Chapter 34
“I would suggest that while the language program is still running, that a group goes back to the cavern to observe if they’re are any changes in the vortex. We need to calculate the rate of growth.” Wesley glanced at the room.
“Better than sitting around.” Gunn put his game down and picked up his axe.
“I…”
“Fred, it may be advisable that you stay, in case the program needs to be adjusted.”
“Oh, alright.” Fred flopped down.
“I’ll go.”
“Me, too.” Xander, Willow and Dawn said.
“NO, Dawn stay.” Buffy pointed the teenager back to her chair.
“I can help.”
“We’re just looking, we don’t need help with that.” Buffy argued.
“I want to see the voids.”
“No, you don’t. You’re not going that’s final.”
“Where do you think you’re going,” Angel growled as Cordelia got up from the couch to follow him to the door.
“Duh.”
“You’re not going.”
“Yes, I am.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am”
“Aren’t”
“Am.”
“Cordy.”
“Angel.”
Gunn let out a loud whistle. “Yoa, comedy routine old and tired. Cordy, Wes said that we aren’t all needed. We’re just going to go look.”
“I’m here to help.”
“We’ll call if we need back up, okay.”
Cordelia glared back and forth from Gunn and Angel, both had their stubborn, no nonsense look. Pfft. Like either one could order her around.
Xander held up his hands, trying to ease the growing tension. “I’ve an idea why don’t we all go.”
“Except for Dawn.” Buffy stated firmly.
“Aw, Buffy.” The slayer just glared at her younger sister. Dawn flopped down further into the couch. “Sure, make me stay with the baby, I’m not a baby,” crossing her arms in a huff.
“Except for Cordy.” Angel growled.
“Am too, but Crystal’s not.”
“Why not? You may need my power.” The young demon pouted.
“Because, you’re not.” Cordy glared.
“And neither are you.” Angel growled again.
“You may need my glowly power.” She shot back.
“That’s what I said.” Crystal piped in. “And I can control it, you can’t.”
“You’re staying.” Cordelia said again.
“Okay, okay, I get it, the whole ‘everybody’ was a bad idea,” Xander walked away shaking his head.
Wesley cleared his throat. “Crystal, until the disc is fully translated, I believe it would be wise for you to remain behind. Your presence and death was needed for the completion of the ritual. It is clear that the process was interrupted, but it is unclear how your close proximity to the vortexes will effect that remaining true. We can not take the change that your presence will accelerate the growth of the voids, not until we know exactly why it was necessary for you to be impregnated and sacrificed, along with the resulting child.”
“It wasn’t a child. I told you, it had no life or soul. A thing produced by evil for evil, that’s all it was -that’s why Cordy was able to purge it. Just like our power can purge the Drakkus by destroying it.” Crystal said firmly. “Which is why I should go,” she said in a lower but just as firm tone.
Cordelia jerked her head up. “You’re not.” Cordelia paused at the young woman’s stubborn glare. Courage was a plus for a seer and Cordelia was grateful that Crystal exhibited it in spades. But the young demon would actually have to become one first and now wasn’t the time.
There was no way that Cordelia would let her be near any possible danger until it was necessary. “Crystal, you heard Wesley, it’s just not a good idea.” Cordelia reasoned in a compelling convincing tone.
Wesley rubbed his face thinking more about what Crystal had said. It was possible that he was concentrating his research in the wrong area. There were countless prophecies that required the emergence of a babe either as a second coming or an instrument of darkness as well as rituals that required the sacrifice of an innocent to produce a destructive chaotic force.
But, if the child had no life..then there was no need to sacrifice it.unless.what had Crystal said in the cave, that the baby was a vessel? Wesley needed to stay and research his new thought, but he also wanted to judge for himself how quickly the vortexes were growing.
“Fred, please stay with Crystal, see if there is any way to hurry the program. We need that translation. Willow, I would like for you to stay also, and search for any ritual or spells that require the spilling of blood to open a portal, possibly narrowing it to a combination of different types. Start here,” Wesley pointed down to the large book on the table.
The red head sighed. Willow missed the days when she could use her magic to help with the action, but those days pretty much left with her inability to withstand the temptation of abusing her power. Willow nodded to Wesley.
Her knowledge for researching was also a strength- one that she could use without fear to help her friends. “Dawn, you can help,” calling to the dejected teenager on the couch.
“Sure, babysitting and research duty.” Dawn looked at her sister. “That’s if you’ll even let me do that.”
