Thirteen Steps - 11 - Vanishing
by Valyssia
Never Really Here
[reviews]
Black then white, are all I see in my infancy. Red and yellow then came to be, reaching out to me. Lets me see there is so much more and beckons me to look through to these infinite possibilities.
"Special delivery for Senator Brucker," Willow announced to the doorman, clutching a long, flat rectangular box under her left arm and a clipboard in her right hand. He's human...good thing too. Anything demony would see right through the glamour and then well... I'd just have to make with the killing. I'd like to actually face her before...could get messy otherwise.
"I'll be happy to sign for it," the doorman offered in a courteous voice.
Willow shook her head slightly, offering him a supple smile, as she spoke, "I have special instructions to only deliver this to the Senator." Offering the doorman her clipboard so he could see for himself, she cast a bored look around the foyer. I wonder if this guy understands how close he comes to dyin' on a daily basis. From what I hear the Senator likes to keep vamps as pets. Guess she feeds them well.
"Very well... Do come in. I'll retrieve the Senator," the doorman replied genially, as he looked over the clipboard. "Yes, everything seems to be in order." Handing back the clipboard, the doorman walked purposefully into the house.
"Nice place... Being severely evil and in the Senate sure buys a lot of expensive goodies," Willow mumbled softly.
"You have something for me, young lady?" the Senator asked emerging from a hallway and passing into the foyer. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Willow.
"Yeah..." Willow replied with a smirk. As she spoke the scythe flew out of the box at impossible speed, plunging handle first through the Senator's chest and pinning her to the wall. "I've got something for ya," she finished dropping the clipboard and box remains to the floor. She abandoned the glamour and rounded on the pinned demon.
"Silly girl! I'm not a vampire," the Senator said, in a mocking voice.
Willow smiled deviously. "Yeah, but they are," she offered as the room filled with the Senator's personal guards who all instantly combusted with an absent wave of the witch's hand. "Errrr... Were, I guess would be more accurate."
"You have no idea what you're playing at girl," the Senator snarled, struggling to pull away from the wall.
Approaching the Senator, Willow remarked, "Why is it they always say that? I mean...like it's some sorta threat bein' told you're clueless. Should I remind you you're the one pinned to the wall like a bug? Still walkin' here... You...? Well, not so much." She placing her hand just above where she'd nailed the demon to the wall with the scythe. Her hand passed through the surface of the skin and the witch began to drink. "This'll only hurt if you fight... Please, feel free to fight," she purred.
A look of shock covered the Senator's face as she continued to wrestle to get free. "What are you...d-doing?" the Senator gasped, watching in horror as the features of her killer turned darker and vastly less human.
Surveying the Senator with interest as the light faded from eyes, Willow jerked the scythe out of the wall and disappeared in the flash of light.
**************
She reappeared seconds later in an ancient subway tunnel. "I always wanted to go to New York," she mused, beginning to pull blocks from the old tunnel wall by magick. She stacked them neatly in a pile, hollowing out a space behind them. Placing the scythe into the freshly dug earth, she returned both clay and rock to its original resting place.
"Well that pretty much does it for the right side of the map. I can't believe they had a Senator... Actually I can. What surprises me more is those two idiots in the White House seem to be human," she grumbled, vanishing in a glimmer of radiance once again.
**************
Reappearing in the heart of a Fell Brethren's lair, Willow looked around. Gah...another cave... Well at least I make a good nightlight. She twiddled a little wave as a group of reptilian looking demons rushed her. Making an offhanded gesture and mumbled an incantation, watching in vague amusement as the demons bounced off her shield. "You guys aren't very bright are ya?" she commented, appearing mildly amused as the Fell worked their way around the glowing sphere trying to break through.
Walking over to the bassinette, Willow extended the shield around it, picking up the infant. She cradled him in her arms. "Why is it you guys have a thing for babies? Look, he's so cute," she cooed, stroking the infant's cheek with her index finger. The baby smiled at the attention. Seeing the Fell Leader enter, she mimicked, "Yeah...I know...I know...put the holy vessel back..."
"Yes, witch! You'd be wise to," the Fell Leader replied in a booming voice.
"What if I don't wanna?" she queried, looking around at the growing number of demons who were trying to penetrate her defense as it sparkled and flashed in resistance.
"Then you'll die," he stated with absolute certainty marking his scaly green face.
