For better or for worse [cw]

He should have expected that she would do whatever she wanted, even thinking that she would be up for negotiations made him feel dumb. Her explanation made no sense to him, because it was Simeon who had made him connect with the artifact in the first place. Was this some wicked plan that the summoner had had all along? He stood in his own thoughts, sending her a sour look at her demand. He had no other choice than to comply. He lifted Buffy's body up into his arms and put her somewhere where she wouldnt be in the way, or at risk for whatever was going to happen once the portal was opened. He sent the cambion a warning gaze, because he really wouldnt hesitate to hurt him if anything happened to Buffy's soul. He crouched down to an open area in the woods, looking at his mark shortly before he looked up at Raziela. "If I give you back your brother, you'll leave my family alone." he said, even if he wasnt in a position to make demands. At least she wasnt the one who was holding Buffy's soul anymore. He had a sour taste in his mouth because he knew what it would mean for Alyssa, if Simeon truly was in the Abyssus. He closed his eyes and started chanting a few daemonic words, ones he had never even heard off before but somehow knew by heart. It was weird because whereas he had to draw blood from his mark himself, it was like the chanting was making the mark open up by itself and the blood began to drip onto the ground. He drew a different mark on the ground, mumbling the chant over and over though a searing pain spread in his chest. He knew he had to keep on going. There was no way back from here, his own marks that usually bore a colour black as ink began to light up in the dark. The mark on the ground seemed to tear away the earth underneath it, opening up for something so horrible that words couldnt even describe it. The screams of agony filled the small woods, probably spreading throughout the city, dark souls emerging from the hole and into the night. Baal couldnt handle the pain any longer, closing up the void before he collapsed on the ground, heaving for air as he grit his teeth in pain. He stared up at Raziela hoping she had gotten what she wanted.

Andrew who was sitting in the car waiting for it all to be over couldnt even miss it. He groaned with a subtle fucking hell leaving his lips as he got out of the car and went to see what was going on. "What the...." he mumbled, seeing the void close up as the summoner collapsed. This wasnt the plan she had told him about, this was even supposed to be possible. "What the fuck have you just unleashed?!" he angrily asked, looking from his sister to the summoner on the ground.

Jasper held the soul, taking a few steps away from the other daemons, but still being visible. He didn't trust this one bit. Raziela was pushing it too far, and it was scaring the shit out of him. As the portal opened, he had to cover the soul to not get it sucked in to the Abyssus, because frankly him taking care of this loose soul was something his life depended on. He had heard what Baal had done before, he was not going to test that summoner's limits like his sister. Besides, if he really had a hand in his brother's death, he was making sure to stay as far away as possible. Jasper was seen as a coward by most of his siblings, he wasn't strong like Andrew or cunning like Raziela. Hell, it seemed that his siblings preferred Elora, the daemon that literally could torture you with a look, over him. Not that he blamed them, he would pick Elora over everyone here. His eyes looked around, like small dark beads, seeing the creatures escape from the opened portal, and he was visibly shaking from fear as he held on to the soul.

Raziela's eyes lit up as the summoner did as he was told, and before the portal closed, she cut her arm, letting her blood drip in to it, before sticking her arm in. A bloodcurdling scream came from her lips as her arm was ripped off by the shoulder, disappearing in to the Abyssus. She fell back, sitting on the cold grass as she covered her open wound, but she knew it would be worth it. She was Simeon's blood, he could use her living limb to return, and it would all be for him she had done this. Her brother came running and she stumbled to her feet, blood running from her hand and down to the ground. She was pale, losing a lot of blood would do that to any living creature. "He can come home now," she mumbled, her eyes wet from pain, her forehead covered in sweat. "He'll find a way," she said before collapsing on the ground.

