Disclaimer: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Angel" and all characters from the shows are the property of Joss Whedon and Fox. 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 and associated material is based on the organization and other information 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). The poem "The Second Coming" was written by W.B. Yeats. The short story "Answer" was written by Frederic Brown.
Part 1--Widening Gyre Monday, June 9, 2003, Afternoon: Melissa Johnson's Residence Willow is talking to Melissa and Tara. "I want to show you something I learned in England." She pauses. "Or almost learned. I never really got a chance to try it out." She walks to the other side of the room. An image of Willow appears next to Tara. The image gestures and a ball of magical energy floats in the air above her hand. Melissa studies the image for a moment. "Is there a range limit? And are you limited to one projection?" Willow's image responds "I can have several images at once" as two additional images appear in the room. She pauses for a moment. "I think I'm limited to people or places I know. But I can move the projections around once I get to a place." The real Willow gestures and the images disappear. Willow turns around. "Neat, isn't it?" She pauses. "I didn't know I could send them all the way to England." They see what appears to be Warren. He says "Of course you can. That's Morningstar's plan. He intends for you to replace me. Ultimate evil that he can control." He vanishes. Willow stares uncertainly after him. "Do you think that ... that Morningstar?" Melissa interrupts. "I'm not even going to try to guess what Morningstar's plans are. It doesn't matter what they are." She pauses. "What matters is what you do." Friday, June 13, Evening: Morningstar's Basement Buffy, Giles, Melissa, Tara, and Willow are facing Morningstar. Giles begins "We heard that Angel has been appointed head of the Los Angeles office of Wolfram and Hart. We know you had something to do with that. Care to explain?" Morningstar shrugs. "I need him there for a short while." He pauses. "I showed him the truth. What's out there and about to come at us." He pauses again. "It won't last long. A year at most. Probably less." Giles continues. "And the Senior Partners? How did you get them to agree?" Morningstar grins. "Big fish. Small pond. And no desire for the pond to get bigger. Besides they think the place will just swallow Angel." Buffy glares at him. "If Angel gets hurt ..." Morningstar shrugs. "He's in no more danger than he was before. At least for the first few months." He pauses. "I can see that no one is in the mood for lessons. I'll just let you absorb this information for now. Tara, Willow, see you here next week." He pauses. "If you decide to return." He vanishes. Melissa stares after him for a moment. "We should probably go." She pauses and turns to Willow and Tara. "Are you still going to return here?" Tara and Willow consider for a moment. Finally Willow responds "I th-think so. At least for now." Monday, June 16 Encrypted message from Ahmad Alkindi to Quentin Travers It appears that N'tse-Kaambl has coopted several cells of the organization known as al Qaeda. Her plans for them are unknown but I pray that her targets are in uninhabited areas. The Shatterer of Worlds is not known for her concern for human life. Saturday, June 21, Night (London Time): Winchester (England) Deep within the headquarters of the Order of the Grail, Nimue concentrates on a basin of water. Arthur Pendragon and others from the Order are gathered around her. "Past, present, future, the visions reveal. Past and present, our allies prepare. Past. N'tse-Kaambl transforms two humans into Shatterers on Mount Kailash. Present. Nodens uses the Silver Hand to create his hunter nightgaunts. Future, our enemies attack. Kurpannga stalks the guardians of the Sun. Cthulhu wakes from slumber. Nyarlathotep summons the storm." Nimue breaks her trance. "The ultimate battle approaches. Both friend and foe move in haste and force events to happen ahead of their time." Sunday, June 29, Night: Melissa Johnson's Residence Quentin Travers is meeting with Melissa, Giles, Buffy, Xander, Willow, and Tara in Giles' room. Quentin hands Willow a copper-colored ring. The ring is in the shape of a serpent wrapped in a circle three times. "We searched our storage vaults for useful items. We decided that you would be best able to make use of this." Melissa interjects "Let me see that." She examines the ring carefully. "The Serpent Ring of Set. Used to summon and control demons. It also can generally strengthen one's magics." She pauses. "Especially dark magics." Xander remarks "One Ring to rule them all." Melissa shakes her head. "Not quite so powerful. Or so dangerous. But dangerous enough." She pauses and turns to Quentin. "Why bring it to Willow? Why not just try to destroy it?" Quentin replies "We didn't have anyone powerful enough. Willow might be strong enough to destroy it. Or to use it. Your decision." Giles comments "Strange that the ring just appeared." Quentin shrugs. "You know what the vaults are like." There is silence for a few moments. Finally Giles says "We can keep the ring for now." He pauses and turns to Willow. "We need to talk about what precautions to take." Later that night in the Summers' kitchen, Willow is getting a snack when she sees what appears to be Warren. Warren tells her "First projections, now controlling demons. Morningstar's plan is moving right along. Soon you'll be just like me." He vanishes. Tuesday, July 1, Night: Near Downtown Sunnydale Melissa and Kennedy are patrolling. They see Rack standing in their path. He holds a crystal amulet in his right hand and offers it to Melissa. "A present for you. A safeguard. Willow is dangerous. You can use this to drain her power if you need to." Melissa cautiously examines the amulet. "We'd better get back home. We need to talk to Giles about this." Wednesday, July 2, Afternoon: Summers' Residence Buffy, Xander, Willow, Tara, Giles, Melissa, and Kennedy are meeting in Willow and Tara's room. Melissa relates