"Yes & no", explained the man the group had hired to take them to 'the first place'. "I will tell you the way to go from here. But, I won't go with you."
Buffy: "But, you told us you could take us there."
Hired Man: "You misunderstood. No amount of money could get me to go to that place. It's haunted."
Doyle: "Are you sure about that 'no amount a money thing' cause he could offer ya all of this." Doyle handed the man a big wade of American dollars.
Hired Man: "I was sure. I'd rather live then be a rich man. I have wife & children to take care of. I can't die."
Faith: "How can you be so sure that the place is evil?"
Hired Man: "In the early 1940's the place was found by explorers. Man leading expedition became ill days after they examined the place, the men started to disappear, some fell sick, some hurt themselves, many died. Soon none of the natives would work at the site so they shut down the exploration.
"The place is cursed. You can go, but you'll be cursed too. It is a place of death. I won't go, but, hey, you can if you are all so keen to meet death in the eye- noble I guess."
After the man gave them directions, the group manned uncharted paths with compasses & a human-drawn map. Angel had to wear a heavy dark cloak over his body. After sunset, the group had to stop, despite Angel's insistence that 'they were close'. Not all of them had the night senses Angel did, they couldn't brave the territory without the light to see what they were stepping on.
After the group had started a fire and ate some packaged food they had brought with them, everyone retired, even Angel who was tired and haggard after a day of daylight travel.
"Couldn't sleep either?" Faith said to Buffy, joining the girl who was by a tree staring up at the stars.
Buffy: "I could, & I did, but I woke up again. It's this place. I can feel it, we're close."
Faith: "I'm definitely sensing something. Not sure if I like it, though."
Buffy was now staring into Faith. "You know, I don't know if I've ever said it to you before, but Faith, I really admire you."
Faith was taken aback & sort of laughed. "Me? What do you have to admire me for? You're the strong one, the good one, I'm just-"
Buffy: "You're not just anything. You have been so brave and so strong these past two and a half years. Everything you've done, you've done completely unselfishly."
Faith (with a tint of bitterness): "Yeah, a complete turn around."
Buffy was a silent for a moment, then she continued: "No, I don't think of it as a turn around, Faith. This is who you are. You are Good. You've chosen good and repented the evil you've done. You don't give yourself enough credit."
After a few moments, Faith said: "B, thank you."- Faith was getting teary-eyed, "I've never really been able to depend on anybody. Except maybe Angel- &, well, the Mayor, & that wasn't exactly the best company to be keepin'. But, you, I can always depend on you to stick by me no matter what. I don't know if I'll ever be able to tell ya what you mean to me."
Buffy (with a little teary smile): "I think I know."
Faith: "I love ya, girl."
Buffy: "I love you."
After an almost reluctant hug, Buffy said: "I think I really need to be getting back to sleep, here. Tough day ahead."
With those last three words, the tone changed.
Faith: "Yeah. I'm gonna get something to drink, so you go ahead."
Buffy left then Faith noticed something. Two figures off in a distance, making their way away from the camp the group had set up. Faith recognized the two as Doyle & Angel. Without two thoughts, she headed after them.
Some time later, Angel said, "This is it."
Doyle: "Oh, yeah, 'his is it. This is what I saw in the vision all right, & the feel... enough to give anybody a serious case of the willys. Can we go now?"
Angel: "Doyle. I came here to do something. To mystically destroy the center of this place, where it's magic is centered. Just keep watch & yell if you hear someone coming."
Angel began to walk to the center when Faith caught up to them.
Faith (out of breath): "What can I do to help?"
Angel: "Faith! Get out of here! What are you doing?"
Faith: "I followed ya. It's something I do best. Surprised you didn't hear me, Angel, you feeling alright?"
Angel: "I'm a little tired from the travel."
Faith (to Doyle): "What's your excuse?"
Doyle: "Oh, I sensed you. I just thought it'd be nice to have someone with some kind of fighting ability around if something happens to my good friend Angel here."
Angel gave Doyle an icy look, then he addressed Faith: "Faith, this place is dangerous. You shouldn't be here. Now I'm going to go down there & try to rid this place of it's power, you need to walk in the opposite direction back to everyone & Buffy."
Angel started once again to head down to where the center was, but he quickly headed back.
Faith: "What?"
Angel: "Someone's coming."
