A/N: This is a redo of the original chapter, so I should hope that it's better...Read and review, please?
Disclaimer: I don't own the Slayers.
Chapter 01: A Foreboding Beginning.
Lina wakes up in a place she doesn't recognize.
She can't make any sense of it. Why is she here—wherever 'here' is—of all places, when the last place she can remember being at is an inn outside of Seyruun, trying to punch some sense into Gourry and eat lunch at the same time?
"You're awake," a sly voice comments, drawing Lina's attention towards her. A lone figure steps out of the shadows. Her long, white hair flows far past her shoulders; her golden eyes glint with a hidden mischief; and her slim figure lightly steps towards Lina. "How were your dreams, Lina Inverse? I've been dying to meet you, you know."
Lina doesn't know what to think. This woman bears a remarkable resemblance to Xellos, that monster general priest, only she has a much larger Astral form; so much larger that Lina couldn't possibly beat her with something simple, like the Dragon Slave, if she had to. All she knows is that, whoever it is, this being is a mazoku.
The supposed monster doesn't wait for an answer. She laughs shortly, "Of course, you won't remember this conversation...Let's see how you'll feel when poor, poor Zelgadis isn't the only one around."
Lina scowls at her. She retains her casual, defiant pose, even knowing nothing of her whereabouts, and asks simply, "When Zel isn't the only what?"
"You'll see."
Lina's eyes widen, and her screams still fill the air long after her consciousness fades.
Meanwhile, Zelgadis can be found among the Kataart Mountains, once again on a desperate search for a cure. He has just finished reading one of a dragon temple's books when a certain somebody appears in front of him.
"Why, hello, Zelgadis!" Purple eyes open seriously, even though the tone these words are put in doesn't hint at all at what is going to happen. A familiar wooden staff is laid against the tall, sturdy stack of books next to Zelgadis. A rather heavy book teeters precariously at the top of the stack, and before it falls, Zelgadis stands up, steadies it, and begins to put his books back on the shelves, dropping the staff on the floor in doing so. He doesn't bother to pick it up, though, as instead he turns his attention to the other person in the temple.
"Xellos," Zelgadis growls, barely keeping his calm in front of the supposed priest. "What in Ceipheed are you doing here? Couldn't you let me finish my books first?" His almost inaudible, bitingly sarcastic comment seems to amuse Xellos.
"I waited until you finished that book there; you know, the one with the best lead," the mazoku replies cheerfully, further infuriating the room's other occupant. "And, may I ask, what in Ceipheed are you doing here, when you should be somewhere else?"
Zelgadis can't make head nor tails of this comment, so instead he places his last book on the correct shelf, in the correct spot according to alphabetical order. After doing so, he turns to look back at Xellos. "Why should I answer you when you're simply a filthy namagomi?"
"And why should I answer you when I have so many things to do and places to be? You know, I really should get going, but this time, I'm afraid you're going to have to come with me. Don't worry; I won't drop you."
Zelgadis glares at him and snaps, "I'm not going anywhere with you, Xellos."
"Oh, he said my name! He said my name, Mama! I'm so honored!" Xellos lets out a high-pitched fangirl squeal and picks his staff up from where Zelgadis left it laying on the ground. "But really, sweetheart, we must be going; I believe you have somewhere to be."
And suddenly, Zelgadis can't see anything but darkness, can't feel anything but cold, probing shadows, and all he can do is wonder what Xellos is up to this time. He would love to somehow, somehow, make a fool out of that monster, just once...
Maybe that time will come, someday, but that wish will have to wait until later.