Disclaimer: All Buffy or Angel characters were created by Joss Whedon. Not me.
Author's Note: Well, originally I intended this chapter to be posted sooner, but life has a way of screwing things up. That's just how it is. Oh, and thank you everyone for reviews, sorry I didn't respond ;) Before I forget, we are getting closer and closer to the end of story. When I first started this, I aimed at 22 chapters and I think we will be having some number around that. Maybe one more, maybe one less. I really had a blast writing this. Hope you feel the same way.
Chapter Seventeen: The Art Of Losing
''Why are we back here?'' Katie asked.
They reached Hyperion, at last. It was still turned over and destroyed, but empty. They fought their way out from that carnage for over fifteen minutes, the demons eventually stopping their pursue. Whether they were told to or just simply gave up, seeing how many of their brethren have fallen, Connor didn't know. He looked at the team, scattered thorough the lobby. Truth to be told, they all looked like the spanish inquisition got their hands on them. Everyone received bruises and cuts, some bigger than others. Lorne couldn't move his arm, probably because he put it under too much pressure, considering it was recently broken. Illyria seemed fine, or rather put on a show to look fine. To be honest Connor was impressed with her. Even without her powers she could still kick some serious ass. He wasn't too worried about Rain, given her new status she should recover quicker than Katie, whose half of the face was covered in blood. Watching as Rain gently attended to it, it must've been her own. Amy was a slayer, so she probably felt better than him, but her posture told him in how much pain she was actually in. And he himself, well... He was sure that most of his skin was not in it's natural colour. He didn't dare touch his face, knowing that most of it was purple and touching will only result in pain.
''I don't know.'' He slowly said. ''Spike said to go here so we came.''
''Do you think she made it? Faith?'' Rain asked and changed the bandage on her lover's face. The previous one was soaked in blood. Katie hissed. ''Sorry.''
''She definitely did something.'' Amy grunted and, using the wall for support, sank to the floor. ''I feel it differently. I can't explain it. It's just different. Somehow.'' She let out a pained breath.
''What do you think?'' Lorne turned to Illyria, clutching his arm in pain. ''We won?''
''Given the odds, we were successful. The end result, I don't know if we accomplished it.'' Illyria said.
''Speaking of end results, where the hell is Spike?'' Katie looked at Connor. ''And why did she take off like that?''
He knew she meant Anthis. ''Spike went to help Faith. Don't know her deal though. Looked to me like she went the same way.''
''What do we do now?'' Rain asked, looking at the bandage. The bleeding seemed to have stopped. ''Just wait until they come back?''
''Yeah. Wait. Rest. Get ourselves to a state of some usefulness.''
***B***B***
The room collapsed like it was meant to. By the time it did, however, pretty much every demon was already out, occupying the tunnels. Gunn with Danar were the last ones to leave. Vampire stared at the blade, feeling it vibrate in his grip. Almost as if the energy inside was barely holding in.
''What do we do now?'' He asked. ''You said that as soon as we were out here again, Adrian would come. We layin' a trap for him or what?''
''I don't know.'' He answered after a minute. ''Something changed. Like he is not here anymore.'' He slowly walked through the tunnel.
''What do you mean? How can you know?'' Gunn caught up with him.
''If you were sensible to magic, like few are, including me, you'd feel it too.'' Demon closed his eyes. ''There is still something out there. Something dark. But I can't feel Adrian anymore.''
''He dead?''
''Possibly.''
''So this whole knife is useless?'' Gunn sighed. ''Great.''
''It's not useless, vampire.'' Danar snapped. ''Do you have any idea how much damage it can do? How much power it holds? Four wizards poured their strength into this knife for two days. Rarely gets bigger than that.''
''Okay, then. I'll hold onto it.'' Gunn said. ''What do we do now, huh?''
''We should start with leaving this place. We have enough troops to sent at least five groups to scout the city, while setting a small centre here.'' He suggested.
Vampire nodded. ''Sounds good. Okay people, gear up! We're goin' up.'' He called back. He heard dozens of footsteps behind him. ''This dark thing... is it worse?''
''It's no better if that's what you mean. But I don't know. I don't know what could be powerful enough to take over. From what I feel, the barrier surrounding this place is still working, that means it's no outsider.'' Danar said.
''Uh-huh.''
''Something on your mind?'' He asked. There was a train, the same one Gunn passed going in. He got in. ''I think I might have a chance to find out what's going on.'' They walked through it, appearing back on the tracks. ''Those friends I mentioned earlier? They might know what went down.''
''And you know where they are?''
''Oh, I have an idea.'' He recalled his last conversation with Connor. He wanted to go back to Hyperion. If they weren't there, he'd catch a trail or simply get back here. Few minutes later they saw the stairs, leading up and onto the streets. ''Okay look, I'm trusting you here. Set a camp, sent the groups. The whole nine, okay? I'll be back as soon as I can.''
Danar nodded. ''Good luck, vampire.''
***B***B***
They've been here for over an hour and he was getting restless. Connor did not fancy moving, but staying in this place for too long seemed dangerous, especially since it was attacked once before. Sky began to lighten up. To think that 24 hours ago he was standing with Anthis on the roof, not knowing about the plan Faith and Spike were discussing. Felt like a lifetime ago. Taking advantage of Hyperion, the only building that they knew of that had electricity and running hot water, everyone was either taking a shower or getting something warm to eat for a change. Or just simply resting, like Connor. He was sitting in the lobby, on the couch. Eyes closed, but his other senses were fully aware. He heard Amy and Lorne moving around in the kitchen. Running water that told him where Rain and Katie were. Quiet snoring from Angel's office indicated Illyria's position. As a god, she probably didn't require sleep. He didn't know.
