The Descent to Avernus: Part 5
by Gaius Petronius
DISCLAIMER: See Prologue.
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Part Five
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ACT 3, Scene 1. INT. The Library, night at the same time.
Buffy, Angel, Willow and Oz stare at the pile of "supplies" on the research table. Buffy shakes her head in disgust.
ANGEL
(to Buffy)
You know, we might need some of this stuff. Cordelia, turn around and let me see what I can get into your pack.
Angel unzips the day pack Cordelia is wearing and begins putting in some of the items from the table. Willow, who has finished her candy bar, licks her fingers.
WILLOW
(her mouth still full, to Cordelia)
Mmm, that was good. How about another one later?
CORDELIA
(daintily licking her fingertips)
Yeah.
Suddenly the door to the Library swings open. Standing against the backdrop of the darkened hallway is Anson MacDuffie. He is dressed as he was that morning but with one addition. Hanging in a heavy leather belt at his side is an enormous sword, a Scottish claymore, its handle emblazoned with gold, gems and semi-precious stones.
WILLOW
(excited)
Mr. MacDuffie!
Willow spots the ominous form of the sword.
WILLOW (cont'd)
... oh...
MACDUFFIE
(to Buffy and Willow)
Hello, Lassies.
BUFFY
Mr. MacDuffie...
MACDUFFIE
(interrupting)
We have little time. Faith's not here yet?
ANGEL
Any minute now.
MACDUFFIE
(to Oz)
Could you go retrieve Mr. Harris. He's floundering around the beverage machine.
OZ
(rolling his eyes)
Right!
Oz runs out the library door. As he does, Faith bursts in, pushing Ethan Rayne in front of her.
FAITH
(to Ethan)
Geez, will you quit yer moaning!
ETHAN
(gazing around the room)
Oh, hello all! Party time? Who's got the Guinness?
FAITH
Shut up!
MACDUFFIE
(to Faith)
Keep him back. The rest of you gather around the table. Miss Willow, you have the Necropolis Text and the stone you mentioned?
WILLOW
The text is in the office.
BUFFY
I'll get it!
Buffy runs into the office, retrieves the manuscript off of Giles' desk and returns to the group. She hands it to MacDuffie. He sets the scroll, unopened, upon the table.
MACDUFFIE
And now... the stone, Miss Willow.
Willow pulls out of her pocket the old worn piece of cloth that encompasses the stone. She passes it to MacDuffie who unties the frayed twine holding it together. He takes out the stone and examines it, paying special attention to the fragmentary ancient Hebrew letter on its cracked edge. Ethan leans forward, eyeing the stone MacDuffie is holding.
MACDUFFIE
This may truly be it.
BUFFY
What do you think it is, Mr. MacDuffie?
MACDUFFIE
Dr. Furtwangler was probably right. It's a fragment of the first destroyed tablets of the Laws brought down from the mountain to the wandering tribes of Israel.
WILLOW
(with awe)
Then, it would have been... "touched by the finger of God"...
MACDUFFIE
Yes. In the Creation, all realms and the forces that rule them were assigned their appointed place hence establishing the great balance of the universe. The Ruler of the Kingdom of Death has only one power beyond His realm, the power to receive the dead. He attempts to overturn the balance by expanding his realm. "This" (MacDuffie holds up the stone) cast before Him by you, Buffy, will release Giles and overturn the advances He has made for the past three centuries.
BUFFY
(fearfully)
... and that's why all of this... our world could change...
MACDUFFIE
Aye, lass. What new world will come once His evil influence is turned back, once the original balance is restored... none may tell...
MacDuffie holds up the stone again.
MACDUFFIE
I pray this is the key.
BUFFY
You don't sound so sure of that.
MACDUFFIE
The text is corrupt at that point, even in the original heiroglyphic version of the High Priests and Priestesses of Osiris and Isis. It speaks only that the balance my be maintained by that "touched by the finger of the Great Creation." And even that is not clear.
