Timeline

Chapter 21

Gunn had put Fred onto the plane and strapped her in. The slayers had put the coffin in the hold and had taken their seats.Faith sat up front with the pilot.
"I can't fly this thing, but you try anything and I won't hesitate to throw you out without a 'chute, you get me" the threat was enough.
Willow sat next to Kennedy.Every now and again she looked over at Fred. She had alot of pent up guilt about earlier. She hadn't meant to get out of control and scare them. Part of her was glad , if she hadn't of done it, then she , they, wouldn't know that she had the power to save Fred. She leant her head back in the seat and stared out of the window.
Fred moaned and thrashed in her seat. Her hair had a blue hue to it, and her skin had paled and her veins were clearly seen. Freds eyes were like blue ice now. Gunn held a glass of water to her lips every now and again. Time was running out.Fast.
Faith came to the cockpit door and asked Gunn how she was doing . He didn't say anything and just shook his head.
Faith looked at Fred and back to Gunn.She glanced at her watch " Not long now"
Liam shuffled in his seat nervously " How do we get this down from the sky?"
Faith just shook her head and sat back in the cockpit. Liam looked at everyone waiting for an answer.It never came.
The sun had started to set and the view was amazing. The plane flew above the clouds where it was now dark , yet below, it was still daylight.The colours were spectacular. Liam had never seen anything so beautiful not that he would admit it to anyone.
The pilot announced that they would be landing and that everyone should put their lap belts on.Once they were strapped in the plane started it's descent.


Ireland


Giles , Wesley and Spike had made their way to the Wolfram and Hart hanger and had boarded the jet.
The jet taxied down the runway.After getting final clearance, it took off , it's destination , the Cotswolds.
" Don't you have a place in the Cotswolds ,Giles?"
"Yes , well , I do as it happens . I took Willow there for her convalescence after her 'breakdown'. It was close to the covern that helped Willow gain control of her powers"
Wesley received the file on his P.D.A and uploaded it .It had illustrations of Illyria and a picture of a stone temple supposed to belong to the demon god. The text told them about Illyria's followers and her history.
"Whats with the worried expression Wes" Spike asked
"It's the file from Lilah, seems Illyria may pose quite a large threat"
"We anticipate as much " Giles added
Wesley hooked his P.D.A up to the projector screen and flicked to the text relating to the demon god. " As you can see , the text is quite extensive and based on what I have read so far,it seems Illyria will be a formidable foe. Illyria is one of the legendary Old Ones, an original pure demon God from the Primordium Age who ruled territory that included modern-day California. She was one of the most feared of all the Old Ones and ruled from her citadel, Vahla ha'nesh, which corresponds to modern-day Los Angeles. However, Illyria was defeated and murdered by her many rivals.As depicted in an illustration of a statue of her in Vahla ha'nesh, Illyria was a sight to behold in her original form. If one assumes that the statue is life-size, she would be at least five times taller than an average human. Illyria had five tentacles on either side of her torso that she uses like arms, which are flexible and ambulatory to the point that she can clutch and operate weapons with them. She has two claw-like feet that allow her to perch, much like an eagle. The rest of Illyria's form is obscured by armor, but its humanoid shape suggests that her head and torso are in much the same configuration as a human's. Illyria was loved and feared as few of the Old Ones were, so much so that she still has followers and acolytes in the modern day - arguably millions of years after her reign. Her features as an Old One resemble much the ones of Lovecraft's Spawn of Chthulhu's.
When the Old Ones lost their claim over this world, Illyria's corpse was placed in a stone sarcophagus, her powers were drained and placed in jewels embedded on her coffin. Her sarcophagus was placed in a mystical graveyard known as the Deeper Well along with the coffins of other Old Ones. A warrior of good and his army were assigned to guard the Deeper Well to prevent anyone from extracting one of the coffins, as the Old Ones are capable of resurrection.
Before falling, Illyria planned her resurrection. She hid her temple in a different time plane, rendering it completely intangible, until she could return to open the gateway and enter it. Illyria's army was placed there as well, waiting to be raised once again by its leader. However, sometime in the passing centuries, the army was destroyed, leaving only dust in its place."