Footsteps. Hurried, not even trying to be stealthy footsteps coming from the basement. Connor got up with only mild difficulty and grabbed a mace he pulled out earlier from the weapon's cabinet. The door opened rather forcefully and Spike, with Angel over his shoulder, came in. Connor stared, open-mouthed.
''A hand?'' Spike said, irritated and tired. Running through half of the city with a dead weight was not a light job. Boy immediately let go of the mace and helped Spike put his father on the couch. It clattered to the ground, making a loud, metallic noise. Connor cringed as he looked at the man. Way worse than from the time he spent on the bottom of the ocean. He didn't realize that Spike left. ''What are you doing?'' He called after him.
''Getting blood.'' Was the reply. He heard the vampire near the fridge, voices from both Lorne and Amy. Two minutes later Spike came back with a mug in his hands. Slayer and demon followed, perplexed. Just as he tried to force the blood down Angel's throat, Rain and Katie appeared on the stairs, both wet and barely clothed, obviously alarmed by all the noises.
''What happened?''
Spike cursed. He managed to make Angel swallow some of the blood he quickly warmed up in the microwave, but most of it ended everywhere but in Angel's mouth.
''What's going on?''
''Why'd you tell us to come here?''
''Is that Angel?''
''What the hell-''
''Enough.'' Spike said in a loud, firm voice. ''He needs more blood.'' He got up.
''Where's Faith?'' Rain noticed the lack of the woman. Spike stopped for a moment. ''Later.'' He resumed his walk. Everyone exchanged worried glances. While Spike was in the kitchen, getting the rest of the blood, Rain and Katie quickly got back to their room to dress up. Amy got to Illyria and woke her up.
Vampire came back with three mugs and saw everyone gathered around Angel. He brought the first one to his lips.
''Is he dead?'' Illyria asked.
''Don't know. He got his ass handed to him, but I didn't stick around for the whole show.''
''What happened up there? Where is Faith?'' Connor propped up Angel's head.
''She uhhh, she saved Angel. By the time I got up there Angel was unconscious and they were goin' at it.'' Spike set the first mug down and reached for the second. ''And let me tell you something, that fucker looked way too much like our resident huntress for my taste. Reckon they know each other. She might've been even in on it this whole time. Where the hell is she?''
''What? That's not possible.'' Boy argued. ''And we don't know. She went after you.''
''Yeah, it is. She never got to me. Anyway, Faith beat him up and threw the bastard off the roof.'' Vampire said.
''And then?'' Rain asked.
''Then...'' He sighed. ''Then she would've killed me if she wouldn't got distracted. So while she was offing everything in sight, I grabbed the poof and got the hell out.''
''She went after you?''
Spike nodded. ''Her killing urges made a grand entrance again.''
''So we got Angel back, but lost Faith.'' Lorne quietly said.
''What do we do now? Why'd you tell us to come here?'' Katie asked.
''Figured that she'd go to our old place, like we discussed earlier. Well, if she did, I bought us a couple of hours.'' Spike took the third mug.
''You knew.'' Amy spoke up. Everyone looked at her. ''Before you went to that roof you knew that we'd have to hide from her.''
''That was a possibility.'' Vampire admitted. ''Me 'n her came to agreement. Something goes wrong, I waste her.''
''Why didn't you, then?'' Illyria asked after a minute of silence. He lowered his head.
''He couldn't. Didn't want to.'' Rain said.
''I would've done it.'' Spike set the last mug down. ''If she got any closer I would've killed her. But she just stood there. Watched me. And then those demons came out and I ran. It's like she gave me a chance to leave.''
''Maybe she did.'' Lorne suggested. ''Still able to control herself a little.''
Connor let Angel's head fall back down onto the couch. There seemed to be no improvements, except that now his whole chin and part of the shirt were covered in blood.
''We need to get out of here.'' Spike decided. ''Grab what we can and move.''
''If she's all terminator, she'll go back where we were supposed to and, once we're not there, she will begin to look.'' Rain nodded. ''Quite possible Faith will check this place out.''
Everyone scrambled to grab what they could. Connor and Spike stayed where they were. ''Is he gonna make it?''
''No idea. Never seen a vamp look that bad.''
Twenty minutes later they picked him up and walked out of the hotel.
''Left or right?'' Katie asked.
They chose to go right.
***B***B***
Pain. That was pretty much the first thing he felt. Everything hurt. Every single thing. He drew in shallow breaths, trying not to moan. He forced his eyes open and saw a ceiling. It was poorly lit, maybe by a lone, dying candle. He could see the reflection of fire, dancing. Demon tried to raise his hands up and only then realized that he was immobilized.
''Don't try to get up. It won't do you any good.'' A voice said. He didn't know whether to be shocked or relieved at the sound of it.
''Where am I?'' He croaked out. ''What happened?''
Anthis came closer, looking at her beaten brother. His appearance was horrifying, but hers was not much better. The first stage of the fight was hard and she was close to being defeated. The second part, her grabbing Adrian and making a mad run to her hideout was no better. At least now she was safe. They both were, considering the circumstances. As she leaned over him, Adrian muttered something under his breath and shot up, trying to grab her. Only to be immediately forced back into the bed.