BUFFY
But I don't understand?
MACDUFFIE
Lass, what we seek could be anything. You and Willow have been studying Martel's "De Rerum Naturum." Doesn't he tell you that nothing since the beginning has been either created or destroyed, but only changed?
Buffy stares at MacDuffie, not following what he is saying.
MACDUFFIE (cont'd)
And all things around us... trees, flowers, the winds,... you and I... even the dust beneath our feet... was it not at one time all one in the beginning all... born out of the Great Creative Force... touched by the "finger of God" if you will?
Buffy ponders what MacDuffie has just said.
CUT TO INT. The hallway in Sunnydale High by the soda machine. Night at the same time.
Xander is trying to pour an open can of Dr. Pepper into one of the canteens. Oz has the other and is filling it up at the drinking fountain. Oz finishes and tries to get Xander to come back to the Library.
OZ
Geez, come on man. Water's good enough.
XANDER
Hang on. Almost got it here.
The Dr. Pepper foams up out of the canteen.
OZ
Screw it, Xander! Nobody's gonna want it anyway. You ever taste warm, flat Dr. Pepper?
A LOUD CRASH, like the smashing of glass, echoes down the hallway, followed by the SOUND OF BOOTS ON LINOLEUM heading towards them. Xander and Oz look up from their canteens. A group of vampires runs by the hallway junction in the distance. They are lost and don't know the way to the Library.
OZ (cont'd)
Shit! Game's over!
He and Xander run for the Library. The vampires spot their movement in the darkened hallway and give chase.
CROSS CUT BACK TO THE LIBRARY
Oz and Xander burst through the door.
XANDER
They're right behind us!
Buffy and Angel spin around and take a defensive stance to protect the others. MacDuffie grabs Willow's hand and places the stone in it.
MACDUFFIE
Protect it! At all costs!
WILLOW
What do we do!?
MACDUFFIE
Your jouney begins now, Lass!
WILLOW
What?!
MacDuffie turns to face the library door. He pushes past Buffy and Angel and draws his sword. In a sweeping motion he aims it at the doorway.
MACDUFFIE
(shouting at the Library door)
Claude! Iubeo te!
(Be sealed, I command you!)
POUNDING erupts from the library door as a crowd of vampires, trying to break down the barrier, amass on the other side.
MACDUFFIE (cont'd)
All of you get back! I can hold the door for only a few moments more! You must leave now! I will keep them at bay so they cannot follow.
CORDELIA
How the Hell do we get outta here?!
MacDuffie spins to face an empty wall. He quickly scoops the Necropolis Text off the table and points his sword at the vacant spot in the room.
MACDUFFIE
Hrakra g'nartok valla tasrah! Hrakra!
XANDER
What the hell's he saying?
OZ
I don't know! Sounds like Klingon!
The vacant wall at the tip of MacDuffie's sword begins to glow and shimmer. All at once, a void opens up. A darkness pours forth as if beconing the group to enter.
MACDUFFIE
(to the group)
Go! Now! I cannot follow!
WILLOW
No, Mr. MacDuffie! You've got to come with us!
MACDUFFIE
I am a Guardian! I must seal this way so that none may follow! GO! NOW!
The beating on the door becomes more violent. Splinters and cracks appear in the wood frame. The small glass windows in the door shatter sending shards flying across the library floor.
BUFFY
But how do we find the way! What do we do?
MACDUFFIE
Look to your heart! It will lead you! GO!
ANGEL
Come on, Buffy!
Angel and Buffy step into the void and vanish. Faith pushes Ethan into the void and then turns to Cordelia.
FAITH
(to Cordelia)
Keep an eye on that bastard! I'm staying!
Cordelia and Xander follow Ethan into the void. As they dissolve into the darkness, Cordelia's pith helmet topples off the back of her head and falls to the floor. The door buckles as MacDuffie's restraining spell begins to collapse.
