Ok this story will be my third on this site. For some reason I had this long drawn out Xellos/Filia story in my head. And it wouldn't go away until I started writing it. At first I thought it was just going to be a one shot. But I guess the story had other ideas. I figured it was going to be to long to post all at once so I have divided it up into chapters.
There are several points in this story that I am going for. The struggle between light and darkness. How easily the dark can corrupt the light. And how hard it is for the light to stay away from the darkness. Because of certain scenes and vivid dreams I am going to rate this story M. While it doesn't have all the blood and gore of a real M story and not much sex or sexual situation like real M story I'm still rating it that just to be safe.
Disclaimer: Just like my other stories I do not own Slayers. I am just using the characters like puppets to weave my story. And as always please do not sue me for all I have is this computer, my large anime collection, and a guitar.
As always please read and review. Please no flames, but constructed criticism is more then welcomed.
And that is enough of me talking/typing, on with the story!
Falling Star (a Slayers tale) chapter 1: The Nightmares begin
The shop was empty save for one foxman sitting in the back cleaning a small vase. His rustic colored fur showing signs of his age. Now no longer a teen Jillas spends his time keeping shop of the Vase and Mace. The store never really had any customers just the odd patron every now and then. But then the shop really wasn't for the customers.
The small bell above the shop door softly rang notifying Jillas that a customer has just entered. Looking up he is momentarily blinded by the light flooding in from the door way. Once his eyes adjust his smile turns to a less then happy sneer. The smiling purple haired priest simply ignores the nasty look.
"Well well if it isn't the same old foxman. So how is the former bandit turned vase cleaner doing," Xellos says poking at Jillas' shaded past. "I'll not be tempted by a monster like you," Jillas says his grip tightening on the vase.
Xellos just smiles leaning against his staff,"Oh really now. Well then I guess your over all the killing you did at Valgaav's commands then? You've put it all behind you?" Grinding his teeth Jillas flinches as the vase he was cleaning breaks in his hand. A small laugh escapes Xellos,"I guess not entirely."
Just as Jillas was about to respond they both turn as the back shop door opens. An elegant woman no more then twenty five walks in greeting them both with a kind smile. Her golden hair flows freely down her back as radiant blue eye view her surroundings.
Filia was the perfect specimen of human, a paragon of her race. Well that would be if she was a human that is. In reality she was, like Xellos, not a human. But unlike Xellos she was no monster. Filia was one of the last Gold Dragons in the area.
Many years ago after the attack of Darkstar the remaining gold dragons dispersed. After Filia took in the reborn Valgaav she decided to stay in one place. It would be easier on Val to grow up in one spot then to travel around. Now years later Filia has grown from her blossoming teen self into a beautiful flower of a woman. Still favoring her white priestess dress she has made little modifications over the years.
"Jillas would you please go and bring our guest and I some tea," she says smiling at him. Jillas nods taking one last look at Xellos then disappears into the back room. "I see your as pleasant as ever Filia," Xellos says still leaning on his staff," so how is the little would be destroyer of worlds doing." Filia loses her smile for but a moment when Xellos brings up the subject of Val. "Please come and sit," she says waving him to a small table near the back.
"So Xellos tell me what brings you to my small part of the world this time?" Filia asks sitting at the table,"Surely its not just to see me again." Xellos half breaks his smile sitting at the table with her. 'She has grown up after all,' he thinks regaining his composure. "Well I was in the area on an errand and I thought to come and see how you were doing is all," he says receiving a less then believing look from Filia,"honest. When have I ever lied to you? In the last year."
"I wouldn't know, it is so hard to tell a lie from the truth with you Xellos," she states looking over to Jillas returning with a tray in his hands. Pouring a cup of tea for both Filia and Xellos he receives a smile from her for his good behavior. As always Filia has her special tea cup at hand.
After pouring the tea Jillas leaves the tray on the table then returns to the back room. "Well yes I know it has been awhile sense my last visit," Xellos says taking a sip of tea,"That's why I thought to stop by."