"So, good news" Spike said as he sank another small bottle of J.D.
Giles and Wesley glared at him and Spike just shrugged it off. He was never one to sit and brood over an upcoming fight , he would rather take each day as it came.
" We know what it means and I know how you feel Gunn , but if this demon takes over Fred, Fred won't exist anymore , she'll die". The tears that had threatened to fall now cascaded down Wesleys face , anger flowed as he spoke.He slumped into a chair sobbing.
Spike stood up and laid a hand on Wesley's shoulder. " It won't come to that , we're a powerful team. Everyone will fight and see to it that Fred survives this thing" He sounded sincere, he nearly convinced himself.
"We will be landing soon , best sit down Spike " Giles said.
Sure enough the warning lights came on and the pilot came over the speaker asking them to put the lap belts on .
The jetlanded and pulled into a hanger and the jets door opened.


Faith, Liam , Willow and the potentials stood in the hanger waiting for their arrival . As the jet's door opened Faith stepped forward.A limo was waiting to the side of the hanger with the doors open.A van was beside it waiting with the engine running.
"Faith" Wesley said
"Guy's " pleasantries over Faith continued as they all walked to the vehicles. " Cars juiced ready to go , we don't have time for formalities so , Willows gonna do the mojo once we get there, the coffins in the van , Liam's coming in place of Angel. The potentials are back up .You guys can aid Willow, and this is strict , you keep back from the front line , I don't want any civillians dead on my watch. We're not sure if we will encounter any unfriendlies once we're there so make sure your armed.Any questions?"
Giles, Wes and Spike shook their heads.
" Well , I do , anyone know where the hell this deeper well is?"
Spike sniggered, then noticed the evil glares he was getting.
"It's near a village called The Slaughters"
"Aptly named " Faith said " Lets go"
They all got into the limo and headed off to the deeper well.

Deeper well.


The limo and van pulled up along side each other . Both Wesley and Giles agreed that this was the place. The group looked out of the car windows across a wooded area.Mist hung close to the ground and the moon lit the wood making it look eerie.
"You'll have to pull off the road once we're all out" Giles told the driver.
Everyone piled out of the limo and van. Gunn and Liam took the sarcphegus out of the van and placed it on their shoulders .Wesley picked Fred up and carried her .It was a sombre sight. Faith and the potentials followed the men into the wood.
"Thought this thing was a well , cos I'm not seeing one" one of the potentials said
"It is, but it's hidden " Giles told them
"So how do we know when we get to it?"
"Lilah said we have to look for a tree that looks like it has a door in the trunk" he replied.
"Sounds very Alice in Wonderland" Faith said.
Nobody said anything else , They were all looking for the strange tree.Finally they saw it and quickened their pace.
Fred started to squirm in Wesley's arms. She bucked and wriggled, groaning in pain. Wesley had to put her down as she struggled against him.
Gunn put his end of the coffin down and ran back to Fred.
"You bring me here to be rid of me" a rasping sound now came from Freds throat.
"Fred , Fred , look at me . Don't do this to me, you gotta stay with me and fight it Fred". Gunn told her.
"Charles? The pain is less now. The burning has stopped." She gasped for air. " Tell my parents I did something brave, don't tell them this" she drew in another harsh breath. "Gunn .... why can't I stay"
"Fred!" tears ran down his face and dropped on her cheeks, instantly turning to ice.
He picked her up and ran to the tree. As he entered the door it opened up into a large cavern. He put her down and turned to see Wesley and Liam close behind him with the coffin. The rest of the group came in shortly afterwards.
Gunn looked down at Fred. She blinked and breathed. Good signs , she was still alive, barely.
A large man stepped out of the shadows.
"You have returned the demon God Illyria, but I fear you may not have done this in time"
"Who are you " Wesley asked
"Firstly , you cannot ask me any questions "
Liam , who was not one of the brightest had to say it " Why the bloody hell not?"
The man shot him a glare before answering.
"It is a rule of the deeper well.Anymore questions may result in death"
"Not making this easier for us are you" Spike said , realising what he had said, he held his hands up and said " That was a statement"
Willow came forwards " I'm here to banish Illyria from our friend and return her to your charge"
"I know , I knew this would day would come. My fear is that you have left it to late and your friend will still perish. I am Drogyn the Battlebrand."
Gunn was holding Fred in his arms again. "I'm not going to ask you anything , I'm telling you , if you know how to stop this, tell us"
"You have courage my friends. Illyria's transformation is almost complete. It is good that you have bought the sarcophegus with you ,you have saved many lives. The life of your friend may have been lost. Illyria must hollow out the body it chooses, destroying the soul as it does so.I prey you are not to late. I cannot assist you ,I am only here to take care of the well and it's charges" Drogyn said.
"How did this coffin get out , through a back door without you noticing?" Spike said
Drogyn glared and a ball of energy hit Spike square in the chest.Spike vamped out and growled.
"I warned you vampire. My charges are many as you can see" .He leaned over the edge of the cavern.
The group looked and were amazed.
"It goes through the centre of the earth and out the other side. There is someone guarding there too"
" You can tell us if banishing Illyria will save our friend now"
"No. You are too late"
Gunn pulled Fred tighter into his chest and kissed her face. She was cold and lifeless in his arms.
"The transformation is complete" Drogyn said.
Gunn out Fred down , placing his jacket under her head.He grabbed Drogyns shirt front and hung him over the edge of the canyon.
"This IS a question and you Will answer me! If we do a spell and draw the son of a bitch outta her will Fred live and will the demon stay here and If I was you I wouldn't hit me with that fireball shit or you'll die"
"The woman you care about has gone. Her soul was burned , consumed by Illyria , her body has been hollowed to allow Illyria to live within it"
The group were all in tears, Willow was standing over Fred, her hands held over her body. Willow glowed pure white .She chanted quietly and she sprinkled a powder over Fred.
Fred's body shook and twisted violently. Everyone stared in awe at Willows power. Gunn pulled the man back from the edge and walked over to Willow.Giles ushered him away.
"Best stand here, let Willow do her magic"he told him.
Willow chanted louder . She glowed so brightly that she lit the whole cavern. She threw more powder onto her and Fred twitched and bucked, lifting clear of the floor.Willow slowly levitated and her head tilted back, the chant growing louder. Fred's hair turned a darker blue and her skin took on a greyish blue colour.Her eyes froze.
Gunn paced back and forth, tears were streaming from his eyes . Liam lifted his sword.
Fred leapt up and staggered.Willow fell to the floor crying.
"You did it !" Gunn ran to Fred, He looked into her eyes and stopped dead in his tracks. "No! No!No! Gunn sank to his knees.

