FF: Guardians of the Veil part 5c/5

["belgin_tei" <belgin_tei@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Title: Guardians of the Veil. Part 5C
Sequel to: A New Beginning.
Author: David A. Knapton.
E-mail: belgin_tei@xxxxxxxxxxx
Archive: Full House Slash plus Any others that want it but drop me a 
line so I can see my name in lights!
Spoilers: Set after the end of S5. Then it follows along different 
lines. Also crossover with Angel I don't think there is much if any 
spoilers, because although there are some indications about some 
character relationship issues in the series, mine were planned the 
way they are some time before I saw any of it on the show.
Rating: Probably 18 overall.
Pairings this part: Buffy/Willow/Tara Xander/Anya Louisa/John 
Sarah/James Olivia/Giles Hank/Jennifer plus a few I don't want to 
reveal here.
Disclaimer: I own none of the people in this story, but if I did then 
the show would probably never be shown again!
Special Disclaimer: See part 2.
Summery: The five sisters must decide whether to restore the Veil or 
place all mortal animals in danger. <> = Thought.
A Very Special Note to Any Pagans: I am using different aspics of the 
Goddess for my own ends not to offend anyone. May the Lady forgive me.
A Special Note to any religious fanatics: This story is only a STORY, 
I apologise if any part of it upsets you, if you are a fanatic of any 
religion and cannot except my apology, maybe you should look at what 
some religious fanatics are doing in some parts of the World, flame 
them not me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Buffy and Tara looked around, the number of souls, as they could now 
tell the 'energy' that had appeared earlier really was, had 
increased, they were everywhere. Buffy turned to Giles, "What do we 
do now?" she asked.

"I don't know, the five sisters are supposed to have the power to 
restore the veil," he replied, then he frowned at the three of 
them, "Buffy," he exclaimed as the realisation hit him, "You, Willow 
and Tara are the three sisters here, somewhere within you, you must 
have the ability to restore it."

"Giles how are we supposed to restore something like the Veil, it 
took the Lord and Lady to create the original," pointed out Willow.

Before Giles could even try to answer, three spirits appeared before 
the three lovers, one in front of each; the one that appeared in 
front of Willow was also known to Buffy, "Ms Calendar," whispered 
Willow.

"Willow its time," she said simply and held out her hand, Willow 
hesitated for a second before taking it.

Buffy and Tara's spirits were known only to them, "Mamma," said Tara 
tears running down her face as she took her mother's hand.

"My little baby, I'm so prod of you. I'm humbled to think that my 
lovely baby is one of the sisters," said her mother smiling. 

Buffy smirked, "Merrick, I've missed you," she said as tears began 
running down her cheeks.

"Buffy, know that whatever the choice you make this day I am proud of 
you," he smiled taking her hand.

Giles and the remaining priestesses stood in stunned silence for a 
second at the three as their spirits seemed to move away from their 
bodies and disappear.

Giles shook himself and hearing the sound of the vampires and other 
demons approaching he realised that the sun was now in total eclipse, 
he looked at his sister and Olivia, "We have to protect Buffy and the 
others, if the demons get their bodies I think all will be lost," he 
said as the significance of what was happening struck him.

"Yes of course," said Louisa as she and the other priestesses began 
to chant.

Giles spotted the Colonel not far away attempting to set up a line of 
defence away from the tower, as the creatures that were now pouring 
out had over run Sarah and Jimmy's team, those two being the only 
ones to make it out, but even they would have been lost had it not 
been for Captain Jones's self sacrifice as he held the hoard back 
single handily so the young couple could escape. Running over to him 
Giles explained what he needed, "Colonel pull everyone back to the 
circle, we must protect Buffy, Willow and Tara's bodies, their 
spirits have somehow been taken somewhere so they can restore the 
Veil between this reality and the next, please Colonel, if we don't 
the human race is finished," he pleaded.

Colonel McBride looked at him for a moment, had he been unable to see 
the ghosts floating around he would have thought the man before him 
was mad, so turning to Commander Johnson he gave the 
order, "Commander have the men fall back to the post circle, we will 
make our stand there."

"Yes sir," said Commander Johnson before turning towards the men and 
shouting for them to fall back.
--------------
LA

Lisa placed Wesley down gently on the medical table Angel had set up 
in the training room and leaving Fred to attend to his injuries for 
the moment she picked up a crossbow and positioned herself near the 
bottom of the stairs.