''What the hell?'' He wheezed out. Anthis stared at him sadly. ''You really thought I'd be so stupid?'' Adrian followed her gaze, which was locked on his chest. In horror, he discovered that it was full of strange symbols, symbols he seemed to somewhat recall from a distant past, carved into his flesh.
''Blood magic.'' She explained. ''You're bound to me now. Nothing you can do about it.''
He let his head fall back. ''What happens now?''
His sister grabbed a glass of water and put it to his lips. He drank greedily for few seconds. ''Why'd you pull me out? She could've killed me. End all of your problems.''
Anthis pulled a chair and sat on it, near the bed. ''What went wrong?''
''Huh?''
''Obviously you had a plan. It failed. Why?''
Adrian closed his eyes. Yet, he found himself answering. ''I've underestimated her. Faith.'' He spat the name.
''But you're the one who did this to her in the first place. You brought her the dreams. You allowed me to find The Scythe and to bring her to it.'' At his look she smirked. ''Oh yeah, I figured that out. Too late to do anything, but I did. Question is, what changed? I saw you at that roof. You wanted her to come to you and yet, here you are... beaten by the very thing you created.''
''You can't keep me here. My forces will find me.'' Adrian turned his head away.
Anthis looked down and saw blood seeping through the bandage on her side. She stood up and walked to the desk, getting some kind of jar from there. She dipped two fingers in the sticky ointment it held and put them to her wound. She bit back a groan of pain, but it seemed to work. Would take some time to heal altogether, but won't bother her for now. ''They won't.'' She eventually said. ''Why do you think you couldn't find me, except that one time? This place is hidden. The way we used to do it back home, remember? True, it took me out when I did the spell, but it was worth it. And for the record... soon there will be no army for you.'' The way he stiffened at her words, she knew she had his full attention. ''Faith is killing everything that moves out there.'' Demon said over her shoulder, on her way out of the room.
***B***B***
She kicked the door and barged in. No startled gasps, no movements of any kind. Silence. Still, slayer looked through every room. No one. Faith sat down heavily on the bed and a pained laugh escaped her. Fucker. Spike had to figure out things would go wrong. And told everyone to meet somewhere else. She had nothing. She got up and closed the door to the apartment. Faith looked at the red smudge she left on it. Blood. She was covered in blood. Some of it was her own, some not. She dropped The Scythe and went to the bathroom. Awful. That's how she looked. Killing that whole group was not so easy. They got her few good times, numbers and all. But in the end, she came out on top. Like she always did and like she always will. Faith grabbed a towel and put it under the tap. No water. Right. Fucking great. How the fuck was she supposed to clean up? In a sudden rush of rage, she tore the whole thing off the wall. Okay, come on Faith, think.
Clean up, eat something, find some place to spend the night. Get up and eliminate every threat. Find a way to get out of here and have a word with Buffy. And all of the gang. She gritted her teeth and eyed her weapon, uncertain. She felt a little better without it, but that was not much. Not much at all. But did she, really? Every single thing she felt while holding it was just her. Deep down. Faith took it and left the apartment.
***B***B***
No one. He should've known they'd move on by now. Hyperion. Gunn examined the lobby. And few things were not the way they were. Parts of the couch were covered in dried blood. The room was full of mixed scents, that were fading. They must've left in the morning. But he doubted he could track them, out on the streets. He walked around, sniffing. He had Spike and Connor... who else? There was a scent in Angel's office that he couldn't put his finger on, but it was a familiar one. The couch, there was a third one there, he couldn't guess whose. He dipped his finger in the droplets of blood near the wall and licked it slowly. Katie. He sniffed. And Rain. He couldn't find Lorne's and Amy's, and was fairly certain that those two unrecognizable scents were not theirs. So their group has at least six people. Not bad.
Gunn stood up. No point in sticking around here. Well... He eyed the mugs. There might be still some blood left. He got to the kitchen, but found none. Just his luck. A trip to the hospital then. And after that what? Go back to Danar? Or keep searching on his own?
***B***B***
Spike watched the night. Currently they were holed up in some apartment that previously held a director, a photographer or some other guy who was into cameras. The whole day was quiet, a thing Spike was grateful for. They needed to rest. Heal. At this rate the next fight could be just a little too much for them to handle. If a one day break is all they can get, he'll take it. He stared, lost in thought when someone approached him.
''Do you think we'll pull through this?''
Vampire looked at the horned demon. ''Somethin' on your mind?''
Lorne sighed. ''It's just... seems like lately all we've done is try to clean up a mess, yet we end up in a bigger one.''
''What do you want to hear?''
''I'm not sure. The truth, maybe?''
''I have no bloody idea.'' He said. ''In a way I feel more hopeless than I did back in Sunnydale. Of course it was Angel that showed up back then with a fancy amulet.''
Lorne sent a small look behind them. Angel was still unresponsive. ''Do you think he'll have the answers?''
''To be honest, I'm not even sure he will wake up.''
''From what I've heard, after three months in ocean he regained consciousness pretty quickly.'' Demon exclaimed. ''How long we've been here for? A month? More?''
''Probably. I don't think it's the time that matters here. More about what his body's been put through. He was going to self-destruct. Reckon he's pretty drained right now. Might take a while to get him up on his feet.'' Spike said. ''There some liquor? Gloomy as hell here.''