MACDUFFIE
(urgently to Faith)
Miss Faith! Follow Buffy! Your destiny does not lie here! Clear the way for her so that she can see what she must do.
FAITH
You gonna be okay?
MACDUFFIE
I enjoy a good brawl, Lass, don't you!
FAITH
Yeah, cool! Take care of yourself.
Faith steps into the void and vanishes. Only Willow won't budge from her spot at MacDuffie's side. Oz tries to get her to follow the others.
OZ
Come on Will, we gotta move it!
WILLOW
No! Mr. MacDuffie! NO!
MACDUFFIE
Go, Lassie, now!
WILLOW
(starting to cry)
But you're gonna be killed!
MACDUFFIE
(gently)
No, Miss Willow. When you succeed, as I know you will, and all this is changed, stop by the shop and I'll have a pot of fresh chamomile tea waiting for us to share.... Farewell.
Impulsively, Willow grabs MacDuffie and plants a quick kiss on his cheek.
WILLOW
(through her tears)
No! Not farewell, then. Auf wiedersehen!
MACDUFFIE
(looking directly at Willow)
Aye, my Bonnie Lassie. They're good words for parting. "Until we meet again!" (to Oz) Stand by her side always! Defend her, Lad! GO!
Oz drags Willow towards the void. She still will not enter. Suddenly the Library door gives away and a dozen vampires, followed by Trick and the Mayor, pour into the room. The Mayor stops and grins at MacDuffie.
MAYOR
Well, hi there! Fancy steel you're packing I see.
MACDUFFIE
Come No Further! I am Anson, Twenty-third Laird of the Clan Mac du Fie! Guardian of the Watchers and of the Gates of Dawn! None may pass!
MAYOR
Impressive titles. Any salary increase come with those.
OZ
(pulling on Willow's arm)
Come on, Will, NOW!
Suddenly, three vampires move forward, launching an attack against MacDuffie. With an almost invisible sweep, MacDuffie's sword flies in his hands, decapitating his attackers. The vampire bodies drop to the floor and burst into dust.
MACDUFFIE
None Will Come Further! (to Willow behind him) Go Lassie! I must close the Gate!
Oz finally yanks Willow into the darkness of the void. As she disappears she screams.
WILLOW
Mr. MacDuffie! NO!
At the same time, MacDuffie casts the Necropolis Text to the floor and touches the tip of his sword to the dry parchment. It immediately bursts into flames. The gateway into the void where Buffy and the others fled vanishes. In a few more seconds, the Necropolis Text is fully consumed.
MAYOR
(to MacDuffie)
Aw shit! Now you've gone and screwed everything up good. I was actually looking forward to even getting you on my team. I need a cultural liason, you know with all the ethnic communities. It's a growing field. Would have been a great opportunity for you. Oh well.
MacDuffie smiles at the Mayor and firmly plants the point of his sword in the floor in front of him. The Mayor makes a wave of his hand and all the vampires surge forward towards MacDuffie.
CUT TO BLACK
ACT 3, SCENE 2 EXT. - Before the Gates of Hell.
All around, a dark stunted forest looms. The trees are leafless and the branches contorted in fantastic angles. A breeze blows and clouds of mist sweep by alternatly obscuring and revealing the path leading forward to a clearing where a deep cavern opens like the jaws of an ancient evil. The mouth of the cavern is surmounted by a towering archway of stones and an inscription. Near the entrance and close on to the path, the ground drops off in a sheer descent of over one hundred feet. At the base of the rock face, a lake, inky black and bubbling with the tell tale signs of volcanism just below its surface, sends up billowing clouds of steam to join the mists that swirl through the forest and across the path.
Buffy, Willow, Angel, Faith, Xander, Cordelia, Oz and Ethan weave their way out of the blackness of the void and into the forest. They stop together as a group before the clearing where the path leads to the cavern's gaping black mouth. None of them move but stare silently before them. Finally Oz breaks the silence.
