small boots stamping up from behind him.

Spike suddenly felt two small arms wrapping themselves around his midsection, stopping his progression toward the portal. He found himself flung back to the floor, breaking down the control of the creature on the magic. Looking up, he was surprised to see a breathless Buffy standing there looking at him. Without the creature's control, Spike was able to slowly remove the magical spider web that was covering him.

"Spike!" Buffy called out as she felt her body become immobilized by the creature's motes.

The creature sent out another mass of the spider like motes this time toward Buffy. Staggering, Buffy felt her body being slowly drawn toward the portal and the creature. Seeing Buffy in danger, Spike increased his struggle to break free of the creature's magic. He tried desperately to get a hand free, so he could stop Buffy's progression. With panic in his eyes, he saw that Buffy was almost at the portal.

Suddenly, a dart of crooked wood shot through the air at the creature. It cut across the surface of the creatures arm leaving a glowing gash. In response, the creature flinched and lost its control on Buffy. Without the momentum of creature's pull, Buffy pitched forward and fell to the floor.

Giles and Willow are standing at the entrance of the annex with crossbows in their hands. Behind them are Anya and Xander who led them down through the access tunnel. The holly that Rupert and Willow have fashioned into crossbow darts hurt the creature, driving it back. Motioning to the other three to spread out, Giles charged forward to shoot another bolt toward the creature. Running over and leaning on a crate, Willow aimed her crossbow at the creature. Suddenly, the air is filled with the sound of crossbows as the darts zip toward the creature. Pulling back with a roar, the creature began to pull his arm back through the portal. At the last moment, he extended his arm toward Buffy who was still struggling to break free from the thread like bonds.

"Everyone! Aim for the portal!" Giles yells to the Scoobies. "We must force him back before he pulls Buffy in!"

As Buffy was being dragged across the last few feet of the floor, she could feel the light from the portal pouring down all around her. Pulling at the bonds and wriggling to slow her progress, she was still unable to break the bonds. She suddenly felt two strong hands on her body, stopping her progression. Spike had run over and put himself in between her and the portal. Smoothing away the magical bonds, he brought her to her feet and flung her away from the portal to safety.

Spike turned to confront the creature who had now been driven back inside the portal. As he turned, a misfired dart hit him in the chest. He looked down at the dart that was sticking out of his chest near his heart. His face wrinkled in curiosity as he regarded the dart sticking out of his chest. Lifting his head, he looked over to Buffy just before he was pulled into the portal.