Cordelia followed closely by Rosa ran down the stairs and picking up 
crossbows themselves joined her at the bottom aiming them at the open 
door, seconds later Gunn came running in and a few second later Angel 
entered and managed to close the outward opening door, slamming the 
heavy bolt into place just in time.

Knowing that it would take some time for the demons to breakdown the 
door, they took the opportunity to regroup, while Rosa and Lisa 
stayed at the bottom of the stairs the others went to check on Wesley.

"How's he doing," asked Angel, he had seen many wounds in two 
centuries, he had been the cause of many of them, he could tell that 
without medical help very soon Wesley wouldn't make it.

"He's losing a lot of blood, I think the spear pierced his left 
kidney as well as his stomach, if we don't get him to a hospital soon 
I think he'll die," said Fred the tears flowing freely down her 
cheeks.

Rosa looked up at the door, judging how long it would hold, she 
looked over at the group stood around Wesley, "I maybe able to give 
him some more time by casting a healing spell, it won't stop the 
blood lose but will slow it down, maybe give him another hour," she 
told them.

"Please help him," pleaded Fred.

Nodding Rosa walked over and chanting softly cast the healing spell. 
As she finished they all heard the door begin to give way; all except 
Fred who stood guard over Wesley took up position around the stairs.

Just as the door crashed open strange swirls of energy began moving 
through and around the room and its occupants, Cordelia looked 
around, "What's happening, is this some kind of spell," she asked 
looking at Rosa.

"No, the Veil is weakening the time of your choice draws near," she 
said a worried look on her face, she grabbed Cordy's arm and began 
trying to pull her away from the approaching demons, "You must stay 
back, when your choice comes you will be unable to defend yourself," 
she said with desperation in her voice.

"I'm not going to let my friends fight without me," stormed Cordy 
trying to pull her arm free.

"Please do as she says Cordy," shouted Angel as he stabbed his sword 
through the chest of the lead demon before kicking it back off the 
sword.

Lisa and Gunn worked well as a team, Lisa reminding Gunn of his 
little sister, they meet the vampires that jumped off the balcony to 
try and flank Angel who held the demons back preventing them from 
getting off the stairs. Lisa would punch the vamp in the gut or in 
the face then before they could recover Gunn would stake them.

Fred in between monitoring Wesley used her crossbow to take out the 
odd vampire or helping to distract the demons Angel was fighting at 
the base of the stairs.

Cordy sighed finally giving up with the idea of getting away from 
Rosa so she could help Angel, turned to the Witch, "Its okay I won't 
get involved, I'll stay back but if Angel is killed I'll hold you 
responsible and Witch or not I'll kill you," she stated.

Rosa gave her a quick smile while keeping an eye on the fight, "Don't 
worry Angel's fate is in your hands, though whatever you choose he 
will survive."

"Just great put the pressure on why don't you," ranted Cordy.

"God I've missed your out bursts," came a male voice that seemed 
vaguely familiar.

Turning towards the voice, her mouth-gapped open, "Doyle," she 
whispered, "H-h-how!" was all she could think to say.

"Well that's something I never though I'd live to see, Cordelia Chase 
lost for words, but then I'm dead so I guess I didn't," laughed 
Doyle's spirit.

"Doyle how are you here, I mean your dead so how can I see you?" 
Cordy babbled.

"Because as Rosa said the Veil that protects the realm of the dead 
from the demons is failing, I'm your guide so take my hand and we can 
get this show on the road," explained Doyle holding out his hand.

Cordy took his hand without hesitation, Fred gasped as she saw a 
transparent version of Cordelia leave her body and vanish, she 
watched as Rosa stood in front of Cordelia's body and send a small 
fireball into a couple of vampires that had managed to get by Lisa 
and Gunn.
--------------
San Diego

Spike and the three sisters had just finished loading their crossbows 
when a roar came from just outside of what was left of the front 
door, looking up they saw several dozen demons being led by a couple 
of Gradilo demons, seven foot tall covered in hair with arms that 
reached the ground. As the demons reached the door Spike smiled, the 
two Gradilo demons tried to both get through at the same time, then 
started pushing each other out of the way so they could get in first, 
that was why he had never employed Gradilo's, they spent most of 
their time fighting each other. 

As they watched one slashed at the throat of the other killing it 
instantly, as the remaining Gradilo demon stepped through the 
doorframe it was hit by four crossbow bolts, it screamed, then 
stopped as it plucked the bolts out of its chest before starting 
towards the four defenders again. Spike took advantage of it stopping 
to reload, as the Gradilo got close he fired putting the bolt right 
between its eyes, as it fell dead it slashed at Gillian sending her 
hard against a wall, they heard a loud crack as the impact broke her 
neck.