“Dawn.” Buffy shook her head at the girl’s sarcasm. “We don’t even know what we’re fighting or looking at, research is the best way for you to help right now.”
“Sorry.” Dawn sighed.
Buffy smiled, giving her sister a quick hug. “Thanks. Those that are going collect your weapons and lets go,” heading for the door
“Cordy,” Angel grabbed at the young woman stopping her movement towards the door.
“Angel.”
“Cordelia.”
“Angel.”
Gunn tried the sharp whistle again but didn’t try to reason with Cordy anymore. It was a lost cause. The vampire just wouldn’t accept it yet. “The world could be ending now.”
“Angel, I’m going that’s final.” Cordelia glared.
The vampire didn’t bother to hide his growl or anger. “You will not leave my side.”
“FINE.” Cordelia grabbed up her sword.
“Annoying, argumentative, stubborn,” Angel growled mumbling to himself.
Cordelia slid up, cocking her brow. “Love you, too.”
“I’m still mad..don’t.” Angel pushed at the arm that slid under his.
“No, duh, BUT YOU Mr. Growly puss told me not to leave your side, but if you’ve changed your mind..” Cordelia reasoned with a sweet smile withdrawing her hand.
Angel glared grabbing Cordy’s hand, intertwining his fingers tightly in hers. “I mean it.”
“Love you, too.” She said again, rubbing her thumb against his tense grip.
Angel tried to maintain his glare, but darkness of his eyes couldn’t quite hide the love or the tentacles of fear. “Cor, I mean it.” This time Angel’s voice was shaking in a low whisper.
“I know, ” whispering in return, rubbing her face against the leather of his jacket as they walked, letting the vampire believe that Cordelia would do as he said.
Angel closed his eyes. “I love you.” he whispered, knowing that Cordelia wasn’t going to let him protect her from dying and knowing that he had to find a way to.
Chapter 35
Gunn, Wesley and Buffy led the way into the cavern, Xander right behind. Angel followed more slowly, his pace and grip keeping Cordelia from moving ahead with the others.
Once in the main room, the group spread cautiously out, with the exception of Angel and Cordelia. The vampire would not release her hand from his side.
“It doesn’t look much different than before.” Cordelia pulled at Angel. “I think you can let me go now.”
Angel ignored her, studying the staticy swirling holes, they looked bigger to him from when he came to search for Cordelia, more than just insects could get sucked through now.
Gunn shook his head. “They’re growing.”
“Yes, but still at a slow rate.” Wesley nodded. He felt reasonably certain that they would be able to translate the disc before the vortex’s opened to such an extent to be dangerous. “I see no point for all of us to remain. Possibly, just two should remain to observe…”
“Um, does anybody think that’s wrong, true this is my first sighting, but…” Xander pointed to one of the vortexes. The swirling had intensified; the static of the air surrounding generated sparks which burst into small fireballs.
“Shit.” Gunn raised his axe as Buffy raised her sword. Angel shoved Cordelia behind as Drakkus appeared from the mini explosions.
“I knew it,” Xander tugged up his weapon. “Man, these are some gross demons. Where’s their faces?” swinging at the nearest.
Wesley stilled trying to understand. Gunn, Fred hadn’t reported seeing any Drakkus when they had previously come to the cave and Angel had said the same after his search for Cordelia. Wesley looked at Cordelia.
Angel had placed his body in front of hers; swing his sword at all approaching demons. The demons fought back viciously trying to pass the vampire. They were ignoring all the others in the cave, fighting only when attacked, otherwise their concentration was on the brunette woman.
Cordelia yelled as a flash energy twirled around her hands forcing her sword to the ground and her hands together. A dark tentacle of pulsating force bound her wrists, forming into black mittens- similar to those that had covered Crystal’s hands.
That’s when Wesley saw, heard and understood. He would’ve been pleased except that he had been stupid. “Get Cordy out of here, now. The chanting.they’re starting the ritual again, using her, Get her out,” rushing and pushing at the Drakkus that were before him.
Cordelia jerked at the force that incapacitated her hands and the energy that was beginning to form around her head. Cordelia winced as the black cloud descended over her eyes, blurring everything, making it impossible to even see the Drakkus much less touch them to use her power all she could see was the influx of imagines flashing through her head. Cordelia grimaced. The vision definitely wasn’t timely but it was informative. She struggled, kicking out, yelling. “Angel.”
