Faith walked out of the giant oak doors of the entrance to the building, down the stone steps and across the large lawn towards the group of training Slayers.

Kennedy Ambrose, another Vampire Slayer Faith first met in Sunnydale, was leading the women in advanced Tai Chi moves. Faith stood and watched them practice for a moment, as a twinge of jealousy shot through her. If she'd had this kind of support when she was first chosen, would she have done the terrible things she had? Would she have betrayed those who only sought to help her?

But now wasn't the time to dwell on her past. She had bigger problems.

As she was about to call out to Kennedy she sensed movement behind her. She turned to see Illyria walking towards her and the group.

"What's the problem, Illy?" Faith asked.

Illyria stood for a moment and stared at her. Faith stared directly in Illyria's eyes for what seemed like an age. She saw something in them that she recognised, something that frightened her. It was a combination of pain and suffering, loss and despair, pleasure and arrogance. Faith was not sure why Illyria was working for the good guys, but she was sure it wouldn't, no couldn't, last forever.

"I had been told of this Slayer Army" the Demon said "In my time the idea of a human with the ability and strength to fight against us would have been repugnant. Another reminder of how weak this world has become in the possession of man."

Faith smiled at this comment.

"Any time you wanna try yourself against a few Slayers just ask."

Just as Faith made this comment she felt a fist hit her in the abdomen, and was thrown backwards ten feet.

Illyria stood, fist still out in front, her head slightly cocked at an angle.

The group of Slayers that were training instantly stopped. All started to run forward with Kennedy in the lead.

"Stop!" Faith yelled, lifting her hand into the air to enforce her wish for the Slayers to stay where they were. "I'll handle", finished off with a smile.

Faith had been aching for some action for some time.

As Faith got to her feet and walked back towards Illyria, the Slayers came to a halt. They stood watching, the looks on their faces indicating the shock at what had happened.

"Now Illy, you caught me off guard," said Faith. "But now I'm ready for a tussle, if you want."

At this, she struck Illyria with her left fist, knocking the demon sideways. Illyria hit back with a double punch to Faiths face, causing her to stumble to her knees.

Faith used this position to spin on the spot and execute a powerful high kick to Illyria's mid section, sending her back. Faith got to her feet and attempted a roundhouse kick, however Illyria was quicker than the Slayer and grabbed the leg in mid-air and threw it back, causing the woman to spin around.

Faith felt Illyria punch her at the base of her spine, causing her to crumple to the floor. Though she had been aware of Illyria's strength, Faith hadn't realised how fast she was with it. This caused the Slayer to re-think her strategy.

The Slayer quickly dodged Illyria's foot as it came down at her, by rolling to the left. She used her momentum to spring to her feet, and then jumped in the air, doing a somersault over Illyria's head. As she landed, Faith threw her elbow back, connecting with Illyria's head. The Demon God stumbled forward then spun on the spot throwing out both arms to grab the Slayer by the throat. As Faith was gasping for air, Kennedy came behind the demon, kicking her in the shoulder blades.

Illyria let go of Faith and turned.

"Impudent fool," she said, and then followed it with a punch to the Slayers face, causing the nose to shatter and blood to pour from it.

Kennedy fell to the floor holding her face.

"Everybody, stay back!" Faith yelled.

Illyria turned to face Faith again.

"Even with your Slayer strength, you are still human. Weak of flesh and blood and bone and you reek of frailty."

Faith felt the rage grow inside her. The same rage she had tried to suppress for the last four years. She knew that Illyria was taunting her in her way, but she didn't want to let go.

With this, she felt another attack on her abdomen, this time it was Illyria kicking.

She fell to the ground again. Illyria immediately pulled her up to her knees, placed one hand on her head, ready to snap her neck.

"Illyria." Came a familiar voice. "Stop!"

Illyria let Faith go and she dropped to the floor and looked up. She saw Illyria turn around.

"Wesley," Illyria said "you are dead!"