Disclaimer:
This is fanfiction promotes a Z/A and G/L pairing. If you have issues with this pairing read no more.
Slayers copyright 1991-2000 by Hajime Kanzaka, Rui Araizumi, Kadokawa, Shoten TV, TOKYO, SOFTX, Marubeni.
I know I used these characters without permission, but please don't sue me. Like many other fanfiction authors, I have no money.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 1: Same Beginnings
"Damn it!" Pages ripped by the fist full fell in crumpled masses on the floor before an unthinking hand flung the disemboweled shell of what was once a book against a wall. Standing roughly that same hand grabbed the high backing of a simple wooden chair before it fell and smashed it against dusty hardwood floors in one smooth motion. Slamming his knuckles against the tabletop he left deep imprints into the worm eaten wood.
And then he stopped. With his fists firmly planted into the table he stood motionless; enveloped by the musty stench of old parchment, scroll and book dust. The smell irritated him, reminded him of the endless hours of his life he'd spent sitting in library after library looking for a cure that he knew had to exist.
Yet for all his efforts in searching Fate seemed dead set against him finding it. That was the only reasonable conclusion he could come to. The Gods were willing Zelgadis Greywords to remain a chimera for the rest of his life; a freakish man made creation instead of the human that he was born as. Zelgadis had spent so many years trapped in his monstrous body that he began to forget what being a human was like. Out of everything he had lost, he mourned the most over losing his sense of touch. To enhance his other senses, his stone skin completely stripped him of that sense. He couldn't remember what soft felt like. He never understood the meaning of silky. Long ago he'd forgotten the feel of sunlight warming his body, wind blowing through his hair, or raindrops tickling his face. Little things that humans took for granted he longed to experience once more. But they were only memories now and no matter how tightly he clung to them they were beginning to fade.
Frustrated Zelgadis ran a stony hand over his shiny metallic hair. He refused to let this curse beat him. He was the master of his own destiny and by his hand he would regain his humanity; by force if necessary, "I will be human again," Zelgadis swore through gritted teeth and clenched hands.
The incessant chirping of a mechanical bird from the clock signaling the noon hour broke him out of his thoughts. Watching it pop in and out of its little doors while flailing its tiny wings made Zelgadis' fingers itch with a need to torch the stupid thing out of existence. After a final chirp it retreated back into safety inside of the clock. The moment the doors closed shut, crimson flames leapt haphazardly from Zelgadis' fingers but dissolved into harmless sparks as it hit an invisible wall.
"You can't keep breaking things that aren't yours Mr. Zelgadis," Amelia stood in the doorway of the library with her arm out stretched towards the clock. "I don't think I can keep explaining to Daddy why things are always 'mysteriously' getting destroyed."
Embarrassed Zelgadis threw nervous glances at the book and chair he mutilated only moments before, "Sorry."
This wasn't the first piece of public property that he'd taken his frustration out on, but it would be his last. After six months of searching Zelgadis had systematically looked through ever library, talked to every magic shop owner, and visited every magic doctor in the kingdom of Saillune. Now he knew for certain that no cure for his curse existed here. Zelgadis was so absorbed into his thoughts that he did not realize Amelia had been speaking the entire time.
"Mr. Zelgadis, are you even listening to me? I asked if you were hungry. It's lunch time!" Amelia raised a double lidded picnic basket to show him. Zelgadis didn't normally eat lunch; in his opinion it took time away from him finding a cure. Yet as Crown Princess of Saillune, Amelia Wil Tesla Saillune made it a royal command that Zelgadis must eat lunch; claiming it was unjust to starve oneself for whatever reason and ordered a tray to be brought to him everyday at noon and not to be removed until every bit of food was cleared off the plates.
Yet today was different. Even her clothes were different. Instead of her standard pink princess attire she wore to work, she wore a filmy yellow summer dress with shoestring straps with a long flowing skirt. She tied a yellow ribbon around her neck and wore matching yellow sandals. In the two and a half years since he saw her last Amelia's looks hadn't changed very much. She still kept her hair cut short so that it brushed her shoulders before flipping up; framing large blue eyes which emphasized a childlike face. To her embarrassment, and Zelgadis' secret displeasure, she'd grown as tall as him and could look him straight in the eye. It was then that Amelia started expanding her collection of flat heeled shoes.