As they had hoped the demons following had problems with their 
footing plus now they could only reach the now three defenders two at 
a time, so while Spike and Helga fought the demons in hand to hand 
Maria used a crossbow.

All seemed to be going their way, the demons had thinned and were 
beginning to break and run when they heard Jennifer scream and Dawn 
shout for Spike.

Helga quickly turned to Spike, "Go, Maria and I will hold them here, 
protect Dawn or everything is lost," she said as she kicked a demon 
in its midsection then beheaded it before stepping over it and 
advancing on the next.

Spike opened the door and was half way down the stairs before he 
looked to see what had caused Dawn to call for him, he stopped, 
surveying the basement, one of the outer walls had been ripped open 
by some kind of creature that was like a cross between a giant mole 
and a gorilla, he saw Anya crouching over Xander who was either dead 
or unconscious while Hank stood in front of Dawn and Jennifer wildly 
swinging his sword at the creature. As it got close to the stairs 
Spike sprang over the handrail and onto the creatures back, as he 
landed he drove his sword deep into its back, he just managed to jump 
off as the creature started to thrash around on the floor for several 
minutes before it died.

Dawn ran over to Anya and Xander, "Is he okay?" she said kneeling 
beside him, she could see a large bruise on his head and several 
quite deep wounds on his chest.

"I don't know, he's unconscious," wept Anya, "He won't wake up."

"Let's get him over the otherside of the basement, away from any 
fighting then we can see to his injuries," suggested Dawn, surprising 
herself at how calm she was being, "Spike can you carry Xander over 
there," she asked the vampire pointing.

Spike easily picked him up and carried the still unconscious Xander 
to the corner away from the stairs and the hole in the wall, putting 
him down he turned to the others, "I'll go and check on the girls, 
keep an eye on that hole," he said going up the stairs. Getting out 
of the basement was a bit of a problem because one of the demons had 
died in front of the door, putting his shoulder against the door he 
pushed the protesting door open and stepped over the large carcass, 
looking around at the damaged hallway with its broken furniture and 
walls with holes in them he smirked to himself, <Hank's going to have 
a hard time explaining all this to his insurance company,> he 
thought. He walked down the hall towards the front, he spotted Helga 
coming back through what was left of the door, "How are we doing? Any 
sign of the demons?" he asked her.

"Maria is dead, the demons are dead or running, at least the ones 
that I saw, is Dawn alright?" said Helga.

"She's fine, Xander's out of it and there is a large hole in one of 
the basement walls, I think we need to find another safe location for 
Dawn," he replied.

Just as Helga was about to agree, whirls of energy began to appear 
moving through and around them.

"I think it is too late, the Veil between the realms is failing, I 
think this has something to do with the choice Dawn has to make," 
said Helga rushing towards the basement door, quickly followed by 
Spike.

Dawn stood, a frown on her face, she watched the energy, <no scratch 
that> she thought, <spirits,> swirl around her, they did not frighten 
her, as she smiled one of them stopped in front of her, beginning to 
get sharper features, "Mum," she exclaimed tears of joy suddenly 
standing in her eyes.

"It's time for you to choose what you want Dawn," smiled Joyce.

"Choose? What do you mean choose what?" frowned Dawn.

"If you want to stay as you are or how you use to be!"

"How?"

Joyce held her hand out to the key, "Come with me and find out all 
you need to," she smiled.

As Dawn took her mothers hand, she felt herself being pulled out of 
her body.

Helga and Spike entered just as Dawn took her mother's hand, Helga 
ran the rest of the way down the stairs and over to Dawn, looking 
closely at her blank face she nodded, "This is it, we must protect 
Dawn's body until she has made her choice," she stated.

"Can we move her to a safer place?" asked Hank.

Helga shook her head, "No if we move her, her spirit will be unable 
to find its way back."

As she finished explaining, they heard growling from the direction of 
the hole, turning they saw four hellhounds jump through into the 
basement followed by several demons.
--------------
The five appeared in a circular domed 'room', all around them was a 
constant spiral of constantly changing coloured lights, they looked 
at each other for a moment, until Buffy broke the silence, "So were 
the five sisters, that's weird, is it a coincidence that we all know 
each other?"