Willow sighed loudly, watching with mixed interest as the number of Fell working against her shield increased. "You seem awful sure of yourself. Of course all you bad guys do. How 'bout you come over here and try to take the holy vessel yourself? 'Cause goddess knows your minions are doin' a bang up job," she commented, placing the infant back in the cradle.
The Fell Leader growled, charging at the witch.
Yawning, an expression of absolute boredom passed over her face as the Fell Leader bounced off her defenses. Willow began to mutter another incantation, holding the final syllable. The Fell Leader charged again and the witch completed the spell. Every demon in contact with the shield was reduced to something that looked like yellow tapioca pudding. "I warned 'em... Okay so... maybe I didn't. Bad me," she chided, punctuating the remark with a shrug.
Willow picked up the baby again, smiling warmly at him; she conjured a portal and swept through.
**************
Willow walked up the steps onto the deck. Knocking on the door, she collapsed the portal in her wake.
Angel poked his head out the door. Seeing the witch, he continued out onto the deck, closing the door behind him. "Is that a baby?"
"Of course it's a baby," Willow replied, giving Angel an amused glance. "The Fell Brethren," she added.
"Oh," Angel gasped with an expression of dawning comprehension. Considering how to state his observation delicately, he finally arrived at the truth, he couldn't. So, he just said in an even tone, "Willow, you look like hell."
"Here take him," she responded. Ignoring the comment, she handed the infant over to Angel. "Try to find a place for him, please." As soon as the child left her arms she vanished.
Angel stood looking down at the infant, appearing complete taken aback. Finally he whispered, "How ya doin' there little guy?" turning to go back into the house.
**************
Walking into the tavern, Willow took in her surroundings. Demon bars... Yuck! Well at least I look like I fit in, she thought brushing the strands of black hair away that had fallen into he eyes. She walked up to the bar and said, "Gin and Tonic, please? Hold the yak piss." Reaching into her pocket she fished out a ten, dropping it on the counter. She looked at the backs of her hands; they glowed in the low lighting. Her skin was a grey color sort of like fresh poured cement. She sighed, accepting the drink from the barman. She took half of it down in one gulp. Making a face, she remarked, "I said hold the yak piss," as she slammed the glass down on the bar.
Looking around, she spied her mark, moving over to the booth she took an uninvited seat next to her target. "Evening Izzy... How ya been?" Funny...he looks like a walking parody of Lucifer, but he's actually a chump.
"Should I know you?" Izzy asked, in a curious tone.
Willow smiled wickedly, locking eyes with the demon. He froze as she willed him to be still. "Don't mind me," she offered the other two demons at the table. Placing a hand on Izzy's chest, she began to consume the demon's essence. "This is a hell of a lot better than that shit he served me," she remarked, gesturing to the barkeep. She grinned as Izzy's friends ran out of the bar.
Finishing her snack, Willow made her way onto the street. Focusing on her next destination, she vanished in a pulse of light.
**************
Swinging the door in front of her open with an absent wave, Willow looked around the darkly lit room. Half a dozen demons all badly in need of a facial... I think I'll just make this quick and try to forget. "My Goddess, this place looks like a frat house," she remarked, looking around at the cluster of Sahrvin smoking a hookah and drinking. "Smells like a frat house too. You guys do know drugs are bad for ya, right? Just say know," she quipped with a smirk.
The room sprang to life as all of the Sahrvin drew their swords, advancing on the witch.
It was nice of them to come with their own pointy objects. Thoughtful even... With an absent wave Willow turned the blades against them, each penetrating its owner's heart. Surveying the room, she shook her head. "Well that was sorta disappointing. Maybe a bit anticlimactic," she grumbled and in a flash she was gone.
**************
Willow reappeared inside the deserted Hyperion lobby. Making her way up the steps; she disappeared inside her counterpart's room. I've got enough time to take a shower and get my shit together. That was nasty. Nothing left but the big boys now. Good thing too cause I feel like I've been living on Double Meat Palace burgers for a week. That Izzy bastard was slimy. Peeling her clothing off, she made her way into the bathroom, flipping the lights on as she went.
Catching her reflection in the mirror, she almost didn't recognize herself. Dark veins stuck out from muddy grey skin. Well at least the black hair and black eyes are consistent, she thought as she turned on the shower. She stood staring at herself trying to find some of the good that had allowed her to so easily transform earlier that day. Nothing...I feel completely empty. Might have something to do with the fact I pushed everyone away that meant anything to me. I just couldn't have them get hurt.