OZ
What is this place?
ANGEL
(fearful)
... Avernus...
BUFFY
... where we have to go...
WILLOW
(quietly, remembering the lines from Dante that Buffy showed her)
"In the midway of this our mortal life,
I found me in a gloomy wood, astray
Gone from the direct path..."
(to Buffy) ... so it *is* real...
BUFFY
(quietly to Willow)
I knew it was. I knew it all the time.
CORDELIA
(wanting to protest but not knowing what to say)
Uhh... guys...
Cordelia looks at Xander for some kind of support. He just shakes his head and sighs.
ETHAN
(in a confidential tone to Cordelia)
I'm with you.
CORDELIA
(furious that her only support comes from Ethan Rayne)
Shut Up! If I want your opinion I'll kick you between the legs!
Ethan rolls his eyes and says nothing. The entire group stands for a few minutes more. A cloud of mist with a yellowish tinge sweeps by them. They all crinkle their noses at the acrid stench. Willow rubs her watering eyes.
OZ
Whew! Oh man!
WILLOW
(rubbing her eyes)
Eeewww!
Even Angel shakes his head at the rotten egg smell. Cordelia looks accusingly at Xander.
XANDER
(to Cordelia)
Hey! Why the hell's it always gotta be me!? (indicating Ethan) He's the bad guy. He probably did it!
ETHAN
(grinning, taunting Xander and Cordelia)
And I cover my scones with garlic prune marmalade and sip red cabbage tea when I plan to have company over!
BUFFY
Shut Up!
Ethan smirks at having made everyone even more on edge.
ANGEL
(after a pause)
... sulphur...
FAITH
Smells familiar, huh.
All start to move forward, but Buffy suddenly grabs Angel's arm holding him back. The others stop as well.
BUFFY
(listening)
Wait...
ANGEL
What is it?
Buffy doesn't answer him. Somewhere among the boulders on the slope above the path, pebbles start rolling down. Buffy and Angel look up in time to see two large demons, each over seven feet tall, leap down into the middle of the group. In a carefully planned assault, each demon swings their scaly arms, quickly taking out the weakest of the group. Willow screams as both she and Cordelia are struck to the ground and have the wind knocked out of them. One demon grabs Xander by the collar and tosses him against Ethan who has turned and is about to run off into the forest. Both collapse in a pile on the gravel path
Buffy and Angel, joined by Faith and Oz try to mount some kind of defense, but the demons move too quickly, even tossing the two Slayers wildly about each time they try to attack. Angel lands blow after blow against one demon but to no effect. The demon reaches out and grabs Angel by the neck, attempting to twist it. Oz swings a large fallen branch across the demon's arm, breaking its grip. The demon strikes Oz with a backhanded sweep of its free arm, sending Oz tumbling into the edge of the woods.
OZ
(shaking his head as he tries to stagger to his feet)
Shit! Where the hell's your evil twin when you need him!
The larger of the two demons, with yellow eyes and dripping fangs, grabs Buffy by the arm as she attempts to attack once more. It twists her to the ground, holding her flat with one huge foot. Before the others can come to her rescue, the demon bends down and is about to seize her head in its other massive hand, a move that would quickly break her neck and tear her head from her body.
All at once, a third creature leaps down out of the boulders from above. Unlike the first two, it is short, only about five and a half feet tall and in the shape of a small dragon. It lands on the back of the demon holding Buffy and sinks both claws and teeth into the creature's neck and shoulders. The demon rises up bellowing, releases Buffy, and with a violent twist shakes loose its attacker. Freed, Buffy scrambles away. The dragon, thrown across the path, quickly regains its footing and immediatly tears into the demon which has backed Angel up against the rock face. Claws and teeth flash and its powerful tail flails the demon over and over across the face, sending it realing backwards.