With that Spike left Lorne by the window, retreating through living room to the kitchen. He tried not to look at anybody, instead he focused on searching for some bottle. He found a whiskey, grabbed a glass, poured himself a shot and knocked it back.
Connor watched over Angel's still body. No movement. No nothing. Might as well be dead. He was on a verge of falling asleep. In another room, Amy and Illyria were already sleeping. Elsewhere, in what appeared to be a working room of some kind, stayed Rain and Katie. They were surrounded by remains of cameras, screwdrivers and other tools, working on one of them.
''I'll get it working.'' Blonde kept saying. Her brunette counterpart just handed her the things she occasionally asked for. ''Yeah, but what for?''
''Huh? I'll record all of this shit. Once we get out of here we'll...'' She trailed off, closing the lid and turning it on. After few seconds it came to life, lighting up the room. ''Holy shit, it's working.'' Rain said.
''What did I tell you?'' Katie smiled. ''Now, where the hell does this...'' She fumbled with it for a while. Something clicked on. ''Oh. Hey, I think it's on.'' She pointed it at Rain's face, but due to pretty much no lighting, the screen was black. ''Get out.'' She smacked it away playfully.
''Hush.'' She searched for the nightvision. ''Here we go.''
''Okay seriously... What is the point of this?'' Rain asked. ''Stop pointing it at me.''
''Nope. I want for everyone who ever sees this to appreciate just how beatiful you are.'' Katie kept it at Rain's face.
''With all those bruises? No make up and the look of a drug addict? Doubt it.''
''Yeah well, you're perfect for me. As for the point...'' She turned the camera towards her face. ''Those people out there, like this Buffy and her friends, might have it out for us. Or them at least. It's a chance to show them just how fucked up this place really is. Think of it as a psychological experiment. We'll record some things at the end of each day.''
''You're nuts.''
Katie shifted the camera to the brunette. ''Maybe. By the way, this is Rain and my name is Katie. Let's meet the rest and after that I'll run a quick recap as for what happened so far.'' They got up and went to the living room. In there, they saw Angel laying peacefully and Connor dozing off near him.
''What the bloody hell are you doing?''
They didn't immediately see Spike, who sat deeper in the darkness, with a bottle on the table.
''Spike. We're making a recording.''
Vampire swallowed a mouthful of a burning liquid. ''This is stupid. That thing will probably get smashed or forgotten in the next tight spot we'll find ourselves in.''
''You don't know that.'' Rain argued.
''The hell I don't.'' Spike sighed. ''Okay, I'll bite. What the hell is it for?''
''Maybe to show the world what really went down here?'' Katie asked.
''And why, pray tell, do you think that is a good idea?'' Spike poured some more whiskey into his glass. ''The world is not ready to face the supernatural. It will probably fall apart. Though, I am curious as to how exactly do they want to explain this mess here? I mean, Los Angeles cut itself off the world on it's own?''
Women hesitated. ''We'll figure something out.''
***B***B***
The hotel was empty. Though she did see signs of recent activity. True, Faith had no way of being completely sure it was them, at least until she did find her crossbow in one of the rooms. Slayer went back into the lobby and stopped, uncertaintly. What now? She ran her hand through her still damp hair. She found a pool, in which she cleaned herself up. Faith looked at the axe in her hand. Walking around with it constantly in her grip was starting to annoy her. She thought about her crossbow. All she needed was a line or something to tie it to the thing and then keep it acrross her back. That simple. She took two steps and froze. Something moved outside. Calmly she walked out. There, stood a demon. It took her few seconds to realize that it wasn't a human. Demon. With his left arm three times bigger than his right, with red skin and sharp teeth.
''Where the hell did you come from?'' She asked him. That was surprising. She thought they all got wiped out. He turned to her, startled. And howled, really loud. In a flash she got to him and grabbed by the throat, effectively silencing him. He struck at her with his big arm, but she just caught it without much effort. He stared at her, half amazed, half scared. That was the look that stayed with him for the rest of eternity, as she broke his neck and let his body fall to the ground.
Few seconds later she heard footsteps and four more demons got into her path. She raised The Scythe. ''Now, one of you will tell me where you came from. 'Cuz it sure ain't a coincidence you show up two days after I took over.''
***B***B***
Connor exchanged looks with Spike and they both turned. Anthis stood in the doorway.
''So where is he?'' Vampire took a step forward, but stopped upon seeing an arrow aimed at his heart. ''Real cute.''
''I need you to come with me.''
Connor stood beside Spike. ''Why don't you tell us who that demon was first? Friend of yours?''
Anthis blinked, surprised. ''Brother, actually. That's why I'm here.''
''In all this time you've been helping us, how exactly did you forgot to mention that the one fucking thing we were up against was your own blood?'' Spike raised his voice and stepped closer.
''It wasn't relevant.'' Demon gritted her teeth.
''Right. Right.'' He nodded his head. ''How about you've got three seconds to explain or I tear you apart limb from limb?''
Anthis opened her mouth to speak, but Connor cut her off. ''How'd you even find us?''
''I've put a tracking spell on you, the night before we left. Thought it could come in handy.'' She answered. ''As to your question vampire, do you want to have all your answers? Then come with me.''
Man looked at the boy. ''What can you know, that we don't already?''
''Plenty. What you want to hear though, is what my brother has to say.'' Anthis finally lowered her bow.
''You're lying.'' Spike immediately said. ''He's dead.''
''He's not. I pulled him out.''
