Lust

Chapter 17: Tristeza ante el Corazon

Flashback:

Buffy stood back up after looking at the last girl. It had taken them close to 3 days to finally get to all of the girls, both of them finding it harder and harder to move amongst the bodies. Their faces permanently stained with the red mud as they looked into each other’s eyes. Buffy’s mind raced back to the last few nights they spent together in this hell. Each night they lay down together after their gruesome work, finding comfort in each other’s arms as they slipped into oblivion.

Faith finally broke the silence, looking into Buffy’s glistening eyes.

“What do you want to do with the bodies” she asked her gently. Buffy sighed heavily as her shoulders sagged a little.

“We have to bury them, but I don’t want to bury them here” Buffy said as she looked over the area with hatred.

“I have an idea of where we can bury them” Faith said as she held out her hand. Buffy took it and allowed Faith to pull her into her arms. She sighed again as she felt Faith start to fade.

She opened her eyes a second later, a gasp escaping her lips as she looked around. She drank in the site of the rich green field. The wind blew gently over the soft grass, rolling hills dotted the distance. Woods bordered the entire field, a wave of peace filled her soul.

“Where are we?” she asked Faith as she looked up at her.

“Elysian field, well, one of them at least. This is one of the dimensions I control” Faith said quietly as the wind danced around their feet. Buffy pulled closer to Faith as she felt something move around them. Faith smiled down at her.

“Don’t worry B; it’s just the spirits of the fallen. But this field is special. This one is only for slayers” Faith said as she smiled at a spirit that appeared before them.

“Long time no see Amdis” said the young woman. Faith nodded at her as she disappeared into the wind. Faith looked back down into Buffy’s eyes.

“I will bring you back home, you get everyone ready and I will bring them back here to burn their bodies and scatter their ashes.” Faith wiped the tears from Buffy’s eyes and smiled warmly at her.

Buffy felt herself fall into the abyss of Faith’s eyes as the magic of the world enveloped them.


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Buffy stood apart from the girls as they all got ready for the memorial services for the girls in Africa. Faith had dropped her off in the living room, smiling at her before disappearing again.

Faith held onto Buffy as they reappeared in the house. She sat Buffy down so she could get her bearings.

“I promise I will be back soon to get everyone. I can bring people in groups since the plain I brought you to requires’ a lot of magic to enter, even for me and I run the place. If I make a portal here, even with my barrier, it is too close to your base. Ronwe might send someone to investigate the shift. He already has demons searching for Nacon, but he is preoccupied with searching for me. If he finds out Nacon is dead, well lets hope he doesn’t find out” Faith said as she stood up. Buffy shook her head and stood up.

“Thank you” she whispered quietly, looking up into her eyes. Faith smiled down at her. She reached up and pushed a strand of hair out of Buffy’s eyes, letting her finger tips trace the curve of Buffy’s face.

“No problem” Faith whispered back. Buffy leaned into her hand closing her eyes, smiling as she felt Faith disappear.

Willow walked up slowly to Buffy nervously. Buffy hadn’t been into the infirmary yet, choosing to stay on the main floor and push everyone to get ready to leave.

“Buffy we need to talk” she started as Dawn came up behind her.

“Everyone is waiting to go, when will that Faith woman be here?” Dawn asked just as Faith appeared behind her.

“AHHH DON’T DO THAT!” Dawn yelled smacking Faith on the arm. Everyone stopped what they were doing, looking at the two of them. Dawn looked fearfully up at the powerful demon as Buffy’s mouth curved into a smirk. Faith lifted her eyebrow at the young woman.

“Ummmmm sorry?” Dawn said meekly. Faith pointed a finger up to the ceiling as Dawn quickly rose off the ground.

“AAAAAH PUT ME DOWN!” Dawn screamed out as Faith smiled as she pointed her finger down. Dawn fell with a dull thud on the ground.

“Oomph” she muttered as when she landed, immediately rubbing her butt, trying to relieve the sting.

“It is not nice to pick on mortals without powers” Willow growled at Faith. Faith looked her directly in the eye.

“Nor is it appropriate for mortals to speak out of place to immortals” she said to her, her lips not moving as she exuded more power in her aura. Willow shrunk back a little at the increase of power surrounding Faith.