From the other side of the ritual-built area emerged a tall figure; over a dozen vampires followed it. The group traveled down to the center of the place.
In the following minutes, the figure began to do a ritual of sort. Directly in the center, a translucent image appeared. The image began to speak a language to the figure, then it disappeared. After that was finished, the figure told the vampires to leave him there.
After the vampires had departed, the figure became stiff & said, as the place echoed each word, "What, do you think I don't know you're there?"
There was a moment of silence. Then the figure looked directly at Angel, Doyle, & Faith.
Angel: "Who are you?"
Anderson (the figure): "Anderson is my name. Or at least what people are calling me now. But, what's in a name anyway? Yours doesn't exactly personify what you are, does it, Angel?"
Faith: "Guess that depends on who you ask. So, you're a vampire. That works out because I'm a vampire slayer. Slaying you, it's what I do."
Anderson: "Yes. & it's also how most who have gone before you die, slaying vampires that is." After a moment Anderson continued: "Why are we making with the banter here. I'm going to kill you all, there's no way around that. I guess I just love the hunt, the teasing, it's exciting. Oh, but I really think I'm beyond all that now."
The man held out his hand & Faith was lifted up & levitated toward him.
Faith: "Angel! I can't move."
Angel & Doyle got up & tried to get into the center of the place, but some invisable barrier prevented them from getting to the center.
Anderson cut his arm & let his blood drip unto Faith's forehead. Then he made a symbol, smearing the blood. Anderson started to chant words. Angel recognized the words as the words the spirit-thing had said to Anderson. Suddenly a black light came out of the ground beneath them & Faith cried out in pain, then dropped limply to the ground, suddenly under no mystics.
All this while Angel & Doyle stood 3 feet away unable to reach Faith because of the invisable, mystical barrier.
Doyle: "Oh, god, she's been parched. There's nothing."
Anderson: "You're right. She is no longer a slayer. In fact, she's nothing more than a mere human."
Angel & Doyle could suddenly reach Faith, the barrier was gone.
Anderson continued: "Yes, a mere human. Vulnerable & rip for the kill."
In a quick motion, Anderson mauled for Faith's neck. Angel pried the man off the girl.
Angel & Anderson faced off.
Angel (yelling): "Doyle, get her out."
Anderson: "No, Doyle, let her stay." Anderson hit Doyle, making Doyle fly 15 feet.
Angel: "You're strong."
Anderson: "It's the thrill of accomplishment. Nothing like ridding the world of a slayer to put ya in a good mood. Oh, & plus, me being so old, that's the other reason I'm so powerful."
Angel: "An old-timer. How old?"
Anderson: "Really, super old. Let's just leave it at that. You're still in the womb, compared to me, Angel. You've barely been conceived."
Angel: "Obviously not as old as this ritual. You need a spirit to help you out. Funny I always thought ancient ghosts were a little picky about who they talk to, however hard it might to make contact with them. What makes you so special?"
Anderson: "Oh, he's just a helpful sorcerer. One of the guys that thought up this great ritual- Rubare Lotta. The sweetest two words in the world. I needed a little help on my diction, is all. I just get so nervous about having everything perfect. Maybe I should brush up again. With sweet little Buffy only miles away."
With that, Angel attacked.
Doyle had regained consciousness. Faith was still limp on the floor.
Angel & Anderson fought. It was an equal fight that gave Doyle time to reach Faith & drag her toward the woods. Angel & Anderson were in a tackle-embrace.
Anderson: "Oh, I hate that smell! Sunrise in 5 minutes! Guess I'll just have to finish you off quickly."
Anderson suddenly revealed that he was much stronger than Angel & tackled Angel to the floor.
Anderson: "You're a good fighter, but not good enough. Still, maybe I should contact the spirit world & ask about a soul taking ritual. It'd be nice to have you on my team. & while we're on the subject, pity you don't know the truth about your curse. Real pity it is. Seems I'm not the only person who has benefited from the other side. Stupid sunrise! I think I'll let you go now & save my skin from burning torment. Hum, looking on the bright side of things, at least this will be the last sunrise."
Anderson got off of Angel & walked quickly in the opposite direction of where Buffy & the group had set up camp.
Angel got up & limped over to Doyle, who was off to the side of 'the first place' & hovered over Faith.