''In what universe do you think we will trust you?'' He asked.
Girl looked at Connor. ''I guess you have no choice. You can't take on Faith by yourself.''
''I think we should ask the rest what they think.'' He said. ''You stay here.''
Connor and Spike retreated back to the apartment, waking everybody up. No change in Angel's appearance. Half an hour later, they left.
***B***B***
Adrian was powerless. For the past hours, ever since Anthis left, he's been trying to break the spell binding him. No luck. There was nothing he could do to free himself. So he just laid there, waiting for whatever his sister had planned. He failed.
Voices. So she's back. With friends. He heard doors opening and closing, footsteps, seemed like whoever that was, he was settling in. Finally, the doors to his room opened. And more than two people stepped in. Much more. The whole group. He noticed a camera.
''What is this? An interrogation?'' He asked.
''Pretty much.'' Spike said and pulled himself a chair. ''Except there are only bad cops here.''
''Really? What makes you think you'll get anything from me? In case you've forgotten, we're not friends.'' He was looking straight at Anthis, as the rest of people scattered around him.
''Because you have no other choice. You may be strong enough to resist my will, but the truth serum still works.'' She quietly said. ''I've put it in the water.''
Adrian opened and closed his mouth few times, before eventually letting his head fall back. He was screwed.
''What, out of options?'' Spike remarked. ''Your masterplan, whatever that was, went to hell. You lost.''
''I've lost?'' Adrian laughed. ''You have no idea what are you talking about vampire. By defeating me you've signed off your own death sentences.''
''What do you mean? You are the bad guy here.'' Connor said.
''Oh, am I now?''
''Okay, cut the bullshit. Tell us what we want to know or I'll get peckish.'' Spike stood up and walked closer.
''Stand back.'' Anthis ordered. Spike glared at her, but sat back down.
''Why did you come here?'' Illyria asked.
''To kill you.''
''No, that is a lie.'' She said. Everyone turned to her, curious. ''If you wanted to destroy me, you could have done that already. Jump down from that roof and slaughter us all with your bare hands. Tell the truth.''
''The truth, brother. Now.'' Anthis stressed the word when Adrain remained silent.
''It was never about you.'' He revealed. ''Any of you. I don't give a damn about any of you.''
''Not even Faith?'' Amy asked. ''You wanted her. Why?''
''Means to an end. She fit. The true slayer.''
''But she is not The Slayer. From what I've been told it was this Buffy girl.'' Katie said, pointing the camera at everyone. ''Right?''
''Yeah.'' Spike agreed with her. ''Somebody didn't do his homework.''
Adrian snorted. ''Fools. I've seen Angel's mind. Dead. That's how the slayer line sees Buffy. It moved on from her, left her in the past where she should've stayed. Focused on the other girl. And when she died it passed onto another. When Faith's time is up, it will flow to the next one because the line lives with The Slayer. Buffy is an anomaly. So are the rest of you.'' He looked straight at Amy.
''Why'd you take my dad?'' Connor spoke up. ''I was here too. You could've jumped into me as soon as you came here.''
''I didn't know about you.''
''We're getting off track here.'' Lorne said. ''We killed the circle, Wolfram & Hart got mad. Then what?''
''A word got around that something big was going down on Earth.'' Adrian confessed. ''I couldn't get here myself, but I did sent an emissary to prepare a way for me. He grabbed Angel. Replaced the witch who controlled Wolfram & Hart's passageway and closed it. By doing this he absorbed enough power to bring me here.''
''That is why you left in such hurry.'' Anthis realized. ''But why did you do it in the first place? You said you don't care about them.''
''Earth was just a stop on my journey. I needed to gather my army here, the closest place to my real destination.''
''Wolfram & Hart.'' Rain breathed out. All eyes turned to her. ''Remember what Gunn said? He's not with them, he's against them. You are after them.'' She stared at Adrian.
''No way.'' Spike dismissed it. ''Look at all the things he's done since he came here. It's all just-''
''What?'' Adrian cut him off. ''What exactly did I do? I slaughtered their army. I gathered my forces and once I'd had control of the body I'd destroy the barrier and kill The Senior Partners!'' With each word his voice got louder.
All of them were unsure what to say. ''Destroy the barrier? You know how to do that?'' Lorne caught up.
''I had a plan. I'm convinced it would work out, but to do that I also needed the slayer. Obviously it won't work now.''
''Kill Senior Partners? Is that even possible?'' Connor looked at Spike, who looked at Illyria.
''Of course it is possible. There is no truly immortal creature, person or being.'' Adrian answered instead.
''It's true.'' Illyria confirmed.
''Okay then. How?'' Spike asked.
''Why do you think they were so worried about Illyria showing up on their land? They knew she had to be taken out before she could set her eyes on them.'' He said.
''You could do that?'' Vampire looked at the goddess. She nodded. ''Then why didn't you?''
''I had no army.''
''But why did you go after them to begin with? They did nothing to you.'' Anthis watched her brother in anticipation.
''What do you think will happen when they bring on The Apocalypse? Earth will be done and they will seek out another place. Senior Partners were already aware of me. For them next stop is our home.''
''That can't be true. You basically destroyed our world and now you have to nerve to claim you did it to save it?'' She shook her head.
''Wait.'' Spike said. ''We took out The Circle. We stopped The Apocalypse.''