Buffy shook herself from the initial shock of Faith’s appearance and walked up to Faith, putting a hand on her shoulder. Faith looked down at her, her eyes softening as she visibly relaxed.

“Sorry” she muttered as she bowed her head to Buffy. Buffy gently lifted her chin so she could look into Faith’s eyes and smiled at her.

“I would have done the same thing to her if I had the ability to” she giggled as Dawn huffed in indignation, standing up, her hand still rubbing her sore butt.

“Soooo not cool” she stuck her tongue out at Buffy as she walked over to the other girls.

The girls surrounding them stared with mixed wonder and fear at Faith as she scanned them, finally taking them all in. She cleared her throat as the girls took a step back.

“My name is Faith; you will find out more about myself soon enough” she answered as the girls continued to stare at her. She sighed sadly sensing the fear radiating in waves from the group.

“Children” Faith muttered sadly as she crossed her arms, causing her robes to sway gently beneath her.

Buffy finally took Faith’s clothing in. She was wearing what looked like to be ceremonial dress clothes. Her cloak a deep crimson red that seemed black until the light hit it. Faith tossed onside of the cloak behind her, revealing ceremonial armor. She had on a black long sleeved undershirt that was underneath her armor; on her forearms were two ornately designed, silver gauntlets that extended to her elbows. She had on silver shoulder guards that connected to her breast plate, also ornately designed and silver. The designs were outlined with crimson coloring that seemed to shimmer and glow in the light. She had on a black belt with a silver buckle that lead to tight looking black pants. Silver shin guards stretched from just below her knees to her black leather boots. The stitching was silver and the laces, although tucked out of view, were silver as well. Attached to her belt was a long sword. The scabbard was black with designs that matched her armor at the top and bottom only. The hilt of the sword was fine polished silver, the handle was surrounded by beautifully designed silver that seemed to wrap around a persons hand if they grasped it. Faith’s hair was down in waves around her face and her eyes sparkled with deep flecks of emerald. Buffy felt her heart hammer in her chest as she took in the beautiful immortal in front of her.

Faith smiled as she felt Buffy’s eyes take in her clothes, purposely shifting her cloak so Buffy could have a better look. She hadn’t worn this armor since she was human, but preserved it, knowing one day she would have to use it again. The last time she wore this armor, she closed her eyes as the memories flooded back. She shook her head to get rid of them, as the images of her friend’s burial threatened to overtake her.

“Are we ready to go?” Faith asked, her voice reverberating in her chest as she scanned the crowd again. Buffy pulled herself out of her reverie and nodded.

“Alright group number one front and center!” Buffy called out as Kennedy and thirty other girls stepped forward.

“How many groups are there?” Faith asked as she turned back to Buffy.

“We have 20 groups of about 30” Buffy whispered to her. Faith nodded as she stepped back.

“I can take two groups” Faith nodded as the second group, which included Dawn approached. Faith held her hand out to Kennedy who just stared at her.

“I need you too take my hand. Then I need everyone to grab on to the person next to them and hold on tight. Anyone close to me can grab onto my arm or my cloak” Faith said calmly as Kennedy quickly grabbed her hand tightly. Dawn came up next to her, eyeing her cautiously as she grabbed her arm. Soon the girls all followed suit,

“Hold on tight” Faith called out as she started to whisper, the air around them starting to pick up as they suddenly disappeared. Willow stared at the spot where she last saw her lover before heading over to Buffy.

“Buffy…” Willow started only to be met by Buffy’s hand.

“I know you don’t like her Willow…” Buffy interrupted but was stopped by Willow’s shaking head.

“I wasn’t going to say that but you are right I still don’t like her. No I need to talk to you, while you were gone we got some umm unexpected visitors” she said as Buffy looked at her quizzically. Suddenly Faith reappeared, her cloak swirling around her feet.

“I will deal with them after we get back” Buffy said as she motioned for the next groups to approach. Willow was the head of the fourth group. She sighed as she walked up to Faith, facing her directly as she stared up into her eyes.

“Hi Red” Faith smiled at her as she held out her hand. Willow frowned at her as she took her hand, closing her eyes as she heard Faith start to chant……….

Buffy waited until the last group was waiting, having sent Xander and the Special Ops ahead with the other groups. Faith appeared in front of her smiling.