the events of the previous night. She then continues "Rack's explanation about the powers of the amulet appears to be essentially correct." Willow says hesitantly "M-maybe we should keep it." Buffy says firmly "We're not keeping it." Willow continues "Maybe we need a backup in case s-something goes wrong. A safety net." Tara squeezes Willow's hand. "As I told you once before. It's time to work without a net." She smiles and Willow tries to smile back. Giles looks around. "We aren't proposing to keep the amulet. It's simply that Willow and Tara are the only ones who appear to have sufficient power to destroy it." He pauses. "It'll be safer to have Tara destroy it." After the meeting concludes, Buffy returns to her room. She sees what appears to be her mom standing there. Joyce shakes her head. "That was a mistake. That could have been your last chance to stop her. She isn't really human anymore. What will you do when she stops thinking like one?" She vanishes. Saturday, July 12, Afternoon: Summers' Residence Willow is sitting in the living room, looking nervously at the Ring of Set. Faith walks over to her. "Aren't you supposed to be at Melissa's?" Willow replies "I'll leave in a moment." She pauses. "Melissa said I need to become more familiar with this ring. Not the demon summoning part, but the general magic stuff." Faith shrugs. "Makes sense to me." Willow says "It's just ... just that the ring is naturally more attuned to dark magics." Faith adds "And you're afraid it might awaken that side of you." She pauses. "Melissa wouldn't ask you to work with the ring if she thought that would happen." Willow nods. "I know. I just hope she's right." Friday, July 25, Evening: Morningstar's Basement Morningstar is talking to Willow. "You should know how to activate the demon controlling power of your new ring." He pauses. "Even if you never use it." Willow considers carefully. She glances at Tara and then nods. "All right. What do I need to do?" Tuesday, August 19, Night: Summers' Residence Willow and Tara are sleeping in their room. Willow shouts "No! No!" She wakes up and looks around wildly for a moment. Tara soothes her. "It's all right, Willow. It's all right." She pauses. "Another nightmare, baby?" Willow nods. "The same one as last week. And the two weeks before that. I summoned demon serpents and they ate you." Tara considers. "Maybe we should talk to the others about this. There might be something more going on." Wednesday, September 3, Night: Summers' Residence Buffy, Tara, Xander, Melissa, Willow, and Giles are in the basement. Willow says "We'll be gone for a week." She pauses and turns to Tara. "Are you sure you're going to be all right here?" Tara smiles. "You're the one heading into the Forbidden Lands, and you're asking me if I'm going to be all right?" Willow squeezes Tara's hand. "I just worry about you." She pauses. "We'd better get going." Willow and Giles step toward the center of the basement. She starts chanting and the floor starts to glow. Willow and Giles step into the glow and vanish. Wednesday, September 10, Night: Summers' Residence Buffy, Tara, Xander, and Melissa are waiting nervously in the basement. The floor starts to glow and Willow and Giles emerge. Tara gives Willow a hug. Buffy asks "Did you find what you were looking for?" Willow nods. "We found the source of the nightmares in the Forbidden Lands. And the Great Library of the Dreamlands had information on the ring and on several of the prophecies. It mostly just confirmed what we already suspected." She pauses. "King Kuranes said the seers in the Dreamlands have been warning of possible destruction for weeks. And the Captain of the White Ship told us that refugees have come through the Granite Pillars of the South telling of disturbances in the Dreamtime." She pauses again. "Anything happen here while we were gone?" Tara says hesitantly "One of the coffins disappeared from the Deeper Well. F-Fred was infected by something from the coffin and ..." She pauses. "I tried to help her, but ... but she's gone. A true demon called Illyria is occupying her body." Giles reassures her. "You couldn't have been expected to do anything." He pauses. "What is Illyria doing now?" Tara replies "Not much. She was going to raise her demon army but they were already dust. Wesley's watching her." Sunday, September 21, Night: Wolfram & Hart, Los Angeles Wesley, Angel, and Illyria are standing in Angel's office when Willow walks in. Illyria stares at Willow. "You. You're just a human. How did you gain such power?" Wesley interrupts. "That can wait. Illyria is growing unstable. Her power is about to consume her human shell and then explode." Willow examines Illyria. "I think I can do something. If I drain off enough power, she'll survive." Illyria remains silent for a few moments. Then energy seems to start to burn through her. Willow steps forward and places her right hand on her amber pendant and her left hand near Illyria. Energy drains from Illyria into the amber pendant. The pendant glows and magical energy surrounds Willow. After a few seconds, Willow lowers her left hand and the energy drain stops. Illyria looks around. She tells Willow, with more than a trace of bitterness, "I am diminished. This human shell was too weak. But you are able to keep your power." Thursday, September 25, Night: Summers' Residence Buffy is dreaming. She sees herself standing near the ocean then hears bells ringing in the distance. The surroundings grow darker until the light is completely gone and she is totally blinded. She feels the air grow cold and the earth tremble. Buffy wakes up. She looks around and then goes back to sleep. Monday, October 6 Encrypted message from Melissa Johnson to Colonel Alan McCormack The recent attacks do not appear to be the work of the Order of Taraka. The targets were mostly known or suspected bases of Mi-go or Cthonians. The Tarakans are not hostile to either of them. Lechugilla cave is not a base of either species, but we have long suspected that there is an intermittent portal deep within the cavern and that the dimension it connects to is not pleasant. It is unclear