Breathing deeply, Willow tested the water and got into the shower. Leaning against the wall of the stall, she began to weep. I'm not sure I can do this. I have to though. I made my choice...have to move forward. She began to inattentively wash herself, trying to focus to purge the corrupted energies. Glad I didn't leech the frat demons...that woulda been a nightmare, she considered, smirking softly to herself. Stoned witch...drunk on too much power and whatever that crap was. It smelled like burning dirty socks.
Willow turned off the water, getting out of the shower; she glanced at herself as she passed the mirror. Little better...not so much with the grrrr... Quickly dressing, she brushed her hair, drying it with an absent wave of her hand.
I need to see her. I feel like peeping Willow. Little case of the guiltys, but... Focusing on her destination, she vanished from the room. That place felt yucky...too much misery there. This is much better, she reflected, enjoying the warm ocean breeze as it flowed over her skin. Poor Willow...she was so lost. I could feel it...all the grief and regret. It was like looking into a mirror of deep despair, every detail the same, but different. Then there was the love. It was like throwing open a door to all these new potentials. They'll be happy together. They just need time.
Drifting off of the beach, Willow made her way up the small hill next to the house and sat cross legged in the tall grass. She breathed in the salty air reflexively; it wasn't that she needed it, simply that it felt good. Poor Xander was so guilty...too guilty to admit the truth... He felt foolish and ashamed. Course I could've just undone the stupid wish he made by finding the vengeance demon. It would've been so easy. Painful at first but, this has so many possibilities. I need to end it...I'm almost halfway there.
Staring down into the house, she saw Buffy in the living room. Cradling the infant, her body swayed back and forth, rocking the child. Listening intently, Willow queried silently, is she singing? A soft smile curled her lips as she reflected, I wonder if they'll keep him? She looks...I dunno...content maybe? Surprising, given... Though, this seems like the most natural thing in the world. Buffy as a mother... Something she could never hope to have as the slayer, but as a woman...just a girl... She and Angel can have a real family. Hope it starts with him. He's such a sweet baby. Focusing on the infant, a warm feeling of ease washed over her. I remember how that felt. Buffy loving me unconditionally...I can still feel it.
Relaxing her mind, Willow began grounding herself, washing away all of the remaining unrest. Gazing at the image before her, the witch focused on the earth, coaxing a small sapling forward. Still recall the look on her face the first time I did this, she reflected, pouring all of her intent into encouraging the little tree to grow. Such innocent delight and awe... It was like watching a child discover some new wonder. The simplest thing, a plant growing, became a source for so many things. So much possibility... The tree stretched out, reaching up to the heavens, pressing down into the earth. Willow blessed the new life, protecting it from harm. You don't belong here, but I think you'll fit in. Then she vanished.
**************
Cyvus Vail sat in a thick leather chair in his study; an ancient tome lay open on the desk in front of him. There's something very unusual going on here. The balance is off, he remarked silently to himself. As he mused over his book, the floor began to shudder, his tea cup clattered against its saucer. He listened as the tinkle of crystal filled the room, turning to see the chandelier, swinging threateningly. "I hate California," he grumbled as the chandelier came crashing to the floor, raining plaster and glass.
Reeling back from the flying crystal, Cyvus Vail drew his arms up over his face, colliding with his desk as he backed away. A dim light shown in through the massive French windows, growing brighter as the seconds ticked, he looked up wondering what to make of it as the wooden floor continued to rumble and creak. Books toppled off their shelves as the light grew to almost blinding levels. His eyes fixed on the window, it exploded in a shower of raining glass. A harsh wind gusted into the room as it opened to the outside world. The demon only just managed to raise a shield as the glass sprayed across the room. The shards of glass and pieces of chandelier began to swirl as the breeze turned to a furious vortex. He watched this with interest as it moved against his defense.
A figure floated into the window, stark snowy features and startling green eyes, light rippled off the woman making her hard to look at for more than a moment.
"So I hear you like magick," Willow reflected in an amused tone. The witch muttered something softly to herself in Latin as she closed the distance between herself and the demon.
"Your sorcery won't work on me girl. You should know better," Vail said smugly, forming a ball of green light in his hand. He threw the glowing orb with marked determination.
Waving a hand casually, Willow deflected the curse. Passing effortlessly through the barrier, she remarked, "Oh...I know." Amending seconds later in an offhanded fashion, "You see...you're not the only one that enjoys a good book."
