Ethereal Existanceby CalistaHe pulled her close against him, and whispered loudly in her ear, "you're the one that sets me free" before biting into her neck, draining her of her life's blood. And in those few seconds, those last painful seconds, Buffy realized that she had failed in her duties as the Slayer. She had risked the lives of everyone she knew and cared for, only to have unleashed the powers of evil, the forces of darkness that would destroy humanity and eventually themselves if not stopped. That was her job. And now she was dead. Her ethereal body sat on a cloud, legs crossed in lotus form, her eyes darting back and forth, watching under closed eyelids. Her teeth were clenched with effort, her hands open and resting palm up on her knees, flinching as the last ties to her existence on the physical plane were severed. Buffy gasped, and with the strength gained from a whooping intake of breath, succeeded in opening her eyes. She swiveled her head to look at her surroundings, mouth dropping open and eyes bulging out of their sockets at what she saw. Around her, luminescent beings glided around gracefully, minding their own business and going about their duties, their pale blue outlines shimmering with each step, growing brighter and thicker as they stood still, thinking or conversing quietly amongst themselves. She looked down at her body, noticing with shock and wonder that she too was slightly glowing, and hovering a few inches off the ground. She was still wearing her Prom dress, which was none the worse for her fall in a murky puddle of water. 'Am I dead?' she asked herself. She looked up, half expecting to see little Caspers flying around overhead. She felt slightly disappointed when she saw none. She had read the tabloids, and knew all about the "white lights" and "golden gates with bright green vines entwined in them" and the "faceless angels strumming out melodies on harps, with halos resting above their heads". And it was true, except for the golden gates and angels part. Halos were replaced by the faint, but striking blue outlines, and there was something in the air that made her feel at ease. It was like a picture out of a fairytale book, white and pale blue with peaceful beings. Buffy broke off her train of thought as she saw someone gliding swiftly in her direction, a folded piece of paper in hand. It, (Buffy couldn't tell what gender) reached her shortly and handed her the note, and then sped off the way it had come, blending in with the other beings, then disappearing entirely from her view. She passed the note back and forth between her hands, contemplating what it might say. Finally, she decided it's contents couldn't hurt her, and opened it. She scanned it's contents and finding nothing of importance, refolded it and looked up. She was taken aback, her expression confused. Around her, the peaceful scene of meandering spirits, had been replaced with one more harsh yet still portraying peace and merriment. Before her, seated behind and intricately carved box, was another spirit, this one different from the others. It's aura was thicker, and more healthier than the others, and it had an air of authority. She felt a strange sensation in her mind, and a moment later, a voice sounded in her head. 'There is great commotion down on Earth. Disaster is coming to the human race. This must be avoided at all costs.' Buffy then saw in her mind, possible outcomes the vampires might bring on. Most of these pictures were dark and red, as if the planet had been turned into a giant slaughter house. All these images sent shivers down her spine. She had to get back, to somehow regain her physical form and stop the Master. The being across from her, the one she assumed was communicating with her, nodded, and she could feel tears spring into her eyes, except the dead could not cry. Memories came back to her unbidden. Her first day at Sunnydale High, meeting Xander, Willow, Jesse and Cordelia, the awkward scene in the library when she met her Watcher, Giles. Angel, when he helped her kill the Three, and later when he revealed his true face to her. And finally, her mother. God knew what would happen to her when she received word that her only daughter was dead. She looked back at the head spirit, and knew what she had to do. She had been given another chance to live, to succeed, or all those she loved and cared for, would perish in the disaster that would be bestowed upon humanity by the Master and his vampire minions. She closed her eyes and felt herself drop. With an intake of breath, Buffy returned to the land of the living. She started to cough, spitting out some of the brown water she had accidentally swallowed. She looked from Xander to Angel, and back again. "Xander?" she managed to squeak out between parched lips. Xander let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding, and Angel would have sighed in relief had he been able to. Both boys smiled. Reach the author, Callista, at X-JediKnight@death-star.com for feedback! |