who did carry out the attacks, but the likeliest scenario is that N'tse-Kaambl used her Shatterers to launch a kind of preemptive strike. A major conflict is likely imminent, especially since the Mi-go have apparently won an important battle out past Pluto. Wednesday, October 8, Night: Lake Windigo, Minnesota What looks like a huge man-shaped cloud with glowing red eyes hovers over the lake. Ithaqua is surrounded by the Wendigo, large footless humanoid beings seeming to fly with it. Ithaqua gestures and Star Island shatters. More of the Wendigo emerge from the remnants of the island. Ithaqua waits for a moment then heads southwest. Wednesday, October 8, Night (Cairo time): Giza, Egypt What appears to be a man in black robes covered in serpents stands in front of the Sphinx. The man gestures and chants. The face of the Sphinx drops away to reveal a black oval void that shows whirling galaxies. The Sphinx stands up and walks across the Nile then continues toward the Gulf of Suez. Thursday, October 9, Afternoon (Los Angeles Time): Unknown Demon Dimension The nine members of the Circle of the Black Thorn are seated around a table chanting. They are interrupted by what appears to be a man in black robes covered in serpents. Cyvus Vale stands up and faces the intruder. "Leave now!" The black-robed man gestures and Cyvus Vale is floating in the air, holding his own neck. Another gesture and the entire Circle is briefly frozen in place and then unfrozen. Sebassis asks "Who are you?" The black-robed man tells them "You do not need to know my name. All you need to do is perform a ritual for me." He pauses. "Two rituals." He places a piece of paper on the table. "Sign this. This contract will bind even you." The members of the Circle watch him carefully. Then, one by one, they reluctantly sign. Thursday, October 9, Night: Belize Manjet is walking down the street when he sees several creatures following him. They look like green hairless dogs covered in blue pus. He tries to flee but runs straight into another one of the creatures. After he is dead, a vaguely frog-like creature saws open his skull and extracts an orb. Thursday, October 9, Night: Los Angeles Ashet is standing at a street corner. He sees what looks like a large dingo approaching him. Ashet's eyes widen. "Kurpannga." He gestures and a bolt of energy flies at the giant dingo. Kurpannga charges and Ashet fires a second bolt before Kurpannga kills him. A vaguely frog-like creature approaches, saws open Ashet's chest and extracts a metal wing. Friday, October 10, Morning: Summers' Residence Buffy answers a knock on the door and sees Morningstar standing there along with a woman. Morningstar explains "This is Ma'at. She's one of the Ra-tet." He vanishes. Part 2--World On Fire Friday, October 10, Late Morning: Summers' Residence Buffy, Faith, Willow, Tara, Xander, Giles, Dawn, Ma'at, and Melissa are meeting in Willow and Tara's room. Ma'at tells them "Two of the Ra-tet have already been killed. If all of us die and certain items are extracted and used in a ritual, then the Sun goes out." She pauses. "The other two are safe as they can be for now. Mesektet is in Wolfram & Hart and Semkhet is with the Order of the Grail. But other forces are gathering." Melissa nods. "Summanus is already in Sunnydale. So is the Scourge. And we have word that Ithaqua is moving south from the Arctic." She pauses. "SAVE is on high alert. So is the Order of the Grail and the Watcher's Council." Willow adds "I've talked to the coven. They're heading to Glastonbury Tor to defend it from the Order of Taraka." Xander remarks "Too bad we don't have multiple Willows." Willow responds "W-we do. I've been refining the projection spell. I c-can work it so it'll automatically send my projections where they're needed the most." She pauses. "And there's the Threefold Link spell we used back in March." Buffy adds "We also found a ritual to Sineya. I can perform it with the other Slayers before we leave for ... Kingman's Bluff?" Giles nods. "Yes. We need to be there by midnight." Friday, October 10, Night: Summers' Residence Willow, Tara, Xander, Giles, Dawn, Amy, Andrew, Robin Wood, Melissa, and Buffy, Faith and the other Slayers are in the backyard. Willow takes a deep breath then nods. Buffy, Willow, and Tara link hands and chant. Willow's amber pendant glows brightly, then fades as the glow surrounds Willow and spreads to Tara and Buffy. The three of them break apart and then Buffy, Faith, and the other Slayers begin chanting to Sineya. As they finish chanting, an aura of magic seems to descend upon the Slayers and they stand up looking strengthened. Friday, October 10, Night: Coast near Sunnydale The rotting hull of an eighteenth-century sailing vessel sails west from Los Angeles and approaches the shore at Sunnydale. What appears to be a black-robed man is on deck, along with the nine members of the Black Thorn. The nine members of the Black Thorn finish chanting then disembark, followed by the black-robed man. In graveyards all across Sunnydale, corpses rise from their graves and head toward Kingman's Bluff. Meanwhile the ship comes ashore again near Kingman's Bluff and corpses emerge from the hold of the ship and walk ashore. Friday, October 10, Night: Kingman's Bluff Willow sets wards around the bluff, then Buffy leads most of the Slayers to watch the front of the bluff. Wood, Anya, Giles, and Xander are just behind them, with Amy and Melissa providing magical support. Dawn, Andrew, and four of the Slayers (including Lisa, the only Slayer Witch) watch the cliff that faces the ocean. Ma'at stays behind the lines, near Willow and Tara. Willow gestures and the Slayers' weapons briefly flash blue with magic. She waits a few minutes then links hands with Tara and begins chanting. Dreamlands: Plain of Ghouls An army of ghouls advances across the plain led by a Shatterer. There are two types of ghouls: one with canine features and hooves, and a rarer type wearing hooded purple robes and silver-like masks. Two types of horned bat-winged creatures fly above the army: nightgaunts and the larger, stronger, hunter nightgaunts. A second