Chapter 398
Xander, Willow, and Tara reached the bottom of the basement in the Magick school. They saw that the floor here was dirt. It never occurred to anyone to simpy dig their way to the Chalice. Or maybe it had, but they were afrai of the guard. This guard emerged from the earth as a terrifying monster. He called himself "Anteas" son of the earth. Anteas threatened to kill anyone who took this piece of the Chalice. Xander tried reasoning with Anteas, that all life, including his, was at stake. But Anteas still refused, what happenned outside here was not his concern. Willow noticed that Anteas didn't walk, he dragged himself like a slug, always staying on the earth. She reasoned tht if Anteas was the son of the earth, aybe he drew his strength from the earth. The three of them came up with a plan. Xander just grabbed the Chalice piece and ran towards the exit. They figured that Anteas was slow and couldn't follow them. But Anteas knocked Xander across the room Xander went through the wall, Chalice piece still in hand. Anteas didn't follow, but Willow and Tara feared that Xander might be dead. Willow checked on him, he ws alive. As Xander regained conscioussness he saw Willow, his oldest friend, and now a sight for sore eyes. Without thinking Xander just kissed Willow.