“Well that took all of 20 minutes” she said as she straightened her cloak. Buffy smiled at her as the remaining girls, the girls from Africa slowly made their way in a small circle. Faith smiled softly at the girls.

“I’ll try to make it as gentle as possible” she said softly at them. The girls stared back at her with haunted eyes. Lehana looked her dead in the eye, trying to stand as tall as she could with all of her injuries. Faith offered her hand to her, smiling as Lehana took it in a strong grip. Faith nodded at her as Buffy came up besides her, interlacing her fingers with Faith’s free hand, leaning her head on her cloaked shoulder. The girls gently grabbed onto each other as Faith’s chants reached their ears.


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Eve sat waiting for Hecate to return, staring around her prison. It wasn’t really a prison per se; she didn’t think prisons had plush carpeting and amazing tapestries with cozy couches and warm fires. But she was stuck there, unable to move out of the room without Hecate’s help. She got up with a growl as she started pacing back and forth in the room, looking over the tapestries. Many depicted great witches over the millennia’s, and some of them had Vera in them. She stopped to look at one with Vera in her Atlantean clothing, under a tree during fall time. Eve felt her heart breaking at the peaceful look on her loves face. She didn’t sense Hecate enter the room as she reached up, touching the tapestry.

Hecate watched her silently look over Amdis’s tapestry. Hecate shook her head as she watched Eve run a finger across Amdis’s face.

“You have to let her go Eve” Hecate said softly as Eve’s shoulders slumped.

“I can’t Hecate” she said as she looked back up at the tapestry. “I love her too much and I know she loves me as well. Why can’t we be together if we love each other?” she asked, turning to face the goddess. Her eyes shimmered with tears.

“You are not her soul mate” Hecate stated simply.

“WHO ARE YOU TO SAY SHE ISN’T MY SOUL MATE! WHO DECIDES WHO ENDS UP WITH WHO” Eve screamed out in fury. Hecate stood calmly looking at the fallen queen.

“You should know the answer to that one. You were meant to come into her life to show her how to live again, how to be human. You showed her how to love and appreciate the world around her” Hecate said as she looked up at the tapestry. “But you two are not meant to be together. You gave her what she needed to find her true soul mate and if you cannot see that then maybe the Powers made a mistake choosing you as a messenger. I see no point in your being here anyways, but you have some role in all of this. But I swear if you get in between them I will make your afterlife a nightmare. Don’t forget your highness” Hecate said as she sat down in a chair, looking Eve straight in the eye, “You are not a god nor do you possess any great abilities. Knowledge was your gift but it seems to me being dead for the last billion years has made you stupid” She finished, a goblet appearing before her.

“I may be mortal now, but I still roamed heaven as a spirit. And now I am back here, I have a second chance to be with Vera…” Hecate cut her off with her hand.

“You are here as long as you are needed. You are right you are mortal now which means you can still be killed. What a shame it would be for Amdis to see you die a second time. I advise you to tread lightly and be wary for the minute your task is done you will be gone. Do you really want to put her through all of that again?” Hecate asked her. Eve caste her eyes towards the ground, taking in a huge breath as Hecate sipped from her goblet.

Faith gently held onto the girls as they appeared in the mystic plain

The groups she had dropped off earlier stood looking at the world in wonder before settling on the somber sight. Rows and rows of pyres were lined next to each other almost filling half of the field. The girls from Africa hung their heads as they looked over their fallen comrades. The group spread out, forming a circle around the fallen girls as tears fell from their eyes. Each girl was dressed in ceremonial robes. Buffy looked up at Faith as she saw the robes on the girls. Faith just nodded at her as she walked to a platform she built in the middle of the girl’s pyres. Buffy followed her as Faith turned to her and grabbed her. They both rose to the top of the platform and looked over the mourning group.

“No one asks for this, for bloodshed and tears…” Faith started as she felt Buffy’s hand intertwine with hers. “War is a terrible price to pay for freedom, for survival and the warriors you see lying before you fought so that you can have that freedom. Mourn for the loss of your friends, your lovers, your allies but don’t let their deaths be in vain” Faith finished as her voice reverberated in the fields. She looked at Buffy and nodded. She took a deep breath before continuing.