"You'll have to forgive me for not believing that story at all Xellos. After all I have your track record to look back on," she says also taking a sip from her cup. "Cutting straight to the point huh?" Xellos says leaning back in his chair,"Well to tell the truth I have no idea why I was sent here. It was just an order from my master," he says shrugging his shoulders.
Filia just stares at him. Was he really telling the truth now. Did he indeed have no idea what he was to do here. Filia was unsure of his intentions so she just played along. "Well how will you do what you are to do if you have no idea what to do?" she asks looking out to the front of the shop.
"Now thats a secret," he says holding his finger to his lips. Filia tries to restrain herself but a single twitch of an eyebrow catches Xellos' notice. "So how is the newborn ancient doing," Xellos says really not caring one way or the other,"I hear he is growing up to be quit the young man."
Filia sits her cup down a small look of concern forming on her face. "And who told you that," she says trying to hide the hope he would tell her. "Oh you know from this person and that person along the way from place to place," he says loving the control he now had on the situation,"A lot of people are really looking forward to him growing up," Xellos finishes with a smile over Filia.
A shock runs through her as she thinks over what Xellos just said. She never thought anyone would be watching Valgaav after he was reborn as Val. Was she really that unaware of her surroundings. "And just how far out did you hear this?" she asks barely holding the terror back in her voice.
"You know even after all these years your still easy to trick and confuse," he says laughing at Filia's expense,"Worrying over something like people watching your little dragon baby. It's just so funny" Filia drops her head in shock, anger, shame, and hatred all at the same time. Yet they were not directed at him but herself. She had fallen for one of his old tricks even after all these years. She thought she had finally out grown them all together.
Xellos stops his laughter as Filia stands and walks away from the table. "That was unexpected," he says watching her walk into the back room like Jillas before her. Suddenly a loud scream of rage echoes through the shop followed by sounds of shattering dishes and breaking furniture. A small chuckle comes from Xellos as he stands and, after gathering his staff, walks out the front door. "Still so easy," he says laughing to himself walking down the street.
Later while Jillas and Gravos are cleaning the kitchen Filia is out back with the young Val. Watching Val play has always had a soothing effect on Filia. She just enjoys his happiness this time around. After having the life he once had this was such a better way to live.
Looking from Val Filia watches the setting sun as night begins to fall. "Val its time to come in," she calls out to him. "Ok mommy," Val shouts running back to her,"I'm coming." Filia just smile at him running up to her. Long ago when Val was first reborn she decided to be his mother. She would do everything that a real mother would do for him.
At first she was scared to take on such a responsibility. But as time went by she grew to love her new role in his life. Standing from her chair Filia take Val's hand and leads him into the kitchen. "Now go and clean your hands and face before dinner," she says pushing him towards the bathroom.
"Jillas is dinner ready yet?" Filia asks walking into the kitchen. "In just a few more minutes Lady Filia," he says pouring something into the big black pot on the stove. Filia just shakes her head at Jillas' name for her. She found out early on that it was best to let him call her that then to try and tell him not to. He was after all a very stubborn fox.
"And what is for dinner anyway?" Filia asks sniffing the air. "I thought since the young ones birthday was soon I would make some beef stew," Jillas says mixing the contents of the pot. Filia just smile at the foxman,"That was very thoughtful of you Jillas. I'm sure Val will love it too." Just then the before mentioned Val bursts through the door.
"Mommy theirs a stranger at the door. I saw him after washing up for dinner," he says smiling to himself at his own good deed. "I wonder who it is," she says standing,"Val you wait her with your uncle Jillas." Val nods as Filia walks to the front door of the shop.
Waiting for her is a tall man wearing a dark cloak. His long black hair hiding his face from her view. "Yes may I help you," Filia asks some what cautious of the man. Before she can act his arm grabs her shoulder. "You have the child do you not," he says a hidden evil in is voice,"I want the child now."
"Jillas get Val out of here," was all Filia could shout before the man shot some spell through her. She instantly falls to the ground her body not responding to her commands. The man steps over her heading to the back of the shop. Filia, unable to move, watches as Jillas runs out only to be cut down by an unseen blade.