Both demons momentarily break off their assault and back down the path towards the cavern mouth. Buffy and Angel, joined by Faith and the others, cluster in defense at the point where the path comes out of the forest into the clearing. About a dozen yards in front of them, the small dragon stands defiantly in the center of the path facing the demons. It's tail thrashes back and forth stirring up the gravel and dust on the path.
BUFFY
(yelling at the group behind her)
Is everybody okay?!
XANDER
(to Willow who is still down on the ground)
Willow?! (shouted back to Buffy) Buffy! Willow's not doing so hot!
ANGEL
Get her up! We gotta be ready to move fast!
Xander and Oz hoist Willow to her feet. Woozy, she drapes her arms over their shoulders for support. As if on a given signal, the two large demons leap forward and drag the small dragon to the ground. It struggles wildly but the power of the two demons together is too much and it cannot regain its feet. One demon lashes its claws fiercely across the dragon's face. Blood pours down the gouge wounds. Ethan Rayne yells at the rest of the group.
ETHAN
(quickly, in a panic)
What are we waiting for? We've got our break! Let's get outta here!
Faith is transfixed by the battle in front of them. With each passing second it looks like the small dragon will not be able to hold its own much longer. Buffy and Angel start backing away as if they are about to take up Ethan's suggestion
FAITH
NO!
BUFFY
(stopping, to Faith)
What is it?
FAITH
"B," we gotta help the little one!
BUFFY
Huh!?
ETHAN
My dear, dear Slayers, it's called beating a strategic retreat and there's nothing dishonorable in it! In fact I consider myself quite an expert on the tactic and...
BUFFY
SHUT HIM UP!
Cordelia, who has regained her feet, quickly gives Ethan a knee to the groin.
ETHAN
(doubling over)
Awwww!
CORDELIA
(with malicious pleasure)
You were warned.
FAITH
(to Buffy)
"B," we all gang up on the one on the left!
Without waiting for Buffy's reply, Faith runs down the path towards the battle.
BUFFY
FAITH!
ANGEL
(to Buffy)
She's dead by herself! Come on!
Angel, followed by Buffy, race down the path after Faith. All three attack the demon on the left, dragging it off and away from the struggle. Faith and Angel restrain its arms while Buffy throws punch after punch and kick after kick, over and over at the demon's midsection. It struggles wildly, swinging to and fro, dragging itself along with Angel and Faith, to the edge of the path that drops off down the cliff to the boiling lake below.
Freed of one of its attackers, the small dragon swings it's clawed feet up against the soft underside of the other demon. It flails away and the demon backs off, its front bloodied but just in time before the razor sharp claws can disembowel it.
The demon battling Buffy suddenly pulls one arm free from Faith's grasp. It swings its fist backhanded against Angel, sending him flying down the path. Buffy backs away. The demon turns on Faith, seizing her by the shoulder and throwing her to the ground. As it did with Buffy earlier, it places one giant foot on Faith's chest. The other foot rests on an unsteady flat rock near the edge of the precipice on the path. It reaches its clawed hands high over its head and is about bring them down to tear Faith apart when Willow, still dangling in Oz and Xander's arms, comes to and sees what is about to happen.
Her eyes wide, she raises one hand out in front of her and makes a sideways motion with her palm as she did in school directing one of the floating pencils. Beneath the demon, the rock suddenly shifts of its own accord, causing the creature to lose its balance. Sensing a life or death opportunity, Faith shoves its foot upwards with her arms, sending the demon toppling backwards off the path and over the edge of the precipice, down to the boiling lake below.
Its hideous SCREAMS ECHO from off the boulders and rocks and back out of the cavern mouth. As its body plunges down the stone face, it disappears in a cloud of mist that has circled up from the black lake. A moment later there is a SPLASH and the SOUND OF BUBBLING from the boiling waters. Faith jumps to her feet.