Jasper freaked out at the look of his sister collapsing, seeing the blood make him feel nauseous, unintentionally letting go of Buffy's soul to bend over and puke in to some bushes. Buffy's light soul lingered, as if it was unsure of what to do. It could feel the voice of Faeth call it, letting it know it could move on to another life, but for some reason it didn't. Instead it moved down to Buffy's lifeless body, hovering over her before slipping in between the lips. It took some time, but soon enough Buffy was awake, pain in her chest as she sat up disoriented. That was when she saw Baal on the ground, almost crawling to him, turning him around to look at him. "No ... Nononono," she mumbled, shaking his body. "Belial, please ... Wake up," she pleaded, her eyes watering. She knew partly what had happened, but it was like it was coming back in pieces. "Please, Belial, please wake up ... Let's go home," she whispered as her voice broke and more tears came running down her cheeks.

"You're fucking insane!" Andrew lashed out in anger at her before he looked at the summoner on the ground. He was far too dangerous to be awake, but it was only good that he was weakened. The things he would do for family, he thought as he leaned down to grab the other man's collar, lifting him slightly off the ground. He had never cared for Bael's blood anyway. He knocked him out in a solid but cruel punch and let him fall to the ground before he turned to his sister, picking her up with a sour expression. "Keep pressure on the wound. Jasper get in the fucking car," he barked, looking at the soul that moved along the ground. He had to make sure they were gone before then, even if he had to carry Raziela with one arm and drag Jasper with the other. "I should have fucking left you," he hissed under his breath, getting her in the car before he got in.

It was as if Raziela's offering was more than Baal could handle, at least because the void seemed to demand more of the living world the moment it got a taste of it. That was a dangerous demand for a realm that solely took care of the undead. He had to close it up, just as the oldest Aelius appeared. Baal couldnt do anything but look till the brute decided that it was better to knock him out. He was already quite weakened at this point so the punch was just as if he was pushed over the edge. Everything went dark and he felt awfully numb and unaware of everything around him. He barely noticed or heard Buffy as she was calling for him and holding him.

Connor had heard the ungodly screams on his way to the house after having spent most of the day with Laure and it had been easy to see where it was all coming from. He had run in the direction to the woods, stepping in the clearing to look at Buffy and Baal. "Dont tell me..." he mumbled, looking at the ground that should have seemed untouched, but there was a clear burn mark after the void had been there. "Verity's mercy," he mumbled, his eyes filled with dread as he went to Buffy. He was at a loss for words, but helped his cousin with bringing the summoner where ever she wanted him to go.

Raziela grunted as Andrew pulled her with him, Jasper scrambled to get his shit together to do as he was told, but he was clearly not handling it very well. He hated blood, he feared it, but given an order, he could do nothing but obey. "At least I am trying to do this right," she said in a spiteful voice. She knew Andrew had run off with that lycan, and she hated him for it. How could he just leave his family like this? How could he even think that stupid dog could ever be a real match for him? She laid down in the back of the car, Jasper applying pressure to the open wound, holding back copious amounts of gagging noises, because he knew it would annoy Andrew. And his brother was already in a mood where he was not going to test him.

//Raziela & Jasper out

Buffy cried, looking at Baal and seeing the mark on the ground around him. She didn't know what to do, she wasn't strong enough and her body felt so cold. It was just pure luck that her cousin was there, looking at him with pleading eyes as she couldn't even find words to describe what had happened.
They got Baal back to the house, deciding to call Alyssa and tell her what she knew, but it seemed like the empusa barely reacted before their conversation ended. Buffy sat down on the bed where Baal was placed, moving some of his curls away from his face. Her tears had dried, but never in her life had she cried this much in one day. She just sat there, watching over her love as she could do nothing else. What had happened in the forest still confused her, and even though not every thing in her mind was in place yet, she knew something terrible would happen.