His eyes fixed on the witch, Cyvus Vail tried to retort, but found himself lost in the cascading white light.
Willow's expression shifted from completely passive to the same sort of look an alley cat gives a particularly fat pigeon as she regarded the demon. He looks like a crippled old man who got clumsy and fell in a bucket of red paint. Well that is except for the tube sticking out of his neck and those big pointy ears. Wonder what the tube's for? I could pull on it and see, but that'd just be gross, she considered as she drew back her fist, striking the demon impossibly hard in the center of the chest. The desk buckled under the impact of her punch. As her fist broke into his chest cavity she swiftly leeched the demon's essence. Withdrawing her hand, she tore Vail's heart from his chest. Kay...so was that...
The circle is nearly complete. Good to have the accounts to work with from Angel's people back home. Makes this tons easier. Trouble is I couldn't get close enough to Sabassis to poison him so I'm gonna have to do this the old fashioned way, she considered as she ripped a heavy sword from where it hung on Vail's wall. Focusing on her next destination, the witch disappeared in a flash of vapor and light. As she departed the wind died and the ringing of falling glass filled the room.
**************
Appearing like a statue, Willow kneeled in silent reflection, in a forest clearing. She centered her thoughts on her two Buffys, the warrior and the woman, both transformed by the touch of her magicks. The harmonious symmetry of this flawless dichotomy existing on parallel planes, lent her strength as she grounded the new energies into a focus of perfectly pure intent.
The minutes ticked away and as they passed she transformed. Her body created its own armor, the frail human clothing peeled away in ribbons. Sensing the change, she inspected herself. Only her feet and hands were exposed, the skin so hardened it would barely matter. The material stretched tight over her skin looked like thickly clouded quartz. She ran her fingers down the surface of her stomach. It felt like polished stone. "Thank you," she whispered; retrieving the sword, she rose to depart. One more thing...
**************
"Goddess grant me your divinity and aid me in this task," Willow whispered as she made her way to the mansion. Stopping just short of the walled perimeter, she began to focus her energies. Summoning new growth around the base of the massive structure, vines sprouted from the ground, roping up the walls, roots pressed hard at the foundation. The surface of the massive building seemed to crawl, dark green and flourishing. From below, the basement foundations cracked with the pressure of the new life. The entire structure listed under the load, boards cracked and sprung out. Drifting over the wall, the witch watched as the huge building split, cracked and splintered, finally caving in on itself in a shower of dust and debris.
"That was nifty," Willow mused softly, still closing the distance between herself and the collapsed structure. As she moved, the witch dropped a bag into a row of bushes for future reference.
Sebassis worked to extract his lean grey muscular form from the rubble. He released the leash that was still connected to the dead body of his slave, sensing the movement of a few of his guards, he screamed, "Kill that bitch!"
Calling forth the element fire, Willow set the pile of debris ablaze. Heat rippled out of the wreckage in waves and the air filled with thick black smoke.
"Here we go," Willow muttered as she watched two demons pull themselves free and begin the charge. Dropping into a fighting stance, she gripped the sword firmly, waiting for them to close the remainder of the distance. Holding until the last possible second, she sidestepped the first attacker. Spinning deftly, she brought the blade down hard on the back of the sprawling demon's neck. His body slumped forward as head rolled off into a row of neatly manicured shrubs.
Sensing the second quickly approaching, Willow muttered softly, restoring her shield. The demon crashed into the barrier, sprawling backward, he staggered to steady himself. As he struggled to stay upright the witch closed the distance, plunging the blade into his chest.
Crawling out of the flaming remains, Sebassis snarled, "I'm a demon, foolish witch. You can't burn me to death." He pulled himself to his feet, regarding the shimmering white figure as though she might be a particularly disgusting insect.
"Oh...I know... I just thought it'd be pretty," Willow confirmed, closing the distance between herself and the demon. "'Sides...I wanted to make this quick and well...fire in this neighborhood is gonna cause some attention. So come get me. Get all wrathy...I wanna see whatcha got," she adding swirling the sword with a flourish of her wrist. See...I watched, Buffy... Even learned a little, she reflected wryly.
Willow drew the shield in close to her body. It covered her form like a glove, adding to the intensity of the aura surrounding her. Placing her left hand behind her back in a mock fencing gesture, she seized the bag of powder she'd dropped in the nearby bushes as she flourished the blade in an effort to misdirect. Circling Sabassis, she sent the bag flying into the flames. The fire flashed and turned bright blue. Tortured screams began issuing from the burning debris.
