The Hammer Falls
“He’s a… a w-what?” Amanda stuttered.
“A dragon. A dragon that has long studied the arts of necromancy, possession, and possibly shape shifting.” Claudia said. “I’m sorry Amanda; I know you don’t want to hear this—”
“N-no… it’s okay,” Amanda said, feeling her heart drop into her foot.
“Are you certain of this Claudia?” Morgan asked, adjusting her glasses.
“Yeah, I’ve seen him, in all of his glory.” Claudia said with a pained expression.
“Let me get some chairs, maybe you should start from the beginning.” Gideon said, taking some fold-out chairs and offering one to Claudia into which she immediately collapsed. In a moment, they were all sitting down in a tight circle away from the others; not wishing to be overheard.
“Okay, I was raised in a large city near Phoenix, before you try to guess what it is, I can assure you that you have never heard of it. No one has. It sits right in the middle of the desert with a protection spell. Believe me; if anyone knew of it, the Slayers would have dealt with it long ago.” Morgan handed her a cup of cocoa, which she graciously accepted.
“What’s it called?” Amanda asked.
“The real name of the city was lost a long time ago, before the American settlers came over here, even before the Native Americans came over a land bridge to claim it.” She sipped her cocoa. “Although it is unknown to the rest of the world, many people have stumbled upon it through the Millennia. Those people have become its residents. Once arriving, they are never able to leave, no matter how hard they try.”
“Why is that?” Morgan asked
Claudia shook her head. “This city is far older then any known civilization. It is the nexus of most demonic activity concerning The First. Though it is ancient, it has kept up with modern technology, and even surpassed it in many cases. Not only is there the spell that keeps others from seeing it, now there is a advanced energy shield that lets people in, but not out.”
“How do you know all of this?” Joshua asked with a brow raised.
“Because that is where I was born. We call it Hells-Fist. As I said, the true name was lost long ago.” Claudia sighed. “I learned of the city’s history while studying to become a Bringer.”
“A what?” Gideon shouted, standing.
“A Bringer,” Claudia said with disgust in her voice. “One of the major factions in the town is the Cult of The First. All other groups in town gather around the Cult and form a kind of symbiotic society. My parents are Bringers, my brother is a Bringer, and I was supposed to be next when I turned 17.” She buried her face in her hands and began to cry as Gideon sat back down, a bit embarrassed by his outburst.
Amanda reached over and comfortingly rubbed her friend’s back. “It’s all right, but we need to know what happened, Claudia”
She sat up again, hot tears streaming down her face. “Then, the Hellmouth was destroyed and we were all turned into Slayers. Due to the sudden visions that we all get when we’re Chosen, I knew immediately that everything I was raised to believe was wrong. I…” She took a deep breath. “God, I’m such a slut…”
“No you’re not child,” Joshua said, leaning closer to her. “It’s not your fault, none of it is. We can’t help how we grow up.”
Claudia whispered thanks as she sat up straight and continued. “I… w-was… I had my first sexual experience at a very young age as part of a ceremony. I thought it was okay! I thought it was normal!” She said, beginning to scream. “I felt very dirty afterwards, but they told me that was normal. When the power came to me, many years later, I knew I had been violated all my life. But when the Bringer King saw what I had turned into, he called his minion Armand to allow one of his highest ranking demons to posses me, turning me into an instrument for Armand to wield so he could more easily deal with the Slayer threat.”
Amanda came and pulled her friend into a hug. “I’m so sorry that happened to you, no one should have to go through that.”
Claudia kept speaking while returning Amanda’s hug. “I remember it all, what the demon was trying to do, to you, to everyone, I remember the people I killed while under his control. It was like I was trapped in my own body, aware of what I was doing but unable to stop it!”
“It wasn’t your fault Claudia, but we need more information, do you know where Armand’s hideout is?” Gideon asked with a sympathetic voice.
After a moment of thinking, Claudia nodded her head. “Yes, but it’s quite a ways away, up in the mountains.”
“Maybe we should get started tonight…” Gideon said, standing.
“We will be no good tired Gideon, we need our rest.” Morgan said.
“Wait, wait, wait,” Amanda said, standing as well with her hands out in front of her, as if she was trying to push everyone back. “We’re not thinking of actually taking on this guy, are we? He’s a bloody dragon!”
“You won’t have to,” Claudia said, “The bastard’s mine, I’ll kill him with Dragonbane, and you guys back me up. We can leave first thing tomorrow morning; the spell shouldn’t be ready until midday. We have only one shot at this. The First will arise again eventually, but this will make him come back sooner.”
Morgan nodded. “I concur.”
“Fine, we do it early tomorrow morning, just us five though; I don’t want anyone else involved. Someone needs to contact the Slayer Council if we fail.” Gideon said
“Yes,” Morgan agreed. “Even though we have left them, they still need to know about the danger here in Brasepoint.”
Amanda folded her arms and shuddered. “Fine, but I’m not going near him.”
“Didn’t you say you were going to kill him?” Morgan asked Amanda curiously.