Saoirse had woken up, her heart beating out of control from a nightmare, clutching on to Amos as if she was about to fall from a cliff. She groaned, her voice sore, but she was awfully awake. She could feel Connor close, why was that? If Amos was still sleeping after her dramatic awakening, she would move out of bed. Her legs were shaking, but she just had to know if it had been something she had just dreamt. She could hear her mother's voice, but she wasn't hearing any reply. Turning her head she saw Connor, and her eyes watered as she looked away. One thing was Amos seeing her get mauled like that, another was to let the seraph see the aftermath. She was scared, but she also knew she had to be brave, lifting a hand to wave at the seraph she cared for so deeply. Where had he been? Why hadn't he been here with her? She felt her eyes water, a few tears escaping her eyes and running down her cheek, and if Connor got closer she would shake her head. She couldn't explain herself without a voice, but she didn't want other people talking on her behalf.

Hearing her name being spoken like that, how he started to stammer, it just hurt. It hurt, because she knew he had been ignoring that feeling he had gotten inside. He had decided not to check up on everything, even though that was what he usually did. Swallowing she listened to Amos as he came in to the hallway, his question making her just nod, but she couldn't stand to look at him right now. She felt like everything was a lie. Like what he had said all those times was just him using her, that he wasn't actually ever going to be there when she needed him the most. Saoirse had needed him today, and he had ignored that call. Sitting down on her bed, her hands moved up, shakily moving her fingers through her hair as she started sobbing. Her whole body was shaking, because how could he just ignore it? How could he do this?
If Amos came in and sat down with her, she would lean her head against his shoulder. Her sobs were hoarse, and they hurt her throat even more, but her heart felt so broken. The worst part was that she knew she would forgive the seraph, she knew she would let it slide because her heart wouldn't let her do otherwise. Her hand moved down, holding on to Amos' as she gave it a few squeezes. She wanted to tell him how grateful she was for having him be here, comforting her and holding her. She wanted to apologize again for always acting bratty, but that Connor's behavior today was what she feared most. However she knew that he knew in some way, with just a look it felt like she could relay that information on to her brother and he would understand every depth in her green eyes. Saoirse was done with having a hard time to choose either of them, because in the end Amos had chosen her, and she now chose him. Whatever she had with Connor was gone, reduced to whatever part she could put him in to. "On-ly-y y-y-ou," she managed to say hoarsely, trying not to strain her voice more than necessary, but it had to be said.

She knew he was happy, even if he didn't want to, she knew how much it had weighed on him to know that someone else could claim her eventually. But if today had shown her anything, it was that he was going to be there, he was never going to stray and ignore when she needed him. His whisper made her whimper softly, closing her eyes as he leaned in and connected their lips. She had so much regret, so much she wanted to do right, but she hoped that with time he would come to accept whatever flaws she had and mistakes she had done. He broke the kiss, making her lips left pouting, looking at him as he promised to keep her safe. She nodded, her free hand moving up to cup his face. She knew she could hardly strain her voice more, but she didn't have to at this point. She knew he knew, and everything else could come later.
After sitting for a while and calming down she nodded, getting to her feet, looking at their hands still entangled. She wouldn't pull him with her if he didn't want to come, but she was going in to the living room. She had asked Connor to stay, but she couldn't really speak to him. Coming in to the living room she watched the seraph from the doorway. Almost scared to walk in, because part of her would always feel that urge to run to him and wrap her arms around him. However he had broken that in her, she couldn't respond to that anymore. She walked through the living room and in to the open kitchen, putting the kettle on as she noticed the food left on the stove. It was her favorite dish; Her mom's homemade risotto with fresh mushrooms. She felt her eyes tear up again, because her parents had really been standing here, cooking her a feel good meal, and she had ruined it again. She was always going to be the one to ruin it, wasn't she? She just stood as if the was frozen, knowing she couldn't really eat right now, but also so torn between her emotions.
She could hear her mother come in to the room, and she didn't dare to look up.