army of ghouls stands in the first army's path. Creatures like enormous winged black serpents are scattered near the front of the second army. The Shatterer sends powerful blasts toward the second army and the hunter nightgaunts dive toward the winged black serpents, repeatedly slashing them with their claws. Meanwhile, the nightgaunts dive at the second army's ghouls, picking them up and then flying high and dropping them back to the ground. The second army crumbles and the first army advances to a makeshift altar. The first army chants for several moments until the temperature drops as a cloud of darkness appears, hovers briefly over the army, then ascends out of sight. One of the purple-robed creatures announces "Mordiggian is risen!" and the army chants Mordiggian's name. Dreamlands: Southern Sea Two Shatterers lead an army of finned, bearded creatures to a sunken city. Deep Ones and their merfolk kin rise to meet the army but the Shatterers send blasts toward any organized opposition, letting their Gnorri allies mop up the remnants. They approach a domed temple and destroy it with one blast, then they concentrate and close the portal beneath the temple. They continue through the city, systematically destroying everything in their path. Dreamlands: Celephais Willow's image appears to King Kuranes. Kuranes is marching at the head of his knights. He explains "An army is attacking Ooth-Nargai from the Forbidden Lands. We're heading to the North Gate to meet them." Willow moves along with Kuranes and his knights to the North Gate. An army approaches, led by a figure playing the flute and wearing a yellow silk robe and mask. Next to him walks a tall thin figure wearing a brown robe and hood. Behind them are some creatures that look like humans with hooves and horns, others that are greyish-white and vaguely toad-like, still others that are vaguely catlike, and a variety of others. Willow takes a position on top of the gate and the brown-robed figure sends a blast at the gate, as the army charges and the flute-player sends a blast at Willow. Willow blocks the blasts and sends blasts of her own at the two leaders. They burst into flame, and Willow sends blasts into the approaching army. As the attackers begin to lose cohesion, Kuranes sends them into a rout by leading his knights in a charge. He then walks back to Willow and explains "The High Priest Not to be Described and Haon-Dor. Two of the most powerful sorcerers in the Dreamlands." England: Glastonbury Tor Willow's image appears to her old coven. Miss Harkness greets her. "Good to see you again, Willow. We can use your help." Willow looks down from the Tor. The Order of Taraka is assembled to the west of the Tor, south of the Abbey and Chalice Hill. On and around Chalice Hill are the Knights of Byzantium. Above the Tarakan forces hover the crustacean-like Mi-go. And to their south are creatures that resemble giant white spiders. Miss Harkness explains "Eihort's brood. Down from the Severn Valley." She pauses. "They shouldn't be that big." The ground moves south of the brood and several creatures resembling immense squids emerge, followed by a large white oval mass with a multitude of legs and eyes. Miss Harkness says quietly "Eihort himself is here. And the Cthonians guided him." Willow begins to chant, calling on the energies of the Tor. Eihort's brood circle around the Tarakans and onto the slopes of the Tor as the Knights of Byzantium charge into the Tarakans. The Mi-go move to support the brood. Willow creates a shield around herself and the coven, and sends blasts at the brood and into the air at the Mi-go. The coven chants, feeding energy to Willow. Finally, the remnants of the Mi-go flee, but Eihort approaches the Tor, followed by the Cthonians. Willow concentrates and focuses her energy at Eihort. At first it seems to have no effect but suddenly Eihort seems to dissolve. The Cthonians pause for a moment and then tunnel back into the ground as Willow destroys one of them with a magical blast. Willow looks to the west and sees the surviving Knights battling the remnants of the Tarakans. She looks around for a moment and then floats off to assist the Knights. South Pacific: R'lyeh Five boats are arranged in a pentagon around an island just risen from the depths of the Pacific Ocean. A Shatterer in one of the boats listens impassively to the chanting of the humans in his boat and the others and watches the dead city on the island for signs of movement. The plan is simple. Cthulhu will enter the water just after he emerges from his tomb. And he will be vulnerable for a few moments. If he enters on the north end, one of the two Shatterers will blast him. If he enters on the south end, there is a ship loaded with explosives waiting for him. Cthulhu's tomb opens and a walking green mountain emerges. It enters the water on the south end of the island. There is a huge explosion. And the city of R'lyeh begins to sink. Saudi Arabia: Mecca Willow's image appears near the Kaaba. Ahmad Alkindi greets her. "Willow! Good to see you, but you shouldn't ..." He pauses. "They approach." He gestures and a dome of energy seems to surround the Kaaba. Willow looks to the west and sees row after row of Mi-go approaching them. She tells Alkindi "I'm going to meet them in the air." She floats herself upwards and several of the Mi-go fire bolts of energy at her. Willow blocks the bolts and sends blasts back in return. She continues to move through the air, blasting the Mi-go from the sky. Finally, the few remaining Mi-go flee. Willow lands and sees Alkindi and several others standing outside the Kaaba. She says "There's something else approaching." She floats herself outside the mosque and the others follow. They see a small number of Mi-go flying toward them, above what seems to be a walking statue. Alkindi says quietly "The Sphinx. Nyarlathotep has possessed the Sphinx." Willow says "We need to create a barrier." As the Sphinx approaches, the Mi-go retreat and Willow floats upward and surrounds the Sphinx with a wall of energy. Alkindi and his brethren reinforce the wall. The wall shakes as the Sphinx repeatedly