Conjuring a ball of bright red light, Sabassis discharged the fiery orb at the witch. Looking out of the corner of his eye, the demon saw the blue flame and recoiled slightly. "Is that living flame?" he queried anxiously as he threw himself at the witch.
Willow quickly conjured an orb of blue flame with her left hand, throwing it hard as she moved to sidestep the demon. The two glowing spheres met, exploding violently, sending Sabassis sprawling to the ground. The witch's shield flared violently as it absorbed the energy and impact of the blast. "Thought you'd like that... Sorta the best way to make sure none of your little friends make it outta there alive, doncha think?" the witch commented dryly.
His body burnt and smoldering, Sabassis struggled to his feet.
Circling the demon's charred form, Willow waited patiently for him to attack again. She began to casually muse, "I've always wondered...or at least since I found out you guys were real... What are demons afraid of? With humans it's easy. Their bodies are so frail and their lives so short...the answer's pretty simple. Just about everything. With you guys...not so much... So, what's your thing that goes bump in the night, Sabassis? If you amuse me I might let you live."
"How dare you speak to me that way you arrogant child!" Sabassis spat, seething with fury, he lashed out to smack the insolent wench.
Willow smirked, allowing Sabassis to strike; she shoved her left hand through his chest as he faltered from striking the shield. Grabbing hold of the demon's heart she took her fill as she brought the sword across his neck. "Damn it! And I was really hoping he'd answer. Still curious...maybe if I just keep askin' and killin' someone'll spill? Might be interesting... Perhaps a survey?" she remarked, inclining her head slightly as she lifted the body of the demon and tossed it into the fire. With a wave of her hand the other body parts drifted into the living flame. Making a gesture like blowing a kiss, she extinguished the fire.
I need to make a pit stop, Willow reflected as she concentrated on her next destination.
**************
Approaching the door of the pub, Willow listened and felt for movement inside. Two demons... Excellent...my timing was good for once. Banging on the door in perfect four — four time, she began to intone in a throaty voice, "Suddenly there came a tapping, as of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door."
"We're closed!" answered a male voice from inside.
Looking up the demon was suddenly taken by a case of nerves. Light too bright to be headlights or street lamps shown in through the cracks in the door, it seemed to pulsate and he could feel the power behind it. He dove behind the bar as the steel door buckled, flying into the room and colliding with several tables, it finally crashed into the back wall.
Willow floated through the door, moving purposefully to the bar. She took a seat casually crossing her legs, leaning the sword against her stool. "I'm looking for something in a gold engagement ring," she recited with a smirk. Pausing for a moment to allow the tender to get to his feet, she continued, "Actually I'm just looking for a ring, bauble, pendant, broach, bracelet, cock ring... Goddess I pray it's not the later." Uttering the last few words with a disgusted groan, she paused to giggle.
Meeting the barman's eyes, Willow's demeanor turned deadly as she continued, "Fork over your power center and avoid the evisceration. One time offer...if I have to say anything more...it ends." Concluding her request in a low growl, she extended her hand, waiting for the barkeep to grow some smarts. Might be a long wait...
Getting bored, Willow began to send bottles and glasses flying to make her point. She felt the second demon trying to sneak up behind her. Seizing him by the ankle, she flung him crashing against the steel door. The door toppled on top of him as he smashed onto the ground.
Willow hoisted the bartender into the air by his ankles. Moving the demon to face her at eye level; she opened the demon up, groin to throat in a clean surgical line. His shirt and trousers flooded with blood as she extended her hand again. "I'll start with the ripping if you don't hand it over now," she snarled, watching as blood poured down his face, soaking his hair.
Fighting unconsciousness, the barkeep took off his pendant, handing it to the witch.
Willow inspected the item, judging its power. "Thank you," she offered. Rising to leave the bar, she collected the sword and dropped the tender onto his head.
**************
Rematerializing south of Guam, Willow suspended herself well above the level of the ocean waves. The illumination cascading off her form glistened off the cold, dark water. Holding the pendant coiled in the palm of her hand, she began to focus on it, sheathed it in a thick layer of the same protective material that covered her own skin. She inspected her effort with a smile on her face. It looks like a little white rock now...pretty much nifty. The Mariana Trench... Pays to be a book geek sometimes, she considered as she released the small white stone.
