Disclaimer: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Angel" and all characters from the shows are the property of Joss Whedon, Fox, and the UPN or WB Television Networks. The Cthulhu Mythos material is loosely based on the "Call of Cthulhu" role-playing game (copyright Chaosium Inc.) and the book "Encyclopedia Cthulhiana" by Daniel Harms. SAVE is based on the organization in the Chill Roleplaying game (copyright Mayfair Games Inc.) and the earlier version of the game (copyright Pacesetter, Ltd.). My main source for information on Arthurian legends was "The Arthurian Companion" by Phyllis Ann Karr. The character of Melissa Johnson is my own invention. Any similarities between the organization called the "Order of the Grail" and any organization of a similar name in anyone else's stories are purely coincidental (apart from constraints due to basic Arthurian Mythology).
Wednesday June 12, 2002, Night: Sunnydale
Willow and Tara are walking through a cemetery. They spot five
vampires following them and send two stakes toward them as the
vampires attack. A stranger yells a challenge to the remaining
three attackers and charges them, beheading one of the attackers
with his sword. Willow and Tara send two stakes toward the
remaining two attackers, dusting them.
The stranger introduces himself. "I am Sir Priamus, of the Order
of the Grail."
Willow replies "I'm Willow and this is Tara."
Priamus bows to Willow "It is an honor to meet you." He pauses
"Not that you need my aid, but may I be permitted to escort you
to your destination?"
Willow nods. "We're headed to the Magic Box." She pauses. "But
we're going to make a swing through town first."
Thursday June 20, Evening: Summers' House
Willow, Buffy, Xander, and Tara are in the living room. Willow
is admiring a rose in a vase. Buffy comments "Nice rose. Tara?"
Willow shakes her head. "Sir Priamus, from the Order of the
Grail. Tara and I met him last week when we were on patrol."
She pauses. "You saw him the other day when he dropped by the
Magic Box." She pauses again. "He's decided that I'm his
inspiration."
Buffy cautions "I don't think that encouraging him is such a good
idea. You're not really available. And I don't think you should
be playing games with him. He may be walking in daylight now but
he's still a vampire."
Xander adds, "Then there's the whole still sometimes preyed on
people only a few years ago thing."
Willow reassures them. "Don't worry. He understands the
situation. I made sure of that. He says it's practically
traditional for a knight's inspiration to be unattainable. And
if Tara doesn't object, I don't see why you should."
Tara remarks "It was kind of sweet, the way he bowed and pledged
to be your true knight." She exchanges smiles with Willow.
Buffy rolls her eyes. "Fine. Fine. Just be careful."
Saturday June 22, Afternoon: Melissa Johnson's House
Melissa is talking to Willow and Tara. "I have a new ritual for
you. It's tricky but I think you're ready to handle it. I'm
going to teach you how to make a self-renewing item for storing
magical energy. You can also keep adding energy to it once you
create it."
Willow asks "Is that like your amber pendant?"
Melissa nods. "Exactly like my pendant." She pauses. "I can
show you how to do it, but you're going to have to create the
item yourselves."
Wednesday June 26, Evening: Downtown
Amy is walking in a deserted section of Downtown. Morningstar
appears next to her. "Hello, Amy."
Amy looks startled. "What do you want?"
Morningstar grins. "Just wanted to talk to you. And to make you
an offer." He pauses. "I have some spells you might be
interested in. Rack's magic can be fun for a while, but you're
never going to get anything from him that you can really do
things with." He pauses again. "I have the whole night free.
What do you say?"
Amy hesitates, then nods. "All right. But this had better be
good."
Friday June 28, Evening: Morningstar's Basement
Morningstar is talking to Willow and Tara. "Tonight I'm going to
give you lessons in channeling magical energy. Which is
something very useful to know. Especially here on the Hellmouth,
with all of the stray magical energy around."
Tuesday July 2, Evening: Downtown
Buffy and Tara are patrolling in a deserted section of downtown.
Buffy sees someone following them. She motions to Tara.
Rack comes out in the open. "I came to warn you about
Morningstar. You have to keep Willow away from him. You have no
idea how dangerous he is."
Tara says firmly "I know who you are, Rack. And I know that you
aren't Willow's friend." She pauses. "I think you should
leave."
Rack shrugs. "Suit yourself. But do you really think you'll
even recognize Willow when Morningstar is through with her?"
Tuesday September 10, Night: Melissa Johnson's House
Spike knocks on the door. "He said you could help me. It keeps
talking to me. Can't stop it. He said you could help."
Melissa considers. "I'll try. Come in." They go into the
living room. Melissa concentrates for a few moments. Her
pendant glows and then fades. She says "Shield spell. It won't
be complete protection but it should still help." She pauses.