Illyria.

Illyria looked at her arms and body. She stretched and twisted. Finally she clicked her neck from side to side.
"This will do"
She turned to the guard of the well . He backed off slowly. "You kept me here for eons . Took care of the tomb"
He nodded.
"Then I have you to thank for my return?"
He shook his head.
Illyria shot her arm out slowly and the man flew through the air , hit the wall and crumpled in a broken heap on the floor.
Illyria turned to the rest of the group. "Who bought me here?"
Nobody dared to step up .Finally Gunn stood up "Me"
Illyria pulled him to her and sniffed him and looked him up and down. Finally she grimmaced.
"Your human"
"Yeah"
"Your kind crawl like rodents across the skin of the earth"
She let him go and looked at the rest of the group. Her movements were clumsy.
Liam raised the sword and went in for an attack. Illyria didn't flinch. The sword broke as it hit her chest, sending Liam to the floor face first.
"Why the ..." He was cut off by Illyria's foot to his gut. He slid across the floor .
Illyria sniffed Spike and circled him
"You look human like the stupid warrior" she looked at Liam " You have a soul like it too, but you are not human"
"No I'm not "
"You are lower than the humans half breed"
Spike laughed .
"You show amusement, why?"
"Your a demon trapped in a human body just like me " Spike replied
"I am Illyria , Demon God of the Primordium, Ruler of Vahla ha'nesh . Do not insult me vampire." she threw her hand forward and Spike hot the wall and fell next to Liam.
" Bugger me , it's like being hit by a truck" he groaned . Giles helped Spike to his feet.
Illyria walked over to Gunn.
"Illyria" he choked out.
"My name..."she approaches him angrily"You would presume to speak my name..."
Gunn backed away slowly as she approaches
"Because I have returned in the body of the human, you think you can speak to me. It's disgusting.I thought the humans would have long died out by now."
She looked Gunn up and down
"Instead, you've grown bold."
"Who is Winifred Burkle?" tears still poured from his eyes.
Illyria ignored his question.
"So you don't know who Fred is."
"Nor care. Bleat at me no longer. We're done." Illyria rolled her eyes and turned to walk away.
"Yes..." Gunn bent down and picked up a battle-axe ." We are." He swung it at Illyria's neck.
The blade shattered with a loud, metallic clank when it made contact with Illyria's skin; she didn't even flinch.
"Now I remember." Illyria looked at her body "Winifred Burkle is the shell "
"She's the woman you killed." Gunn snapped back
Illyria turned and faced Gunn "This is grief. I'm watching human grief. It's like offal in my mouth."

