Author Note: Thanks goes to danicrouch860, SamanthaLyn, Metalgrl29 and calwitch for the wonderful reviews. Thanks also goes to peace486, KP817 and calwitch for becoming followers to this story. I apologize for this taking so long to come out; but battle scenes aren't really my strong suit. Onto the new chapter and as always let me know what you think.

"Brothers, my brothers

Is this all that we are?

Sisters, my sisters

We've been crushed by the fist of God

Welcome to the free world

Where nothing's as it seems

Tell me, can you find a cure?

When you can't see, you can't feel the disease

Can you see the higher truth?

When you're living on your knees

Where freedom grows from blood soaked soil

In the land of hypocrisy"

'Crushed' by: Parkway Drive

Chapter 16:

There was little time to prepare for the attack. Seth and Paige lunged at Finn, tackling him to the gravel ground. Ayva knew things were not going to be simple this time around. Sera's life was at stake and she refused to let anything happen to her. Paige looked up and made eye contact with the woman she pretended to befriend. Tossing her the blue chunk of hair back over her shoulder, she proceeded to walk in her direction.

Ayva's feet moved backward on instinct, not wanting it to turn violent. She still had hope that all of it was still a part of her vision; but when a hard right hand connected with the side of her face, she knew that it really was a reality. "You're going to have to fight back if you want to survive long enough to see your precious aunt die at the hands of my queen."

"How long? How long were you going to let me believe you were my friend?"

"As long as it took to get close enough to the goal at hand."

She thought maybe the betrayal would hurt more than it actually did, considering Paige had been the one to stop her from taking her own life all those years ago. Looking back at it, she had an ulterior motive for doing so. Shifting her gaze over to Finn, he had created some distance between them only for Sera to intervene. "Let me handle this one, you stop Aluxia..." She stated kicking Seth away swiftly.

Paige assumed that the girl was preoccupied with Finn's battle to pay attention to her own. She attempted to blindside her with another right hand. The difference this time, was that Ayva blocked with her own forearm. The same forearm that housed the Celtic tattoo and fancy words. The tattoo she got because she had seen it in a dream. A little dumbfounded that the Nephilim blocked her attack, she looked into her eyes that were now glazed over with a silvery blue shine.

Remembering everything Dean had taught her about combat, she used her free hand to catch Paige across the bridge of the nose. The force of the shot caused her to stumble backward a few steps. That was something she hadn't been expecting. No one had informed her that the little half-breed could fight back. There was something different about her. Something she never saw before. Sheer determination.

Rolling around Ayva's forearm, she swung with her entire arm catching her in the chest. Ayva skidded across the gravel. The little rocks cut into her flesh. Crimson droplets stained the ground as she got back to her feet. Satisfaction rushed through Paige's veins before walking over to the staggering woman. Another punch to the jaw connected, forcing her back down to the ground. "Why don't you stay down and save yourself the trouble of this being awfully drawn out?" Paige asked reaching back to kick her across the ribs.

The smell of blood filled the air and the sound of Ayva's gasps of air, alerted Finn to an even bigger problem than Aluxia chasing him down. He knew that he couldn't go to her. It would risk Aluxia getting involved herself. Pushing her pain aside, he focused on the enemy ahead of him.

Her sinister smile made him sick to the stomach. He seriously questioned what he had been thinking in the past. "You're precious Nephilim isn't doing so well over there. Want to go save her?" Aluxia taunted.

"She's a lot stronger than you giver her credit for. Remember the last time you sent demons after her...none of them came back."

"They weren't Paige or Seth..."

He didn't want to admit that was true. Paige and Seth were Aluxia's second in command, which meant they had strength to go along with the title. Her taunting was irritating the demon within. The woman she thought so little about just happened to his soul mate, he'd easily lose himself to the darkness if that meant keeping her safe.

Ayva once again got back to her feet. There was an iron taste in her mouth. Quickly touching the corner junction between her lips, red stained her fingers. Rolling her tongue along the inside of her mouth, she spit tinted fluid onto the ground. She reached behind her back into the slot on the hem of her shorts. The cool leather of the hilt of a blade greeted her. She could remember Dean's words when he had given her the weapon.

"I think it's time that you had a weapon of your own." Dean stated walking over to the far wall of the basement. The same wall that held all the weapons they ever used.

"Are you sure that I'm really ready for that?" Ayva questioned locking her hands together in front of her.

"You are plenty ready."

He returned holding a small dagger like blade with ancient markings etched into the metal. Ayva admired the beauty of the unreadable carvings. She wished that she knew what they said, maybe she'd ask Finn about them when they finally talked. Their argument from earlier that morning was still unsettling and she was seriously kicking herself in the ass for being so dramatic.

"I meant to give this to you a while ago."

Dean handed her the blade hilt first. Ayva took hold of it with a shaky hand. The feel of the leather in her palm was comforting. It felt almost natural, like it had been made just for her. Looking up at him, his eyes held sorrow that was completely unexpected. The sight of it alone just about took her breath away. "What's wrong?" She asked.