"You said he told you. Who's he?"
Spike responds "A demon. Don't remember his name. Begins with
M."
Melissa asks "Morningstar?"
Spike shakes his head. "Maybe. Don't remember."
Monday September 16, Night: Morningstar's Basement
Morningstar is talking to Anya. "I had a talk with D'Hoffryn.
Bought out your contract, so to speak."
Anya asks suspiciously "Why?"
Morningstar replies "Thought you might prove useful. Especially
with some of the little tricks I can teach you." He pauses.
"It's not as if you were enjoying being a vengeance demon."
Friday November 23, Afternoon (London Time): Winchester
(England)
Nimue talks privately to Arthur and Bohort. "Harbingers and
Cthonians attacked the Grand Mosque. I saw them in a vision."
She pauses. "This is just the first blow. I could sense
something more coming, but the details were hidden from me."
Arthur nods. "The Order should be prepared for intensified
attacks."
Friday November 29, Afternoon: Magic Box
Melissa, Giles, Buffy, Willow, Anya, Xander, Tara, Dawn, and
Spike are in the main room of the Magic Box. Giles tells them "I
got a call from Quentin last night. Said he was coming for a
visit."
Quentin walks in shortly afterwards. Lydia, Phillip, and a third
man follow him. The third man has a sword at his belt. Quentin
says, "This is Ahmad Alkindi. And most of you have already met
Lydia and Phillip."
Ahmad senses something. He partially draws his sword and sees
that the blade is glowing. "I expected this. The Sword of
Abraham leaves the desert for the first time in generations and
the Chosen One is there." He hands the sword to Buffy.
Buffy takes the sword, which glows more brightly for a moment,
then dims completely. "Sword of Abraham?"
Ahmad explains "An ancient weapon against demons. The legend
says that Allah blessed the sword and gave it to Abraham. In
truth, it may even predate humanity. The sword selects its new
bearer when it is time for it to move on." He pauses. "It will
be needed here, I think."
Quentin nods. "Back to our original business. You may have
heard that a freak earthquake hit Mecca a week ago." He pauses.
"What wouldn't have made the news is that there was an attack on
the Grand Mosque shortly after the quake."
Ahmad adds, "Hooded demons led the attack parties. They were
joined by large squid-like creatures who burst from beneath the
ground." He pauses. "Harbingers and Cthonians."
Melissa remarks "Cthonians are supposed to be extinct. Or at
least dormant." She pauses. "They appear to have awakened. And
probably triggered the quake."
Ahmad continues "We believe the attackers were after the Kitab
Al-Azif. The last known copy was hidden in the Grand Mosque for
safekeeping."
Melissa nods. "The Al-Azif, the original version of the
Necronomicon. The servants of the Outer Gods might well be
interested in it. But there's more, isn't there, Quentin?"
Quentin hesitates. "Several potential slayers have been killed,
along with their watchers." He pauses. "We've also had
indications that something bigger is about to happen."
Willow interjects "From beneath you it devours."
Quentin asks "What?"
Willow replies "Something from our nightmares."
Ahmad remarks "Abd Al-Azrad, the author of the Al-Azif. Roughly
translated, his name means Servant of the Great Devourer."
Giles says "You said there were indications of something bigger."
Ahmad answers "Ancient prophecies and recent visions. The return
of Arthur Pendragon. The awakening of the Cthonians. Traces of
activity in the South Pacific. The attack on the Grand Mosque."
He pauses and continues fiercely "For which there will be severe
retribution." He pauses again. "The Al-Azif and other sources
have been examined for clues." He takes out a piece of paper.
"This ritual might be useful but it is difficult and dangerous."
Melissa examines the paper. "We may be able to pull this off.
Especially with what we've learned from Morningstar."
Ahmad looks surprised. "You are learning from a demon?" He
pauses. "Perhaps you know what you are doing. Even Solomon
himself is said to have dealt with the Djinn."
Quentin adds "Researchers in London are looking into this matter.
It's their top priority. We've also briefed S.A.V.E. and the
Order of the Grail."
Friday November 29, Evening: Morningstar's Basement
Morningstar is talking to Willow and Tara. "Our most important
task right now is additional practice in channeling energy. Link
hands and concentrate. Sense the energy flows surrounding you."
Friday November 29, Night: Gawaine's Stronghold
Lynette concentrates on a basin of water. Gawaine and several
other members of the Order of the Grail are standing behind her.
She sees a succession of visions. Tentacled creatures coming out
of the ground. Hooded demons casting a ritual. Another demon
rising from the ground and fire falling from the sky. A huge
bat-winged creature coming from the Hellmouth and the entire
planet going dark.