Adrian looked at him. ''Are you really that stupid? This was never The Apocalypse. You just postponed it, put it on hold, pissed them off enough to do something reckless like sent their army after you. As for you.'' He set his gaze on Anthis. ''Sacrifices were necessary. It's not like they didn't deserve it.'' He said coldly.
''And how many people would you sacrifice here? Ten million? Fifty? Hundred?'' Connor asked.
''Probably more. Do you know how many of them will die when The Senior Partners decide the time has come? All of them.''
''We'll see about that.'' Spike argued.
''Right, you are heroes of the story. Act like you are better than me, when in reality we're at the same level. This world is pathetic for choosing you as its champions.''
''Really hate that word.'' Spike muttered.
''What did you do to Faith? Why did you lose?'' Rain asked. ''It must've been you. Giving her dreams, making her unstable. Poisoning The Scythe. You had it all mapped out. What happened?''
This was the question he evaded earlier, Anthis realized.
''I had to shatter her mind enough to get an access to it. I overdid it.''
''Is that what you've done to Angel?'' Connor said dangerously.
''Your father's mind is fine. He's a vampire, I didn't need to.'' Adrian took a deep breath. ''The dreams I sent to Faith were meant to confuse her. One night I got into her mind and planted a thought there. For her to find The Scythe, as I previously acquired it and enchanted a little. I was aware that with it in her hands, she would become more powerful, but combine it with a curse, she was an easy target.''
''And how exactly did you get The Scythe? From what I remember you showed up here after the barrier was up.'' Spike recalled. ''Something you're not telling us?''
''Did it ever occur to you than even though no one alive can get past it, something as simple as water simply falls through?'' The prisoner said. ''I used a masking charm that drained me, but it was enough to fool the barrier.''
''So it is possible to leave at any time?'' Katie asked.
''If you have someone strong enough to do the spell, sure. Problem is, there aren't many people who can do that.''
''Hey.'' Amy snapped her fingers. ''Back to Faith. You said she was an easy target, yet it is you who's laying beaten.''
Adrian gritted his teeth. ''When we fought on that roof and I was ready to jump into her, I kept hitting these... I don't know. Some sort of mental shields, I guess. Or she was too far gone already. She retreated deep inside her mind and I had troubles finding her. What I found was not what I expected.''
''Meaning?'' Anthis prompted.
''My efforts, together with Faith's own mission to save Angel...'' He shook his head. ''She grew a second consciousness. It was put from pretty much all the bad things from her life. Strong. Driven by the need to survive. She's the one that beat me and that is currently the dominating persona in her.''
Everyone took this news in. Looked at each other confused. Uncertain.
''What you're sayin' is... you created a mentally insane murderous slayer that is on the loose?'' Spike asked for confirmation. ''You're a bloody idiot.''
Adrian remained silent.
''What does she want? How do we stop her?'' Lorne spoke out.
''Do you really think I'd be here if I knew that?'' Half demon said. ''The faster you take her out, the better. She'll be fine for a while, but The Scythe works like a parasite. The more things she kills, the more unstable she'll become. Then she will reach a breaking point. Once she's past that...''
''Breaking point? Which is what?'' Rain sighed.
''I don't know.''
Spike stalked towards Adrian's bed. Anthis watched him warily. ''She'll break... and then what?'' He asked dangerously.
''Driven by the need to survive.'' Illyria whispered. ''She will eventually come after us all.''
''What? Why?'' Connor turned to her. They all did.
''If she'll want to survive, Faith will have to eliminate her weaknesses. Angel, for example.'' She said.
''Then why the need to slaughter us?'' Spike exclaimed ridiculously.
''Because deep that she is still The Slayer.'' Adrian said. ''That is the one part I couldn't change. She'll see you all as threats. Half of you are demons.'' He looked at Anthis, Spike, Connor, Illyria and Lorne. ''Perfectly justified. Two humans who consort with them are no better.'' Here he set his gaze on Katie and Rain. ''And finally, the biggest abomination of all. A slayer who, instead of laying waste to the evil, sides with it.'' His eyes met Amy's. ''She'll feel real pleasure in killing you. And I'm not even talking about personal matters. Once she's through with you she will find a way to escape this city and do the same thing to the people outside. Think of every person who's wronged her for her whole life. No mercy at all.''
''How do we straighten her?'' Katie asked slowly. ''How can we make her normal again?''
''You don't. You can't.'' He stated. ''The damage done to her can not be undone. The only way to stop her, is to kill her.''
''How do we break the curse, brother? The one you put on the weapon?'' This time it was Anthis who stepped closer. ''As a slayer you could have wield it, you have to have a counterspell, otherwise you wouldn't have put it at all.''
''Oh, yes. Of course. Except I'm not strong enough to do it. None of you are.''
***B***B***
Faith watched the remains of the last demon. It was, what she thought, the most intelligent looking one from the bunch, yet it either couldn't answer her because of the lack of knowing the language, or his will was simply too hard to break. She wanted to believe it was the first possibility, because she really worked hard for the answer that didn't come. She grabbed The Scythe and put it across her back, previously having made her idea real. What she got out, was some cursing under the breath about more to come and avenge, that led her to believe that this group was not the only one that came out to play. She didn't know where they came from, though. That puzzled her, because the demon in Angel seemed like a good strategist, that would've dealt with any kind of resistance. Unless, of course, that they were hiding like she. That didn't explain the 'more' comment though, as to beat her would require a lot more demons to show and that number couldn't have simply fly under radar.
She had to find a nest of these hideous creatures.