tries to pound it down. Finally, the pounding stops and Willow lands. "It's turned back to stone." Los Angeles: Wolfram & Hart Willow's image appears in Angel's office. Angel, Gunn, Wesley, Spike, Illyria, and Connor are gathered there, armed with various weapons. They exit the office and see a large group of Harbingers near the elevators. Willow sends a blast at the Harbingers as they attack and the others charge the survivors. After a brief battle, the few remaining Harbingers flee. Willow looks pleased, then realizes something. "Where's Mesektet?" Angel responds "In the White Room. You use those elevators. You'll need a special code." Willow floats toward the elevators. "I'll find it." She enters the elevator and shortly afterwards exits into the White Room. She sees what appears to be a little girl fighting several creatures that look like green hairless dogs covered in blue pus. The little girl destroys the creatures shortly after Willow arrives. She tells Willow "Hounds of Tindalos. I can't believe that anyone would bother sending them against me." Willow looks around and sees what looks like a large dingo enter the White Room. The little girl says "Kurpannga" and starts to back away. Willow sends a blast at Kurpannga, injuring him but his jaws close on her image causing it to disappear. Willow's image reappears shortly afterwards. She sees Kurpannga holding the little girl in his jaws. Willow sends a blast at Kurpannga but he vanishes from the White Room with the little girl. Virginia: Pentagon Willow's image appears in a room facing the center courtyard. Riley Finn and Colonel Alan McCormack are there, along with several others. Riley asks "How did you get in?" Willow responds "I'm not really here. Just a kind of projection." She floats over to the window and sees the mists covering the courtyard. "Reveal." The mists clear, revealing a number of creatures gathered in the courtyard, mostly near each point. Most of the creatures resemble giant black spiders, but some vaguely resemble giant frogs. A number of human prisoners are tied up near the center of the courtyard, guarded by more of the creatures. She mutters "It would have to be frogs and spiders" and floats down near the center of the courtyard. She sends several quick blasts at the guards and then gestures and a dome of energy surrounds the prisoners and herself. She unties one prisoner and tells him to untie the others, then walks out of the dome. The remaining creatures send blasts at Willow or try to charge her and Willow sends blasts at them until they're all dead. Then she concentrates on the center of the courtyard. Blue magical energy briefly flares and then fades. Willow dissolves the dome and the freed prisoners walk back into the Pentagon. She then floats back up into the room. The Colonel and the others are still there. The Colonel asks "What was that? And why here?" Willow responds "That was Atlach-Nacha about to finish his web. His servants were preparing his way." She pauses. "Think of the courtyard as containing the world's largest pentagram." The Colonel nods. "What's the situation in Sunnydale? Would you like us to send a team to help out?" Willow answers "We can use any help we can get, but they'll have to be willing to take orders from Buffy." England: Winchester Willow's image appears inside the headquarters of the Order of the Grail. She sees Arthur, Nimue, and a number of others, including Semkhet. Nimue tells her "Cthonians are approaching in force." Willow floats outside and sees a group of giant squid-like creatures emerging from the ground. The Cthonians charge toward the building and Willow sends blasts toward them. The Grail Knights emerge in formation, followed by Semkhet, with their mages sending their own blasts at the Cthonians. Shortly afterwards, the Cthonians retreat. Willow warns "It's not over." What appears to be a much larger Cthonian emerges from the ground, along with more of the Cthonians. Willow concentrates and sends a powerful blast at the newcomer. She dodges the tentacles and sends another blast at it. Arthur transforms into what looks like a large dragon, white tinged with red. The dragon sends a stream of ice at the newcomer then closes in, biting and clawing it as Willow continues sending blasts of her own. Once the newcomer dies, the remaining Cthonians retreat back into the ground and the dragon transforms back into Arthur. Willow comments "I always thought that Dragon King was just a title." She pauses. "Where's Semkhet?" A knight answers "One of the Cthonians grabbed him." Arthur considers. "Shudde-M'ell was just a decoy. They were willing to use a Great Old One as a decoy." Willow says quietly "They've killed four of the five Ra-tet." Sunnydale: Gawaine's Stronghold Willow's image appears near Gawaine. He tells her "The Scourge are outside. They seek to call us. Make us nothing more than beasts ruled by our blood lust. Easy prey for them." Willow looks around and sees several of the Grail Knights struggling to stay out of vamp-face. She floats outside and sees the Scourge near the building. The smell of blood drifts from a cauldron in the center of the Scourge. The Scourge around the cauldron are dipping their hands in what appears to be blood and chanting. Willow concentrates and the cauldron explodes. She sends more blasts at the Scourge and they begin to waver. Gawaine leads the knights in a charge, sending the Scourge into a rout. Sunnydale: Kingman's Bluff Buffy looks out from the edge of the bluff, her sword unsheathed and glowing with power. Below, Summanus has gathered a small army of vampires. He stands with a group of them next to a makeshift altar. The vampires have been joined by a small army of zombies. Scattered throughout the army are a number of Harbingers and a pack of Hounds of Tindalos. Summanus gestures and the Slayers feel sluggish for a moment but then recover. Willow walks up next to Buffy, explodes the altar with a bolt of energy and sends a second bolt at Summanus as Buffy leads a charge. The Slayers cut through the opposition, as Willow continues to send bolts of energy at any available target. Buffy