“I CHANGED MY MIND, DAMMIT!” Amanda suddenly snapped, and put her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry.” She said in a whisper. “I just… I just can’t”
“Don’t worry Amanda,” Claudia said. “I’ll kill him for both of us.”
“Thanks, partner,” Amanda smiled nervously.
“Any time,” Claudia said with a sad smile.
“Hey,” Joshua broke in, “has anyone seen Cooper?”
All five turned and looked at the cot where Cooper had been laying. He was nowhere in sight.
“That damnable demon!” Armand shouted, slamming his fists in front of the mirror as he watched his general being slain. “I told him to go at night, and I TOLD him to not fight the Slayer! That little trick of the Demon Hunters destroyed 80% of my total forces!”
A small impish creature approached him. “Master, what should we do now?” It asked.
“Give me time to think, Trell!” He snapped. He began to massage his forehead; something he had seen many humans do, but it didn’t seem to help. “Those cursed harpies gave Claudia her memory back. She knows where we are now, and she is sure to tell the Slayer and her group.”
“Shall we prepare our defenses lord?” Trell asked, cowering in terror.
Armand’s mood suddenly changed as he let out a long chuckle. “Yes, go ahead and defend yourselves if you wish. I, however, do not need it! I am a power far more formidable than these simple Slayers.”
“Yes milord, thank you milord.” Trell bowed and ran off.
“Let them come!” Armand smiled into the mirror. “I will destroy them before they can ruin my spell!”
Amanda woke to a soft shaking. She opened her eyes to see Cooper smiling in the dark with a flashlight lighting up his face. Amanda looked around; it was still dark. “C-Cooper? What’s going on?”
“Got something to help us.” The young man said. “Get up and follow me!” He said, turning around to give Amanda some privacy as she pulled her clothes out and changed in her sleeping bag.
Soon Amanda was following Cooper through the field. “So I heard you guys talking about a dragon, right? So I thought maybe we could meet it on its own turf!” He smiled and shone his flash onto a large, dark silhouette in the darkness. Amanda gasped at what she saw.
“T-that’s a helicopter!” Amanda stuttered. “Where did you get this?”
“Visited the local Air Force base. It looked like it had been abandoned for a few weeks, probably pulled out when they caught wind of something big going down. Figures.” He snorted. “This is an old Apache, armed to the teeth. If you guys know where this Armand is, we can fly this to his hideout tomorrow!”
“Cooper…” Amanda started, “This is great… with this we might actually get there in time!”
Cooper smiled proudly. “Yep, I can fly you there. Not much fuel though, unfortunately, when the army base left they didn’t forget extra fuel.” He chuckled.
“What time is it?” Amanda said, looking around for the sunrise.
“About 4:30.” Cooper said. “I feel something strange in the air, do you?”
Amanda nodded. “I’ve felt it ever since I came here, but you’re right, it’s getting stronger.”
“Let’s get some rest, big day of battling evil tomorrow.” Cooper grinned.
“Yeah…” Amanda said. “Let’s get some sleep.” She held Cooper’s hands and smiled for a few moments, then released him and turned back to her bag to slumber for a few more hours.
Amanda was once again on the stage, though this time no one was there to greet her. No statues, no Armand. She walked around the perimeter of the stage, looking for some reason behind the vision.
“Hello?” She called out, hearing her voice echo throughout the stage. She scratched her head in confusion. “Are you here to harass me again Armand? Because it’s not going to work!” She yelled and again heard her echo.
Nothing happened immediately, though she heard something rustle behind her. Turning, Amanda saw something sticking out of the center of the stage. Amanda stepped cautiously toward it; not sure if it was a trap.
As she got closer, she noticed it was a sword hilt glowing with a great white light. Stepping forward, a voice boomed through the room.
“Amanda, Chosen Slayer, take this sword which symbolizes your place as a Slayer, the Defender of Mankind, one worthy of love by all.”
“Who are you?” Amanda called out.
“I am your guardian Amanda, and I guard all of mankind. I was there in the most ancient of days, yes, I was even here before the demons, before the First. My power was there before the beginning of time, before it all began.” The voice said.
“What are you saying?” She asked, more confused.
The voice chuckled. “My dear child, I have chosen you, out of all my servants, to become my instrument on Earth. You, one who will be loved by all, you will be my sword. Stand by me, and I will give you the power to save the entire world and destroy the demon race for good. The original Slayer, was created using the power of a demon. You, my dear, will be far more powerful for you will have my power, once you take that sword.”
“I-I’m not sure I understand,” Amanda stuttered.
“You will understand in time, my daughter,” the voice chuckled again. “Now take the sword, and go face your destiny."
Amanda nodded, stepped forward, grasped the sword’s pommel and hilt, pulling it out of the stage. The light emanating off the sword almost blinded her, but she felt a powerful, wondrous feeling surge through her body. Her heart filled with unimaginable passion and joy, and she felt as if she could lift up the entire world with only her two hands.
“Goodbye Amanda, we will speak again.”
The sword seemed to melt into Amanda’s own flesh and another bright light consumed her.