"He's just worried about you." Becky's voice chimed in from the bottom of the staircase.

"Worried? Why?"

"You are so willing to risk your own life to protect those that matter to you. We've never had anyone feel such things for us." He explained.

"Awe...you guys...of course I'd risk my life to protect you. You've taken me in when I had nowhere to go. You've taught me how to defend myself, taught me how to control these powers I have, and you've all been family to me. There is no doubt in my mind that I would do anything I could to save any one of you."

Becky smiled closing the distance between them. She wrapped her arms around her neck, drawing her into an embrace. Dean reached out and placed his arms around both of them. "You live...understand. Finn has been through enough and deserves to spend his life with you." He expressed pulling out of the embrace.

Ayva lifted up and released the blade from its confines. There was no way she was giving up now. Sera's life was on the life and the idea of creating a life with Finn was more than enough of a reason to want to fight back, even if it was against someone she once considered a friend. The air around her grew into a strong breeze.

Paige noticed the difference in her adversary almost instantly. She didn't understand what would make such a difference. A blade didn't increase someone's strength. Her eyes that were once a simple shine were now a full blown glow. Without any words, Ayva vanished from where she stood appearing behind an off guard Paige.

"Paige! Behind you!" Seth shouted kicked Sera away long enough to alert his mate to the danger.

Widening her eyes for a split second, she moved out of the way just as Ayva lunged with the blade. Swiftly countering the strike with one of her own, she kicked the item in question out of her hand. It skidded across the gravel out of reach. "That was quite close. I should give you credit for catching me off guard." Paige remarked with a cocky smile.

Obviously annoyed with how she talked, Ayva rolled her eyes catching sight of the discarded blade along the gravel ground. Seth caught Sera along the jaw, sending her crashing down onto the ground. Her heart dropped upon seeing it with her own eyes. Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth, spreading the crimson onto a sea of gray rocks. "Sera!" Ayva shouted attempted to run interference.

Paige instantly blocked her, kicking her across the ribs that were already tender from earlier on in the fight. Pain crippled Ayva to her knees, gasping for a single breath of air. She wanted Finn to save her or save Sera from what she feared was coming true. Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see Aluxia hovering over his crawling body. This was not how things were supposed to go. She thought that she should have been able to prevent things from coming true; but here she was on her knees before a demon that pretended to be a close friend.

Sera cried out in pain, coughing up blood with every intake of breath. She mentally pleaded with Sidriel to protect Ayva at all costs, knowing that she was the only hope they had left. Seth stalked her, savoring the fact that she could no longer fight back. She was after all just a Nephilim. Kicking her again, Sera rolled across the ground. "Sera..." Ayva cried struggling to get back to her feet.

"Pay attention to your own battle, half-breed." Paige snarled using the same tactic her mate had moments before.

Finn desperately tried to block out her cries, focusing on staying alive while Aluxia continued to attack with him such anger. It wasn't until he actually heard her voice inside his mind did he finally think differently. "Finn...please...don't let her die. I know you don't want to lose yourself to the darker side; but I'm begging for your help." She asked. Her voice was weak and raspy. It broke his heart to even hear her in such a way.

Aluxia stopped, instantly sensing the difference in her former lover. She knew that the demon was on the verge of appearing. Blinking several times in a dumbfounded state, another smile snaked its way to curve her lips. Excitement overfilled her with getting exactly what she had wanted all along. She watched patiently at his internal struggle.

Finn could feel the demon clawing his way to the surface. He knew as well as he did that Ayva was in just as much danger as Sera was. The urge to protect her was eating him alive. Sera's decreasing heartbeat was the decision maker. Closing his eyes, he willingly switched with the demon. He just hoped that he was able to fulfill Ayva's wish.

Ayva slowly opened her eyes to see Finn's aura dramatically change. The familiar markings of black, white and red returned to his skin. She could tell that the transformation had even caught the queen off guard, because she never moved to attack him. His eyes opened to reveal his traditional blue eyes surrounded by an intense red glow.

He made eyes contact with her for a split second before vanishing from sight only to appear in front of Seth. His two toned hair fell into his eyes the second Finn's fist connected with his jaw. There was no hesitation, not single ounce of remorse. Ayva had a hard time understand how very different they really were; but she loved them both all the same.

"So you decided to let the demon out." Seth commented almost in a laughing manner.

"I'm surprised she allowed you off your chains." Finn counted with a guileful smile.

Seth wasn't amused by his former inner circle leader in the least. He never did like the demon side of Finn, nor the human side. When he left, there was nothing but joy attended his aura. Finn could tell that he was getting under Seth's skin. "What's the matter? Paige got your tongue?"

"Okay! You say what you want about me; but you leave her out of it!"

A soft chuckle escaped Finn's throat as Ayva looked on, slowing getting back to her feet. Paige's anger could be felt a mile away. She assumed Finn was also getting under her skin as well with his comments. Blue and ebony flashed forward, attempting to catch Ayva across the chin; however, the attack was blocked with her bare hand.