Watching the pebble break the surface of the churning ocean, Willow mused sardonically, with any luck all that junk about Cthulhu's just a fairytale...alternate hell dimension...errr...somethin'... Way things go for me...I just dropped the one thing holding my little reality together onto the gates of R'lyeh. She reached out to touch the cold water with her magicks. Just fishies, she confirmed.
"That is not dead which can eternal lie. And with strange aeons even death may die," she intoned reflectively. Concentrating on her final destination, she vanished to meet her fate.
**************
"Time to test a theory...and boy is this one a doozie," Willow commented softly to herself as she stood on the cement steps of Hell Incorporated, otherwise known as Wolfram & Hart. Would it be terribly pedestrian for me to think, 'three to go'?
Steeling herself, Willow magickally reached out and disabled the electronic alarm, understanding that she was tripping every magickal alarm in the place. I just don't want any human intervention. She set her intent on the enormous glass windows that covered the façade of the building. 10 kHz will break a wineglass, 20 kHz should shatter this. I can always work my way up. Focusing her energies, she began to vibrate the massive sheets of glass, listening as it sung in protest. Seconds later the tempered glass rained down in a violent shower. She passed untouched, through the crashing torrent, slipping inside the softly lit the lobby.
The light level rose as Willow stood leaning casually against her stolen weapon, waiting to be noticed.
"Ahhh... Good of you to join us, Miss Rosenburg. We've been expecting you," an authoritative male voice announced. Hamilton walked up to the railing of the second story loft with Illyria at his side. "Allow me to introduce myself," the well dressed muscular man continued conversationally. "My name is Hamilton and this is my associate Illyria," he concluded genially, gesturing to the attractive blue haired woman, in a skin tight leather bodysuit standing impassively on his right. Poor Fred hijacked again and she didn't even get the grand destiny ticket in this realm. Just another evil meanie... Wonder if Buffy understood how stupid it was comin' here?
Well, this is gonna hurt, Willow reflected as she voiced casual greeting. No reason not to be polite even if they're gonna try to grind me into a gooey paste. The operative word being try, she reflected, reinforcing her resolve.
"Let me begin by saying, it took an incredible amount of gall to do what you've done tonight, Miss Rosenburg. Frankly, I think it showed initiative. We like initiative here at Wolfram & Hart. If you'd consider signing up, you could become very powerful and we have a great benefits plan," Hamilton offered in a relaxed tone.
Willow laughed, her expression reflecting pure mirth, she trilled, "You can't seriously think I'd?" as her body shook with the giggles.
Smiling smugly, Hamilton replied, "No, I suppose not, but it was worth mentioning. Very well then, but understand our research team has been studying you for sometime. Be flattered... You've become a person of some interest to us."
Willow stood like a statue, building energies and looking very bored. Nice he's so mouthy...gives me lots of time to amp up, she considered as the halo of radiance around her form intensified.
"We've managed to locate what's left of Miss Summers and Angelus. Pitiful really... As well as track you to your home dimension, learning the whereabouts of the other Miss Summers and your counterpart. When you die here tonight, know that my first act will be to gut the others. Were it not so socially frowned upon, I'd stick all five of your heads on pikes in front of the office. Sadly, that's something of a social taboo. However, I do think your skulls will make fine bookends," Hamilton concluded in the same mock friendly tone.
Listening to Hamilton finish, Willow retained the same numbly bored look, though her insides were screaming. Calming herself she began to examine the details, they're scared of me. Why else would they wait and try to goad me into joining their evil empire? I may just win this. A renewed sense of hope washed over the witch. Smiling softly, she let go all the energy she'd channeled in one cohesive blast. Toppling the loft and destroying the building from where she stood in the middle of the lobby back into the elevator shafts. The shafts laid open by the concussion, looked like mangled gaping holes in the floor.
"Would you just shut up and hit me already?" Willow asked in a neutral voice. She watched Hamilton and Illyria try to dive clear as the building crumbled. She took up a combat stance as they fell on either side of her. Hamilton needs to bleed, she reflected, bringing the sword swiftly across his throat as he worked to steady himself. A thin red line formed beneath the blade and blood began to seep from the wound.
Illyria picked the witch up, throwing her violently through the receptionist's desk. "You are hardly more than an insect to me, beneath my effort to destroy. Yet, it will bring me pleasure to snap your wretched bones," she growled arrogantly as she watched the witch crash through the wall behind the desk.