Angel didn’t pause in his attacks; his blows became even more vicious. Cordelia’s plea and the sight of her being covered by the dark energy spurred on his actions, each deadly blow inching his weapon closer to the demons that threatened Cordy.
“Buffy,” Wesley pointed to the demon he was trying to reach through a circle of armed cloaked Drakkus. The demon in the middle was unarmed and chanting, holding up an object similar to the one he and Buffy had rescued previously.
The slayer changed her direction from Cordelia to where Wesley indicated, trusting his urgings, running and flipping into the protecting demons, her sword striking as she moved, beheading the chanting demon as she landed.
Angel growled as the hands and weapon were sliced from the demon that was controlling the bindings on Cordelia.
“Gunn,” yelling and grabbing at Cordelia’s slumped form and throwing her towards the young man.
As soon as Angel heard Gunn’s successful grunt at the catch, the vampire immediately resumed his fighting.
“Xan,” Gunn called carrying Cordy to the exit. Xander executed a sharp turn, pressing and slicing a path for retreat with his borrowed axe.
“Buffy,” Wesley ducked a blow. “Don’t worry about retrieving the disc. Just everyone leave.” Wesley backed up, still fighting.
“Leave?” Buffy swirled, her blade high at the group of Drakkus surrounding her.
“Yes. Angel.” Wesley ordered.
“What?” Angel looked up from the broken body of a demon.
“They’re not replacing themselves. In fact.” Wesley pointed. Suddenly, the standing Drakkus and the fallen bodies of others disappeared into a swirl of dark mist, fleeing back to the black voids from which they emerged.
Chapter 36
“What happened? What do you know about this?” Angel growled grabbing at Wesley.
Cordelia ran up to the vampire. “This isn’t Wesley’s fault.”
“He knows something. You could’ve been..” Angel growled again, unable to complete his sentence.
“Angel.”
“Cordelia, it’s okay. I should’ve realized sooner that your presence could act the same as Crystal’s. Angel has every right to be mad, my failure could’ve triggered what we’re trying to fight.”
“Wes.” Cordelia rolled her eyes. “How would you know that?” Cordelia only just found out and she had help.
“I should’ve realized,” Wesley repeating, his tone self-rebuking. “You’re both Glisterains. I need to check with Willow and Fred. Angel?” Wesley looked at the hand that still held his arm in vice grip.
“This time find out how to stop it before anyone has to die,” the growl of the vampire coated the air.
Wesley nodded and entered into the Magic Shoppe.
***
Wesley read the passages that Willow had marked for him, rubbing his face in concentration. He had been wrong about almost everything, but everything would be okay now that he figured it out.
“Fred?” glancing at the young woman behind the laptop.
“Almost.” Fred said encouragingly.
“So, now will you explain what the hell happened.”? Gunn said from his position on the counter he reclaimed.
“There are rituals which require the spilling of specific blood types and sacrifices for the opening of portals to other dimensions. For example…”
“Glory,” Buffy interrupted. “She needed Dawn because she was the key.”
Wesley took off his glasses. “Correct. In this case, it is obvious that the Drakkus need a combination of Glisterian, human and their own to open the dimension. The impregnation by both human and Drakkus of Crystal was the attempt to create a vessel that contained all three. The death of Crystal would’ve been a by-product of that acquisition and using of that receptacle. Cordelia’s presence gave them two out of the three necessary ingredients for them to start the ritual again. She’s part Glisterian and human.”
“Oh, that’s just great. Figures,” Cordelia grumbled on the couch. “What? Do I have a big fat neon sign stamped on me- ‘place your unwanted demon spawn here’? It’s so not happening again, twice was enough.” Cordelia shook her head.
“It won’t.” Angel clasped Cordelia closer to his side.
“It can’t.” Wesley agreed. “Neither Crystal nor Cordelia should return to the cave. It was only when they were there that the Drakkus came through the void. The vortexes are growing, it may be possible for them to enter when the holes get bigger, but the rate of the growth gives us time to find out how to close it completely.”
“Wesley,” Fred interrupted tugging on his arm. “It’s done.”
“Good,” adjusting his glasses and pulling the laptop screen towards him. “This may take awhile, I suggest that everyone get some rest.” Wesley studied the screen and the copy of the disc’s inscription, comparing and translating each word and nuance.
“Rest? Now? Too wired with the concept of dying or saving the world. How about some food?” Xander looked around. “Pizza?”
“Sounds good, man.” Gunn grunted.