"Daddy told me that after all the time and effort I put into bringing justice to Saillune I get today off. So I was thinking that today we could have a picnic together! It's really nice outside."
"Amelia, I don't have the time to go on a picnic. Besides, I have something more important to talk to you about."
"You can tell me whatever you need to say at the picnic," running up she caught the sleeve of his shirt and pulled him up towards the door. "It's not healthy for you to be doing research all the time."
"No Amelia."
"Then I won't hear a word of what you needed to tell me."
Shaking her off his arm Zelgadis crossed them over his chest and took a step backwards. "You shouldn't blackmail people."
Placing a hand over her heart and closing her eyes Amelia spoke in her most solemn voice. "For a Champion of Justice, underhanded means may be necessary for the hero to achieve the greater good," Amelia took a tentative peak at his reaction before smiling. "Right?"
Knowing how stubborn Amelia could be, Zelgadis knew there was no graceful way out of this situation. She would continue to pester him until she got what she wanted or they'd argue in circles for the rest of the day. "Very well."
"That's the spirit Mr. Zelgadis!" rushing over Amelia latched on to his arm and dragged him out of the library. "And I have the most perfect placed picked out. It's just outside of the city and the view is really beautiful. You'll just love it!"
~
"Isn't it beautiful Mr. Zelgadis? Wasn't I right?" Placing the basket down Amelia flung her arms open wide and spun around in circles making her dress flair. Pulling the ribbon off from her neck she held onto one end and continued to spin, letting it trail behind her.
Looking around, Zelgadis had to admit it was a lovely scene. Set high on a hill on the outskirts of the city he looked down the side to see its magnificent capital. This gem nestled itself against a backdrop of large patches of fertile checkerboard farmland. His eyes followed the twists and turns of the white stone roads that formed a huge magic circle that doubled as a magical protection seal for the kingdom against attack spells. Saillune had truly earned its reputation as one of the greatest kingdoms within the Barrier.
By this time Amelia's head was spinning faster than she was and she stopped to catch her breath. Flopping unceremoniously down on the grass she let go of the ribbon to press her hands against her head, "Owe, I don't feel too good."
Unsympathetic Zelgadis responded, "Next time don't spin around so much."
"But don't you feel like you have to spin around sometimes Mr. Zelgadis?" Amelia asked, "Aren't you ever so tired of being cooped up that you need to let loose sometimes?"
Zelgadis inhaled deeply as he sat down beside her. Amelia was so free with herself, her emotions, her actions, her words. Perhaps it came with the pressures of being a princess and being forced to follow endless lists of laws and rules of etiquette around others that when Amelia was with friends she acted as open as she wished. Not Zelgadis though, he hadn't felt free for a long time. He exhaled loudly, it was not a sigh, just a long and drawn out breath as he thought about his own past, "Letting lose can have serious repercussions if you're not careful."
Careful. Zelgadis wasn't careful knowing Rezo the Red Priest was one of the Five Great Sages of the time; a great healer who performed miracles throughout his travels. Zelgadis wasn't careful because Rezo's own blood flowed through Zelgadis' veins as his great-grandfather. Zelgadis wasn't careful when Rezo propositioned him with a gift of power and strength. Zelgadis wasn't careful and now he is one-third golem, one-third demon, and one third human; leaving him more monster then man and with no one to blame except for himself.
Amelia could tell Zelgadis had fallen into his usual brooding mode. In fact, Amelia could guess what he was brooding over; the same thing he always brooded over, being a chimera. She worried when he did that, secluding himself into his own little world. To Amelia, no one cared more about Zelgadis being a chimera than Zelgadis. It was hard to bring him back into reality, but she took it upon herself as a special mission to snap him out of his foul moods and bring a little more happiness into his life. Of course, this was only a temporary fix to the problem. Amelia knew finding his cure would be a permanent solution; making him happier than anything else she could ever give him. "You know Mr. Zelgadis, it's so strange but I think I've spent less time with you in Saillune than when we were on the road with Miss. Lina and Mr. Gourry."
