CH.7
After dropping off Buffy and Willow he headed home to get changed and check on Lindsey's progress. He found him in the downstairs living room reading about magic and demons on his computer.
By the end, he hopes to have Lindsey at least at the level of master warlock so that he can do all of the protection runes and spells and rites for each of his properties.
Shaking his head Ryan reminds him to make sure the bronze and magic shop employees are still the same because he knew that the owner of the magic shop at least left after the owner sold it to them.
Lindsey said he hired a local to run it in there sted and that the bronze kept their staff albeit with a higher wage.
An hour later Ryan was changed and ready to pick up Willow when Lyndsey said:" I've finished with the basics of the demonography most of it I already knew but it didn't hurt for a refresher course after I got my eidetic memory, thanks for that by the way."
Nodding and waving it off Ryan told him not to wait up for him and that one way or another this would be a long night.
Ryan drove over to pick up Willow and again his MS went off letting him know that Buffy was inside. He smiled and waved at the pulled back window shade that he could only assume was Buffy hiding behind. Giving Willow a kiss he held the passenger door open for her so that she could get in.
When they arrived Willow was surprised to see their booth had a rope hooked around the entire section and a sign that said VIP in bold letters. He smiled and led her to it unfastening the rope and letting them both in.
As soon as they were seated a second bartender came out of the back with two glasses of rum/coke and set them down in front of them. After the bartender took his tip and left Ryan said" So how are you liking the changes I had made to the club? It comes with privacy shades if you think people are staring to much."
Willow looked nervous when she stated: "Today you've given out two surprises, one to Buffy and one to Xander. Each bigger than the last I'm just nervous because I'm wondering what possible surprise you could have for me?"
Ryan looked down for a minute before saying: " The last gift I have to give is the gift of understanding."
Just as Willow was about to say something, he continued:" I can tell that you're magically talented. Each time we kiss I can feel you drawing on my strength. So I'd like to teach you your first spell if you'll let me. It's a truth spell I'm going to demonstrate on myself so that for tonight only you'll be able to ask anything from me and I'll be forced to answer honestly. Now before you start asking questions I have a smaller surprise for you. Listen clearly as I say the spell: Veritas!" he intoned with a deep voice.
Willow watched as the magic took its effect and before she could ask, he left the booth and headed for the stage. Seeing him coming, Oz and his band got ready. When he grabbed the mic the Dingos started playing: "No one knows what it's like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes
And no one knows what it's like
To be hated
To be faded to telling only lies
But my dreams they aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free
No one knows what its like
To feel these feelings
Like I do
And I blame you
No one bites back as hard
On their anger
None of my pain and woe
Can show through
But my dreams they aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free
No one knows what its like
To be mistreated, to be defeated
Behind blue eyes
An no one know how to say
That they're sorry and don't worry
I'm not telling lies
But my dreams they aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free
No one knows what its like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes."
At the finish of the first song, wolf whistles sounded from all over. One minute later the second song started: "As I sit here and slowly close my eyes
I take another deep breath
And feel the wind pass through my body
I'm the one in your soul
Reflecting inner light
Protect the ones who hold you
Cradling in your inner child
I need serenity
In a place where I can hide
I need serenity
Nothing changes, days go by
Where do we go when we just don't know
And how do we relight the flame when it's cold
Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing
And when will we learn to control
Tragic visions slowly stole my life
Tore away everything
Cheating me out of my time
I'm the one who loves you
No matter wrong or right
And every day I hold you
I hold you with my inner child
I need serenity
In a place where I can hide
I need serenity
Nothing changes, days go by
Where do we go when we just don't know
And how do we relight the flame when it's cold
Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing
And when will we learn to control
Where do we go when we just don't know
And how do we relight the flame when it's cold
Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing
And when will we learn to control
And how do we relight the flame when it's cold (I need serenity)
Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing (I need serenity)
And when will we learn to control
After the second song the Dingos lead singer took over and Ryan headed back to the booth. On the way, quite a few girls tried to stop him but each time he politely declined.
When he went behind the VIP rope they dispersed deciding he wasn't worth the effort.
When he sat down he was greeted by a long kiss from Willow as she was becoming bolder. When the make-out session was done and both parties were cooling down from being all hot and bothered it was time for a long session of Q & A.
He started with:" Before we begin id like it if you would agree to here the full explanation of whatever you ask me before you decide to do anything including leave if it's what you want. Just remember the scariest thing out there is the truth because it could damn you or set you free."
Willow thought on it while sipping her during and agreed:" Ok, I won't move from this spot until I hear the full explanation of each question. So, what is your full name."
" I am called many names most are from my enemies but the one you're looking for is The titan Ryn. Before you ask, I wasn't even in this dimension when I was called here. Each time a being says my name I'm immediately made aware of it and I can act at that moment. When it was said by the vampire this time, he was already dying so I destroyed all of his followers in the immediate area as compensation for calling me. You see each time I'm called with malicious intent, I'm racked with agony throughout my very being. So when I do end up being called I usually act a little spiteful. Other names you may know me as are Ryan Titan, Prometheus, and Kane."
Willows eyes went wide and teary as she heard this." Why would you hide this from us? Are you evil?"
" I didn't say anything because I wasn't expecting to fall in love. I'm forced to go to the very spot someone calls my name from. I didn't expect to run into you on the first day of school. I was going to go there then pretend to be human for a day. I'm no more evil than the next human though that depends on who you ask."
Silently shedding a tear Willow asked: " If your not human what is your real form."
Stoically he answered:" This is my real form though I can age and change the size of myself within certain parameters. As for my race, we were called titans because we were here first. We predated even the old ones. Until eventually one of our kind went insane and slaughtered everyone. Eventually, I killed him with my own hands. I was the last of my species. And from the blood of my people mixed with the taint of a shadow arouse the old ones. When the last of the blood mixed with the mud of the earth and energy that runs through it, the first humans came forth. In my pain and self hate I turned my back on the world swearing never to kill again until one day I heard of a group of humans trying to create a living weapon to kill the old ones. I instinctively knew it was sacrificial magic. I raced to what's now known as Africa but I was to late. These shadow men as they called themselves, had done it, they took an innocent child chained her up and let a shadow demon corrode her soul enough to fuse with. The only reason it even worked and the worst part about it was that they had sacrificed their entire village and the surrounding villages to the demon so that it was strong enough to pull it off. Seeing that I'd arrived to late I went on a rampage and slaughtered most of the shadow men, breaking my oath. The survivors tried to sick the poor girl on me. I didn't have the heart to finish it after I saw her struggling to break free of her shackles. I left them there and retreated once more into my seclusion. Several years later I heard someone summon me and I acted. The old one tried to use the portal to his advantage and it worked sort of. I managed to destroy his body but I fell into a side dimension. Instead of continuing to go after him I went to sleep thinking it was for the best. By that point, I figured it was humanities turn to reign. And there I slept until one day I was called once more. The rest is as you say history."
Willow was at war with herself. Her inner feelings were in turmoil. On one hand, he lied to her on the other she really felt for him. Deciding that was almost enough for tonight she and asked: " Why tell me this now?"
"Because I could feel myself falling for you and I didn't want our relationship to be founded on lies. When a titan loves it's for life, they may take other lovers eventually but their heart will always belong to their first love. Even you humans got that one right. Look at your myths and you'll see the ones that came before your gods may have been promiscuous but they always had one true love!" sighing and turning away he started to get up. " I think that's enough storytelling for tonight unless you want to know everything right away. If you have any more personal questions or are just curious I'll cast the spell again tomorrow. Let's head home it's getting late." It was already almost eleven and the club was emptying out.