Filia stares at him motionless on the floor blood flooding the area around him. His eye fog over as death takes him. Filia screams in her head as the man steps back out with Val thrown over his shoulder. Tears wash over her face as the man only stops to laugh at her.
"Pretty pathetic for a gold dragon," he says Filia still unable to move. He steps over her once more out of Filia's view. Silence fills the room as Filia screams and thrashes in her mind. Suddenly her body begins to shake a loud voice calling to her.
Filia shoots up from her seat screaming. Val jumps back scared from her sudden outburst. Jillas runs out from the shop after hearing the scream. "Lady Filia please calm down it was only a dream," he says trying to bring her back to reality,"Your safe now it was only a bad dream." Jillas holds Filia in a comforting embrace as she cries.
She had never before had a dream like that. It was so vivid and frightening. It even affected her in the real world. It took Jillas and Val together over an hour to calm Filia down. "Maybe a nice hot bath would help calm you more," Jillas offers leading Filia into the kitchen to sit. "Yes that would be nice Jillas," she says forcing herself to smile.
Jillas just nods grabbing Val leaving her to gather her thought. What was that that she dreamed. 'A horrid nightmare is more like it,' she thinks covering her face with her hands. "It was so real and terrifying. But why did I have it now?" she asks herself holding back more tears.
Filia soaks in the bath water enjoying the warm feeling it leaves her with. "Jillas is right, it was just a silly dream caused by Xellos' return after so long," she says to the empty room. She soaks for another hour before finishing up and heading off to bed. Stopping at Val's room to check in she smiles at the snoring young dragon.
Whispering a quick good night she continues on her way. Changing into her night gown she walks to her window. Pushing it open the cool night breeze brushes up against her. Staring out into the moonless night Filia sighs the earlier dream still causing a shiver to run down her spine. She still couldn't shake the feeling of fear.
Turning from the window Filia walks to her bed slipping under the sheets. "Tomorrow is another day," Filia says closing her eyes sleep washing over her tired body.
Filia woke the presence of some one else in the room. Sitting up she spots a figure leaning against the far wall. "Who are you!" Filia demands her eye still not adjusted to the darkness. "Oh Filia I'm shocked you don't remember me," the figure says half laughing,"After all it was you and the others who helped destroy me!"
Stepping to her the figure reveals itself to be the once half monster Valgaav. Filia pulls back in fear as the figure of Valgaav reaches her bed. "But you died long ago," she says trying to make sense of the situation. "Yes I did die long ago," Valgaav says grabbing Filia by the arm,"But I came back to seek my revenge."
With that Valgaav throws her down on the bed. Filia scream for help hoping some one would hear her calls. But then who could fight off such a powerful enemy as Valgaav. Tears swell up in her eyes as Valgaav rips her night gown. "Like all the others I will take what is most precious to you," he says moving on top of her,"I will take your purity from you and break your spirit. You shale be a shameful excuse of a gold dragon after I am through."
Pinning her arms above her head he reaches down with his free hand to her stomach. Slowly moving farther down he forces her legs apart. "NO. Please no," Filia pleads only to fall on deaf ears. Tears stream down her face as Valgaav smiles that same evil smile ever present on Xellos himself. Valgaav leans over,"Fighting will only make it worst," he whispers in her ear.
Terror and fear race through her body as she tries to fight back as best she can. But Valgaav's strength quickly overpowers her. Filia jolts up from her bed a silent scream echoing in her head. Her body covered in sweat as her bed feel damp to the touch.
Frantically searching her surroundings she realizes it was just another nightmare. She was safe in her own bed and Valgaav was really dead. Pulling her knees to her Filia begins to cry the shock finally hitting her.
"What is happening to me?" she asks between burst of tears. She was unable to sleep for the rest of the night.
Authors Notes: So what did ya think of my first chapter? Left enough of a hook for ya. Did ya love it or hate it. Any questions, comments, or ideas just hit me up with a review. I answer all my readers questions as fast as I can. Well thats all for now, I'll see ya in the next chapter of Falling star (still undecided as to the chapter's title).