***B***B***
They gathered in another room, leaving Adrian alone. ''Do we believe this guy?'' Spike asked.
''We have to. He couldn't lie.'' Anthis said.
''You sure about that?'' Connor looked at her.
''Yes.'' Illyria answered.
''So what do we do now?'' Katie asked, moving the camera over everyone. No one had the answer.
''You do know we can't risk it, right?'' Vampire said to Anthis. ''Whatever that wanker said doesn't change what he's done. We can't.''
Anthis looked at him grimly. ''I know that. He's too dangerous to be kept alive, even if he could be an asset. But if there is anyone here that can take his life, it's gonna be me.'' She took a deep breath. ''Do we understand each other?'' They all nodded and went their separate ways. Only Illyria remained rooted to her spot.
''I can sense it, you know.'' She said after a minute. ''My power, held inside of him. I need to get it back.''
Anthis swallowed. ''I know. It's just not that easy.''
''I'm aware of that fact. But if what he's saying is true and The Slayer really is that powerful, I will need my power. As soon as it is possible.'' Ex goddess exclaimed.
Hald demon licked her lips. ''I already have all the necessities to do it.''
Illyria nodded her head.
***B***B***
''You think he's gonna be alright? I mean, he's had liters of blood and it doesn't seem to help.'' Connor said worryingly. Angel's condition didn't improve.
''I have no bloody idea. Never seen a vamp go that bad.'' Spike answered. ''I see no reason why it shouldn't though.''
''So what do you think of... everything?''
''You always ask the easy questions?'' Vampire exhaled the unnecessary air. ''I don't know. I need a minute... or a day... to wrap it all around my head. Where is Gunn or some evil suit to simple things up?''
Connor looked at him thoughtfully. ''Gunn. Evil suit...'' He got to his feet and walked back to Adrian's room, where he met Anthis and Illyria, surrounded by candles and other things. ''Where's Gunn?'' He immediately asked. Adrian looked at him curiously. ''Gunn went to get help from Wolfram & Hart.'' He clarified. ''He's too good not to contact them. Where the hell is he?''
''I don't know. Last I... sniffed of him was when he killed my emmisary and forced me to close the portals to our home.'' He looked at Anthis. ''He's certainly a player who's gained value.'' He exchanged looks with Spike who's followed him and went back.
''What was that?''
Connor looked at him, then at his father's unmoving body. ''Hamilton...'' He whispered.
''Yeah, what of him?'' Spike asked slowly.
''He bit him. He drank his blood and he got better.'' Connor said under his breath.
''Bloody hell you're talking about?''
Boy raised his head, a new glint in his eye. ''I know how to fix him. Look, back at Wolfram & Hart, dad was fighting with Hamilton and losing. I got knocked out and when I came to, Hamilton was dead and Angel seemed fine.''
''The point?'' Vampire said patiently.
''Angel drank from him. His blood gave him the kick he needed.'' Connor looked at Angel. ''Maybe what he needs is some better, powered up blood.''
''And you'll get that fr-'' Spike realized the answer. ''You're jerking me around?''
''No. Listen we'll give him just a bit. See if it sparks any kind of reaction.'' He pleaded. ''This might be our only chance at waking Angel up. And if what Adrian said is true, we'll need him more than ever.''
***B***B***
He hid behind a truck when he heard them. Now, as he risked a peek, Gunn could see two men, walking quickly in his direction, yet they seemed oblivious to his presence. He fixed the grip on his axe. He could see they were agitated, nervous even, as evidenced by the constant looking back and glancing at everything in sight. Another sign that said something big went down without him knowing. Well, he only needed one.
As they were about to pass him, he jumped from his position and buried the axe in one's chest. The death was instant. He let it leave his grip, the body falling backwards with it still stuck. Before it even hit the ground, Gunn pummeled the other guy. He struck back, but Gunn caught the fist and kicked him in the chest. With one hand he grabbed the guy by the front of his jacket and threw against the truck, while getting his axe with the other. He put it next to the man's throat.
''You're coming with me.'' Vampire announced and forced him to the nearest alley. Once there, he pushed him against the wall. Hard enough for the stranger to lose his breath and slide down it.
''What happened?'' He demanded.
The man looked up to Gunn hovering above him. ''We've lost.'' He muttered. ''We're all gonna die.''
''What happened?'' He repeated.
''I don't know. We've had it all prepared and they showed, just like they were meant to and then she went to him, it was all part of the plan, that's what I've been told and we attacked and-'' His head snapped to the side after Gunn punched him.
''Now. Slower. You mentioned a she. Who she?''
''The slayer. Adrian lured the slayer to him and we were supposed to distract the rest, which we did.'' He took a deep breath. ''Adrian lost the fight. She beat him. And then she turned on us. We're all doomed. It's just a matter of time now.''
Gunn kept his eyes on the man. So Faith beat Adrian. But if that is true, then what is this darker thing Danar was talking about?
''Is he dead?'' He needed the confirmation.
''Don't know. Probably.''
''The rest? What happened to them? Angel, Spike?'' Gunn stepped closer.
''Well, if they are smart they probably got the hell out of that slaughter.''
They were alive then. Now he needed to find them. No way to do that without support. That was the time to get back to Danar and organize a search party. He looked up to the sky. If they defeated the threat and the barrier is still up, there simply might be no way to bring it down. At last moment he noticed a movement. His prisoner used the opening he got and attacked. The switchblade, thanks to his instincts, slid into his shoulder insted of his neck. Gunn groaned in pain, but nevertheless pushed the man back against the wall and cut his head off in one clean move. Only then did he pull it out. Fuck.