"I've been busy,"
"I know." Amelia knew full well how hard Zelgadis had been searching for a cure. From sunrise to sunset he would visit sorcery doctors, guilds, and magic shops. By royal command of her father, Prince Philonel, Zelgadis was given special access to the libraries and so he spent most of his nights reading books and scrolls by candlelight till she found him slumped over in the morning. Not once in those six months did he choose to take time out of his schedule to spend time with her. She was the one who always went out of her way to break him out of the monotony of his work. But his time in Saillune was coming to an end. Amelia took special care to track where Zelgadis had visited and where he had yet to go and according to her calculations that was his last library, "So Mr. Zelgadis, did you find any clues to a cure yet?"
"No." Zelgadis responded flatly, "That's what I need to talk to you about Amelia. I didn't find my cure here and I didn't find any leads either."
"That's too bad Mr. Zelgadis." Amelia said cutting him off, "I was really hoping that you would be able to find a cure here."
Zelgadis thought Amelia must have realized he wanted to leave and was trying to forestall the inevitable. He always thought Amelia had a crush on him during their travels, but dismissed them because she was only fourteen when it began. After their last parting Amelia was sixteen and still very much infatuated with him. Zelgadis was sure a two year interval was enough time to rid Amelia of any lingering romantic feelings she had for him. But she was nineteen now and ever since his return he noticed all the times that she dropped in on him while he was researching, helped him get out of trouble when his temper brought down another library or scared some hapless citizen. And yet she never got mad or lectured him about his poor behavior. But this was no time to be entertaining persistent crushes, especially ones that had no future.
"I was afraid that might happen." Smiling slyly Amelia continued, "But I have great news for you Mr. Zelgadis."
"Unless you've found my cure no news could be that great."
"Okay, then I have good news." Laughing Amelia reached out and took his hands, "I think I might have found a cure."
It was as if Zelgadis' mind stopped working altogether. The one thing that he never expected to hear her say she said. The one sentence he dreamt of hearing and when he did hear it he couldn't react. How pathetic was that on his part?
"Wh-What?" Zelgadis stuttered as the wheels in his mind began to turn again. Reaching out he grabbed her shoulders, "Is this true? You have my cure?"
"Maybe." Amelia said pulling out of his grasp before he crushed her, "Have you heard of Shazaard's Soul?"
Zelgadis let out a disappointed sigh. Another one of the Five Great Sages Shazaard Lugandi was said to have created over half of the magical artifacts in existence. Any sorcerer worth their salt would know of Lugandi and his devices, "Of course, an orb that Lugandi wanted to create for healing purposes but his designs never worked. I've even seen those designs because I wanted to try and make one myself but it is not possible. The level and intensity of magic needed bind and meld the materials together is far greater than any man or dragon possesses. I doubt that even Lina with her magic enhancing talismans could do it either."
Amelia shook her head, "No Mr. Zelgadis. It exists."
"It can't. Lugandi's journal showed he gave up the project."
"Lugandi did give up, but Rezo the Red Priest finished it."
Zelgadis couldn't believe what he'd just heard, his mind was asking questions, compiling doubts, celebrating for joy, running with confusion. Could fate be so ironic that the man whom he hated with every bone in his body would be his savior? The man that he cursed hourly for damning him with this monstrous existence was also providing his cure? All of these conflicting thoughts froze his body and mind, leaving him officially dumbfounded.
"It's true Mr. Zelgadis. You can be human again! I knew how much you wanted to find a cure but you didn't have the kind of resources that I have. And you never ask outright for my help. But I wanted to help! So after we fought Hellmaster Phibirizo I went home and spoke to the headmaster of the white mages guild in Saillune and explained your problem. He got together with some of the other white mage guilds in our neighboring kingdoms and they've been doing their own research. We knew that Rezo successfully created Shazaard's Soul for some time and thought it would be your best bet. We just needed to find it, which is what took us so long. He created the orb for Eris when she decided to become his disciple, although she held onto it for some time she ended up giving it to the kingdom that she came from, Famille. That's where it is right now!"
