Disclaimer: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Angel" and all characters from the shows are the property of Joss Whedon, 20th Century 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).
I told Willow once that we were going to lose. She responded that things aren't hopeless unless you give up. Maybe she's right. But we're up against powers which dwarf us. Some of whom are likely the true supreme powers of the cosmos. And most of the omens say that their time is coming again. Coming again very soon. I'm what you could call a troubleshooter for SAVE. What I usually do for them is to travel all over the country to help handle those supernatural threats that most of our envoys aren't equipped to handle. Right now, however, I've been assigned to Sunnydale for an indefinite stay. I'm here to teach Willow and Tara some powerful new spells. To help all of the Scoobies deal with the dangers of the Hellmouth. And to be an informal advisor. I'm glad to be here, glad to be helping my friends, but it still means that someone else has to do what I used to be doing. And SAVE was already stretched thin. Things are getting interesting in Sunnydale. Morningstar has taken up permanent residence here. He's making a major effort to win over Willow. Arranging for Tara's resurrection was a very good start. He's following that up by giving his own magical lessons to Willow and Tara. I wish I knew what Morningstar really has planned for Willow. He's basically on our side for now, mostly out of self-interest, but his history doesn't exactly inspire trust. I once worried that there might be some trap hidden in the lessons, but now I think it's more subtle than that. The lessons make him an important part of Willow's life. And that may be all he needs to influence her. Then there's the Order of the Grail. An odd name for an organization of vampires to choose, but it does somewhat fit. The Order has arrived in Sunnydale in force. They, at least, are feeling confident. Arthur Pendragon, or at least someone who calls himself Arthur Pendragon, has recently risen from his grave to lead them. We're still not sure of all of the implications. Or what this Arthur really is. One thing has already changed. SAVE has long suspected that some members of the Order had an immunity to sunlight. But the Order has never been willing to admit it. With Arthur's return they've begun walking openly in daytime. And it seems to be the entire Order now. Not that most of them are fond of sunlight, even now. But they can tolerate it. Speaking of the Order, one of them has a crush on Willow. Although crush isn't the right word. He's taken her as his inspiration in the Arthurian tradition of courtly love. Buffy and Xander are a bit worried about this. Willow thinks they're worrying too much, that her admirer understands the situation, and that if Tara doesn't object, there's no reason they should. For her part, Tara seems somewhat amused by the whole matter. Giles and I are both keeping watch on the situation, but neither of us currently sees any need to intervene. It looks like SAVE has picked up a new ally. The message that Riley delivered has started some very productive negotiations. There have even been a couple of joint missions with the Black Ops crew. One more addition to our own little crazy-quilt of an alliance. SAVE, the Watcher's Council, the Order of the Grail, the Black Ops crew, and a host of others. All working reasonably smoothly together. All of this cooperation is a bit frightening, though. Because the reason we're all doing this is that we've all seen the same sorts of omens. And faced the very real possibility that all of us are doomed. I'm trying to stay hopeful. Arthur's return, regardless of what it means in the long term, has strengthened a key ally. And there was an element of panic in the Scourge's unsuccessful incursion into Sunnydale. And in the Order of Taraka's equally unsuccessful attack on the headquarters of the Order of the Grail. And Morningstar, regardless of his ultimate plans, is being helpful right now. And so is N'tse-Kaambl, the Shatterer of Worlds, enemy of our enemies. But even with her help we're still outmatched. The truth is, I'm scared. I've seen us losing. Seen a vision of the end of everything. And I think this was a true vision. Not a phantom conjured up to frighten me, but a real sight of the near future. But I'm too stubborn to quit fighting. And I know Willow was right about this much: giving up makes things hopeless. Maybe we can't win this fight, but we can at least try to keep from losing for a while. Keep surviving moment by moment, day by day, year by year. Hope that if we delay our doom for long enough, maybe something will change.