This is the first series of what I'm planning on becoming a three series project. I have a suspicion that each series will be darker, more angst-y than the one before it. Not only that but I'll get into some adult themes *waves a 'yeah' sign* and other psychological goodness. Set after the final season of Slayers and I don't own Slayers, please review and expect an upping in the rating as this story progresses.
New Moon
A pastel darkness had slipped unobtrusively across the liquid sky, following swiftly upon the sun's descent. Gauzy shadows flittered about nervously as the refulgent stars coruscated overhead. Underneath the dark canopy of leaves, a soft woody fragrance permeating the air, the woman struggled through the thick tree trunks, massive impediments in her way. A ragged sob escaped her throat. One arm clasped protectively about her swollen stomach the other blindly sought balance against anything.
She looked frantically over her shoulder. Had that noise been them? The ones that had chased her without stop? Perspiration seeped into her gentle green eyes, burning. She had to get away, she couldn't let them catch her, kill her.
The woman's piercing screamed echoed hollowly through the impassive forest.
* * * *
"What was that?" Lina demanded looking around warily. Her companions looked around with marked uncertainty. "I'm not making it up. I heard a noise," she informed them hotly.
"A wild animal?" Gourry asked around a mouthful of food. Zelgadis cocked his head to one side and listened intently, a thoughtful look on his serious face. Amelia issued a small squeal and latched on to the chimera's arm.
"It's coming from there," the blue-skinned man announced pointing off into the darkness beyond the campfire. "It sounds like someone's in trouble."
"Trouble?" Amelia perked up immediately. "Then we must swoop down with a blazing justice and right the wrongs being done. In the name of justice."
Lina sighed and stretched lazily, "I guess we could check it out. Whoever it is better be grateful." Gourry nodded and withdrew his sword. Zelgadis stood up, loosening the princess' grip on his arm.
Together the adventurers plunged into the darkened forest following the eerie screams.
* * * *
Curling protectively into a fetal position the woman fell to the ground, blood seeping from the wound above her eye. Above her shadows flowed convulsively into vaguely humanoid shapes, saffron eyes gleaming. A strangely hypnotic tittering filled her ears as she whimpered softly.
Screaming she was hauled into a half-crouched position by her hair. Soft hisses punctuated the soft laughter that oozed around her. Roughly the beings shook her with a demonic sort of amusement. She flinched as a sharp claw slashed into her cheek, grated against bone.
"Fireball."
A burning corona of flames erupted around, the shadows screeched in outrage, a low snarl rising from the depths of their melting throats. She coughed weakly as she sank to the ground, feeling the fire brush against her weary body.
"Aqua Create."
A startled gasp escaped the woman's mouth as gallons of cold water poured down upon her and the eagerly spawning fire. Confusion shone within the depths of her weary eyes as she stared at the group of people slowly converging upon her.
"Hey, are you okay?" one of them asked her. She stared at them, a frightened animal unused to kindness.
* * * *
Amelia crouched beside the battered woman and lay a gentle hand on her quivering shoulder. The woman regarded her with terrified green eyes, tears and blood streaking her face. A fiery rage seethed beneath the princess's pure skin, how dare such a cruel atrocity be allowed to happen. She would right that wrong, she would help this frightened woman, or die trying. Calling upon her powers as a Shrine Maiden, Amelia cast a simple healing spell on the woman. She watched with satisfaction as the cuts and bruises were replaced by unmarred flesh.
A gagging noise came from the woman as she lunged forward and gripped the petite brunette tightly about the waist. The girl could feel the wracking sobs that shook the woman's slender body as she cried her fear out. Amelia gently stroked her tangled hair, murmuring soft reassurances.
"Thank you," the woman stammered, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. "Thank you so much. I thought I was done fore. I thought they would get me."
"So does this gratitude come with a reward?" Lina asked brightly. "What?" she demanded as her companions gave her a cold look.
"I'm sorry, I don't have much," the woman admitted ruefully, a wan smile playing across her lips. "I've been running for awhile now." She glanced down at her rounded stomach with soft tenderness, she stroked it protectively.
"Oh my gods, you're pregnant?" the princess demanded wide-eyed. The woman nodded slightly.
"Gee, and I thought she was just fat," Gourry remarked with a small laugh. Angrily Lina rounded on him and then brought him to his knees with a kick to a sensitive anatomical region. The woman gasped at such a display of violence and backed away.
"Mister Gourry, Miss Lina, can't you see she's frightened enough without you two acting up?" the princess demanded hotly. A somewhat chagrined sorceress and swordsman apologized, though the redhead gave the man a look that promised painful retribution.
"If you're feeling up to walking our campsite isn't far off," Zelgadis commented with uncharacteristic kindness.
"I'm fine now, just a little shaken is all," the woman replied, bestowing upon them a beatific smile. The companions couldn't help but return it; there was something so pure and gentle about her that made them all feel protective of her.
* * * *
The woman, Kerenina as they found out, slowly sipped the hot soup they had given her. She had been offered a change of clothing but she felt that she would be taken advantage of their kindness and had adamantly refused. Instead she sat calmly by the fire, wrapped in a thick blanket.
"So you've never heard of me?" Lina demanded for the hundredth time, disbelief evident in her rising voice. Kerenina shook her head solemnly; she regarded the sorceress with innocent curiosity.
"I was a Forest Witch," the woman replied. "I never had much human contact, except for those who were in dire need of a miraculous remedy. But since I was feared and people thought I wanted their first born child, few ever came."
"I thought Forest Witches were supposed to be ugly old hags," Gourry remarked with a sheepish smile.
"Yeah, and they put curses on people and enslaved beautiful young princesses. Then a heroic knight on a white horse would come and trick the witch and elope with the princess," Amelia sighed, her eyes all dreamy.
"I'm afraid that that sort of thing was happened more a couple centuries ago. We Forest Witches have gotten smarter. What use do we have of a princess if a knight just comes and takes her away? And why would we want some squealing child of a stranger?" the woman giggled.
"Yes, I can see your point," Zelgadis commented. "It must be nice not being bothered all the time."
"Come on Zel, don't be so anti-social," Lina called, slapping him on the back. "Ow." The chimera shrugged as the sorceress rubbed her smarting hand.
"If it's not too much trouble, could I ask you all a favor?" Kerenina asked hesitantly. The four companions turned to look at her with interest.
"Depends," the redhead said. "What will you give us?"
"I'll give you all my money if you'll do this for me," the woman told them, removing a small leather pouch from her belt. "Will you protect me until I have my child?"
* * * *
Thank you for reading this, please be kind and review. I'll get the next chapter out pretty soon if anyone's interested.