"How long have you known it was in Famille?"
Amelia blushed, "Ever since your return six months ago."
"If you've known for that long why didn't you tell me earlier?" Zelgadis' voice began to rise with irritation, "Why did you let me waste all my time here?"
"The royal family of Famille holds Shazaad's Soul. If I told you that it was in Famille you would have gone off destroying everything left and right to get to it. Then you'd break into the castle and steal it! I couldn't let that happen. This way everyone could avoid all that trouble. We tried to get the orb for you, but the Famille refuses to acknowledge that they have it."
Zelgadis grinned, Amelia was right about that. If anything, his past experiences in Famille would make his rampage through town more enjoyable, "It doesn't matter. They have it. I'll get it." Zelgadis got up.
"Mr. Zelgadis! Aren't you listening to what I said?" Amelia jumped up to her feet knocking over the picnic basket and spilling all of its contents. She rushed over to him, "Fine. If I can't change your mind then I'd better go with you."
Raising a stony eyebrow Zelgadis stared at her, "What makes you think you're coming?"
Stomping her foot on the ground Amelia huffed indignantly, "I helped you find the location of Shazaad's Soul. I deserve to go with you."
"I've kept up with Saillune news," Zelgadis grinned feeling a cloak of detached advantage fall over his shoulders. "You'll be leaving in a few days for a conference with the kingdoms outside of the Barrier to sign a peace agreement. Don't forget, I spent two years with the people outside of the Barrier and I know how fearful they are of others more powerful than they. Individually we may be stronger with our advance magical skills, but with their greater numbers and technology, they may be an even match against us in a war. They're waiting for an advantage before they attack, and what's the best advantage to have but to hold the enemy kingdom's princess for ransom. Not to mention the troubles they've been stirring with the Elves in this area recently."
Impatient Amelia cut him off, "But you don't have to wait. I'm not going to the conference. Daddy can handle it on his own," Amelia couldn't believe how stubborn Zelgadis was acting. "Mr. Zelgadis, we're gathering to sign a peace agreement not preventing a war. Famille is no where near the Barrier. Nothing will happen to me with you there."
"Signing peace agreements is the same as preventing wars. If the princess of the leading kingdom doesn't arrive with the rest of her delegation it shows a lack of good faith on Saillune's part."
"You'll need my help Mr. Zelgadis."
"I doubt that," Zelgadis started down the hill a strange weight tugging inside his chest. He didn't like the way this ended. He wanted to thank Amelia for all that she'd done to help him, but this didn't seem like the right time anymore. Once he became human again he'd return and thank her then.
"Shazaad's Soul is useless without the right healing spell," Stopping in mid-step Zelgadis stood with his back facing her. The wind started to pick up and whipped around their bodies. Amelia knew he was listening. "Shazaad's Soul only amplifies white magic. Without the right spell it can't cure you."
"I'll find something."
"No you won't. I can guarantee you won't find it in a book or scroll."
"Let me guess, but you have a spell."
"The headmasters crafted one especially for your condition. I know it Mr. Zelgadis, I can cast it for you." Amelia didn't feel right about blackmailing him again and yet what other choice was there? To Amelia, his excuses were pitiful at best. Yet Zelgadis refused to allow her to go when it was fully within her rights to see his transformation back into a human. "I am a shrine maiden of Saillune. My white magic is a lot better than yours."
"I'll manage."
"But not if you don't know the spell. I'm sorry Mr. Zelgadis but I can't teach it to you. I've been fighting for justice all my life and you were unfairly turned into a chimera. At first, I thought it was my duty as a champion of justice to help you. But now we are friends, I just want to see you happy. If you want to find your cure so badly, then I want you to find your cure. And as your friend I deserve to share this with you. I'm sorry Mr. Zelgadis, that's why I can't teach you the spell. Please, let me go with you."
Zelgadis' voice rolled softly over the dying wind, "No."
Continuing down the hill Zelgadis left Amelia behind.