Now the tables are turned, and the little dragon leaps forward at its larger tormentor. It slashes wildly with its claws striking the demon's face over and over. Clearly bested, the demon pulls back from the fight and runs down the path to disappear into the darkness of the cavern entrance. The small dragon stands facing towards where the demon fled and, panting heavily, does not move.
ETHAN
(under his breath to the others)
Let's get out of here... now!
Cordelia glares at him. At the same time, Faith cannot take her eyes off the small dragon standing about twenty feet down the path in front of her. She slowly starts walking towards it.
ANGEL
Faith! Get away from it!
BUFFY
No, Faith, don't! We don't know what it is!
XANDER
What the Hell is she doing?
CORDELIA
(quietly, sensing something the others can't)
Shut up, Xander.
Faith pays no attention to the shouts from Angel and Buffy. As the mists shift across the path, she walks up behind the creature. It gradually turns to look at her, its face cut and bloodied. For a moment, Faith gazes into its large blue eyes. Then, as if trying to hide the ugliness of its face, the dragon hangs its head, covers its snout with its paws and turns away. Faith quickly reaches out and touches the creature reassuringly. She pulls one paw down from its face and gently strokes the bloodied forehead. Further up the path, Buffy stands watching, her mouth open. None of the others speak but only stare in amazement.
A sad smile spreads across Faith's face as she softly caresses the dragon's injuries. Its blood stains the tips of her fingers. The faintest hint of a tear builds up at the corner of her eye.
FAITH
(almost inaudible)
... hey... ya little twerp...
A sudden mist sweeps down off the hillside above and swirls across the path, blocking off the view of Faith and the dragon from the others. It passes by in a moment, and when it is gone, Faith is now standing beside a human figure no taller than she. It is Scott. He is grey with the cast of death, beaten and bleeding from the battle and his head hanging. Buffy cannot take her eyes off what she is seeing.
BUFFY
... oh... my... God!
OZ
(quietly)
... holy shit...
Buffy breaks away from the group and runs down the path. Slowly the others walk through the drifting fog down to where Scott and Faith are standing.
FAITH
(quietly to Scott)
... good moves, kid. Thanks for bailing us... (smiling) you look like Hell, though.
SCOTT
(grinning slightly)
I feel like Hell.
Buffy reaches Faith and Scott first and stares at him. Slowly, the others gather around them.
BUFFY
(whispered)
Scott?
SCOTT
... Hi, Buffy...
BUFFY
Scott, I...
She can't finish her sentence. Quickly she wraps her arms around him and hugs him as tight as she can.
SCOTT
(wincing from the injuries)
... Buffy, ow, ow, ow, ow....
BUFFY
(letting him go)
Oh, sorry.
She puts her arms around him again, slowly this time, gently hugging him.
BUFFY
(whispered in his ear so only he can hear)
I never thought I'd see you again... I'm sorry. ... I'm so sorry... Please forgive me.
SCOTT
(whispered back)
It's okay... I'm okay... as long as you're all right, I'll be fine.
BUFFY
(looking at his bleeding face)
Oh shit! Cordelia, you got any bandages in that Gucci safari kit of yours?
Cordelia starts rummaging in the small pack she brought and pulls out some rolled gauze, but Scott interrupts her.
SCOTT
It's all right. It doesn't make any difference... down here. Nothing heals... and the pain never goes away.
BUFFY
I don't care!
Buffy snatches the bandages out of Cordelia's hands and starts trying to wrap up Scott's head wound. She's not very good at it.
CORDELIA
Here, let me give you a hand.
Cordelia finishes the wrapping job. It is tight and tidy. She stands back to admire her work.
CORDELIA (cont'd)
There... you're as good as new... (she looks Scott up and down)... well sort of.
SCOTT
(protesting)
It doesn't matter down here.
BUFFY
Yes it does... (then quietly) it does to me.
Scott spots Ethan Rayne who has been hovering at the back of the group, all the while looking around for an opportunity to make a break for it back to the forest.