"Sorry Paige, I don't have time to let this drag out any longer." Ayva stated holding her other hand out, drawing the discarded blade from earlier directly into her palm.

The hand that had blocked Paige's attack was now a conduit for raw energy. Holding tightly on the invisible strands of thread, she entrapped Paige in the web. She slightly enjoyed watching her struggle to get free. "You little bitch, how dare you play dirty!" Paige shouted ripping and clawing at the unseen confines that were wrapped around her tiny body.

Realizing that Paige was in danger, Aluxia swiftly moved through the dimensional space to close the gap between them. The look on her face was almost motherly and Ayva had to go on the defensive once again, except the difference this time was that the attack never came. The emptiness in her hand left her confused. The blade was gone and so was Aluxia.

Frantically shifting away from Paige, she looked at Finn and Seth who were preoccupied with an intense fight of their own. Sera got to her knees, finally conscious enough to see what was happening around her. She never saw the attack coming. Aluxia sunk the blade deep into side, passed the ribcage. "NO!" Ayva screamed.

Sera slumped to the ground, blood pooling out around her limp body. Finn reached around Seth, grabbing for his neck. The sound of Ayva's scream jolted him to see what had happened, never losing his grip on Seth. The sight of Sera's blood was more than enough to want to kill the bastard in his clutches. With the slightest of pressure, the bones of his neck crushed and snapped.

Ayva trembled with fear; but her body surged with untapped power. Paige could feel the air quickly leaving her lungs as the confines tightened their grasp around her. Tears rolled down her cheeks as Aluxia removed the blade from Sera's flesh. Another scream escaped her mouth. An intense wave of energy was expelled at the same time, engulfing Paige and Aluxia,

Finn could feel Ayva's pain. The intensity of the sorrow was completely crippling. Through the light of the energy, he could see Aluxia vanish leaving behind Seth and Paige's corpses to be dealt with by someone else. Despite being in demon form, he still was called to by her. He loved her just as much as the human side of him did. "Ayva...Aluxia is gone. She got away. You can calm down now...so we can try and save Sera." He said mentally.

Swallowing hard, she retracted the energy just in time for Dean and Becky to arrive on the scene. They looked around at all the damage and couldn't believe what they were seeing. Finn was completely in demon form and Ayva looked like the someone beat the hell out of her; but Sera was dying. Her heartbeat was quickly lowering. "Oh my god..." Becky whispered shimmering over to the prone Sera.

Dipping her hands under her back, she lifted her up. Dean helped Ayva get back to her feet, wrapping an arm around her waist. Finn followed closely behind, looking back at the lifeless bodies of Paige and Seth only once before shimmering himself.

Once they got back to the house, Ayva lunged out of Dean's grasp to get to Sera. Becky laid her down on the kitchen table, blood dripping onto the floor. Ayva hovered a hand over the gaping wound. A warm glow began to tingle her palms and stretch out onto her aunt's flesh. "Come on Sera, you can't leave me." She cried tears rolling down her flushed cheeks.

Finn hung back leaning against the far wall with his arms crossed over his chest. Being in his demon form, he had no idea how to comfort Ayva. The sweat combined with her tears and fell off her chin. Realizing that he was never going to be the one to comfort her best, he willingly switched with the human side of himself.

The markings began to fade away as he walked towards Ayva. He slipped his fingers through hers that were dangling at her side. Her eyes narrowed, concentrating at the task at hand. The sound of Sera's heartbeat with steadily increasing to normal, which relieved him; but it also made him wonder what toll the battle itself held on Ayva.

Sera's wound slowly grew shut; however, she never regained consciousness. Ayva's eyes rolled into the back of her head, passing out from exhaustion. Finn caught her in his arm, holding her close. He couldn't help but smile at her. In the past month, she had learned to control all of her abilities except for the raw energy that was dormant inside. She had accepted the fact that she had to fight to survive and was willing to die for the cause of giving peace. He couldn't have been more proud of her then in that moment.

"I'm going to take her to rest upstairs." Finn stated.

"Where would you like me to put Sera?" Becky asked.

"Ayva's room for now."

"Then where are you taking A?" Dean interrupted using Becky's nickname for her.

"My room."

Nodding, Becky turned towards the sleeping Sera on the kitchen table. Dean reached out to pick her up and begin his walk up the stairs to Ayva's bedroom. He could feel Becky's eyes watch him closely, hesitating in saying what was on her mind. "What's on your mind, babe?" He asked mentally.

"Do you think he's really okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"He's changed into the demon twice in less than forty-eight hours. You know how much that takes out of us when we change."

"I know...I'll say something to him about it, so please stop worrying."

Becky couldn't help but worry. The change was meant as a last resort because they had been in human form for so long, their bodies weren't used to the added power. Finn was the type of person that would hide the exhaustion and push himself to dangerous limits. It had to be addressed before things turned south for him and for Ayva.