“Rejoice in their memories, fight for the futures they gave up. Pray for the people they have left behind” she paused as she looked at the six girls who’s heads were bowed. Dawn was rubbing Lehana’s back as her body was racked with tears, “And for the people they will never meet. I may not have gotten to know each girl as personally as I would have liked, but it was an honor just to be graced by their presence, even for a minute” Buffy trailed off as she looked at Faith and nodded. Faith threw her cloak behind her as she clasped her hands together, her index finger pointing towards her face as she started her incantation.

“The spirits of the fallen

Your final resting place is here

Join your souls with those of the past

Left in a legacy that is meant to last”

Flames erupted under each pyre as the sobs of the girls surrounding them echoed in the enchanted world. Spirits of the past intermingled with the girls, their heads bowed in respect as the flames engulfed the bodies and licked at the sky. The flames erupted blue as the girl’s spirits rose from the fires and landed next to their pyres. They turned and looked at Faith and Buffy, each girl going to one knee as they bowed in respect for the Chosen. Buffy looked over the spirits confused at their actions while Faith bowed her head at them in respect. The girls watched all of this in silence, tears still streaming down their faces. The six surviving girls walked towards their fallen comrades, tears streaming down their faces, their bodies trembling as the spirits rose to their feet and turned to them, smiling softly at them. One spirit approached them as Lehana’s breath caught in her throat.

“Anisha” Lehana breathed out as the spirit brought her hand to Lehana’s faces, gently tracing alongside her face.

“You did everything you could my love. We fought hard and we didn’t lose” her voiced echoed.

“I lost you” Lehana whispered, yearning for her touch but knowing she couldn’t feel her fallen lover.

“I will always be here” Anisha said, leaning down and kissing Lehana. “Goodbye my love” she whispered as the spirits of the enchanted world disappeared into the now night sky. Gently glowing lights surrounding the group an ethereal glow illuminated the world as Faith’s soft voice echoed melodiously as she sang an ancient song of mourning, each person looking up into the sky as they said goodbye.


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Buffy walked up and down the halls as she made sure each girl was safe and sound in their rooms. Willow watched her from the end of the hall, waiting for Buffy to finish her inspection. She had seen the way Faith and Buffy acted towards each other, wondering what was going on between the slayer and the demon. Her thoughts were pushed aside as Buffy walked up to her, smiling sadly.

“The girls are all fine” she whispered quietly as they made their way to the infirmary.

“Buffy I still need to talk to you before you go down there” Willow said as Buffy paused at the stairs that lead to the tunnel leading to the infirmary.

“What?” Buffy asked curiously.

“When you were in Africa, more people showed up” Willow started as she tried to keep Buffy from descending the stairs. Buffy looked at her in frustration.

“Just tell me who is here Willow, it can’t be that bad that you are preventing me from checking on the rest of the girls” Buffy said sternly.

“Buffy it’s the LA crew with one little addition” Willow said as Buffy looked at her puzzled before pushing passed her and rushing down to the infirmary. Buffy stopped dead in her tracks as the group of people turned to look at her bandaged and tired. The figure on the bed they were sitting on looked up.

“Hello Slayer” Spike said, smiling at her shock.


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“Sir” a dirty worker fell to one knee if front of Ronwe. Ronwe sneered at him as the worker trembled before him.

“What do you want” Ronwe growled as he overlooked the workers still pounding away at the stone that the sword was stuck in.

“Sir there is a demon waiting for you in the main hall” the workers voice trembled in fear. Ronwe grunted at the worker and disappeared.

“It better be Hecate” Ronwe said as he entered the hall. The large demon turned around to face him, dropping to one knee out of respect.

“Any word on Nacon?” Ronwe asked forcefully. His frustration at how badly his plans were going evident as the room trembled from his power.

“He’s gone sir” the demon replied standing up.

“Ares I did not save your pitiful ass to just disappoint me. HOW HARD IS IT TO FIND ONE DEMON?” Ronwe screamed at him, causing Ares to flinch.

“I think that the Immortal found him” Ares responded looking to the floor.

“Her name is Amdis and she is a pathetic excuse for a noble demon” Ronwe stomped towards a wall that hung a tapestry portraying Amdis.

“Sir do you want me to take over Nacon’s watch of the slayer” Ares asked, falling to the ground as a burst of energy flew from Ronwe’s body.

“Did I make you to thing!” Ronwe stalked over to Ares as he knelt down, grabbing his hair pulling Ares closer to his face.