Willow rose to her feet half amazed that she still held the sword. Sorta need this. Angel took Hamilton down by bleeding him out. I need to keep the bastard flowing. Not a vampire, but I can still work the bloodletting angle with the best of 'em. Oh! I wish I'd thought to get some leeches.
Conjuring a large flaming sphere in her left hand, Willow pitched it back through the gaping hole at Illyria. Watching in vague amusement as the hellgod failed to duck. Emerging back into the lobby, she watched as Illyria crashed into the offices on the other side of the quickly expanding atrium. She advanced on Hamilton, wearing her 'resolved face'. Noticing that the wound had closed while she was playing with Illyria, she though to herself, shit! It'll be light in a few hours and this is gonna take a week at this rate.
Watching the witch approach, Hamilton easily avoided the clumsy swing. Punching her hard in the chest, he sent her flying back through the same hole she'd just emerged through, marching after her to finish the job. "We are legion, Miss Rosenburg. You cannot hope to defeat us," he declared in the same neutral tone.
Lying prone on the floor, Willow reached out with her mind, locating a piece of twisted steel I-beam. She seized the metal, hurling it toward the back of her adversary as he advanced purposefully toward her. The metal burst through his chest sending him sprawling on top of her. Now that's just gross, she considered, rolling the liaison to the senior partners off of her.
Willow sat up, peering down at her body; she realized it looked like she'd taken a bath in the man's blood. Watching in amazement, she recognized that the crystal was absorbing the blood. That may be grosser still, she reflected as she got up. Leaning over Hamilton's broken form, she put her hand into the gaping hole that was the man's chest, siphoning off the rest of his power.
Illyria advanced on her target as she leaned over the body. Seizing the witch by her hair and groin, the hellgod slung her victim through an undamaged section of the wall. Narrowing her eyes as she watched the witch sail through the air, she noted, "You are like the maggot that gorges on the flesh dead."
Missing what Illyria said entirely, Willow gasped in alarm. Infinitely more concerned about the sudden startling sensation of being lifted up by her soft parts, she yelled, "Hey! Naughty touching!" as she crashed into a steel beam. Feeling her defenses fail, her ribs snapped under the brutal force of the impact. She gasped reflexively and labored to stand, tumbling back onto her knees once for the effort. Feeling part of the suit she'd fashioned crumble onto the floor, she focused quickly to restore the magickal shield. Rising to her feet, she turned to face Illyria as, the hellgod rapidly closed the distance between them.
Illyria drew back her fist, striking the witch square in the mouth with a powerful punch. She watched tilting her head in vague amusement as her victim crashed through the wall, ripping the beam down as she tore through.
Willow landed, sprawled out in the center of the atrium. She could taste the blood in her mouth. As she worked to right herself again, more chunks of the suit released from her flesh. Ignoring the pain, she began to move, avoiding direct contact with Illyria as she worked to repair the damage. Time to run... If I don't I'm going to end up lying here naked and beaten as the open the doors in the morning. She deftly avoided, the advances, focusing half of her energy into rebuilding and the other half into making a nice show of literally flying around the huge room.
Recovering from the thrashing, Willow began to channel more energy. She didn't seem to do so good against direct magickal attack. Time to work the angles... That and this avoidy thing is fun. She's getting really pissed off. Conjuring fireballs in rapid succession, the witch sent volley after volley at the hellgod. Avoiding direct contact, remaining just out of reach, she worked to beat Illyria down. The magick itself isn't doing much, but the impact is fazing her. She's slowing down.
Her strength returning, Willow added flying debris to the mix, randomly grabbing objects to hurl at Illyria. She's good, but it's impossible for her to avoid it all and the blows are doing damage. Tossing four more fireballs, she watched as three of them made contact. Simultaneously launching three pieces of I-beam and a desk at the hellgod, she watched in amusement as all four objects connected, sending Illyria to her knees. Okay time to bring this party to a close.
Muttering a word in Latin, Willow augmented her already impressive strength as she sailed to the floor behind Illyria. Grabbing a handful of the hellgod's hair, she flung her into one of the few standing sections of wall. Advancing immediately to continue the beating, she looked at the bloody face of the hellgod as she struck it with a closed fist, driving Illyria's body back onto the floor. She straddled her. Trying not to think about Fred, she continued the brutal pounding. Driving her fist over and over into Illyria's face, she watched as it bloodied, eventually breaking under the furious assault.