cuts her way through to Summanus. He concentrates on her, trying to send her into a trance but her sword protects her and her counter stroke beheads him. The remaining vampires flee and the Slayers quickly mop up the remaining foes. Meanwhile, Dawn, Andrew, and four Slayers are watching for any attackers from the seaward side. One of the Slayers sees a group climbing the cliff. Lisa edges toward the cliff and sends out a flash of light. "Some of them are zombies. The others look like a cross between fish and people." Dawn says "Deep Ones." She fires her crossbow and shouts. "Tara, we're under attack from this side!" Lisa aims blasts at the creatures climbing the cliff, but a number of them reach the top. Dawn calls for a fighting retreat and they back up toward Tara. Tara waits a few moments and sends one blast to the right of Dawn's group, and another blast to their left. The remaining Deep Ones retreat back to the sea and Dawn's group finishes off the few remaining zombies. Tara and Ma'at walk with Dawn's group back to the cliff. Tara looks around and points to her left. "There. There's something in the fog." She pauses. "Reveal." The fog rolls partly back but doesn't lift. Tara concentrates, holds her amber pendant, and mind-links with Willow. "Reveal." The fog lifts, revealing the rotting hull of an eighteenth-century sailing vessel. Tara stiffens suddenly, then sends a blast at the ship. Willow reaches the cliff and sends her own blast. They continue to send blasts until the ship explodes. Tara explains "It wanted me to jump off the edge. If I hadn't been shielded ..." Willow squeezes Tara's hand reassuringly. The entire group gathers in the center of the bluff. Buffy looks around. "We've been lucky. We've suffered injuries but we haven't lost anybody. But it's not over." Melissa nods. "I don't think anything will happen until tomorrow, though. We can camp out here, or return to Buffy's house and come back in the morning." Buffy considers. "Let's head home. We can all use a good night's sleep." The group heads back to Buffy's house. Before they leave, Willow reinforces the wards and leaves one of her images on guard. As they approach Buffy's house, they see a young woman in her early 20's waiting by the door. Melissa waves to her. "Bethany! Everyone, this is Bethany Chaulk. She's probably the strongest telekinetic in SAVE." She pauses. "I didn't even know you were in town." Bethany smiles. "Where else would I be with Armageddon approaching. Or is it Ragnarok?" Xander asks "What's the difference?" Bethany responds "Who wins." They head inside and Bethany tells them "SAVE's been tracking disappearances all along Ithaqua's path. From Nunavut all the way to the Rocky Mountains." She pauses. "Some of the internet chatter is talking about the Rapture." She pauses again. "We can talk more in the morning. Everyone needs their rest." Part 3--Her Hour Come Round? Saturday, October 11, Morning: Kingman's Bluff The group arrives back at the bluff. They see eleven members of the Order of the Grail approaching: Gawaine, Bedivere, Cador, Priamus, Elyzabel, Sadok, Aglovale, Avenable, and the mages Lynette, Seraide, and Gwenbaus. Gawaine says "We came to stand with you in the battle." Shortly afterwards, Graham Miller arrives at the bluff leading a squad of five heavily armed soldiers. Buffy arranges the forces similarly to the previous night, with the addition of Bethany, the Order of the Grail, and Graham's squad. She also pulls Dawn's group back away from the cliff, closer to Willow and Tara. The sound of bells rings through the air and everything starts to grow dark. Willow exclaims "Fiat Lux!" and the area of the bluff stays lighted while the rest of the town goes completely dark. Melissa says "Zu-che-quon. The Dark Silent One. The bells summon it." Willow concentrates. "We need to dispel him soon. Something else is coming." She pauses. "I know where the bells are but something's blocking me. I can't send a projection." Tara says "Then I'll have to go in person." Willow turns toward her, looking alarmed. Buffy considers. "We'll send a strike team out to destroy the bells. Five people. Me, Tara, Gawaine and ..." Bethany interjects "And me." She pauses. "You'd be surprised how often someone forgets to guard against what I can do." Lisa adds "And I'm the only Slayer who can also back up Tara with magic." Buffy nods. "All right. Bethany and Lisa." She pauses. "Faith, you're in charge while I'm gone." Willow looks miserable. "T-Tara? Promise me you'll be careful?" Tara smiles. "I promise." Willow takes Tara's hand and concentrates. Energy seems to flow from her to Tara. Then she reluctantly lets go. Willow walks to the edge of the bluff. "Something's out there." She sends a quick flash of light out into the darkness. It reveals several creatures like enormous winged black serpents and others with crocodile heads and multiple snakelike bodies. Willow holds the Ring of Set and concentrates. The sound of fighting can be heard below the bluff. "I've cleared the way for you." Buffy leads the strike team out into the darkness, heading around the sound of fighting. As soon as they leave the bluff, the temperature drops sharply and they feel a small tremblor. Willow watches them go, a frightened look on her face. Xander reassures her. "They'll be fine, Will." Willow watches the darkness for a few minutes, then she sends out another flash of light. A creature vaguely resembling a giant bat approaches the bluff. It has a single red trilobed eye. Willow says quietly "The Haunter of the Dark is here. Nyarlathotep's avatar." The darkness briefly advances on the bluff, then Willow concentrates and pushes it back again. Saturday, October 11, Morning: Tunnels beneath Sunnydale The strike team heads through the tunnels, the tremblors gradually growing stronger. They approach a dimly-lit cavern and see a magical barrier with two huge masses of protoplasmic bubbles behind it. Buffy says "Shoggoths." She pauses. "There must be a control device somewhere." She pauses again. "Over there, in the hands of that frog-like creature." Bethany concentrates and the control device