Chapter Seven

Connor reveals that he can remember Quor'Toth but also his new memories of a happy, normal life, and that he wants to be in this world now because he can relate to how bad the Hell dimension really was in comparison. Meanwhile, Buffy finds out the soldier is Riley, and he dies in her arms. She becomes enraged, attacking Angel because she blames him for bringing him to Sunnydale and to his death - which is all technically true, although Angel had no idea of Riley's identity; it was Wes who recruited him. They are both incapacitated - Buffy by Willow and Angel through sheer exhaustion.

Fred and Wes talk, and he reveals the First has been visiting him since the bedroom incident, and he says it's because he's weak and an easy target. Fred disagrees - she says it's because he's the essential leader of their group, the one holding everyone together, especially while Angel was away.

They vow to bring the group together, but then they are abruptly and brutally attacked by a magical entity known as the Erus Veneficus, who spreads a flaming inferno across the entire street and easily overpowers Willow, who goes into full pissed-off-witch mode. In fact, he is dangerously close to incinerating Fred and Faith when a giant ball of white light appears and attacks the wizard, making them disappear.

The fire, however, remains, seperating Wes, Connor, Fred, Angel, Xander and Andrew from the others. They come around to the possibility that this creature may not answer to the First. Spike appears...sporting his duster. He and Wes go inside a house to see if they can climb out over the flames, but discover a magical barrier after finding the owner of the house, dying. She dies in Wes's arms and Spike acts particularly heartless about it. They hang around until sunset, and Angel awakes. Spike tries to ferret out both his and Wes's theories about the First, but is ignored. Angel also reveals the Erus Veneficus as his abductor from the basement, implicating that he is in fact working for the First.

They set out to find an alternative way to the house, unaware the Erus Veneficus watches them from above the fire.