Willow began to drink as Illyria's face collapsed under her fist, infusing the essence of the hellgod with her own. The words, "Oh shit!" crossed her lips, though she was barely conscious of saying them as she worked to control the energy coursing through her body. I've experienced this, she told herself firmly. Ground yourself! She struggled to follow the voice of her training. Determinedly relaxing herself in spite of the overwhelming power.
Clenching her bloody fists, she finally rose to her feet. The light radiating from her was nearly as bright as the sun. Flashing into a vapor of radiant light, she moved at an unbelievable speed through the lobby and down the elevator shaft, picking up velocity as she made her decent. It felt like reality was warping around her as she raced down the impossibly deep shaft.
Ripping through the elevator doors, she plunged out of the darkness into a stark white room. Willow reconstituted her body into one cohesive humanoid form. There was no doubt she was no longer human at this point. In fact, she doubted strongly that any of the people she loved would be able to do more than glance at her. Beginning in a soft purring voice, that sounded surprisingly hollow and remote to her own ears the witch purred, "Here kitty, kitty, kitty... I know you're here...come play."
Falling to her knees, under the weight of an unseen attacker, she felt sharp teeth closing on her neck, trying furiously to puncture the skin. The words, 'you will die for your arrogance, little girl,' erupted in her mind as the jaws continued to close like a vice. Claws dug into her back and shoulders, tearing through her defenses.
Desperately trying to dislodge her attacker, Willow turned violently onto her back, she slammed the feline into the floor with all her might. The jaws went slack under the blow and she pulled herself free. Flipping deftly onto her feet, the witch dove at the large panther as it rolled to right itself, bring her arm down hard against the cat's throat. "Not so much planning to go out easy," she growled as she drove a fist into the panther's ribs. To her surprise, she felt bones snap under the blow. Wow! I can hurt this thing. Proof of concept...part one...moving to part two... I need to keep it fighting otherwise it'll go where ever they go. Good notes... Thanks Angel.
Driving her fist into the cat's ribs again, she felt another crack. The panther turned under her mass, getting its legs back, it tried to spring. Slipping from out from under her, the panther rounded on her, roaring. It lashed out with its claws as she worked to right herself, leaving sharp horizontal gouges in her side. Her side felt like it was on fire as blood began to pour from the four open wounds.
Rolling onto her hands and knees, Willow raised a hand to the panther, released a massive blast of energy from her palm. I'm still a witch, she mused as she watched the cat slide across the floor, crashing into the far wall. Rising quickly to her feet she launched herself at the stunned animal, closing the distance as a pace even she found alarming.
Willow threw herself onto the panther, closing her left hand around its throat and continuing the assault on its chest with her right. Each blow yielded another satisfying crunching noise. The cat struggled underneath her, clawing mercilessly at her flesh. She felt new wounds open, but worked to ignore them, focusing only on hammering the same spot in its chest over and over. Open up already! Finally her hand pierced the skin, drawing the essence of the feline in knowing she'd have only seconds to react.
As the senior partner died, Willow set off at breakneck speed toward the elevator shaft. Making the turn she launched herself up, feeling her control begin to abate. Faster and faster she went praying that she'd have enough velocity to emerge before it hit. Erupting into the vacant foyer, the last sight she beheld was the soft golden radiance of dawn.
**************
Snapping suddenly awake, Buffy shot up into a sitting position in bed. Her eyes refused to focus. She stared into the dark room as she felt Willow stir.
"Are you okay, Buffy?" Willow asked in a soft sleepy voice, rolling over to look at her partner.
"She's dead, Wills," Buffy croaked, tears starting stream down her cheeks.
Willow sat up, taking Buffy into her arms.
**************
D'Hoffryn paced around the pool, enthusiastically patting his upturned fingertips together. "My, that was just beautiful, Lloyd! You're right; I'd love to have a painting of the look on the Summers woman's face. The expression is just...are there words? Shear perfection! I've never seen more pain reflected in a human face," he remarked excitedly. Pausing to take a sip of his Big Gulp, he looked at his minion, unsure whether he should be worried. "What's wrong?" he inquired, appearing annoyed that his fun was being interrupted.
Lloyd seemed nervous as he replied, "It's probably nothing sir, but did you happen to catch the phrase the witch uttered as she died?"
His annoyance not fading, D'Hoffryn commented dryly, "No, it sounded very much like gibberish to me. I thought it a death rattle, nothing more. It was after all a marvelous, fiery death."
"There may be a problem, sir," Lloyd offered sheepishly as he nervously awaited the smiting.