Suddenly, she felt very cold. She could hear water all around her and felt it splattering onto her. She shook her head and opened her eyes to see storm clouds blocking out the rising sun. As she looked around, she noticed several of the kids trying to put up sturdier shelter while Gideon barked out orders.
“We’re going Amanda, now.” Morgan said, walking up to her as she awoke. “Claudia miscalculated; Armand is casting his spell now. Hurry up and get ready, we leave immediately.”
About twenty minutes later, Amanda, Joshua, Claudia, Morgan, and Gideon were airborne, flying through the storm filled sky with Cooper in the pilot’s seat. Amanda bit her lower lip and looked at the others. Claudia was holding Dragonbane as if it was attached to her hands. Gideon was resting his axe on his shoulder, standing tall and looking as if he was deep in thought. Joshua was praying silently, and Amanda smiled, expecting no less from him. Morgan had her rapier in its scabbard resting on her lap as she stared out the rainy window.
Amanda examined Dawn of the West one last time. Although the powerfully real dream had given her much more confidence, she was still scared out of her mind at the thought of fighting Armand the dragon.
“Morgan?” She finally said.
“Yes dear?” Morgan responded, not looking at her.
“I thought… I thought you said sentient dragons didn’t enter this dimension,” She said, almost whispering.
Morgan turned to her. “They are not supposed to. They care very little for what happens in this dimension; they are content with ruling their own. Armand must be a direct follower of The First, possibly for thousands of years. They have quite long lives, unless something kills them.”
“Oh…” Amanda didn’t say anything until they started to approach a large temple buried deep in the mountain forest. “Do you think we can win?”
Morgan gave a weak smile. “I have complete confidence in your abilities Amanda, of everyone’s abilities,” She said, turning to the others in the chopper.
“We’re here!” Cooper shouted over the roar of the chopper. “Where do you want us to land?”
“To the side of the building, see where that large open area is?” Gideon said.
“Er, the one with the big, upside down pentagram on it?” Cooper asked nervously.
“Yes, land there.”
Cooper shrugged. “You’re the boss.”
The chopper dropped through the mighty rain and landed gently in the middle of the large pentagram.
“All right folks, let’s go do this!” Cooper said, grabbing his weapon and starting to rise.
“No,” Amanda said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “We need you to stay here in case we need a quick escape, or if the dragon takes flight.”
“You sure you just don’t want me to get hurt again?” Cooper winked.
Amanda smiled inwardly but physically rolled her eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself.” She stuck her index finger in her mouth before shoving it into Cooper’s ear and twisting. “Wet Willie!” She giggled, and Cooper pulled away, very grossed out. The others stared at Amanda with their brows raised.
“What?” she asked. “I may die today!” She said as she turned to leave the chopper with a laugh.
Together, the five walked side by side to the temple door, which was already opened for them. Almost immediately, demons began to pour out single file. The five warriors immediately met them with flashing blades, making it a very brief battle. Another large demon came down the stairs and took a swing at Morgan. Amanda got to her in time, shoved her Watcher out of the way and immediately struck down the demon.
“This is too easy!” Amanda grinned. “Come on! Give us a real fight!” Though she tried to appear excited and enthusiastic, she was still absolutely scared to death. The five walked through the door that led right to the main throne room, where Armand sat surrounded by vampires, demons, and harpies. He also had his two pet Slayer-Hunters in chains at his side.
Armand smiled. “Kill them, if you can!” Immediately the two Slayer-Hunters stood under their leashes and tried to pull themselves free. “No, no my pets. You will get a chance at them if they survive this.
Immediately the beasts charged the group. Leaping in the air, Claudia shoved her spear through the first harpy, killing it instantly, and then turned to do battle with its fellows. Gideon quickly attacked the largest demon, making short work of it with his axe, and then charged another. Morgan raised her rapier and attacked the vampires, doing surprisingly well against them for a mere human.
Joshua immediately called a shield and sword of fire down to him and entered the fray. Amanda leapt right into the middle of it; swinging her sword with all the skill and finesse that Morgan had taught her since she had become her Watcher. After killing one demon, Amanda turned with master precision and cut another in two. Four vampires charged her, but they stood no chance against her mighty sword.
Soon, Gideon took out the last demon while Amanda cut down the final vampire. Claudia landed hard behind them with another kill with her spear. The five gathered into a defense position as Armand unleashed the two Slayer-Hunters.
“Go my pets, kill them all!” He screamed in rage.
The five got ready to fight again but Amanda stepped in front of them. “I can take them myself.”
“Amanda, no, you couldn’t possibly—” Morgan said, raising her blade.
Amanda smirked without turning around, self-confidence replacing the former fear. “Trust me, I recently picked up some new… tricks.” She charged toward the Slayer-Hunters and swung her blade to meet them. The first jumped high above her and landed behind her, swinging its tail low across the stone floor of the temple. Amanda leapt over the tail as the other demon tried to hit her high. She deflected the blow, hit the ground, and rolled out of their path.
The first charged her again, swinging a high right that Amanda easily deflected with the sword; which didn’t break like her last one. Another left, then the left foot. Amanda blocked high, low, and then leapt over another tail sweep. Amanda could hear something run towards her very quickly. She squatted down and leapt with all her might, just in time for the second Slayer-Hunter to crash into the other while she was still in midair. While they were momentarily confused, Amanda struck the first beast and turned it into a black cloud of nothingness.