Lynette comes out of her trance. "Nyarlathotep rises."
Saturday November 30, Morning: Magic Box
Giles, Melissa, Anya, Willow, Tara, Buffy, Quentin, and Ahmad are
in the main room of the Magic Box. Lynette, Gawaine, and Priamus
walk in. Priamus hands Willow a single rose. "For you, Lady."
Willow smiles. "Thank you. It's beautiful."
Lynette says, "We need to make plans. The stars are almost
right. My visions point to Nyarlathotep coming through the
Hellmouth. We think tomorrow night."
Giles responds "We already have a plan." He shows Lynette the
paper outlining the ritual. "We're still working out some of the
details."
Lynette examines the paper. "Ritual of the Spear." She pauses.
"Willow?" Willow nods.
Lynette continues "We'll help. Just remember that N'tse-Kaambl
doesn't care much what happens to discarded weapons."
Sunday December 1, Morning (London Time): Watcher's Council
Headquarters, London
Nigel is standing in a conference room, listening to damage
reports from various Watchers. "Archives secure. Some records
damaged." "Casualty reports coming in from across Europe."
"Extensive damage to communications systems." "Bomb in basement
disarmed."
Nigel takes notes and then says, "Quentin left orders for just
such a situation. They've struck the first blow. We will strike
the decisive one. Collate the damage and casualty reports. Send
messages to S.A.V.E. and the Order of the Grail. Organize strike
teams. The Watcher's Council is going to war."
Sunday December 1, Afternoon: Magic Box
Giles, Willow, Tara, Buffy, Anya, Xander, Spike, Dawn, Melissa,
Ahmad, Quentin, Lydia, and Phillip are meeting in the Magic Box
with Gawaine, Lynette, Priamus, Bedivere, Gwenbaus, and Elyzabel
from the Order of the Grail. Amy walks in and tells them
"Morningstar sent me." She hands Willow a crystal set in silver.
Melissa, Lynette, and Willow carefully examine the crystal.
Melissa nods "This should be useful. It's more powerful than the
one we were planning to use."
Giles reviews their plan. "Willow will be the main caster for
the ritual. Tara, Lynette, Anya, Dawn, and myself will form a
circle with her. We will use the buried temple beneath Kingman's
bluff as a focus for the ritual. Quentin and Lydia will remain
at the Magic Box to watch the place. The rest of us will defend
the circle from any attackers. It is important not to let
anything break the concentration of the circle."
Priamus vows "Nothing will get past us."
Gawaine nods and places his hand on his sword-hilt. "Not with
Caliburn guarding the circle."
Sunday December 1, Night (New York Time): North American
Continental S.A.V.E. Headquarters, New York City
Continental Coordinator Gordon Pym is meeting with the New York
City Regional Coordinator Jennifer Lake and a group of S.A.V.E.
envoys. Jennifer reports "No deaths or serious injuries in the
attack on our Continental Headquarters. Our defenses turned back
the assaults. I think this was just a test of those defenses."
Gordon nods. "We should expect future attacks. I'm placing the
North American Continent on alert. I'll also be calling Dublin
to suggest that the other Continental Coordinators take similar
steps."
Sunday December 1, Night: Kingman's Bluff
The party arrives at the bluff. They see a dark cloud covering
the High School. Willow places the crystal on the ground for the
ritual. She then sprinkles holy water in a circle around the
crystal and places four ankhs outside the circle and one ankh
next to the crystal. Willow, Tara, Anya, Dawn, Lynette, and
Giles seat themselves around the crystal. They each light a
candle and then link hands and start chanting. Energy seems to
be drawn through the crystal and into Willow.
The remainder of the party breaks into three groups and arranges
themselves around the chanting circle. Buffy, Spike, Xander, and
Amy form the first group; Gawaine, Elyzabel, Gwenbaus, and
Phillip form the second, and Priamus, Bedivere, Ahmad, and
Melissa form the third.
Buffy sees several Harbingers approach and draws her sword. One
of them charges Buffy and she slashes him with the sword. She
whirls and sees a large squid-like creature emerge from the
ground. Buffy dodges the tentacles and stabs the creature.
Meanwhile, Spike fights another Harbinger. Amy aims a blast at a
third, and Xander guards Buffy's back.
All three groups are attacked by Harbingers and vampires and
three more large squid-like creatures emerge from the ground.
Buffy stabs one, while Gawaine stabs a second and Melissa aims a
small explosion at a third.
The circle continues to chant. The dark cloud over the High
School starts to spread. A large mass of black streamers
approaches the group, followed by a huge bat-like creature.
Most of the attackers pull back as the bat-like creature
approaches but two unusually powerful vampires continue
attacking, along with several Harbingers. Buffy dodges a blow
from the first powerful vampire, slashes its arm and beheads it.