This is fanfiction promotes a Z/A and G/L pairing. If you have issues with this pairing read no more.
Slayers copyright 1991-2000 by Hajime Kanzaka, Rui Araizumi, Kadokawa, Shoten TV, TOKYO, SOFTX, Marubeni.
I know I used these characters without permission, but please don't sue me. Like many other fanfiction authors, I have no money.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 1: Same Beginnings
"Damn it!" Pages ripped by the fist full fell in crumpled masses on the floor before an unthinking hand flung the disemboweled shell of what was once a book against a wall. Standing roughly that same hand grabbed the high backing of a simple wooden chair before it fell and smashed it against dusty hardwood floors in one smooth motion. Slamming his knuckles against the tabletop he left deep imprints into the worm eaten wood.
And then he stopped. With his fists firmly planted into the table he stood motionless; enveloped by the musty stench of old parchment, scroll and book dust. The smell irritated him, reminded him of the endless hours of his life he'd spent sitting in library after library looking for a cure that he knew had to exist.
Yet for all his efforts in searching Fate seemed dead set against him finding it. That was the only reasonable conclusion he could come to. The Gods were willing Zelgadis Greywords to remain a chimera for the rest of his life; a freakish man made creation instead of the human that he was born as. Zelgadis had spent so many years trapped in his monstrous body that he began to forget what being a human was like. Out of everything he had lost, he mourned the most over losing his sense of touch. To enhance his other senses, his stone skin completely stripped him of that sense. He couldn't remember what soft felt like. He never understood the meaning of silky. Long ago he'd forgotten the feel of sunlight warming his body, wind blowing through his hair, or raindrops tickling his face. Little things that humans took for granted he longed to experience once more. But they were only memories now and no matter how tightly he clung to them they were beginning to fade.
Frustrated Zelgadis ran a stony hand over his shiny metallic hair. He refused to let this curse beat him. He was the master of his own destiny and by his hand he would regain his humanity; by force if necessary, "I will be human again," Zelgadis swore through gritted teeth and clenched hands.
The incessant chirping of a mechanical bird from the clock signaling the noon hour broke him out of his thoughts. Watching it pop in and out of its little doors while flailing its tiny wings made Zelgadis' fingers itch with a need to torch the stupid thing out of existence. After a final chirp it retreated back into safety inside of the clock. The moment the doors closed shut, crimson flames leapt haphazardly from Zelgadis' fingers but dissolved into harmless sparks as it hit an invisible wall.
"You can't keep breaking things that aren't yours Mr. Zelgadis," Amelia stood in the doorway of the library with her arm out stretched towards the clock. "I don't think I can keep explaining to Daddy why things are always 'mysteriously' getting destroyed."
Embarrassed Zelgadis threw nervous glances at the book and chair he mutilated only moments before, "Sorry."
This wasn't the first piece of public property that he'd taken his frustration out on, but it would be his last. After six months of searching Zelgadis had systematically looked through ever library, talked to every magic shop owner, and visited every magic doctor in the kingdom of Saillune. Now he knew for certain that no cure for his curse existed here. Zelgadis was so absorbed into his thoughts that he did not realize Amelia had been speaking the entire time.
"Mr. Zelgadis, are you even listening to me? I asked if you were hungry. It's lunch time!" Amelia raised a double lidded picnic basket to show him. Zelgadis didn't normally eat lunch; in his opinion it took time away from him finding a cure. Yet as Crown Princess of Saillune, Amelia Wil Tesla Saillune made it a royal command that Zelgadis must eat lunch; claiming it was unjust to starve oneself for whatever reason and ordered a tray to be brought to him everyday at noon and not to be removed until every bit of food was cleared off the plates.
Yet today was different. Even her clothes were different. Instead of her standard pink princess attire she wore to work, she wore a filmy yellow summer dress with shoestring straps with a long flowing skirt. She tied a yellow ribbon around her neck and wore matching yellow sandals. In the two and a half years since he saw her last Amelia's looks hadn't changed very much. She still kept her hair cut short so that it brushed her shoulders before flipping up; framing large blue eyes which emphasized a childlike face. To her embarrassment, and Zelgadis' secret displeasure, she'd grown as tall as him and could look him straight in the eye. It was then that Amelia started expanding her collection of flat heeled shoes.