"Buffy," laughed Dawn running over and hugging her before doing the 
same with Willow and Tara, she looked around frowning, "Where did mum 
go she was with me just know," she asked.

"I don't know, but I don't think any others including the five 
spirits who brought us here can enter this place!" mused Buffy 
looking around the room then back at the others, "I don't know how I 
knew that and I don't know when but I think I've been in this room 
before!" she frowned still looking around.

"Yeah I know what you mean," nodded Willow, "Its like I've always 
known this place was here, wherever here is, but never thought about 
it until now."

"What did you mean just now Buffy when you said we're the five 
sisters? What the hell is going on?" said Cordelia the frustration 
clearly in her voice.

"Well as we told you when we phoned we went to England to help some 
friends of Giles," Buffy began to explain, "Only we didn't know 
exactly what they were getting us into at the time..." 

Over the next half-hour Buffy, Willow and Tara told Dawn and Cordy 
what had happened after they got to the UK.

"So your saying that the reason I'm here while my friends try and 
protect my body is because you Buffy chose to kill this Warlock bitch 
rather than that bastard Ethan Rayne," shouted Cordy getting up off 
the floor and pacing the room, "Thanks a lot Buffy, I may lose Wesley 
because of this," tears starting to flow down her checks.

"I'm sorry, but it was either that or let that bitch kill Willow and 
Tara," she shouted back also rising, "And I'd do it again if I had 
too," her fists were clenching and unclenching as she tried to get 
her temper under control.

"The fate of your friend was never in your sister's hand child," came 
a new voice, turning the five women saw a regal looking woman who 
looked about thirty walk through the wall, "Whatever your sister had 
chosen Wesley would have still died, the darkness would have come for 
you regardless," she said.

The other three rose to join Buffy and Cordelia in facing the 
woman, "Who are you and where are we?" asked Cordy, had any of them 
been looking at the others they would have seen each nod their heads 
as if they had also been about to ask the same thing.

"I have more names than there are stars in the heavens, but you may 
call me mother if you wish, as for where you are," she gestured 
around the room, "You might say this is were the five of you were 
created," smiled mother, "It is a place out of time and space."

"You're the Goddess aren't you," said Tara in a hushed voice.

The other four looked at her before turning to the woman, "Yes my 
child that is how I am known but as I said you five can call me 
mother," she said still smiling at them.

"Mother, what do you mean the five of us were created here, we were 
all born on Earth, well all except Dawn that is," pointed out Willow.

"Yes and no," answered mother, seeing their confused looks she 
explained, "When the One gave me the ability to protect the realm of 
the dead, I knew that one day the Veil would be in danger so I 
created the primal forces that later became known as Air, Fire, 
Earth, Water and Spirit," she smiled at them, "You." Laughing lightly 
at the shock on their faces she continued, "I placed the ability to 
restore the Veil in each of you, just in case, the One having forbade 
myself or anyone else from using the power needed more than once..."

"I'm sorry to interrupt but are you saying that the four of us are 
like Dawn our memories are false?" asked Tara.

"No the four of you have been merged with a mortal soul since the 
beginning, your sister Spirit was sent out as energy, she was always 
the source of hope throughout the universe, she was placed in the 
care of religious orders throughout time until the demon goddess was 
expelled from her own dimension to this one, then the only safe way 
to protect her was to send her to her sister Fire who is a slayer, I 
had already made sure that Air and Earth were available to help."

"Ah mother, me being Fire, does that have anything to do with me 
being the slayer? Cause if it is how come there are three of us now?"

"Up until recently many slayers were Fire, you child," smiled 
mother, "Of course the soul you were merged with still had to be born 
and grow up each time, do you understand?"

"Yeah sort of! But that doesn't explain why there are now three 
slayers," frowned Buffy.

"That has to do with freewill," mother explained, "When your friend 
revived you that activated Kendra then Faith, but because the destiny 
you were created for has now happened, I activated Lisa when you died 
last time to replace you."

Buffy nodded not sure what to say.

"So if Buffy's Fire, Willow's Air and Tara's Earth, I guess that 
makes me Water," asked Cordy, at the nod from mother she 
continued, "So what happens now?"

"Well that is up to you five, when I merged you with mortal souls you 
got freewill, you must choose whether you wish to return as you are 
to your mortal bodies or fulfil your purpose and restore the Veil," 
said mother.

"What will happen if we don't," asked Dawn.

"Yeah and what's the downside if we do," added Buffy realising that 
everything comes at a price.