“Take over Nacon’s watch and don’t get caught” Ronwe growled as Ares nodded, disappearing from Ronwe’s grip. Ronwe stared at the empty floor below him, his eyes a deep red as his anger shook his entire body.


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“Spike? How?” Buffy asked as she slowly approached the bed. Fred was the first one to answer.

“Well that pendant thing that you used to close the Hellmouth captured his soul and when you sent it back to Angel it released it but he wasn’t corporeal and then a bunch of things happened and he became corporeal again and has been spending these last few months with us helping us with things” Fred took a deep breath, blushed and sat back down. Gunn just shook his head at her as Wesley stood up.

“Ah yes well that is how most of it went down. These last two months have been hard. First we got a visit from a very strange demon who asked for the deeds to the mansion” he was cut off by Buffy.

“I already know about that” she said as Spike raised an eyebrow at her.

“Really she contacted you to?” Wesley asked curiously.

“She has been helping us with many things” Buffy motioned for Wesley to continue with his story.

“Ah yes well after that things were fine until an even stranger demon came to Angel under the guise of wanting Angel’s help with things. After he left things went downhill” Wesley trailed off as the looked of sadness crossed the groups faces.

“He lost his soul” Buffy said calmly as Wesley looked at her in shock.

“Yes he did. We thought it was like the times before but it seems like his soul is permanently buried somewhere. Our magics were not able to find it. He disappeared from us after that, but not before sending every demon that the Firm represented after us. We were lucky to make it here alive” Wesley finished as Buffy sat down on the empty bed next to the group. “How did you know Angelus was back” Wesley asked.

“He attacked two of our slayer bases, one in Puerto Rico and one in Africa. The group in Puerto Rico was able to escape after one of the girls blew the entire base up but we lost over a hundred girls I Africa. Those girls you see over there are from Africa, the rest of the girls in here are the survivors from Puerto Rico” Buffy said quietly as she looked into Spike’s eyes sadly.

“How can the poof do that all by himself Buffy” he asked her as the rest of the group stood by quietly. Buffy took a big breath.

“It’s the End of Day” she answered.


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Faith was looking through the tomes she took from Ronwe’s study. “I know what you are up to you bastard but how to stop you?” she said aloud as she closed the book and put it aside. She looked at the one book she had yet to open yet. She ran a finger over the title as she whispered it out loud, “The Immortal and the Slayer”.

“You know even if you are an Immortal it still isn’t seen as good when you talk to yourself” came a voice from the doorway. Faith smiled and stood up, facing Buffy. Her smiled faltered as Buffy’s disjointed thoughts flooded her mind.

“What is the matter?” Faith asked quietly, walking over to Buffy. Buffy sighed at her.

“I’ll never be able to pull the wool over your eyes huh” Buffy said as she walked into the room and into Faith’s open arms. Buffy sighed as she felt Faith’s body underneath her clothes, her muscles rippling as she walked Buffy over to the couch.

“What is the matter?” Faith repeated herself as she sat down with Buffy looking her straight in the eye. The fire was casting warm shadows over Buffy’s face as her eyes started to glisten with tears.

“You knew Spike was alive” Buffy finally said as Faith took in an unneeded breath.

“Yes but it was not my place to tell you” She answered, afraid of what Buffy might say next. She refused to read her thoughts, wanting to hear what Buffy had to say. Buffy chuckled out a sob as the tears flowed down her face.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I thought I did love him but I don’t. I have feelings for someone else but with all the shit that is going down recently and the prophecies and the damn war I just don’t know anymore” Buffy started as she took in a shaky breath. Faith waited patiently for Buffy to collect her thoughts.

“I shouldn’t be having these feelings not now and I can’t help it” Buffy said as she met Faith’s eyes, relaxing at the soft look in the immortal’s eyes.

“Buffy” Faith replied as she wiped her tears from her face.

“Why can’t I fall for a human?” was all Buffy replied as she leant in, kissing Faith passionately. Faith immediately responded to Buffy’s soft lips, pulling her body closer to her as their tongues danced together, the soft glow of the fire causing the shadows to dance on the walls.


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A/n: Hey guys sorry it took like forever college is insane crazy...well actually my schedule is crazy everyone else gets to have a life...i'll try to update soon.

Title means Sorrow of the Heart