Return to the Fold

Beta'd by Always_jbj

Ripper looked around the fire, taking note of the others gathered there, his heart was racing in anticipation of the magic they would wield on this clear winters night.  The air was crisp and biting a light layer of snow covering the ground.  Despite to cold of the night he sat clad only in a tattered pair of jeans and a simple white t-shirt, the sleeves were worn rolled up to reveal the firm muscles of his upper arm and the distinct black tattoo that seemed to almost pulse with life.

His feet were bare and exposed to the elements, but he felt no cold; his body was heated with the magics still lingering from the previous night’s events.

They all knew that they were pushing the limits by calling on Eyghon so frequently.

Tonight first Randal and then Ripper would fall into the state of unconsciousness that was necessary in order to take the demon into their body; it was the first time they had attempted two possessions in the one night.  Ripper cast a glance towards his best friend, Ethan; the memory of the events following his last possession causing his cock to harden in anticipation.  Neither man was truly gay, yet after a night of magical possession the energy still trapped within the body needed to be expelled, and that expulsion often manifested itself in a night of sexual adventure. 

In fact there were none present who had not tasted his prowess; he had received no complaints, either. The other members of their group had, often approached him randomly between meetings to the mutual satisfaction of all parties.

Randal approached the centre of the circle, as the others began to chant he concentrated on performing the spell that would send him into a deep sleep.

Ripper closed his eyes, relishing the power that arced through the night air as Eyghon leapt into Randal’s prone form.  Suddenly the man’s eyes opened, as he began to rise slowly to his feet.  He flexed his hands as though testing his skin; his eyes glowed with an unnatural light as he stalked about the circle, inspecting each of them in turn.

Deidre glanced at her watch.  “That’s five minutes, almost your turn Ripper.”

Randal/Eyghon spun to stare at the only female in the group.  “What makes you think I’m willing to leave this vessel?”

Ripper stood warily.  “If you stay you’ll kill him.”

Eyghon laughed, “You think I care for this mortal flesh?  What consequence is it to me if this fragile vessel is used up? Soon I will be given birth from this body, whole and empowered.”

Ripper shouted at the others, “We need to exorcise him, it’s Randal’s only chance.”

“Are you sure, Ripper?” Phillip stepped forward, worry clouding his voice but his hands had already starting to turn the pages in their spell book.

Ripper paused for a moment.  “Yes, yes I’m sure.” He pushed his uncertainty aside, as he snatched up the book and started chanting the words from the first page her found.  “Come on,” he called for the others to help.

The group chanted, their voices rising as they battled with the demon Eyghon, its screams of rage and denial tearing through the air.

“Begone demon.”  Ripper finally screamed, relief flooding him as Randal’s eyes flashed bright before returning to their natural colour and the man fell to the ground gasping for breath.

“Good show, Ripper.”  Ethan came to pat him on the back in congratulations.

Ripper gave a short laugh before swaggering towards Randal.  “Weren’t nothin’,” he boasted.

Kneeling down beside his friend Ripper waited for the other man’s eyes to open once more so he could rib him about the close call.  “Randal?” He bent low listening for signs of life.  “Bloody hell.” He began to roll the man onto his back.  “He’s not fucking breathing, help me.” He yelled at the others, as he wracked his brain trying to remember how to perform resuscitation.

He looked towards the others, surprised to see them backing away, eyes wide with fear.

Ethan came up behind him, trying to pull him away.  “Ripper, come on we have to get out of here. Leave him.”

Ripper shook off Ethan’s hand.  “We just can’t leave him here to die.  We have to try something.”  He turned to the others.  “Thomas, Phillip, Deidre…help me, please?”

They each shook their heads in denial before turning and running into the night.

“Ripper, it’s too late.  He’s dead.  For Christ’s sake, man, think of yourself.”  Ethan began to drag at his arm.

“Don’t!  Don’t call me that.”

“Call you what?” Ethan stared at his friend in confusion.

“Ripper.  Don’t call me that name anymore.”  He pushed Ethan backwards, away from him and their fallen friend.  “I refuse to be him if it means I leave my friends to die alone.”

“Then who are you then?”  Ethan sneered.  “Rupert Giles, the good little watcher in training?”

“Yes.”  Giles nodded.  “If that’s what it takes to atone for this…” he waved his hand towards the remnants of their activities.  “I’ll be Rupert Giles.”

“You’re pathetic.” Ethan spat.  “Such a pity… all that potential, and you end up being just another bloody white hat.”  He rose to his feet, brushing the dirt from his clothes.  “Be seeing you… Ripper.”

Giles watched as his once-friend stalked off into the night, leaving him behind with the evidence of their folly.  Leaning down he whispered to the dead man by his side, “I won’t be long.  I just need to find a phone so I can get help.”  Giles got to his feet, following the path that Ethan had taken only moments before. He winced as he stood on a sharp stone, the cold suddenly sending a chill deep into his soul.  Finally he came across a phone booth, with trembling hands he searched his pockets for change, before finally dropping the coins into the slot and dialling the number that he’d thought he would never use again.  “Hello, father?  It’s me.  There’s been an accident.”

The End