Price of a Chimera
(Sequel to Better Not Tell Her)
By fantasymonk
Warnings: yaoi
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Slayers characters. This fic is written purely for entertainment and has no chance of making money. As usual, all flames will be laughed at by my mazoku GW muse. Arigato for reading!
Author's note: * * denotes mental conversation
Zelgadiss and Xellos strode hand-in-hand through the forest until they stopped in front of a scene that took the mazoku's breath away. Before them was a spring of clear water, glowing in the moonlight. Water-loving plants created a border around it, and a small waterfall lent its music to the night. Zelgadiss guided Xellos into the cool water, stepping over smooth rocks that held the water in. The chimera sank into the water, with Xellos sitting down across from him. The mazoku leaned forward slightly, a glint in his eyes, and cupped his hands in the water, dribbling it over Zelgadiss's chest and stomach. Zelgadiss leaned against the bank and let his head fall back. Xellos smiled.
"Do you like that, Zel? Would you like me to wash you?" he asked, teasingly moving his hand over the chimera's body, drifting down to where stone skin met the surface of the water. Zelgadiss shifted slightly, moving into the mazoku's touch.
"Xellos," he groaned. The mazoku looked up.
"Hm?" he said. Zelgadiss grabbed his shoulders.
"Shut up and kiss me!" With this, Zelgadiss pulled Xellos to him and claimed the mazoku's lips with a fierceness that startled Xellos. Eagerly, the mazoku returned the kiss, wrapping his arms around the chimera's waist and melding their bodies together.
Not too far from the waterfall, a pair of cold eyes watched the couple. The owner of the eyes curled his lip into a sneer. The master would be most interested in this. Raising an amulet from around his neck, he pressed a switch in the back and dangled the face of the talisman in the direction of the lovers in the pool.
In an opulent room, a small mirror flared into life. A dark figure leaned forward in avid interest. He was dressed in cloth of gold, and on his head was a deep purple turban adorned with a large jewel. Lounging on silk cushions, he played with a pile of precious stones.
"I wonder what Rahmet has to show me this time," he mused to himself. The image in the mirror came into focus, showing a small spring with two people in it. The mysterious figure leaned forward further, his eyes captured by what the figures in the scene were doing.
"What an interesting scene," he chuckled, smiling in a predatory way. Both men were quite attractive, but the smaller figure attracted his attention. The man was breathtakingly beautiful, with skin that glowed with the sheen of marble, and pale hair that the moonlight graced with a metallic luster. Without a doubt, the man was a chimera, but he was a masterpiece. Never had the figure seen such a one as this. The two men kissed passionately, and the figure felt himself becoming aroused. His eyes held an evil glint when he looked up from the pool.
"I must have him!" he exclaimed, slamming his fist into a cushion. Closing his eyes, he sent a message to his minion.
*Rahmet, I must have the chimera. Capture him for me at the soonest possible opportunity. Do what you want with the other man; I have no use for him. *
His lackey nodded at the silent command. Fading back into the foliage, he prepared to wait for his chance.
Zelgadiss and Xellos rested in the pool, both content. Cool water lapped at their skin as they loosely held each other. Xellos had laid his head against Zel's shoulder, but he looked up as the chimera chuckled.
"I think we'd better get out before you start to wrinkle," he said. Xellos pouted.
"Not everyone can have stone skin," he joked, stroking the chimera's waist with his fingers as they stepped out of the water into the warm air. Zelgadiss just swatted half-heartedly at the mazoku's hand. Then he stopped suddenly.
"Oh no," he groaned. Xellos cocked his head at the chimera.
"What's wrong, Zel?" he asked. Zelgadiss had a sheepish grin on his face.
"I forgot to bring towels," he admitted, a faint blush stealing across his cheeks. Xellos grinned in delight.
"Well," the mazoku said with satisfaction, "we'll just have to let nature dry us off. In the meantime, I get to feast my eyes on your delectable attributes," Xellos finished, laughing as the blush deepened on his lover's face. Finally, Zelgadiss recovered from his initial shock and playfully swatted Xellos on the head, pretending to be indignant. Xellos merely laughed and sat down, pulling Zel onto the ground with him. They both lay back, examining the stars above them as a warm breeze began to dry their bodies. A comfortable silence gathered in the pool's clearing as the two of them drifted off to sleep.
Rahmet watched from the bushes, his eyes narrowed. They were both asleep… now was his chance. Slowly and quietly, he made his way closer to the two slumbering on the grass. Moving his lips in an almost silent whisper, he formed a sleep spell that he sent to the chimera to prevent him from waking. Then he quietly walked into the clearing to finish the job by eliminating the second man. He froze momentarily when the purple-haired man woke up.
Xellos woke with a start when he sensed someone using magic. Glancing over at Zelgadiss, his eye was caught by a movement, and he looked up to see a man sneaking toward them. With a shout, he was on his feet and ready to fight, regardless of his state of undress. The man opposite him sneered and motioned for Xellos to make the first move. Xellos hesitated, looking at Zel, who still had not woken up. Something was wrong; Zelgadiss should have woken up by now. Then he realized what must have happened. The intruder had cast a sleep-spell! Xellos turned his closed eyes toward the unknown man, who cockily bared his teeth in a feral grin.
"Come on, pretty boy, let's see what you've got!" he taunted. This guy didn't look like a match for him. He was more slender than muscular, and his eyes were tightly closed. Rahmet was confident he could take care of him quickly and return to his lord in a short time. The look of surprise on his face was almost comical as Xellos sent a powerful fireball streaking toward him. Narrowly jumping out of the way, he landed on his butt.
"Lord Vanros, I need your help!" he called out. A swirl of color appeared next to Zelgadiss's still form. Xellos turned around in time to see a man garbed in gold carrying the chimera through some kind of portal. It quickly closed, leaving a very enraged Xellos alone with the unknown servant. When the mazoku turned around, there was a frown on his usually smiling face. Rahmet stood back up, brushing himself off. When he finished with his pants, he brushed off his shirt, reaching quickly inside to retrieve a specially balanced dagger, which he threw at Xellos, aimed for his heart. Suddenly, his opponent wasn't there. He had just disappeared! He felt a presence behind him.
"Now, now, it's all fun and games until someone loses their life," a voice purred in his ear. Rahmet almost jumped out of his shoes. Slowly, he turned around to find the purple-haired man behind him. All the confidence seeped out of him as he saw the man's eyes open, slit-pupiled and demonic. A…a mazoku! Rahmet quivered in fear. Then the mazoku spoke, his voice betraying his anger.
"You have taken something very precious from me, and I intend to have it back." Those eyes pierced into Rahmet's very soul. "Now," the mazoku continued, "who sent you? Was it this Lord Vanros you shouted to?" he asked. Rahmet gathered what little courage he had.
"Lord Vanros is strong and powerful. You will never get the chimera back," he said with as much defiance as he could muster. The mazoku's eyes narrowed.
"We shall see about that," he answered, his voice as cold as ice. He raised his hand in front of Rahmet. "Fire ball!" he said, watching in satisfaction as the servant was engulfed in flames. The shrieks that came from the burning man made Xellos feel only slightly better. He watched until the man collapsed to the ground, a lifeless husk. Turning around, he gathered up his clothes and dressed, seething. Xellos gathered up Zelgadiss's clothes and pressed them to his face, inhaling the scent that still clung to them. Someone had taken Zelgadiss, and he would be willing to wager that it was the mysterious Lord Vanros who had appeared through the portal. Xellos's eyes burned with a cold fury. Someone would pay, and pay dearly.