Meanwhile, Gawaine kills the second powerful vampire. The
remaining Harbingers flee. Gawaine remarks "Turok-Han. Thought
they were myths."
The chanting stops and Willow stands up. She is surrounded by
magical energy. The earth starts to shake but Willow counters
this. The mass of streamers approaches the group. Willow
gestures and flames envelop the main mass but portions break
away. Buffy and Gawaine slash at some of the breakaway portions,
while Melissa, Lynette, Tara, Amy, and Gwenbaus aim blasts at
others. Willow gestures and the remaining portions go up in
flames.
Willow faces the bat-winged creature. She gestures and fire
surrounds it. The creature comes crashing to the ground in front
of the group. Buffy moves forward and plunges her sword into the
creature's eye and then backs up. Willow gestures again and the
creature bursts into flame and disintegrates.
Willow senses the opening Hellmouth. She concentrates and it
starts to close. Then she points her hand and sends a magical
bolt skyward. It explodes in what looks like a fireworks
display. Willow pauses. Her eyes and hair are completely black.
She says, "I have to leave."
Tara calls "Willow, Wait!" She stands up and takes Willow's
hand. Willow glances at Tara for a moment, then gestures and
they both disappear.
The others look around. Buffy asks, "Is everyone all right?"
She determines that everyone is basically fine, then says firmly
"We have to find Willow and Tara."
Melissa shakes her head. "Not such a good idea right now.
Willow may be completely out of control."
Buffy exclaims, "We can't just do nothing!"
Melissa responds "We go back to the Magic Box. We wait a while.
Then we look for them."
Xander says firmly "We're looking for them now."
Melissa reminds him "You don't even know where to look."
Buffy responds "I bet you do."
Melissa considers and then says reluctantly "All right. Buffy,
Xander, and I will look for them."
Priamus says, "I'm coming too." Melissa hesitates but Priamus
continues "I'm coming with you or I'm following you."
Buffy, Xander, Melissa, and Priamus go to search for Willow and
Tara. The remaining members of the Order of the Grail return to
Gawaine's Stronghold. The rest of the party heads back to the
Magic Box.
Just after leaving the Bluff, Buffy asks, "Where are we headed?"
Melissa responds "Caves north of Sunnydale. I can sense her.
She's using so much magical energy."
Buffy considers. "Did you know something like this would
happen?"
Melissa answers "I knew it might. So did Willow." She pauses.
"Tara being with her should help. I think."
Sunday December 1, Night: Caves North of Sunnydale
Willow and Tara appear at the mouth of one of the caves. Willow
yells, "Get back!" and pushes Tara backwards. An instant later
she sends a fireball toward the side of the cave. Willow
continues "It's not safe to be near me right now."
Willow concentrates a moment and a recently risen demon in Los
Angeles suddenly bursts into flame. She floats herself a few
inches off of the ground and out of the cave. Then she starts
casting spells: a floating ball of fire, several explosions,
flashes of light, and what look like fireworks.
Tara watches Willow for a few moments, with a mixture of fear and
concern. Then she takes a deep breath and hesitantly starts
forward. "W-Willow?"
Willow hears her approach, hesitates and then reaches back to
take Tara's hand. She continues to cast spells, but not as
frantically.
Sunday December 1, Night: Morningstar's Basement
Morningstar watches events with a look of satisfaction on his
face. "Willow will get herself under control but much of the
power will stay with her. One more step in becoming what she
needs to become. What they both need to become."
Sunday December 1, Night: Los Angeles, Brastia's Stronghold
Brastias is meeting with several members of the Order of the
Grail. Brastias reports "The demon called the Beast rose tonight
but was fortunately destroyed by an unknown power. We will
investigate the cause but Duke Gawaine suspects that Willow
destroyed the Beast not long after she destroyed Nyarlathotep's
avatar. Duke Gawaine also informs us that there was an attack on
Camelot earlier this evening. There was no real damage and it
may have been primarily a feint."
Sunday December 1, Night: Quentin's Hotel Room
Quentin is meeting with Phillip and Lydia. "We've won a major
battle. Nyarlathotep has been driven back for now. Nigel
reports that there was limited damage from the attack on our
headquarters and he's organizing a counterstrike. He also
reports that Alkindi's brethren and the anti-HST Special
Operations Force have launched an expedition against G'harne."
Quentin pauses. "Things are going rather well. We might even
have our enemy on the run."
Sunday December 1, Night: Summers' House
A figure materializes in Buffy's room. It initially takes the
shape of Kendra, then Angel, and finally Joyce. "Time I had a
little chat with the Slayer."