The second demon had already recovered and took a flying leap toward her. Amanda took a step back, twirled her blade around, raised it into a high arc, and swung at the demon while it was within inches of her face. Amanda felt the pressure of the swing as she batted the demon like a baseball, sending it sprawling to the other side of the room, where it vanished into black dust.
“Amanda?” Morgan said with her mouth wide open. “That was… that was incredible!”
“How did you do that, girl?” Claudia said with a grin. Even though she had defeated three before, she had the advantage over them due to her speed.
“Little gift I picked up last night, I’ll tell you later,” Amanda said with a huge grin on her face.
A slow clap resounded around the temple walls as Armand stood, slowly clapping his hands together. “Very impressive children, but this is the end for you! The spell has already been cast; your entire mission has been futile!” Armand laughed a loud, mocking laugh.
“He’s lying,” Claudia said with a frown. “There is no way he could have done it so fast.”
“Oh my dear Claudia,” Armand chuckled. “My naïve little whore. What are you doing joining with these fools?”
“Quiet, beast! I’m going to kill you!” Claudia screamed, raising her spear. “Come on Amanda, we’ll take him together. Before he can transform.”
“You can try, children, but I am far more powerful than you realize!” The necromancer raised his hands high in the air and summoned the dead bodies of his fallen warriors to come back to life and be under his complete control.
Claudia swore and struck down a zombie harpy as it struggled to rise. Even though her spear cut its head clean off, the creature still rose. Soon, all of the warriors were battling against zombie demons.
Gideon did a fairly good job at slicing them to pieces, but even those pieces gathered together and rose again. Joshua burned off three demons that were crowding Morgan while she slew a fourth.
Still determined, Amanda ran up the steps of Armand’s throne. She swung her sword at him, which he blocked easily with a sword made out of lightless energy. The two dueled fiercely on the thrown while the others continued to hack the demon zombies to pieces. Amanda swung high; aiming for a shot across his neck, but Armand parried it and cut Amanda across her belly. Amanda grunted in pain but didn’t let it stop her. She knew it would heal soon enough. After several more blows, Armand managed to knock Amanda’s blade out of her hand and struck her hard across the face with the hilt of his own weapon, sending her to the ground.
Amanda groaned in pain, struggling to get up, though she knew it was too late. Armand spun his sword in his hand and started to bring it down upon Amanda—When a shape flew through the air and suddenly Armand had a spear struck through his belly. He grunted and fell back into his chair, dropping his sword, which vanished into nothingness, and grasped the spear with one hand.
“Told you I would kill you!” Claudia yelled, grabbing the spear with both hands and pulling it out of the dieing Armand. She then turned back to Amanda. “See? No problem.”
Amanda smiled and took Claudia’s hand to help her up when she offered it. “Looks like that stopped the demons as well.” Morgan said, approaching them while cleaning her sword with a rag. “Great job girls.”
“Well, it was mostly Cl…” Amanda started, when she heard a deep rumbling laugh behind her. She turned toward Armand, whose wound had already healed somehow.
“You stupid girl!” He snarled, standing. “I am a god compared to you!” He thrust out both hands in front of him, allowing fire to shoot from his fingertips and strike both Amanda and Morgan, knocking them down the steps. Claudia once again charged him, trying a jab with the spear. He easily dodged it and struck her roughly across the face, knocking her down the stairs as well.
Gideon and Joshua, who were cleaning up the remaining demons until then, rushed up to Armand; Gideon swinging his axe and Joshua shooting fire bolts out of his fists. Armand playfully dodged each attempted attack, and then retaliated by taking Gideon’s own axe as he swung, and slamming its flat side into the man’s face, sending him to the ground.
Joshua was now upon Armand, swinging two swords of fire. Armand blocked them using his own two hands and sent a fiery blast that knocked Joshua across the room. As three of the combatants laid on the floor in agony, Amanda and Claudia stood back up, took their weapons again and attacked the aging necromancer.
This time, Armand did not even allow them to approach him. He had created an invisible shield between his throne and the Slayers, which they soon crashed into and bounced back down the steps.
“I am impressed girls; it is not often I have to transform to win a battle.” Armand said as his body started to change noticeably, becoming thicker and broader. His eyes became almost like cat eyes and his hair disappeared.
“That’s funny, I thought you were already winning.” Claudia said, wincing in pain while Amanda watched, frozen in terror.
Armand ignored the comment as great red wings tore out of his back, leaving globs of human flesh behind. “This man’s body was good for a time, but now it is time to start anew. I cannot operate properly with you wretches around me!” He growled as his face tore apart, revealing a massive snout. Soon, his entire body had exploded in a spray of human flesh as a massive; 40 meter long dragon emerged and stretched his wings.
Amanda gasped, her mouth hanging wide open in horror as Armand’s true form was revealed. “He’s so big…” She managed to mumble.
“It isn’t the size that matters, Amanda,” Claudia said through clenched teeth.
