I just want to warn you that English isn't my mother tongue, so be ready for errors ;)

Chapter I

The awakening

Once again she had the very same dream. She hated those nightmares. At first everything was fine. She dreamt about the best restaurant in Seyrun, the Flavour Palace. She was about to taste its the best dish, when all of sudden the scenery was changing. The illumination coming from a beautiful chandelier changed into a weak light of the moon. The emotion of pure pleasure turned into a feeling she had to run. She was aware it was just a dream but she couldn't wake up. She did the thing her instinct told her: she started to run as fast as she could, but, as always, she met a dead end. She turned around and felt a cold rock behind her back. She watched a dark silhouette approaching her slowly. She could see just a pair of sapphire blue eyes before she woke up…

She cursed. She hated this dream! It always felt so real… But when she looked at her clock, she stopped thinking about her nightmare. 8 AM was really close, so if she wanted to be on time for her first class, she really had to speed up.

"Do you really think this a reincarnation of the redhead witch?" A high dark-haired man asked his companion – a short, skinny person whose face was cloaked.

"I'm not sure for one hundred percent, but I can feel a power vibrations in the vicinity. There are too many strange things concerning this girl for a mere coincidence." He said in a low voice completely not fitting his image of a child.

"Even if it's her, how do you know she hasn't awaken? Maybe she just want do deceive us?" It could seem that the dark-haired man paid attention only to his partner, but in fact he watched closely a running red-head. The roof of a high building nearby a park turned out to be a perfect observation spot. His yellow eyes turned into red ones for a second. "On the other hand she doesn't emit any magical aura."

" I doubt it. You know very well that awakening of someone like cephieleu would emit a lot of powerful energy. We would know if it happened. The memory of protectors of the Princess was sealed with their power to make their finding and killing more difficult for us. Theoretically it's impossible to find them before their awakening, but if you know how to look… " In his eyes appeared an evil sparkle. " Impossible becomes possible, my dear Gethley. " It wasn't needed to look at smaller man to know he was smiling.

Gethley at first looked at his partner doubtfully and then looked at the read-head, who having been in a big hurry seconds earlier suddenly stopped and looked in their direction.

The dark-haired man couldn't believe it. No one without powers should be able to feel their aura.

"She sensed us?! That's impossible! That was just a coincidence!"

"That's exactly what I meant. There are too many coincidences concerning this girl. That's why you have to get rid of her. "

"Yes, sir."

Lina was really fed up with it. Once again she had an impression she was observed. What is more, she experienced this damn nightmare once again. It didn't get her in a good mood. The read-head appeared in a class room when the bell rang. She sat in her place next to suspiciously smiling Rika, a nice blond with brown eyes.

"You are lucky. Lokarson went to check something. Remind me, why is she so mean to you?" Rika finished the sentence in a rhetorical tone.

"Pshaw… This old bag should learn before applying for teacher's vacancy."

"Mmm… Do you think she has a grudge against you because of your still making fun of her? Maybe your comment about her crush on the headmaster did the trick as well?" The blond smiled when Lina made a I-have-no-idea-what-you-are-talking-about face. "Anyway, I haven't told your about my golden news yet! We are going to have a new transfer student!" She was really proud of her gathering information skills. " Some girls have already seen him! He is said to be soooo handsome!" The girl started to squeak.

"Oh shut up! You haven't seen him yet, so calm down!" Lina screamed directly in her friend's ear. As a result Rika started to whisper.

"He is in senior year. I've heard he is really talented. You know there are just two years between you, so maybe he'll be the one who can win a heart of our heartless read-head…" Rika couldn't resist and started to laugh really hard.

Lina's pupils dangerously narrowed.

[BANG]

"Owww! I'm so sooorryyy! It won't happen again!"

"Miss Inverse! What's that supposed to mean?! Go to the headmaster! At once!"

"I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me?" Rika used the only way to make Lina forgive her: she offered the read-head her second breakfast. When the red-eyed girl kindly agreed, two young women sat under their favorite tree. The blond especially liked this place because she could there freely observe other people and remain unnoticed. She was really happy when she saw a new object of her interest: a new transfer student sitting not so far away from two friends. After a short observation she understood the girls who were sitting close to him and praying for an attention of a lavender-haired, pale and muscular man.