"Before any of you get upset, I want you to know that Baal is home," she declared, her voice still rather broken with emotions, but she was surprisingly strong. "He's unconscious, I don't know if or when he's going to wake up," she said, holding up a hand if Amos was going to start protesting. This was her home, her family and her rules. "Saoirse, I understand if you don't want to be under the same roof as him, but I can't leave him, just like Amos couldn't leave your side when you needed your rest," she said, shooting the daemon a look that was pleading. She knew he resented his father for letting his sister get hurt, but Buffy refused to believe that her daughter couldn't see that this was an accident.
Saoirse shook her head, walking over to her mother, wrapping her arms around her. She felt so bad for everything, and the least she could do was honor her mother's wishes. The trybrid wanted to stay, she knew it hadn't been her father's fault. Buffy then looked more serious at Amos. "Baal told me that the summoner you looked for was struck down shortly after you left with Saoirse ... I don't know how close you were, and the gods know I can't read how your mother feels, she just sounded distant when I spoke to her on the phone," she said, taking a deep breath. Everything was still in shambles, but she needed to be strong. She then guided them all to sit in the sofa, Saoirse in the middle, but she was clearly leaning closer to Amos. Buffy told them everything, everything about Simeon, how he had pursued them, how he was relentless. She told them of how she had been kidnapped and tortured by Simeon's siblings, wanting to know what happened to him, and she didn't hold back in the important information she gave them. "Now, a rift seems to have appeared, I'm not sure how or why, but I want you all to know that I am done playing by daemon or seraph rules and I want us to figure this out as a family, not as two camps fighting for one cause," she spoke.

Saoirse felt bad about all of this, but ultimately went to sit down as her mother instructed. She could feel the anger fume from Amos, but she hoped that holding his hand would at least do something to soothe him. She was still rather tired, but she also didn't really know how to feel about all of this. She wasn't afraid of her father, rather she felt afraid of what he was capable of; perhaps more accurately what could happen if he wasn't in control. Sitting there between the two she loved was weird, mostly because of the rift that Connor had caused. She didn't demand that he only loved her, but she did want to know if he actually cared at all. If even his mother hadn't been able to reach him, then what was she? No-one it seemed, but Amos provided her with the comfort she needed right now. Listening to her mother, it seemed like everything lead back to this Simeon guy, but why had she never been told about him? She felt like so much had been kept for her, perhaps for her own sake, but she felt like she had the right. It explained so much, and she was just left sitting there, staring at the coffee table as she tried to process it all.

Buffy sighed at Amos' statement. "I'm not asking all daemons and seraphim to get along, but I would hope that our family and close relatives could at least give it a try," she said looking at her daughter. "If not for each other, then for Saoirse ... She's part of each branch, no matter how you look at it," she said, leaning down to place a hand against her daughter's cheek, caressing it softly. She knew it was a lot to take in, and she had hoped the trybrid would've been a bit older before they had to disclose everything. It wasn't like Buffy was over the psychological mess of it all, still waking at night from horrible night-terrors. "My aunt might be stubborn, but she loves you," she said before she turned her eyes on Amos. "And your mother have trusted empusas, some that are only loyal to her, that has to count for something if she gives an order to fight with the seraphim, right?" she asked. Breathing out she sat back in a chair, rubbing her face slightly as she felt the shakes of fear run through her again. "I can't ... I can't afford to lose any more," she whispered, her voice broken.

He really didnt know what to do about the situation. Would she even accept an apology? Would an apology even be enough at this point? He felt so unsure. Even Amos was acting different, so he knew that whatever he had done wasnt something that could be excused. He simply had had to be there and have shown that he cared. He looked down, rather focusing on Buffy's words than the current situation. "Leona would do anything to protect Saoirse," he said in a sure tone, fiddling a bit with his fingers. He looked up as Buffy sat down, not exactly hearing her whisper but he could tell she was in distress. "You wont lose any of us," he said, looking at the two others before he sighed. He could really not get over the awkward feeling that was between them. Maybe it was better to find some other day when everyone had calmed down. "Did my mom leave a bottle of tears? You might be able to give that to Baal, see if it makes him feel better," he suggested with a sigh.