“Come on you puny ants!” Armand roared. “I WILL CRUSH YOU ALL!”
Claudia ran forward, using all the strength and speed she had learned, plunging Dragonbane at Armand’s side. Armand reacted with a roar and spun quickly, catching Claudia by surprise as his tail tripped her, causing her to go sliding across the floor and into the throne, though she still gripped the spear.
Armand smiled and turned to her as Gideon charged him, being the first group member to get back up. Amanda continued to stand there with her mouth open. Armand easily picked up the small form of Claudia, spear and all, and held her in front of his face.
“You will be the first to die, little whore!” He roared and opened his mouth to spray fire on her. Gideon slammed his axe in his side, and though it did not hurt the dragon at all, it did interrupt him and throw his flame off. Instead of taking the full burst of flame, Claudia only took some of it, though she was still badly burned. Armand pulled his closed claw back and threw Claudia across the room and into the wall headfirst. Claudia smashed into the wall with a sickening “crack” and slid down to the floor, barley conscious.
“Amanda! What are you doing?” Morgan screamed, as Joshua helped her back up.
Amanda reacted to the sound of her name and shook her head, trying to shake the fuzz away. She turned and saw the broken body of Claudia while Gideon continued to battle the dragon. Now out of her trance, Amanda wasted no time running to Claudia’s side.
“Claudia! Are you okay?” Amanda asked wiping the hair from the blonde’s bloodied face.
Claudia opened her eyes and smiled weakly. “Looks like he got me ‘Manda,” she started. Blood was dripping down her smiling face.
“Wh-what are you saying?” Amanda gasped.
“I’ll… I’ll be fine Amanda… it looks worse then it is.” She sighed and took a deep, shuddering breath. “Well, maybe not. He’s yours now Amanda.”
“N-no!” Amanda shuddered. “I c-can’t!”
“Please Amanda, for me, for the kids, for everyone Armand has made suffer…” She reached over, grasping Dragonbane and handed it to Amanda. “Go Amanda, kick his ass.”
Amanda lifted the spear from the broken body of her fellow Slayer and turned back to the dragon. Gideon was now lying on the floor, unmoving, while Joshua struggled to pull him out of harm’s way. Morgan just looked on, helpless to do anything. Finally, Joshua summoned a huge spear and threw it at Armand. The dragon roared in pain and spread his wings wide, allowing Joshua to pull Gideon out of the way.
Morgan ran over to Amanda. “Amanda! What are you doing? As your Watcher I order you to help them!” She spat and went to tend to Claudia. Amanda took a deep breath and charged at Armand, though it was all in vain, as the dragon suddenly took flight and blew a hole through the top of the temple, using it to escape. The damage Joshua had done to him with the flaming spear must have been worse then Amanda had thought.
Thinking quickly, Amanda turned and ran towards the temple exit. She tore through the rain soaked plaza and ran towards Cooper’s helicopter. “Cooper, start it up!” She shouted as soon as she tore open the door.
“You’re the boss,” He responded as he started the engine. Amanda could see out the window that Armand was indeed free of the temple and was turning back toward them with flame spilling out.
“Oh no, get us up there Cooper!” She screamed.
“It’ll take a few moments!” He responded.
“We don’t have a few moments!” Amanda said.
“Going somewhere?” A familiar voice came from behind her as Amanda realized she had not closed the door.
“Morgan? I’m gonna kill it, for Claudia, for everyone else!” Amanda snapped, clutching Dragonbane in her hands with Dawn of the West around her back.
“Yes dear, and I’m coming with you.” She said, climbing into the chopper as it started to rise. Fortunately, it looked as if the dragon was not coming at them at all; unfortunately, it looked as if it was attacking the temple.
“What about Claudia?” Amanda asked.
“It’s close, but I think Joshua got to her in time,” She said as they rose to meet the dragon.
“Open fire Cooper! Get his attention!” Amanda commanded, and Cooper responded with a burst of weapon fire. Bullets and a missile spat from the guns and struck the dragon, causing it to turn its attention onto the chopper.
“Okay, now what?” Cooper said, performing an evasive maneuver.
“Just keep climbing! Draw him away from the temple!” Amanda said.
“Um, are you sure that’s wise?” Morgan said. “He will make short work of us.”
“Trust me,” Amanda said. “I have a plan, just keep going!”
Cooper led the dragon on a merry chase through the mountain range, occasionally turning to blast it with weapon fire. The dragon returned with flame of its own, but Cooper’s expert maneuvering kept them well out of harm’s way.
After about 10 minutes of flying, Armand seemed to give up, and turned back toward the temple.
“Follow him Coop!” Amanda said. “Get right above him!”
The dragon seemed to have healed from his earlier wound, and Cooper had a very difficult time keeping up with him, but finally, about two miles away from the temple, Cooper was above it.
“One more time, get his attention!” Amanda shouted. Cooper responded with another missile that scorched the dragon’s broadside. Roaring in frustration, Armand turned back toward the helicopter. “Stay away from it…keep going higher!” She said as she rushed toward the exit.