"Lina! Look! It's him!"

"Oh stop it!" Lina unwillingly looked at the new comer. She reluctantly had to admit that Rika was right. The man was really handsome. She was hoping her glance remained unnoticed, but after a moment the man lifted his head. Their eyes met and the time stopped. She saw sapphire blue irises. Alarmingly familiar.

"Zelgadis…" She whispered without thinking. Only after a while she became aware of what she had said.

Rika looked at her in shock.

"Lina, do you know him?" She asked seriously.

"Of course not! I see him for the first time!" The read-head answered quickly. She was lying and telling the truth at the very same time. She did see him for the first time. Another case was his eyes. And how did she know his name is Zelgadis?

"Aren't you tricking me?" Rika wanted to continue the questioning, but luckily for the red-eyed girl the bell rang.

"Let's go! Or we'll be late!" Lina said a bit too quickly.

Rika shook her head. Her friend was hiding something once again from her.

The tradition of second class of High School of Seyrun Academy was visiting the Yukamono bar, a place with a karaoke machine and delicious food, every Friday. This Friday wasn't different. Lina followed her friends without much enthusiasm. Her mind was a mess and she didn't want to take part in a whole event. On the other hand she didn't want to listen to concerned Rika, who wouldn't leave her alone as long she wasn't convinced there was nothing wrong with her, so she decided to play along with decision of her class. The red-head was so lost in her thoughts she didn't noticed she approached a street. She also couldn't hear Rika's alarming voice and didn't see a big blue truck which was getting closer and closer to her. The girl reacted when she felt a strong grip on her forearm which pulled her toward the pavement. A big blue track dashed right before her nose. If she was on the road at the very moment, she would be in a very bad shape right now. She turned around and saw the new transfer student. Those eyes, which haunted her for so many nights, watched her carefully. Once again she found herself unable to break the eye contact. After a few seconds she composed herself and looked away. Surely he even didn't know her…

"Lina, be careful next time." He said in melodic voice, after which he let her go and passed her and her class friends.

"You know him! Don't you dare deny it!" The shocked girl recognized Rika's voice, but didn't answer immediately. It was true, he called her name, but it didn't have to mean he really knew her. He could learn her name while talking to someone. But she didn't believe her own reasoning. Deep inside she knew she was somehow familiar with this guy. She tried to remember something, but she started to feel dizzy. She lifted her head to look at her friends.

"Maybe yes, maybe no." Lina said winking playfully.

And then she felt it once again. This unnerving feeling she was being observed.

"Girls, I'm sorry I've forgotten something. I'll see you on Monday!" She announced and left the bewildered group.

Rika looked at the disappearing silhouette of the red-head. "Lina, what's going on?" She asked silently.

Her intuition led her to an old industrial zone. An old and unused factory was closed almost 50 years ago because of its pollution activity. After all this time there was no one who would invest their money in modernization of this aging and dangerous building. But still Lina was certain this was a place, where the person observing her was hiding.

"I haven't thought you would come to me on your own, Lina Inverse." The girl turned around and saw a high, slim man with a long dark hair. His yellow catlike irises narrowed in contentment. A black cape rustled on a wind when he jumped from a big building landing dangerously close to Lina.

"Who are you? Why are you still watching me?" The girl asked, fuming. In her eyes appeared a dangerous sparkle.

The man just laughed.

"So, my master was right. You haven't awaken yet. If you did, I would have a big problem. But right now your sharp senses without your magic aren't a big threat to me. Summing up, I want to inform you I came here in order to kill you, Lina Inverse. " He finished his sentence cumulating in his hand a ball of energy and throwing it in Lina's direction. The girl instinctively evaded the attack and looked closely at a ball of fire flying next to her eyes. Magic? Here? It was said that during the Sarienhal war everybody capable of magic was killed. On the other hand she saw a ball of magical fire with her own eyes. But what was this guy talking about? She hadn't awaken? Her magic? Almost every single person would think this guy was crazy, but somehow she knew he was telling truth. The light of the flame reflected in her eyes and then something budged in her. She half-consciously joined her hands and said:

"Fire Ball." This time the ball of fire appeared in her palm, which immediately dashed towards her attacker. The man didn't expect it. He just shouted in pain when the ball hit him. Taking this opportunity, Lina ran to the old factory. The dark haired man started to look for his prey. He started to get angry. It was unnerving her power started to come back, but it still wasn't a problem. He would make sure the red-head witch would regret what she had done.

