Reyal's Rellilk - Part 10 of 11
http://www.geocities.com/mommanerd/reyalsrellik.html and select the chapter(s) you need to read. And yes, the conclusion is there too. No peeking! :o)
Cooper wasn’t sure what was going on in the outer rooms.
He could hear a lot of noise coming from the main part of the warehouse, but so far no one had disturbed him. He had sent the remainder of his minions to investigate and he was alone with the Old One. His fledglings could handle whatever was happening out there. There was no way he was going to leave this room, not after all the work he had done for this moment. Nothing, and he meant nothing, was going to ruin his plan. The world that everyone knew was about to change.
It was going to be wonderful.
He looked at the Old One. He could see that the transformation was still taking place. The Slayer’s blood would be enough to bring him physically back, mentally even, but when it came to his strength he would be very weak, not much stronger than a mortal man. That’s why the new Master needed to feed, and soon.
This was the most crucial time. Cooper could taste success. But at this moment the Old One was far too vulnerable for Cooper’s liking and he just wished it were done already. He wanted to go and get the Slayer, but the Old One wasn’t ready for her yet and she shouldn’t really be freed until it was time. She might be weak, but she was unpredictable, and he wasn’t taking any chances.
Cooper wasn’t really worried about the two in the other room, was he? No. If Spike could’ve broken his chains he would’ve by now. Cooper had felt the hate emanating from the vampire as he made he way along the Slayer with the knife. The vampire’s raw emotion was consuming him and that surprised Cooper. William the Bloody and a Slayer? Spike was not the vampire he had heard murmurings about. He’d heard that Spike had changed, but he hadn’t believed it. Cooper could tell there was something simmering between the vampire and the soon-to-be-dead Slayer.
Too bad they’d never have the chance to see it through.
The Slayer intrigued him. She hadn’t reacted at all during the first part of the ritual. He’d been surprised about that, and more than a little concerned. His concern quickly faded as soon as he had obtained enough blood for the ritual. Right now it was just he and his new Master.
Ah yes, the Old One. Cooper could see that the transformation was nearly complete. The bones were covered with thin, pale skin, veins visible underneath. Hair was appearing along with flesh. Cooper smiled.
“Welcome back,” he said grinning.
“Bring me the Slayer,” was the raspy reply.
XXXXX
“What is going on out there?” Faith inquired. “Where’s all the noise coming from?”
“It’s not coming from the other room if that’s what you think,” Spike supplied. “It’s coming from the warehouse. Figuring it was about time Angel showed up.” Spike sighed. “Peaches has a flair for the dramatic … being a Champion and all… Always showing up to in time to save the Slayer in distress.”
Spike’s Angel envy was showing and he didn't care.
Faith smiled weakly. “I have a good idea why you came when you did. No big. I get it.”
Spike smiled back at her and neither one spoke. Feeling the awkward silence between them, Spike did what he did best. He changed the subject.
“We need...” he yanked on his chains, “to get out of here.” The two chains restraining his hands snapped, broke into pieces and fell to the floor. Looking at Faith, he said, “Yes. I lied... again. I could’ve broken loose a while ago. I just was waiting for the odds to get better.”
“Good to know. Now let’s hustle.”
XXXXX
“Finally. Your time has come,” Cooper said, helping the Old One sit up. “I have waited so long. This was my plan and your destiny.”
“Enough,” the Old One said, pushing the underling’s hands away. “I am weak. Get the Slayer and get her now.”
“Yes,” Cooper said and began walking to the door.
XXXXX
Faith was unsteady on her feet. She could stand, but her wobbly legs and the walking part weren’t getting along very well. “Damn it!” she exclaimed.
Spike went to help her. “Give it a minute.” Then glancing towards the door, added, “Scratch that.” He knew the transformation was complete. He could sense it. “Better get those Slayer healing powers working a little faster pet.”
“What?” she asked looking at him as she leaned on his shoulder. She was trying to stretch out her aching muscles.
“Looks like the boss is awake.”
“Wonderful,” she said.
She pushed away from him and stood straight up. “This is as good as it’s going to get for awhile,” she said looking at him.
Spike nodded his affirmation and they both started towards the door. They stopped as it was being pushed open from the other side.
XXXXX
As soon as he entered the room, Cooper knew Faith was no longer bound to the floor and that Spike was gone too. He quickly scanned the room, knowing there wasn’t anyplace to hide. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Where were they?
The door suddenly flew back and slammed him in the face, knocking him off his feet.
"Looking for me?” Faith asked innocently.
“No!” Cooper yelled starting to get up. “Noooooo. I’ve come too far. It can’t be. You’re supposed to be weak. You’re supposed to be dying. You can’t fight me. You can’t win.”
“Shut up,” Faith said sarcastically. “God. Do you ever stop yapping?” Cooper tried to move out of the way, but he didn't succeed. Instead he took a roundhouse kick to the side of his head.
Cooper went down again.
“Spike,” he heard her say. “Would you happen to have, oh I don’t know, a stake or something on you?”
“As a matter of fact I do.”