"Daddy told me that after all the time and effort I put into bringing justice to Saillune I get today off. So I was thinking that today we could have a picnic together! It's really nice outside."
"Amelia, I don't have the time to go on a picnic. Besides, I have something more important to talk to you about."
"You can tell me whatever you need to say at the picnic," running up she caught the sleeve of his shirt and pulled him up towards the door. "It's not healthy for you to be doing research all the time."
"No Amelia."
"Then I won't hear a word of what you needed to tell me."
Shaking her off his arm Zelgadis crossed them over his chest and took a step backwards. "You shouldn't blackmail people."
Placing a hand over her heart and closing her eyes Amelia spoke in her most solemn voice. "For a Champion of Justice, underhanded means may be necessary for the hero to achieve the greater good," Amelia took a tentative peak at his reaction before smiling. "Right?"
Knowing how stubborn Amelia could be, Zelgadis knew there was no graceful way out of this situation. She would continue to pester him until she got what she wanted or they'd argue in circles for the rest of the day. "Very well."
"That's the spirit Mr. Zelgadis!" rushing over Amelia latched on to his arm and dragged him out of the library. "And I have the most perfect placed picked out. It's just outside of the city and the view is really beautiful. You'll just love it!"
~
"Isn't it beautiful Mr. Zelgadis? Wasn't I right?" Placing the basket down Amelia flung her arms open wide and spun around in circles making her dress flair. Pulling the ribbon off from her neck she held onto one end and continued to spin, letting it trail behind her.
Looking around, Zelgadis had to admit it was a lovely scene. Set high on a hill on the outskirts of the city he looked down the side to see its magnificent capital. This gem nestled itself against a backdrop of large patches of fertile checkerboard farmland. His eyes followed the twists and turns of the white stone roads that formed a huge magic circle that doubled as a magical protection seal for the kingdom against attack spells. Saillune had truly earned its reputation as one of the greatest kingdoms within the Barrier.
By this time Amelia's head was spinning faster than she was and she stopped to catch her breath. Flopping unceremoniously down on the grass she let go of the ribbon to press her hands against her head, "Owe, I don't feel too good."
Unsympathetic Zelgadis responded, "Next time don't spin around so much."
"But don't you feel like you have to spin around sometimes Mr. Zelgadis?" Amelia asked, "Aren't you ever so tired of being cooped up that you need to let loose sometimes?"
Zelgadis inhaled deeply as he sat down beside her. Amelia was so free with herself, her emotions, her actions, her words. Perhaps it came with the pressures of being a princess and being forced to follow endless lists of laws and rules of etiquette around others that when Amelia was with friends she acted as open as she wished. Not Zelgadis though, he hadn't felt free for a long time. He exhaled loudly, it was not a sigh, just a long and drawn out breath as he thought about his own past, "Letting lose can have serious repercussions if you're not careful."
Careful. Zelgadis wasn't careful knowing Rezo the Red Priest was one of the Five Great Sages of the time; a great healer who performed miracles throughout his travels. Zelgadis wasn't careful because Rezo's own blood flowed through Zelgadis' veins as his great-grandfather. Zelgadis wasn't careful when Rezo propositioned him with a gift of power and strength. Zelgadis wasn't careful and now he is one-third golem, one-third demon, and one third human; leaving him more monster then man and with no one to blame except for himself.
Amelia could tell Zelgadis had fallen into his usual brooding mode. In fact, Amelia could guess what he was brooding over; the same thing he always brooded over, being a chimera. She worried when he did that, secluding himself into his own little world. To Amelia, no one cared more about Zelgadis being a chimera than Zelgadis. It was hard to bring him back into reality, but she took it upon herself as a special mission to snap him out of his foul moods and bring a little more happiness into his life. Of course, this was only a temporary fix to the problem. Amelia knew finding his cure would be a permanent solution; making him happier than anything else she could ever give him. "You know Mr. Zelgadis, it's so strange but I think I've spent less time with you in Saillune than when we were on the road with Miss. Lina and Mr. Gourry."