She made a point, the family that they had would probably do anything for Saoirse. The trybrid just seemed to have that effect on everyone she met, family adored her and strangers looked to her in awe. Amos sighed and nodded, holding on to Saoirse's hand a little tighter now that Simeon had been mentioned. He felt uneasy knowing that there might be a chance that his stepfather was coming back because he knew the truth even before Saoirse had been born. How he had been trying to make claims on her if she had been part summoner or wanting her killed if she was a hybrid. "Trust me, she cares just as much as I do when it comes to Saoirse, even if she doesnt show it," he remarked rather seriously. Connor's assurance to Buffy's whisper made him raise an eyebrow because to his knowledge, it wasnt exactly that the seraph had done much in trying to protect anyone, so who was he to make claims? He just ignored the fact that Connor wanted to help Baal get better, looking at Saoirse with searching eyes. "I want you to leave with me. Leave this town while all this is unraveling and while you heal," he said in a lowered tone, but not so the others couldnt hear them.

"I think she did, but how is he even going to swallow if he's unconscious?" Buffy sighed in defeat, shaking her head as she got back to her feet. She couldn't sit still, not with the knowledge of Simeon maybe returning. Why was his name inspiring fear in her like this? It didn't seem fair. She had been so strong all those months ago, and now she felt the weakest. She had been rebellious back then, strong because she had to, but she felt like even that flame had died down. It at least felt good to know that she wasn't alone in this anymore, that this time the family could rally behind her, help her. She knew why they hadn't been able to back then, at least not without starting a full on war with the daemon orders, but she had felt so alone back then.
"I don't want there to be a fight, but there might be a risk for that, and I'm no fighter," she said, looking at her daughter and the young man on each side of her. Wasn't it obvious what she was asking? That she wanted them to promise her that Saoirse was kept out of it. She couldn't lose her daughter, she couldn't handle the thought of living if her only child died, not that she wanted her to be an orphan, but she wasn't hoping it got that far.

Saoirse looked at her brother as he whispered to her. Hearing her mother fear for her life, he was actually suggesting something that might be a good idea, but she also wanted her family to weigh in on it. They at least needed to know where she was, right? Or would that prove a risk as well? It was just a lot of thoughts and questions, some that she couldn't even get an answer to. Looking at her mother, she frowned, giving Amos' hand a squeeze, wanting him to suggest it to her mother.

Amos sighed as she simply squeezed his hand rather than saying something. He turned to Buffy and looked at her, "I'm just suggesting that I take Saoirse out of Churchill while everything is settling down. Hopefully all this will sort out quickly?" he said, looking back at Saoirse in a bit of was that good enough? He definitely felt a little tense and on his toes about it all. He knew Baal was in the house and the shock hadnt left him yet. He was relatively good at seeming calm and collected, but inside he was nervous. He also worried for his mother, holding on a little tighter to Saoirse's hand as he shortly glanced towards the door. She had seemed to get better after Simeon had disappeared, but now that he was coming back, what was to happen? Would he be stronger than before? What would he even be like now that he had spent a couple of month the realm of torment. Amos didnt even like to think about the afterlife of daemons.

Connor frowned a little at her question and shrugged. "Even if he chokes on it, it should find it's own way to whatever wound he has suffered. He cant drown in healing water," he said in a pondering tone but he knew it wasnt the nicest thing. His mother had told him many stories from the war where they had to fill the noses of unconscious seraphim with the vials of tears to make it enter their bodies. He could sense the tension in his cousin and he wished that he had some words of comfort. He drew in a deep breath and didnt say much to Amos' words to Saoirse. For once he actually seemed to agree that Amos taking the trybrid out of town while all this was going on was for the best. He got up from his seat and went over to window, looking out for a bit. Somehow it didnt feel as safe being here in western, but that was because he was so used to his parents larger garden where it would be easy to see any intruders. Here it just felt like an ambush waiting to happen. He wrapped his arms a little around himself and turned to the others as soon as Amos had said his whisper out loud. "I think Saoirse should be leaving too. I can ask my dad if his brother will take you in, in Aurvandil? Just for a little while," he suggested, looking from Saoirse to then Buffy.