She run as quickly as she could. She suppressed a first wave of panic, trying to think of some plan. She didn't know how she managed to use magic, but she was aware the element of surprise won't work twice. But… Maybe… She smiled when she saw a big old machine. Yes it could work...

The man in a black cape went along a dark corridor. He didn't try hiding. He knew he had an advantage over his victim and he wanted her to know he was close, that her death was approaching. He saw her when he came to a great hall. She stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall. She didn't look like she was terrified. It was really unnerving. The girl just watched him carefully, waiting for his next step. His yellow eyes became red once again. He checked the room and he didn't sense anything odd. He smiled and started to proceed towards his sweet prey. That was it. She couldn't do anything. The dark-haired snorted when he saw she got ready to cast another Fire Ball. He couldn't believe she was so stupid. Lina finished the incantation and sent him a flying Fire Bal. He even didn't have to evade it, because the ball freely passed him.

"Is there something wrong with your eyes?" He scoffed.

"You'll see." She stated calmly.

"What are you talking about?" He started, but couldn't finish what he wanted to say, because he understood what Lina meant. Above him there was an enormous machinery standing on solid, but wooden bar. The ball wasn't supposed to hit him. The bar was her target. And without a support of the bar whole machinery fell on him.

Lina moved away as soon as everything started to fall. "Is he alive?" She asked herself. Every person would be dead after such an attack. But she knew very well this guy wasn't a normal mortal. After a second she felt an ominous aura behind her back. The frightened girl tried to evade his next attack. But she didn't make it. She felt a strong pain in her arm. In hand of her attacker appeared a silver sword rinsed in her blood. He once again started to proceed towards the red-head with an evil glint in his eyes.

"You are really amazing. Even with almost completely sealed power, you are a formidable opponent. It's such a shame. But I have no choice." With every single word there was more insanity in his voice. "I have to kill you." He was getting closer and closer. Lina was retreating holding her blooding arm. But the distance between them wasn't growing.

Suddenly a ball of a powerful energy flying towards the dark-haired appeared, who jumped out of its way in the last moment.

"Stay away from her, Gethley." Said a melodious tenor.

Lina raised her head and saw a man with an unusual appearance. Lavender hair gleamed with a metallic luster. His skin had a bluish tinge, and here and there were stones within it. The most eye-catching in his appearance were his sapphire eyes looking coldly at the man called Gethley.

"So you've appeared, Zelgadis. That's the final evidence she is cephieleu." He smiled once again and without warning rushed towards Lina. The girl's eyes only widened. She was sure this time his sword would reach her. But she was mistaken. Her opponent's chest was pierced by a blade of a newcomer.

"It isn't end. We'll see each other. They know… Hahahaha…" He started to laugh before he lost consciousness and disappeared.

Lina at first was looking at the floor. After while her eyes met the sapphire ones.

"I told you to be careful." He said reproachfully.

"It's you." She stated. It wasn't a question.

"Yes, it's me." He answered calmly, after which he came closer and touched her wounded arm. As soon as she felt his touch, her mind was flooded with a mass of pictures. She moved away from him and started to recoil.

"I don't want to remember it. " She whispered. She was dizzy. She only knew that a physical contact with this man would make her remember something she didn't wanted to remember.

Zelgadis looked at her coldly.

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice." He started and began to approach her. Lina was retreating until her back met a cold wall. Just like in her dream she couldn't run away from sapphire blue eyes. But this time it was a reality. Once again she couldn't break the eye contact. She shivered when the man hold her around the waist and with his second hand he cupped her chin. She had never let anyone to touch her in such way. She had always kept men on distance, but she couldn't resist him. What is more, his presence felt so familiar. She started to fell even more dizzy. She felt falling barriers in her mind. When their mouths met, her mind was once again flooded with a mass of pictures, but she knew this time she wouldn't be able to suppress them. When she felt Zelgadis pressed her to him even more, something inside of her cracked. Memories from a distant past took over her mind. She lost consciousness and whole factory was flooded in a bright light.

Somewhere far away a silent voice could be heard.

"Cephieleu has awaken. So let the party begin."