Wesley walked forwards and stood by Gunn's side .He looked up at her, his eyes widening with hope .
"If you stay here, you'll taste it every day, every second.Humans rule the Earth."
Illyria looked at the group.
"They will last for millennia... like roaches crawling everywhere." Wesley moved to stand behind her, whispering in her ear. "Crying and sweating and puking their feelings all over you."
Illyria hung her head.
"Go back. Sleep until the humans are gone. They are stupid and weak. They'll kill each other off and you can return to the world you deserve."Wesley held his hand to her shoulder, nearly touching it
"Leave this shell."
Illyria turned on him with a start." You seek to save what's rotted through. This carcass is bound to me. I could not change that if I cared to, but you have opened my eyes to truth. If the world is truly overrun by humans..." She put her hand on Wes's chest and effortlessly thrusts him across the cavern, into a wall. "Then I have work to do."
Illyria walked over to her sarcophegus and ripped her clothing off. She slammed her hand down onto the sarcophegus .A thick, rubbery substance begins to crawl ,slowly covering her ,starting from the hand where she's touching the sarcophagus and creeping across the rest of her body. Eventually, she's completely covered in something approximating a body suit." I'm ready to begin"
Illyria held her arm out straight and waved her hand slowly in front of her.The air around her shimmers and swirls like water.Illyria stepped into the centre of the vortex and disappeared.Gunn ran in after her .The vortex closed behind him.
"That's just great" Spike said as he got up
Liam lifted his head off the floor and shook it . Giles took off his glasses and cleaned them , the potentials lowered their weapons and slumped to the floor .Willow still sat on the floor crying , utterly defeated.
"I tried , I tried my best, but she was hollow ,there was nothing there. All I could feel was the cold" Willow choked out.
Nobody said anything. What was there to say? Wesley sat beside Spike . He repeatedly hit his head back against the cavern wall.
"There must be a way of capturing Illyria and getting Fred back , there has to be more we can do"
Again everyone remained silent.
"That , that , thing , broke my sword and it didn't even blink an eye" Liam said " How do we defeat it when no weapon even breaks it's skin?"
"I think it best we let Angel know " Wesley said , trying to ignore the truth Liam had just aired.


Illyria and Gunn walked forward and out through the vortex.
"Where are we?" Gunn asked.
Illyria ignores him and continues into her temple.
"Why are you doing this , you know we will stop you , that's what we do" Gunn shouted after her.
"You're too late. My army will rise. This world will be mine once again." she arrives at the entrance of the temple, only to see her statue has been toppled and her army is dead. "No!"
Illyria looks around her temple. The columns are broken. The place is silent as a grave. Her temple is in a state of complete ruin.
Gunn stood and watched the demon god.
"It can't be."Illyria fell to the floor panting, crushed by the scene before her. "It's gone." She picks up the decayed dust."My world is gone."
Gunn walked closer to Illyria and wiped his face with his hands . He points his gun at her head " Now you know how I feel"
Illyria looked up at Gunn, wide-eyed. A low sound reverberates nearby, and Gunn turns to see a vortex has opened up behind him. He looks back at where Illyria was kneeling and sees she's gone. He looks at her toppled statue and walks out of the vortex.
As Gunn steps out of the vortex , he see's the group looking confused and dumbfounded.
"Where did Fred .... I mean Illyria go"
"We don't know , she came through the vortex and then she had gone" Faith said "All I saw was a blur"
Gunn looked at the floor where Fred had laid and sniffed "Think it's time we went home" he walked out of the Deeper well. The others followed after him.
Giles called for the limo and van.Faith and Liam picked up the sarcophegus.
"Don't you think that thing should stay here , I reckon it's done all the damage it can" Spike said."Boss might want it and who knows, it might hold some clues" Faith answered.
They all got in the vehicles and headed for the jet and the flight back to Ireland.