This fic was inspired by The Magic Sword band and their album "vol 1". This very chapter is based on one of their tracks titled "Kill Them All" .
I'm a slow writer and not a very good one (also I don't have a beta so there's that) but aside from that I hope whoever still reads Slayers fics will find it somewhat enjoyable.
In the dark mountain forest, inside a shallow cave two small figures sat hidden under a great black cloak. They were facing each other but the gloomy clouds had trapped the sunlight far above their gray backs and so none of them could be recognized under the ever present shadows of trees and rocks. The rain kept pouring from the skies like a thick, foggy curtain and thunder was rolling above their heads in promise of a great spectacle of lightning.
As soon as the showdown of light and sound had begun the cloaked figures huddled closer together in search for warmth and safety. They were talking to each other in hushed voices as if in fear of being found by the merciless bolts of blazing energy and struck down for daring to interrupt the song of the storm.
"They came in the night…" Whispered a child's voice. "They killed everyone." The little boy said breathlessly; his face was still hidden under the dark fabric but his companion was less protected and a flash of thunder lit up his face for a second, revealing a mess of teal colored locks, round face and a pair of gleaming golden eyes. The second boy was listening intently to the other and he held his breath as the child across him spoke. "I hid in the shadows… and then it came to me." The boy continued his story but paused for a brief moment to reach to his side and with one swift motion he drew out a short but slim black blade and held it up to the face of the other. "The magic sword, " The golden eyes widened when they saw the weapon and then shoot up and locked with a pair of blue irises shining with determination. "And I killed them all."
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A bolt of thunder struck nearby with an extreme force which shook the earth and boiled the water that was surrounding a tall man clothed in black. His entire head was clad in a black, symmetrical helmet with two spikes pointing out of the front, one at the top of his head and the other at the chin, their bases met in an indent placed at the height of his mouth. His cape and hood billowed behind him while a long, black blade was leaving his gloved grip to impale the enemy who was facing him, like a lance. The sea monster gave out a pained cry when the sword tore through it's slimy flesh with ease. The blade stopped then and hung in the air behind the beast, and it shot back through it's chest again to return to it's master's outstretched hand as it dragged with it the dark matter that started to seep out of the monster's body while it screamed in agony. And so the black sword had feasted upon its sizable prey until nothing was left of the tremendous beast that kept guard of the Demon Sea. It's servants were now scattering away in fear but the figure in black did not pursue them. His eyes were set on another target now. Another monster.
Without a sound he had vanished from the tall cliff upon which he stood while the waves kept their relentless assault on it's steep walls. The hunt has begun and nothing could stop him from pursuing his prey for he has a name to earn and the one who can give it to him is soon going to be informed about his first conquest. Deep Sea Dolphin had fallen at the hand of an unknown enemy and her forces are scattered about the sea. He knows that they must choose a new master now, otherwise their existence will serve no purpose even to themselves. The weaker mazoku have to have a master otherwise they will not be able to exist in this world.
Within seconds he appeared on the shore of the Wolfpack Island, led there by one of the panicked creatures who were still running in amok across the waters. This one however seemed to possess a stronger will than the others and had came to its senses in a shorter amount of time, following it's instinct to submit to a greater power.
He watched from a distance as it waddled across the beach and threaded through the darkness around them. The sun had set hours ago and the moon was casting a faint glow from behind the dark, stormy clouds. Soon the tempest that accompanied his earlier battle will hit this island as well and the man hidden under black garments anticipated his next moves. His feet were already silently following the monster from before and as they walked through an old path in the woods a clearing between trees and bushes came into view.
There was a lake in the middle of it and a tall obelisk protruded from the center. It was carved with many ancient spells and images but the man in the black did not care, for he already had a plan and a magical shield presented no threat to him.
Quietly he stood and watched his prey while it raised it's claw towards the pillar of limestone. A moment later he had vanished again and reappeared right behind the monster, and he drew his black blade and removed his target's head off of its shoulders with one swing of his arm. His black sword once again had drawn a dark essence from it's victim and quickly absorbed it so no carcass would remain. Now he waited for the guards that his latest kill had summoned. The clouds above him had thickened and a distant rumble of thunder could be heard steadily making it's way towards him. The air was still and warm, it seemed to be charged with the power of upcoming storm.