shatters. The Shoggoths go wild, trying to crush everything in the cavern. The team hears two explosions and sees the Shoggoths seem to disintegrate. The magical barrier comes down and Buffy leads the strike team into the cavern. They see bells near the left wall of the cavern behind another magical barrier. Near the middle of the cavern is what appears to be a man in black robes covered in serpents. Bethany concentrates and the bells shatter. The ringing stops momentarily, but the black-robed man gestures and it starts again. Buffy and Gawaine advance slowly toward the black-robed man, swords drawn. He sends a magical bolt at Tara, who blocks it and returns fire. Buffy and Gawaine charge, but the man surrounds each of them with an energy barrier. Tara concentrates and sends a blast of energy at the black-robed man. Lisa edges to Tara's right and sends her own bolts at the man. He blocks the bolts and sends a blast at Tara, briefly staggering her. Buffy chops through her barrier and resumes her charge. Buffy's sword absorbs a blast from the man and she slashes his left arm. Tara recovers and sends a blast at the man. She follows up with another blast and he explodes into flame. The ringing stops, the tremblors begin to die down, and the temperature begins to rise. (Back at the bluff, the Haunter of the Dark is dispelled as the sunlight reappears.) The Black Thorn is seated in a circle at the other end of the cavern. In their center is an artifact made up of parts extracted from the Ra-tet. Bethany concentrates and the artifact flies apart. Willow's image appears in the cavern and the strike team advances toward the Black Thorn. The Black Thorn stands up and Cyvus Vale announces "You did us a favor. Too bad we have to kill you." Willow steps forward and a ball of magical energy appears in her right hand. The Black Thorn members at the rear back up and start to retreat, followed by the others. Buffy looks around. "Bethany, gather up the items from the Ra-tet." She pauses. "We'll come back later to bury the pieces of the bells." Bethany walks over to the circle and picks up the items. Then she walks back to the team, and concentrates for a moment. The pieces of the bells shatter further and some of them are sent into the floor of the cavern. The team leaves the cavern and heads back to the bluff. Saturday, October 11, Morning: Kingman's Bluff The strike team arrives back at the bluff and Melissa, Giles, Buffy, Faith, Willow, and Tara have a quick conference before everyone heads back to their assigned positions. A portal opens up near the bluff and half a dozen creatures emerge and rush the party. They are about twelve feet tall and look like a cross between a crocodile and a seal. Willow raises an energy barrier and the creatures run full speed into it. They try to claw down the barrier but Willow modifies it and the creatures burst into flame as they try to force their way through. Melissa considers. "Bunyip from the Dreamtime. In a blind panic. There's only one thing the Bunyip are afraid of. Eleanba Wunda." An icy wind springs up and a strange burnt smell fills the air. Melissa continues "I think I have another name for it. Nyarlathotep." Lynette points out what looks like a storm on the horizon. "And Ithaqua is on the move." Willow reinforces her link with Buffy and Tara. Then Buffy redeploys their forces. Most of the group shifts to face the direction of Ithaqua while Willow watches the portal, Kennedy and Priamus guarding her back. Eleanba Wunda emerges from the portal, a huge, vaguely humanoid, spirit with two toes on each foot. Eleanba Wunda gestures and Willow's wards flash brightly and then go down. Willow faces Eleanba Wunda, holds her amber pendant and concentrates. She links to the power centers in Glastonbury Tor and the Kaaba. The Black Stone glows and the Tor is lit with blue energy. On Mount Kailash, the ground starts to glow blue beneath N'tse-Kaambl as she concentrates and sends energy to Willow. Willow begins to drain energy from Eleanba Wunda, some of it flowing through the link to Tara and a smaller portion to Buffy. Eleanba Wunda sends blasts at Willow that she deflects. Willow continues to drain energy and Eleanba Wunda vanishes in a flash of light. Meanwhile, what looks like a huge man-shaped cloud with glowing red eyes approaches the main group. Ithaqua is surrounded by the Wendigo, large footless humanoid beings flying with it. Ithaqua lands and solidifies into a giant web-footed humanoid. It sends a wind toward several of the slayers, knocking them over and creating a gap in the line. Graham and his squad block the gap and fire at the charging Wendigo. Meanwhile, other Wendigo attack all across the line. Ithaqua strides forward and is met by a blast from Tara. He slashes with a claw, killing Amanda and Chloe. Tara sends another blast at him, while Buffy dodges a claw and slashes his right arm. Ithaqua brings his left arm down toward Dawn. Anya knocks her out of the way but is crushed herself, then Faith slashes the arm with her Scythe. Tara sends a blast at Ithaqua and Buffy stabs his head. Tara concentrates, holds her amber pendant and sends another blast at Ithaqua as Buffy and Faith both chop at his head. Tara sends a final blast and Ithaqua disintegrates. The few remaining Wendigo flee. Willow is transformed briefly into blue magical energy and then turns solid again. Meanwhile, Tara is surrounded by magical energy that gradually is absorbed into her and additional energy crackles around Buffy. Willow concentrates and quickly heals the wounds of the survivors. She looks around and concentrates again. And again. A look of defeat comes over her face. Giles walks up to her. "Even you can't heal death, Willow." Part 4--Path Unclear? Saturday, October 11, Morning: Morningstar's Basement Morningstar turns his attention from a viewing crystal with a look of satisfaction on his face. "Game, set, and match to Willow. She's become a true Power." He grins. "It'll be fun to watch how she deals with it." Saturday, October 11 Excerpt from the Journal of Rupert Giles We weathered the assault successfully. I believe this will win