“Amanda, what are you doing?” Morgan shouted as Amanda opened the side door, allowing wind and rain to pour into the small helicopter.
“Something that will likely get me killed,” Amanda responded as she grasped Dragonbane and waited until the dragon flew under them again.
“I understand,” Morgan shouted through the wind. “I am very proud of you Amanda!” She continued while Amanda was trying to calculate how this maneuver would work in her mind. She took a deep breath, terrified out of her mind. She screamed as the dragon passed under them once more, trying to shout back her fear. As they came closer to it, Amanda leapt with a war cry that was half out of fear and half out of the adrenaline she had summoned through her body. The spear was wrapped tightly in both hands as she plunged toward the dragon from nearly fifty feet in the air.
Morgan lowered her head in sadness, already expecting the worst.
Amanda felt her heart go to her throat as she pierced the sky while the wind and rain whipped through her hair as she plunged towards Armand. The fear started to envelop her. I can’t take on a dragon, this is crazy!” Her mind screamed.
She shook her head, trying to remember what Morgan had told her. Turn your fear into anger; turn your sorrow into rage. Make THAT your power. She growled under her breath in rage, remembering what had happened to all of her friends those two years before.
“This is for YOU!” She screamed as she came closer upon the dragon. Her heart dropped as she saw the dragon pass right under her
I missed! Oh dear God, I’m going to die… She thought, remembering her experience in the Hell-mouth. Oh well, it won’t be so bad I suppose. At least I’ll be able to see Mom and Dad and Joey again. And grandma Muffy.
Amanda looked up as she saw Cooper unleash more gunfire, driving the dragon back. She followed the dragon with her eyes and saw it fly under her again, now only about 10 feet below. He doesn’t see me! She felt her heart leap into her throat again. Now’s my chance!
Letting out a primal warrior scream, Amanda made contact with the dragon, shoving the spear straight through his back. Armand screamed in pain and bucked under the strength of the spear. Armand turned his head and try to blow Amanda off with a burst of fire, but still holding onto the spear, she twirled out of the flame’s path and caused Armand to scorch himself.
Armand roared in pain from the burning as Amanda drew Dawn of the West. Sticking it through his scales, she drew out Dragonbane from his flesh and used both weapons to pull her way across the dragons back. It was not easy, Armand tried everything to get her off, bucking, turning upside down and bucking, trying to strike her with his tale and wings. Amanda took a few blows from the tail, but didn’t let them distract her as they tore huge gashes in her back. They hurt like nothing she had ever felt before, but they healed quickly.
Finally reaching the massive dragon’s neck, Amanda drew Dragonbane to shove it through his jugular vein. Armand’s head turned suddenly and snapped wildly at Amanda, no longer risking fire, especially at this range. Amanda drew both weapons out of Armand’s scaly flesh and used them to strike back at the dragon’s snapping mouth. Armand tried to flip upside down once more but Amanda wrapped her legs around his neck, holding on with all her might.
Amanda stuck the sword in his neck, but it didn’t cause that much damage, for it could not go very deep. Still, she held onto it as Armand went right side up. Standing, Amanda twirled the spear in her hand as Armand tried to dive. Falling forward, Amanda used the momentum to shove Dragonbane through Armand’s bony skull. She wasn’t sure the weapon would even go in deep, but sure enough; Dragonbane lived up to its name by going straight through the skull and out the other side.
The dragon Armand began to jerk violently in mid-air, his body going into spasms as he drooled a fiery liquid.
“I did it!” Amanda beamed, and then noticed the dragon was descending into the forest. “Uh-oh, how do I get off?” She shouted to herself, wishing she had thought up this plan a bit more thoroughly.
She pulled both weapons out of the dead Armand and ran down his back, shoving them both into his back, on each sides of the spine. She used both weapons to brace herself as the dragon dropped like a rock towards the forest. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut as Armand’s corpse plowed into the forest, tearing trees up from their roots and causing Amanda to loose her grip and fly headfirst through the forest until her head was stopped by a tree. The crack of breaking lumber was the last thing she remembered before everything went dark.
Amanda felt the vision coming before it came. She opened her eyes, expecting to see the stage again. But this time she saw something different. In this vision, she was floating among a sea of stars. After a few moments of looking around, Amanda noticed she was not alone. Mighty titanic beings stood all around her, watching something in the distance. Amanda turned the direction they were looking and saw a large star suddenly appeared before her.
More and more beings began to come into focus all around her, and then several gathered in a circle, waiting for something. She turned to the nearest titan. “What’s going o-”?
“Hush child,” The massive being said in a powerful voice, “You are about to observe something no human has ever witnessed.”
Amanda said nothing else and turned back to the circle.
One of the beings, the largest, shouted, “Bring forth the condemned!”
Another massive being, this one looked female, dragged a large chain into the circle. Amanda wondered what was connected to the chain when suddenly a massive red dragon appeared at the other end of the chain.
“You can’t do this to me!” The dragon snarled. “I was only following orders!”
“Silence!” The being that had spoken earlier, apparently a judge of some sort, shouted. “You lost your right to speak when you made dealings with The First Evil, Fafner!”