"I've been busy,"
"I know." Amelia knew full well how hard Zelgadis had been searching for a cure. From sunrise to sunset he would visit sorcery doctors, guilds, and magic shops. By royal command of her father, Prince Philonel, Zelgadis was given special access to the libraries and so he spent most of his nights reading books and scrolls by candlelight till she found him slumped over in the morning. Not once in those six months did he choose to take time out of his schedule to spend time with her. She was the one who always went out of her way to break him out of the monotony of his work. But his time in Saillune was coming to an end. Amelia took special care to track where Zelgadis had visited and where he had yet to go and according to her calculations that was his last library, "So Mr. Zelgadis, did you find any clues to a cure yet?"
"No." Zelgadis responded flatly, "That's what I need to talk to you about Amelia. I didn't find my cure here and I didn't find any leads either."
"That's too bad Mr. Zelgadis." Amelia said cutting him off, "I was really hoping that you would be able to find a cure here."
Zelgadis thought Amelia must have realized he wanted to leave and was trying to forestall the inevitable. He always thought Amelia had a crush on him during their travels, but dismissed them because she was only fourteen when it began. After their last parting Amelia was sixteen and still very much infatuated with him. Zelgadis was sure a two year interval was enough time to rid Amelia of any lingering romantic feelings she had for him. But she was nineteen now and ever since his return he noticed all the times that she dropped in on him while he was researching, helped him get out of trouble when his temper brought down another library or scared some hapless citizen. And yet she never got mad or lectured him about his poor behavior. But this was no time to be entertaining persistent crushes, especially ones that had no future.
"I was afraid that might happen." Smiling slyly Amelia continued, "But I have great news for you Mr. Zelgadis."
"Unless you've found my cure no news could be that great."
"Okay, then I have good news." Laughing Amelia reached out and took his hands, "I think I might have found a cure."
It was as if Zelgadis' mind stopped working altogether. The one thing that he never expected to hear her say she said. The one sentence he dreamt of hearing and when he did hear it he couldn't react. How pathetic was that on his part?
"Wh-What?" Zelgadis stuttered as the wheels in his mind began to turn again. Reaching out he grabbed her shoulders, "Is this true? You have my cure?"
"Maybe." Amelia said pulling out of his grasp before he crushed her, "Have you heard of Shazaard's Soul?"
Zelgadis let out a disappointed sigh. Another one of the Five Great Sages Shazaard Lugandi was said to have created over half of the magical artifacts in existence. Any sorcerer worth their salt would know of Lugandi and his devices, "Of course, an orb that Lugandi wanted to create for healing purposes but his designs never worked. I've even seen those designs because I wanted to try and make one myself but it is not possible. The level and intensity of magic needed bind and meld the materials together is far greater than any man or dragon possesses. I doubt that even Lina with her magic enhancing talismans could do it either."
Amelia shook her head, "No Mr. Zelgadis. It exists."
"It can't. Lugandi's journal showed he gave up the project."
"Lugandi did give up, but Rezo the Red Priest finished it."
Zelgadis couldn't believe what he'd just heard, his mind was asking questions, compiling doubts, celebrating for joy, running with confusion. Could fate be so ironic that the man whom he hated with every bone in his body would be his savior? The man that he cursed hourly for damning him with this monstrous existence was also providing his cure? All of these conflicting thoughts froze his body and mind, leaving him officially dumbfounded.
"It's true Mr. Zelgadis. You can be human again! I knew how much you wanted to find a cure but you didn't have the kind of resources that I have. And you never ask outright for my help. But I wanted to help! So after we fought Hellmaster Phibirizo I went home and spoke to the headmaster of the white mages guild in Saillune and explained your problem. He got together with some of the other white mage guilds in our neighboring kingdoms and they've been doing their own research. We knew that Rezo successfully created Shazaard's Soul for some time and thought it would be your best bet. We just needed to find it, which is what took us so long. He created the orb for Eris when she decided to become his disciple, although she held onto it for some time she ended up giving it to the kingdom that she came from, Famille. That's where it is right now!"