us at least a brief respite. We did take losses: Five Slayers, Anya, one of the Grail Knights, and one of Graham's squad. It could easily have been much worse. Willow seems to have become what can be described as living magic. She's still basically Willow but, more than ever, she doesn't use magic, she is magic. The changes in Tara and Buffy are less dramatic, but they have both become more magical and less mortal. Saturday, October 11, Night: Summers' Residence Willow and Tara are in their room. Tara is reading and Willow is writing in her journal. They see what appears to be Warren. He says "You're becoming more like me all the time. Even though you're still pretending to be human. I wonder how long that will last. Especially with that ring doing its work." He vanishes. Saturday, October 11, Night: Summers' Residence Buffy enters her room and sees what appears to be her mom standing there. Joyce says "They're all building up Willow's power. Giles, Melissa, Quentin, Morningstar. None of them sees the danger. That means you have to. You have to watch, and when the time comes, you have to act. You're the only one who can." She vanishes and Buffy stares after her. Monday, October 13 Encrypted message from Ahmad Alkindi to Quentin Travers The video that recently found its way to the internet does seem to be accurate in its representation of the battle in and around the Masjid al Haram. I would like very much to know the source of the video, since Mi-go could not be filmed by an ordinary video camera. No news on how or when the Sphinx will be moved back to Egypt. It does not particularly concern us unless the Sphinx is possessed again. We have taken precautions against such an event. One additional matter. It appears that Mordiggian, the traditional god of the ghouls, is now free on this planet. Although he is not especially hostile for a Great Old One, the situation stills bears watching. Wednesday, October 15, Night: Summers' Residence Willow and Tara are sleeping in their room. Willow tosses and turns and starts talking in her sleep. "I'm sorry, Tara. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." She wakes up, looks around and hugs Tara tightly. Tara asks "Willow? Are you okay?" Willow nods. "It was j-just a nightmare. I'm f-fine." Tara looks unconvinced. "Are you sure? That's the second one this week." Willow replies "I'm sure. It was just a n-nightmare." Willow tries to go back to sleep. Tara watches her with a worried look on her face. Thursday, October 16, Night Willow and Xander are walking near Buffy's house. Xander asks "Are you all right, Will?" Willow responds "Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Xander says firmly "Don't change the subject." Willow hesitates. "I had a terrible nightmare. Nightmares." She pauses. "They were so v-vivid. I used my power to force everyone to obey me. T-Tara tried to object so I ... I hurt her. I hurt her so terribly." She pauses again. "It felt so real." Xander reassures her. "It was just a nightmare, Will." Willow asks quietly "What if it was a v-vision?" Xander shakes his head. "It wasn't a vision. You'd never hurt Tara on purpose." He pauses. "Maybe it was a spell or something. Like the last time you had nightmares like this." Saturday, October 18, Afternoon: Melissa Johnson's Residence Melissa is talking to Willow and Tara. "I don't have any lessons planned for today." She pauses. "But you're more than welcome to practice here." What looks like a woman dressed in long, flowing robes walks toward them. She wears a Greek-style helmet and carries a spear and shield. Melissa greets her. "N'tse-Kaambl, I assume." N'tse-Kaambl responds "Yes." She studies Willow carefully. "I have a present for you, Willow. I had considered giving you one of the Shatterers but I thought you might like this instead." She hands Willow a small bronze figurine of a woman and then vanishes. Willow examines the figurine carefully. "It feels peaceful. But there's power there too." She pauses. "There's writing on the base." Melissa looks closely. "It's a mantra to the Goddess Tara." Tara asks "G-goddess?" Melissa explains "Tara is a Bodhisattva of compassion. She provides protection from spiritual and physical perils as she guides her devotees to enlightenment." Willow smiles at Tara and squeezes her hand. "Sounds right to me." She pauses. "Can I keep the statuette?" Melissa responds "I don't see why not." She pauses. "It should even be useful." Willow looks thoughtful. "N'tse-Kaambl didn't come here just to give me this, did she?" Melissa shakes her head. "She wanted to see you for herself. Meet the young witch who is causing such a stir. Try to judge what you'll do with your power." Willow says hesitantly "I'm not sure myself, sometimes. I've changed so much so quickly." She pauses. "So what do I do now?" Melissa considers. "What you've been doing. Working things through." She pauses. "I think you'll do fine. And I think that statue is a sign that N'tse-Kaambl agrees with me. Even if her definition isn't exactly the same as mine." Saturday, October 18, Night: Summers' Residence Willow and Tara are in their room. Willow is admiring the new statuette. Tara smiles at her. "It feels weird having a statue with my name on it." Willow smiles back. "It feels right. Safe." She pauses. "Safe." Her eyes look a bit haunted. Tara walks up to her. "Melissa's right. You'll be fine. We both will." Willow says hesitantly "Tara? Promise that you'll tell me if I start ... start getting reckless again. Or ... Or worse." Tara squeezes Willow's hand. "I promise." Saturday, October 18, Night: Melissa Johnson's Residence Giles is in his room and sees what appears to be Caleb. Caleb says "I don't think we've ever been properly introduced. I'm Caleb. Or I was before your Slayers decided to live up to their name." He pauses. "I read this story once. These humans built this powerful computer. More powerful than any that had ever been built. One of them decided to ask it 'Is there a God?' The computer thought for a while and answered 'Now there is.'" He pauses again. "Think about it." Caleb vanishes and Giles stares uneasily after him.