Suddenly, three figures appeared around the man in a spiked helmet. For a moment they were perplexed by the presence of an unexpected visitor but they recoiled quickly and took a defensive stance. All of them bearing features more animalistic in nature than human.
"Who are you and what are you doing here!? State your business!" One of them bellowed as he took a step closer to the intruder.
"I come with a message for the Greater Beast Zelas Metallium." A cold and deformed voice from within the black helmet spoke. "One of the lords has fallen. I saw it happen."
"So you come to give a report? How come we've never seen you here?" The other guard questioned while he pointed his spear at the strange man.
Their eyes were gleaming with suspicion and they were ready to attack at any given moment.
"Ah, but you see… I am just a messenger. I do not dwell here nor do I serve your master." The man in black answered and then he had sheathed his sword. His nonchalant moves and calm tone of voice was taken as a sign of submission and the guards had lowered their weapons. "I merely seek to pass information."
The three monsters glanced at each other, their eyes gleamed in silent agreement.
"Very well." Said the third guard who so far remained silent. He extended his long, gnarled hand towards their charge. "You cannot be admitted into the Beastmaster's dwelling while armed. Give me your sword."
The messenger did not protest and he unbuckled his belt by which his sword hung and handed it to the guard but as soon as he let go of his weapon the beast has swayed forward and nearly fell to the ground. The blade had turned out to be extremely heavy and whilst it's owner had no problem with swaying it as he pleased, the hands that were alien to it were having trouble with keeping a hold on it.
"What is this thing!?" The monster cried out in surprise.
"One would call it a sword but it may be that you had not seen such a weapon yet." Jeered a deformed voice of the man in black. This angered the guards who had seized him by the elbows and and growled at him dangerously and yet it seemed to not yield a desired reaction for the stranger did not appear frightened nor even alarmed by their actions. "I have come to deliver a message. Are you planning to stand here and wait until the storm catches up with us, or are you going to lead me to your master?" He added impatiently which increased their confusion.
They could not taste fear on him and that made them wary in turn. They tightened their grips on the spears they were carrying and the monster who disarmed the newcomer swayed on his legs as he tried not to drop the slender blade that was resting in his arms.
"And your name? How do we introduce you to the Beastmaster?" One of the guards asked impatiently.
"Grimnir you may call me. Now, shall we go?" He straightened against their hold and waited for their reply.
Again, they had looked at each other, this time a frown was adorning each of their horrendous faces but they said nothing and disappeared with him in their clutches. Mere seconds later they teleported into a spacious hall. A large set of doors were set in the stone wall in front of them.
Grimnir duly noted that only two guards were standing with him now and he had guessed that the third one must have gone straight to their master to announce his visit. It was the one who took his sword. For a brief moment he wondered if the Beastmaster would take notice of it and if she did, would she recognize the danger of this weapon? He did not have the time to ponder this question however, because the name he had given to them has been called from behind the now opening doors. So she had not yet understood her peril.
The guards let him go and with an unwavering step he strode into the great room adorned with well crafted furniture and a number of potted plants situated in various places. The royal blue curtains were drawn over the tall windows and the light of many torches illuminated the space around him. The Greater Beast Zelas Metallium was sitting on a lounge across him, her hair were short and fiery in color, and her body was larger in size than a body of a human; next to her stood the guard who had confiscated his blade. The monster was barely able to keep himself up as the weight of the blade grew with each passing minute.
"I heard you bring important news for me." A pair of red eyes of the Greater Beast were set on the man in black. "Speak, and don't bore me with small talk lest I slay you before I'll learn anything useful."
Without wasting time the messenger stepped closer. "Yes, indeed I come with news and I fear that they do not bode well for you, for my message to you is this: I have destroyed the Deep Sea Dolphin and now I have come to vanquish you and to take your name!" And as he said these words he had outstretched his hand and his blade had returned to it from the hands of a bewildered guard. At that Zelas quickly jolted to her feet with her anger and bewilderment building within and her claws ready to rip her enemy apart. None could threaten one of the five great monster lords and live and yet for some reason she could not understand how the one who stood before her seemed somehow impossible to kill.
Disregarding those unnerving feelings she lunged forward and so did the man in a black helmet. And so the storm had finally reached the Wolfpack Island and the roar of thunder had merged with the sounds of battle.
