Disclaimers

All characters appearing in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel are copyright Joss Whedon. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are not authorized by the copyright holder.

All original characters, such as Naoikientan (Nah-Kean-Tune), are the property of Celgress.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Four AU - Corruption: Episode Four: Origins

By

Celgress

Central Gaul 100 B.C.E

He tasted blood, her blood. She was the spirit of the grove. She had chosen him to carry on her legacy. When the ritual was over the druid priest lay dead. His body was left where it fell. Several nights later he arose again blessed with new life, her life.

"Now you are like me" The silver haired vampiress said, her features permanently twisted into a vampiric countenance. "Long have I sought a successor, one who can continue my work. I have grown weary of this corporeal existence, at dawn today I will meet the Sun. The work is yours now my child."

"Will I eventually grow as powerful as you?" The Druid Priest asked, as the Silver Haired Vampiress helped him to his feet.

"Few of our kind live as long as I have" the Silver Haired Vampiress answered. "One of us must live over three millennia before our humanity fades completely. Only then will our deeper nature becoming dominant both without and within. Perhaps you will prove cunning enough perhaps you will not, I cannot say. Beware the Slayer my child she culls the weak and at times even the strong."

The face of the Druid Priest grinned. "Worry not I know I will prove a worthy successor." The face morphed into its true demonic form for the first time. Minus the vampire features it was the handsome face of the male vampire who would one day be known as both Naoikientan and Llewellyn Drake!

Sunnydale the Lair of Naoikientan mid-August 1999 afternoon

"No way I'm not doing it" Faith said, shaking her head in disgust. "I'm a Slayer not a butcher. I don't kill kids, ya got that?"

"You need not kill Dawn Summers per se just rough her up a bit, as the juveniles say these days" Naoikientan said, from where he sat upon his stone throne his face concealed deep within the shadows of the heavy hood of his elaborate black robe.

"I said no. I don't hurt kids, how many times must I tell you that!?" Faith shouted, defiantly.

Lacing his clawed fingers together, Naoikientan's eyes glowed blood red deep within the confines of his hood. "Then you are of no further use. Farewell Faith."

Faith doubled over on the hard stone floor clutching her stomach in pain. "Please" she gasped, between sobs. "Don't do this. It hurts so bad. I don't want to go back."

"I trust there will be no further objections?" Naoikientan asked, getting up off his throne and approaching the prone Faith.

"Yes, Heaven help me, I will do whatever you ask just make it stop" Faith said, her body convulsing.

"Very well" Naoikientan said, snapping his fingers. A few moments later Faith was restored to full health. The Dark Slayer glared at Naoikientan, though she dared not utter a word of protest. "I can see this is an exceedingly difficult task for you. In light of this unforeseen difficulty I ask only that you abduct Dawn Summers and bring her here, unharmed. I will do the rest. Is that more acceptable?"

"Yeah, it is" Faith said, wiping both blood and drool from her mouth.

To Be Continued