SCOTT
(coldly)
What's he doing here?
ANGEL
We need him. He knows some of the spells to help us find Giles.
SCOTT
(glaring at Ethan)
He knows nothing. He's like everything down here, ... a lie.
Scott's gaze at Ethan becomes hypnotic. His blue eyes intensify and his jaw becomes set.
ETHAN
(nervously)
Now, now, Rarak... we mustn't lose our temper here. We've had a lot of misunderstandings in the past but I'm willing to forget all that. We can start fresh...
SCOTT
(quietly)
Shut... him... up.
Cordelia knees Ethan in the groin again. Ethan doubles up.
CORDELIA
(to Ethan)
You don't learn, do you.
SCOTT
(to Ethan)
I know what you're going to do... even before you do yourself. (to Angel and Buffy) Keep an eye on him, big time. I can see it. He'll betray us all.
Angel and Buffy glare at Ethan who is still trying to recover from his latest run in with Cordelia.
SCOTT (cont'd)
(solemnly, turning to the cavern)
We'd better go.
Scott walks away from the group towards the black entrance. The others don't move, watching Scott in amazement. He stops and turns to look back at them.
BUFFY
But...
SCOTT
I'll lead you. I know the way.
WILLOW
(wistfully, with understanding)
Then, you're *our* Guide. (to Buffy) Just like in the book, Buffy.
BUFFY
(nodding)
... yeah...
ANGEL
(to Scott)
When I was imprisoned here... the only thing I remember... was a voice that came and whispered not to give up hope... I never recognized that voice... until now.
SCOTT
(to Angel)
We'd better go. I can see now... my darkness is coming fast. I don't have much more time.
All the Scooby Gang begin following Scott. As they reach the stone archway over the cavern entrance, Xander glances up at the Latin inscription that seems to lear down at them.
Xander
Uh, guys... what does that thing say? I betcha it isn't "remember to write home to Mother."
WILLOW
(reading fearfully)
"Abandon Hope, all ye who enter here."
Angel stops and gazes ahead, his subconscious unwilling to re-enter the place of his torment. The others halt and Buffy takes Angel's arm, silently trying to encourage him forward. Scott looks back at them once more.
SCOTT
(quietly)
Don't be afraid. (looking up at the inscription) The Gates lie. Everything down here is a lie.... He's the Prince of Lies. Don't believe anything He tells you. He'll use your fears and pains to divide and defeat you. ... I... I can't help you past here, I can only lead you. Beyond the Gates,... He commands me.
FAITH
(walking up to Scott)
No way! Don't fool yourself. We know you too good. Nobody tells you what to do.
SCOTT
(looking at Faith, then at the others)
You really believe in me? You're willing to trust me?
Buffy steps up to Scott.
BUFFY
(quietly, so only Scott and Faith hear her)
... with all my heart... lead us.
Scott turns back to the darkness welling up out of the cavern. He walks forward and the inky blackness ahead seems literally to swallow him up. Buffy, Faith and Angel are close behind and they disappear as well. Oz, Willow and Xander follow into the enveloping veil of black. Bringing up the rear are Ethan and Cordelia. She pushes him forward as if prodding a recalcitrant donkey.
ETHAN
Uh, can't we discuss this? There are all kinds of ways to approach our journey here. Now if all of you would just listen to my thoughts on the best way...
CORDELIA
(threatening)
Hey, you forget so quick again?
ETHAN
(holding his hands up in surrender)
Sorry... I'll be good...
CORDELIA
Right! And Xander's gonna make the National Honor Society!
As they disappear, Cordelia's voice rings out of the darkness.
CORDELIA
Come on! Pick it up, you wuss!
A wind blows and the sulphuric mists sweep up out of the volcanic lake. The swirling yellow clouds obscure the empty path before the entrance to Hell and flow like the hand of Death itself through the stunted barren forest.
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