Cooper watched the vampire as he lifted up his right pant leg showing a stake that he had hidden in his boot.
“Morons!”
“That’s the problem with flunkies… they screw up,” Faith said as she caught the stake Spike had tossed her. “See ya Coop.”
Cooper was dust
XXXXX
“How many,” Wesley asked looking at Angel.
“Ten maybe?” Angel said as one came rushing for him. He spun, right leg flying and took the demon down. In no time at all, the stake had found its mark. “Make that nine.”
Illyria was holding her own. She wasn’t as powerful as she once was but she could still take out a vamp when she needed to. “This is my wrath,” she proclaimed as she took out two vampires simultaneously. “Will there be more?” she asked looking about, hands resting on her slender hips.
Wesley’s thoughts of going to higher ground for better aim didn’t pan out. The vamps had swarmed them as soon as they came through the door. Stakes weren’t his weapon of choice but at this point, he really didn’t have any other options. He handled one on his own but didn’t notice another one sneaking up behind him. By the time he felt an arm tighten around his throat, it was too late to retaliate. Using both of his hands, he tried to loosen the grip, but it was no use. Beginning to black out, he thought nothing would surprise him anymore. He should’ve known better.
XXXXX
Illyria had lost track of Wesley. She did not like that. This feeling of caring was unfamiliar. She turned around and looked beyond where she was, over her shoulder. She located him by the door, struggling with a half-breed demon that had his arm locked around Wesley’s neck. She stormed across the room; grabbed the demon and flung him across the room. He fell onto a broken pallet and scattered into dust. She caught Wesley by the shoulders before he could hit the ground.
His eyes slowly fluttered open. “Thank you. You may have saved my life.”
“So we are done here. You are no longer,” she paused, “worried.” It was stated matter-of-factly and not as a question.
“No Illyria. I am no longer worried,” Wesley said as he stood. “Where is Angel?”
Illyria spotted him. “There,” she said not moving and indicating to Wesley where she had found Angel. “Is he worried?”
“No, I don’t think Angel is worried. I think Angel can take care of himself.”
XXXXX
The remaining vamps were closing in on Angel. “Wonderful,” he muttered trying to come up with a plan. He looked to his right and noticed a bunch of crates stacked up. “That’s a start.” He headed towards them.
Angel made his way to the top of the crates. He knew he had to be careful. He looked around and grinned with a little half-smile. He hoped the brood below him didn’t figure out what he was up to.
“What is he doing?” he heard Wesley ask.
“Being a warrior,” Illyria said.
Angel eyed the beams in the ceiling. It appeared that they had once been used for storage. Crates, metal drums and various piles of wood were all stacked in the rafters. Angel knew it wouldn’t take much to make them all come tumbling down.
XXXXX
“One down,” Faith began, “one Old One to go.” She looked at Spike. “I want him.”
“You strong enough?”
“He’s not up to full strength yet. Thinking we’ll be pretty even.”
“Up to you innit?” he said.
Faith walked through the open door, followed by Spike. The Old One was standing next to the table. Cooper was right. The first part of the ritual had restored his body. If she had known any better, Faith would’ve thought he was a full-fledged powerful vamp.
“Slayer?” He said giving Faith the once over.
Faith was finally beginning to feel a little bit stronger. She figured taking Cooper out had something to do with it, nothing like a little adrenaline rush to get one going.
“That would be me,” she said taking a step closer to him. “There’s been a change in plans. No big drink from the Slayer.” She lowered her tone, sounding as if she was taking him into her confidence; letting him in on a secret meant for only the two of them. “The Slayer, being me, doesn’t have an issue with being bit... in the right circumstances of course,” she glanced at Spike and smirked. “But the entire sucking me dry thing? That, I have plenty of issues with.”
“Why do you prattle?” The Old One said. “You do not talk to me in that way. I will drink. You will die. That is the way of it. That is the way it was destined.”
“Not agreeing with you on that one,” Faith said. She jumped up and over him, landing on the opposite side of the room, picking up one of the ancient candlestick holders and breaking it in half over her knee.
“This would be wood...” she said holding up what was in her left hand. “This would be fire,” holding up the candle that was in her right hand. She flipped up into the air again, this time landing in front of the ancient demon.
The fire was first, then the stake.
It was over before it started.
XXXXX
Faith was placing the stake in the back of her jeans; she wasn’t about to let go of either of her weapons at this point. She had been helpless long enough.
CRASH!!!
Both Faith and Spike looked towards where the sound had come from. “What is with all the bloody noise in this place?” Spike asked.
Faith was about to answer when she staggered, but Spike caught her before she could fall.
“Okay. Now I’m done,” she said looking at him gratefully.
“Just keep that candle away from me,” he said, leading her out of the room.
Faith switched the candle to her left hand so she wouldn’t accidentally touch him with it.
They saw Wesley and Illyria by the front entrance. Angel was just coming down off a stack of crates, a pile of debris at his feet.
"Well, that explains that. Doesn't it?" Spike said. "Could you make any more noise?" he yelled to Angel.
"Got the job done. Didn't I?"
Spike rolled his eyes.
XXXXX