I know most struggle with the holidays, myself included. However, I am sending this here to tell you that - I notice you, I appreciate you and I love you. Whether you're struggling or not, whether you celebrate or not - I hope this Christmas is good to you the best possible way, even if in little bits. And I most certainly know who I am sending this to, even though its generic. Just so it isn't thought this is done just to be done, no, I choose who I send to. Please never give up, never stop being you, and never forget that you're here for a reason. Thank you for being on my list, even if we don't speak a lot, thank you for sticking around.
My my my, I do hope you have a beautifully wicked, Halloween! However it is you spend it, I hope its enjoyed and you make sure to remain safe! Whether we are alone or not, always remember we can enjoy any holiday and day we love within the company of ourselves. I'm sending this to make sure you remember that you're important, I see you, I appreciate you and you matter! I hope you never lose sight on that, and if you do, I hope you come back to it right away. All my love and light, you bright, spooktastic and ghoulish darling! Remember to always stay spooky! heh.
I hope you have a wickedly sweet, Halloween! Remember to stay safe, and have fun! I wanted to send this to show you are seen, you are appreciated and you matter. All my love, you spooktacular and ghoultastic, gemstone!
Giles still couldn't quite believe that Tara was dead. He found it much harder to believe that he was still alive after his battle with Willows darker self. Luckily the extra power the coven gave him did just what he'd needed it to. It allowed a slither of humanity back into Willows soul. The emotional link he'd formed between himself and Willow had broken him. The pain she'd felt, the anguish. He'd felt it as if it were his own. He'd lain on Anya's lap, convinced he was going to die from the pain Willow was feeling.
Xander.... god that boy had perfect timing. He'd reached the part of Willow the covens magic had awakened. Giles still couldn't believe their luck! The world was still turning by the skin of it's teeth!
Giles had a few broken ribs amongst a few bruises and sprains. Nothing he hadn't had before. The emotional scars from his connection with Willow were much worse than the physical pain. Anya had gotten him to a hospital once he'd saw Xander save Willow from herself. He was recovering. He had been in touch with the coven to let them know how things went. He was also arranging time back in England. He was taking Willow with him. She needed to be away from Sunnydale, away from the reminder of Tara's death and what she herself had done. She needed to heal.
Giles stood in the Summers residence, his travel bag in hand. "Look after her" said Buffy softly as she gave Giles a gentle hug, knowing his ribs were still tender. It always amazed him how gentle she could be when she was so strong. "You know I will" he responded as he pulled out of the hug. "Are you ready Willow?" he called up the stairs.
Deep beneath the earth, just below the town of Sunnydale, existed an ancient cave that had remained, until recently, completely sealed off from the world. It was a place of evil, death, and destruction—a place where not even nightmares dare go. Many years ago, during the prehistoric period, the first slayer, Sineya, was said to have defeated whatever creatures inhabited the cave. After her victory, the entrance was sealed by magic and it's location wiped from memory. If ever opened, what remained inside would once again walk the earth and cause destruction. It would be the end of mankind as we know it.
SUNNYDALE (present-day) Six cloaked figures stood in the dark basement of Sunnydale Methodist Church. "It's here. I can feel it." They spoke in a language unknown to modern mankind. "We've finally found the entrance after a thousand years of searching." The sixth demon was on his knees and using what appeared to be black chalk to draw a demonic symbol on the concrete floor. The others stood over him, watching and waiting.
"We should've known it would be above the Hellmouth." One of the demons stated in a deep, low voice. "What of the slayer?" Asked another. "She won't be a problem once we open the gate. She's strong but she's no match for what's coming." The demon stood and admired his handiwork. "We're ready." He said.
"We must perform the ritual now or we'll have to wait another 200 years! We cannot fail him again." Without saying another word, they all gathered around the symbol and began to chant in unison. The earth shook beneath their feet and their ritualistic symbol began to emanate a blinding white light. Their spell was working. The concrete cracked open and from deep inside, a monstrous roar could be heard.
DREAMING Buffy tossed and turned in her sleep. She could just make out 6 figures standing over a pit of darkness. Their dialect was strange and unfamiliar, yet she understood their conversation. The leader said she wasn't a threat and part of her knew that statement was true. Suddenly the ground opened up and Buffy's heart began to beat at a rapid pace. Something bad was coming—something she couldn't fight. "Stop it!" She shouted, but her voice was drowned out by a deafening roar that grew closer with each passing second. From the other side of the circle, she could see a figure hunched over and watching her.
She recognized the figure from another dream. "The first." She mumbled to herself. The first slayer crept around the circle, watching Buffy as she moved. Buffy tried to run, but fear kept her in place. In all her years of being a slayer, she had never felt this utterly paralyzed. Sineya was inching closer and closer, all while the demons continued to chant. Buffy knew she had a message, but it was too late. She was already being pulled away from the dream.
SUMMERS RESIDENCE. The slayer opened her eyes and instinctively jumped out of bed. The dream had been so vivid that she half-expected the demons to be standing over her when she woke up. But was alone in her room. The California sunshine filtered through her open blinds and slashed beautiful rays of light across the hardwood flooring. Buffy breathed out and felt herself slowly begin to relax. She knew her dream was an omen, but she didn't know how close the danger truly was. It could've been the present or the future she witnessed—the latter was much preferred. That way she could stop the demons before they even reached Sunnydale.
She took a brief, short moment to calm her nerves and settle her mind, then she reached over to the nightstand where her phone was placed. She needed to call Willow and discuss the slayer dream. She also needed to tell Giles about the 6 demons, because he might actually know something about the symbol they drew.
She dialed Willow's number and waited for her to pick up. It took only three rings before Willow answered. "Hey, Wil. So listen—" Buffy told her everything about her dream, which didn't take long because it only seemed to last 20 seconds. "Can you call Xander and ask him to meet us at Giles house in about an hour? I would head there sooner, but my mom wants to have breakfast together."
After hanging up the phone, Buffy got dressed and headed down to the kitchen where her mother was already scooping bacon onto a plate. "Good morning, sweetheart." She smiled and poured her daughter a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. "Thanks, mom." The slayer replied before gulping it down in one sip. She would finish breakfast and head straight over to Giles for a meeting with the Scoobies. Buffy hoped to god that the events in her dream hadn't taken place yet, but there was a sense of dread that told her it did happen, and that something bad was coming, very soon.