The dragon reluctantly remained silent.
“Who is this Fafner guy?” Amanda whispered to the being standing beside her.
“That is the true name of the one you call Armand. Armand was simply the name of his host for as long as he has had it. Now be silent and watch, it is important that you see this,” The massive man said. Amanda nodded and turned back to the circle.
“Fafner of Dralock, you have been brought before this court today for the sentence of the following crimes: Genocide, possession of several innocent beings, the practice of necromancy, the practice of possession, deceiving the innocent, dealings with the one we now call The First Evil, bringing forth armies of demons onto the world, the illegal immigration to many worlds, including most recently, Earth, the torture of countless individuals, and plotting to overthrow the very court that holds you here today!”
“I’m innocent! I swear—” Fafner started.
“You have been on Earth far too long, Fafner,” the being chuckled. “This is not a trial, this is a sentencing. We all know very well what you have done. It is time to pay for your crimes.”
“No! Please…” Armand started again, but was once again interrupted.
“The punishment for your crimes is that you shall be cast into the core of the Earth’s sun, to be tormented by the heat day and night, until the day the universe ends. On that day, you shall be wiped away with the rest of all that is.”
“NOOOO!” Armand screamed as the being that held him by a chain dragged him toward the flaming sun. Amanda and the titans began moving quickly with the chained dragon as the female titan arrived at the star. With one final roar of defiance, she swung Fafner deep into the sun.
“Now you see the destruction of your foe, Amanda, how does it make you feel?” The titan asked.
Amanda felt a small bit of pity for the beast, but quickly pushed it aside. “I feel like justice has been done.” She said, displaying no emotion in her voice.
The titan nodded. “That is good. These beings deserve no pity. All they ever strive for is the destruction of all that is good in the world.
Amanda nodded, and then asked, “Are you… are you the Powers that Be that I have heard so much about?”
The titan smiled and slowly nodded. “In a sense. There is one great power over us who rules everything; he has assigned us to specific tasks that he has created us for. Mine is warfare against the fallen ones.”
“The fallen ones? The demons? Did he create those too?” Amanda asked.
The titan frowned and fury seemed to flash through his eyes. “No, Amanda. Another supreme being, who has since been destroyed, created them. The First was this creature’s highest-ranking General. Now he is in command of the demonic hordes.”
“I see…” Amanda said. “Thanks for helping me understand. And, since you apparently know my name, could you tell me your name?”
The titan smiled. “My name is Cottus. I have been assigned over you Amanda, to watch you and guide you. You will not see me always, but know that I am with you. We will speak from time to time, when you need guidance, or when I have important information to give you.”
“Sooo…” Amanda said, dragging out the word. “I’m still alive? I thought I had died after that crash!”
Cottus chuckled. “No my dear, you are still very alive. You are currently lying on the forest floor, you will wake shortly.”
“Oh, well that’s good.” Amanda said.
“Before I send you back Amanda, you need to know that your next task will bring you to Sliccicdon.”
“Sliccicdon?” Amanda said, confused. “I’ve never heard of it.”
“I imagine not. It is the true name of the city that your friend Claudia told you about,” The titan seemed to sigh. “This will be a long and difficult fight Amanda, but I can guarantee we will win. It may cost me my life, it may cost you yours, but in the end we will be victorious.”
“There is still so much I don’t know…” Amanda said.
“I know, but I have told you all you need to hear at this point in time. Now awake Amanda, go back to your world,” Cottus said.
Amanda was about to say something else when Cottus snapped his fingers, much as Armand had done during his visions with her, and the world in the stars vanished in a blinding light.
Amanda slowly opened her eyes and saw three faces standing over her. “Wha-where am I?” She mumbled.
“You’re in the forest dear,” Morgan said. “Armand is dead.”
Amanda smiled weakly. “I know.”
“When Morgan told me, I was very impressed. You did it Amanda.” Gideon said with a respectful smile on his face.
Amanda moaned softly and struggled to get up, found it very easy, and assumed any bones that had broken during the rough landing had been healed. Though not in any pain, her body felt weak and she was getting dizzy just standing up. She put her hand on her face and another on a tree stump to try to balance herself until the wave of dizziness past.
“Wow, dude! You were AWESOME Amanda! You were like…” Cooper started to move his hands to simulate Amanda’s daring jump. “And then you jumped on that sucker and…”
Amanda laughed. “Thanks Coop, not just for that, but for leading the dragon back into my path. I would have been killed without you.”
Cooper chuckled. “Well, let’s just say we’re even now.”
Amanda turned back to Morgan and Gideon. “Hey, what happened to Claudia? Is she all right?” She said nervously.
Morgan smiled. “She’s fine. Joshua is quite a skilled healer. We have already retrieved your weapons from the dragon’s corpse, which has since disintegrated, shall we return to camp?”
The camp was in an uproar celebrating the destruction of Armand. The kids were partying and dancing. Amanda walked through the cots next to Gideon.
“So what are your plans now that the hotel is gone?” She asked.