"How long have you known it was in Famille?"
Amelia blushed, "Ever since your return six months ago."
"If you've known for that long why didn't you tell me earlier?" Zelgadis' voice began to rise with irritation, "Why did you let me waste all my time here?"
"The royal family of Famille holds Shazaad's Soul. If I told you that it was in Famille you would have gone off destroying everything left and right to get to it. Then you'd break into the castle and steal it! I couldn't let that happen. This way everyone could avoid all that trouble. We tried to get the orb for you, but the Famille refuses to acknowledge that they have it."
Zelgadis grinned, Amelia was right about that. If anything, his past experiences in Famille would make his rampage through town more enjoyable, "It doesn't matter. They have it. I'll get it." Zelgadis got up.
"Mr. Zelgadis! Aren't you listening to what I said?" Amelia jumped up to her feet knocking over the picnic basket and spilling all of its contents. She rushed over to him, "Fine. If I can't change your mind then I'd better go with you."
Raising a stony eyebrow Zelgadis stared at her, "What makes you think you're coming?"
Stomping her foot on the ground Amelia huffed indignantly, "I helped you find the location of Shazaad's Soul. I deserve to go with you."
"I've kept up with Saillune news," Zelgadis grinned feeling a cloak of detached advantage fall over his shoulders. "You'll be leaving in a few days for a conference with the kingdoms outside of the Barrier to sign a peace agreement. Don't forget, I spent two years with the people outside of the Barrier and I know how fearful they are of others more powerful than they. Individually we may be stronger with our advance magical skills, but with their greater numbers and technology, they may be an even match against us in a war. They're waiting for an advantage before they attack, and what's the best advantage to have but to hold the enemy kingdom's princess for ransom. Not to mention the troubles they've been stirring with the Elves in this area recently."
Impatient Amelia cut him off, "But you don't have to wait. I'm not going to the conference. Daddy can handle it on his own," Amelia couldn't believe how stubborn Zelgadis was acting. "Mr. Zelgadis, we're gathering to sign a peace agreement not preventing a war. Famille is no where near the Barrier. Nothing will happen to me with you there."
"Signing peace agreements is the same as preventing wars. If the princess of the leading kingdom doesn't arrive with the rest of her delegation it shows a lack of good faith on Saillune's part."
"You'll need my help Mr. Zelgadis."
"I doubt that," Zelgadis started down the hill a strange weight tugging inside his chest. He didn't like the way this ended. He wanted to thank Amelia for all that she'd done to help him, but this didn't seem like the right time anymore. Once he became human again he'd return and thank her then.
"Shazaad's Soul is useless without the right healing spell," Stopping in mid-step Zelgadis stood with his back facing her. The wind started to pick up and whipped around their bodies. Amelia knew he was listening. "Shazaad's Soul only amplifies white magic. Without the right spell it can't cure you."
"I'll find something."
"No you won't. I can guarantee you won't find it in a book or scroll."
"Let me guess, but you have a spell."
"The headmasters crafted one especially for your condition. I know it Mr. Zelgadis, I can cast it for you." Amelia didn't feel right about blackmailing him again and yet what other choice was there? To Amelia, his excuses were pitiful at best. Yet Zelgadis refused to allow her to go when it was fully within her rights to see his transformation back into a human. "I am a shrine maiden of Saillune. My white magic is a lot better than yours."
"I'll manage."
"But not if you don't know the spell. I'm sorry Mr. Zelgadis but I can't teach it to you. I've been fighting for justice all my life and you were unfairly turned into a chimera. At first, I thought it was my duty as a champion of justice to help you. But now we are friends, I just want to see you happy. If you want to find your cure so badly, then I want you to find your cure. And as your friend I deserve to share this with you. I'm sorry Mr. Zelgadis, that's why I can't teach you the spell. Please, let me go with you."
Zelgadis' voice rolled softly over the dying wind, "No."
Continuing down the hill Zelgadis left Amelia behind.