With a sad look on her face mother explained, "If you don't restore 
the Veil you will live out your mortal life and assuming that the 
realm of the dead still exists you will stay there for a time then be 
reborn again as you have throughout time, when the realm of the dead 
has been destroyed, you along with all other mortal animals will 
cease to exist." She looked around at the faces of the primals, "If 
you choose to restore the Veil you will have to reside in the realm 
of the living for as long as the universe exists, although I can 
allow you to visit the realm of the dead for short times every once 
in a while," she finished.

"So if we don't restore it we cease to exist, and if we do we live 
forever," said Cordy, at mother's nod of her assessment of their 
choices she smiled, "Well duh I know what I choose."

"I don't think it's that straight forward Cordy," said Willow, she 
looked at mother, "Is it!"

"No, by choosing to restore the Veil you will be giving up rebirth 
and the cleansing of your souls plus you will suffer the heartache of 
watching everyone you will ever befriend slowly age and die, even the 
end of your specie, that will not be a easy thing to endure my 
children. I know what I wish you to do but will abide by your 
choice," said mother, then looking at each in turn she asked, "So my 
children what is your choice?"

"Will this change the bond between Willow, Tara and me?" asked Buffy.

"No, any choice you have made or will ever make will still be in 
force. So I ask again what is your choice?" said mother.

Looking around at each other, they seemed to know instinctively what 
they had all chosen, looking back at mother Willow answered for them 
all, "So how do we restore the Veil?"

"Thank you, I will not forget this. All you need to do is think of 
the Veil and the wish to restore it and you will know," mother 
explained, "When you return to your bodies assemble at you sister's 
place of work in Los Angeles with your friends and I will come to 
you," she finished then turned and walked back through the wall.

They all did as mother instructed then positioned themselves as 
required to start the ritual, Buffy, Willow, Tara and Cordy on 
different sides of Dawn.

Willow looked around at the others before taking a step forward 
facing Dawn, she began the ritual that the Lord and Lady had laid on 
their shoulders, the ritual that would for all time set them apart 
from mortal animals.

"Hail I am the Watchtower of the North! 
I am the dragon Sairys, ruler of winds and clouds; I guard and 
protect this circle. 
I give the powers of air, that my sister may restore that which must 
be,
Clear sighted eagle, 
Golden dawn of new beginnings, 
Refreshing winds of change. 
Come to me in this circle, dazzling and brilliant, to aid me in our 
rite. 
Be here now."

Buffy smiled at Dawn as she stepped forward facing her.

"Hail I am the Watchtower of the East! 
I am the dragon Fafnir, ruler of sunbeams and flames; I guard and 
protect this circle. 
I give the powers of fire, that my sister may restore that which must 
be,
Courageous lion, 
Passion of the red noon, 
Warm glow of the hearth. 
Come to me in this circle, fiery and blazing, to aid me in our rite. 
Be here now." 

Tara stepped forward facing Dawn and began her part of the ritual.

"Hail I am the Watchtower of the South! 
I am the dragon Grael, ruler of mountains and lands; I guard and 
protect this circle. 
I give the powers of earth, that my sister may restore that which 
must be,
Mighty bull of fertile fields, 
Silent repose of black midnight, 
Deep cave of wisdom and knowledge. 
Come to our circle, solid and strong, to aid me in our rite. 
Be here now."

Cordelia stepped forward facing Dawn and recited her part of the 
ritual.

"Hail I am the Watchtower of the West! 
I am the dragon Naelyan, ruler of seas and lakes; I guard and protect 
this circle. 
I give the powers of water, that my sister may restore that which 
must be,
Ancient serpent of wisdom, 
Soothing azure dusk, 
Sparkling fountain and shimmering pool. 
Come to our circle, gentle and buoyant, to aid me in our rite. 
Be here now."

The four linked hands, forming a circle around Dawn who raised her 
hands to the domed roof.

"I am spirit, ruler of the heart, of that which comes before and 
after; I greet and thank my sisters for guarding and protecting this 
circle.
I am the key that locks,
I am the key that binds,
I give the power that is mine to protect that which comes before and 
after.
For all time."

The other four then raised their linked hands towards the domed roof, 
joining Dawn in a voice that was heard from one end of the universe 
to the other.

"We call forth a veil to protect that which comes before and after.
By our will so mote it be."

A kaleidoscope of colours erupted from the circle and the five 
sisters spreading outwards faster than light could possibly travel 
reaching the farthest star in moments.