“Well, fortunately, with the destruction of the major demonic influence in this town, there is really no need for us anymore. Many of these kids will return to any family that is left, or go to orphanages. Some older kids will try to keep some of them together to battle any straggling vampires or demons in town. I hope they can manage without me.” He said slowly.
“Without you? Where are you going?” Amanda asked with a brow raised.
“I know you’re not going to stay here Amanda. There is little left for you to do. And I sense there is much else you can be doing all over the world. I will go wherever you go, and some of my people will probably join us as well.”
“Well, you got that right. We’re going to Hell’s Fist in Arizona.” Amanda said softly.
Gideon nodded. “I thought so.”
“Thanks Gideon.” Amanda said, and then noticed Claudia sitting alone in a cot with her head down. “Excuse me,” She said, and walked away from Gideon and sat next to Claudia on her cot.
“What’s wrong?” She said softly to her friend.
“He beat me Amanda. He put that thing in me; his master is responsible for everything I have been put through. I wanted to kill him; it was my right to kill him!” She said with warm tears streaming down her face.
Amanda put her arm around Claudia and hugged her close. “I’m sorry, I would have let you have him—”
“No,” Claudia said with a weak smile as she shook her head. “If anyone else was going to kill him, I was glad it was you.”
“Are you feeling better?”
“Yeah, it still hurts a bit, but it looked worse than it was,” Claudia sighed.
“That’s good, I’m glad.” She nodded. “What do you plan to do now?”
Claudia smirked. “I’ll go with you and Morgan, she is my Watcher too. So where are we going next?”
Amanda sighed. “We’re going to Hell’s Fist.”
Claudia gasped then composed herself. “I… I see. Well, I stand by what I said before, I’m going with you.”
Amanda smiled. “I was hoping you would say that. We really need someone as a guide, as well as a friend.”
“You can count on me.” Claudia said, and then lay back on the cot. “I think I’m going to get some rest now.”
“Okay,” Amanda said, giving her friend a quick hug. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night Amanda.” Claudia said, rolling over.
“Dear diary,
“Well, Armand is dead and the remaining demonic influence in Brasepoint is fleeing. We’re going to do what we can for the town for the next couple of months, then leave for Arizona to this place Claudia calls ‘Hell’s Fist.’ I know its real name now, but I don’t think it’s wise to tell anyone at this moment. Joshua, Ryan, Amy, and Cooper have also agreed to go with us to Hell’s Fist.
“I did tell Morgan about the dream I had after I killed Armand. These titanic creatures were all around me and I watched them judge and banish Armand to the center of the Sun. I sure wouldn’t want to be him right now!
“Anyway, the titan who talked with me is called Cottus. He said he would be my guide during these coming battles. I hope I do well. Wow, I still can’t believe I slew a dragon! It was a very exhilarating experience. Wow, and Cooper is sooo cute! He saved my life during the battle, haha, right after I had saved his in the hotel sewers.
“Anyway, I’m getting up early to go vampire hunting with Morgan. Claudia is still in a lot of pain from today, so she’s going to rest. I’ll write again soon.
“Amanda
“10-8-03”
Joshua was sound asleep in the tent he had put up after the celebration was over. He was physically and mentally drained from the long day, but he felt great. As he dreamt, he felt a presence enter the tent. He opened his eyes and saw a dark figure standing by his tent flap.
“Who’s there?” He asked, sitting up and turning on his lantern. “What? This is impossible!”
“Hello little brother,” Caleb said, stepping into the light. “We have much to talk about.”
The End… for now.
I would like to thank everyone who helped and supported me while writing this fic. This concludes the first major writing project that I have ever finished, but hopefully not the last.
I would like to thank Jeff, Adam, my readers at www.buffyworld.com, the Slayer Fanfic Archive, and the folks at my Sarah Hagan fanclub on Yahoo.
Big, BIG thanks go to Audrey, my Beta reader, for taking my amateurish writing and helping me turn it into something readable. Working with her has helped me become a much better writer, and I am very glad she was there to guide me through the wonderful world of fiction writing. Hats off to you Audrey.
Also, a special thanks to Ms. Sarah Hagan, for playing such a memorable character in the final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
This is the end of the first major story arc of the Amanda series. I do plan to write a second, and hopefully a third in the future, though I make no promises as to when they will be written, because I have many other projects I need to work on in the coming months.
I hope you all enjoyed this series, and I bid you farewell until next time. Keep reading and writing! God bless! This has been your author, Greg.
|
|
|
|
Rave
Barbie Girl (Becca)
biscuit07
Filmtheory (Jim)
Malice (Jess)
MebbtheScribe (MichaelB)
Reset (Allie)
Shay (Marrisa)
somnambulist29 (Shea)
Stephanie Loss
Wendyness (Wendy)
Questions?Contact Us
|
|
All stories on this site have been archived with the authors' consent. Do not copy these stories for your own uses without the express consent of the author themselves. Buffy the Vampire Slayer TM and Angel TM are © UPN, WB, Fox and its related entities. All photos on the site are © UPN, Fox, Warner Bros, and/or their respective owners. No profits are being made by use of these images.
Powered with the assitance of eFiction.
|
|
|