***B***B***
''So what do we think of this?'' Katie looked at Rain and Amy. The camera was set in the corner of the room.
''I'm not sure if I can form a thought right now.'' Rain murmured. ''That was pretty intense.''
''I quit.'' Amy suddenly said. Two other women looked at her quizzicaly. ''When this is over. When we get out of here, if we get out of here, I quit.''
''Being a slayer?''
''I've had enough. I didn't ask for this life, you know? Yet here we are and Faith is out there, personally gunning for me!'' She raised her voice to a hushed scream. ''If this is what being a slayer is, then sorry but I'm out. Fuck Buffy, Kennedy, I don't care. I'm going back to my family and I don't ever want to see a demon again.''
''Yeah... You were brought here.'' Blonde said. ''We? We're just lucky to be still alive, I guess.''
''All this time I thought it was Buffy that was The Slayer.'' Rain mused. ''Not that I care or anything, but it seems a little strange that he knew more about it that, well, you.''
''Don't ask me those kind of questions.'' Amy groaned. ''You see, we had this kinds of class, that was basically the history of The Slayer. Somebody asked once about Buffy and there was this big lecture about how she was brought back to life by magic instead of CPR. Something about shifting energies and all that crap. Conclusion was, when Buffy dies, there might actually be a next slayer called. No one knows that for sure and the only way to test it is for Buffy to die. Which is why I think she's not a big fan of this theory.''
Lorne walked in. ''Hi kittens. What-'' He stopped, as a anguished scream tore through the air. ''The hell is going on?''
They rushed to Adrian's room, colliding with Spike and Connor in process. They got to it, in time to see Illyria and Anthis, performing some sort of ritual, with the former digging her fingers into Adrian's flesh.
''Stand back.'' Demon ordered.
''Can't we shut him up?'' Lorne asked, alarmed.
''This place is protected. No one outside these walls can hear us.''
Finally, the screaming stopped and Illyria fell down to her knees. Adrian stared in the space, lost, with ragged breathing and muscle spasms tearing through his body.
''What the hell was that?'' Connor stepped closer to Illyria. Amy noticed that he was pale. Paler than he should've been.
Anthis stared at her brother's form, sadly. ''She got back what he stole from her.''
''She got back her power?'' Spike wanted the confirmation. ''Won't she bleeding explode?''
''No.'' Illyria spoke out. ''It's not all.'' She got up to her feet, watching the confused faces. She turned to Adrian. ''Where is it? What have you done with the rest?'' She asked him dangerously.
''Wh-Why do you think I lost that fight?'' He got out, choosing his words carefully. ''When Faith beat me, in her mind... A part of me stayed.''
''Are you telling me you were reckless enough to leave a part of my power... inside her?'' She stressed the words out.
''Good luck.'' He said with a ghost of a smile dancing on his lips.
Illyria's hands turned to fists. But after a minute she left the room, everyone, except for Anthis, following her.
''So what happens now?'' Amy asked. ''How strong are you?''
''About the same as I was the night we started this.'' She asnwered.
''Is it enough?'' Rain looked at Spike. ''No idea.''
''There is something else out there.'' Goddess said. ''Not Faith. A new source.''
''Is it good?''
''I don't know. I can't identify it.''
Spike groaned and took out a cigarette, lighting it up. ''Where do these people come from? We can't keep getting hits, without paying somebody back.''
''We did.'' Katie pointed to Adrian's room.
''Yeah, we took out one threat, but created another.'' Vampire exhaled. ''All I'm sayin' is-'' He stopped, turning his head to the side. He took off, going to Angel's room. Once there, he stared amazed as his sire's eyes locked with his own.
***B***B***
''Is... Is this the part where you kill me?'' Adrian whispered. Anthis watched him from her position against the wall. ''Yes.'' She answered emotionlessly.
He closed his eyes. ''Then what are you waiting for? Trying to prolong my suffering?'' His words were slow, painful.
''I'm just trying to remember. What did I do wrong?'' She swallowed. ''When did I lose you?''
Adrian turned his head to look at his sister. ''That was a long time ago. They will still come you know. One day.''
She took a deep breath and steppped closer. ''And I will be prepared.''
''You won't be able to stop them.'' He watched her walk to the desk and pick up a knife. She stayed there.
''I wish I didn't have to do this.'' Her voice shook a little.
''Then don't.''
She turned to him, tears beggining to fall from her eyes. ''We both know that I do. And when you're gone... I can go back. Free our home.'' She was now standing over him. ''I wish we could go back to being a family. To love one another. Again.'' Anthis raised the blade. Adrian watched it, his chest heaving faster. ''But we can't. Because you destroyed us. Ruined us. Our world. You killed our family, enslaved our world, you let your ambition-'' She looked him in the eye. This was it. The chance to stop it. Be done. Over.
''Goodbye, brother.'' She brought the blade down, surprised at how easily it penetrated Adrian's chest. She could hear his last, startled breath leaving his lungs. She pulled the knife out, the metal covered in his warm, thick blood. She let it clatter to the ground.
Her knees gave out on her and she fell down to the ground. Heavy sobs wracking her frame. She fulfilled her mission. But why, at the same time, did she feel like she lost something?
***B***B***
Please, please tell me what you think. And until next time.