Author's Note: Please don't read this unless you've read Becoming Stronger, otherwise it won't make much sense. If you have, great! I hope you enjoy and feedback is always appreciated. This story is mostly for Clang55 and SlayersFan132. Thanks for everything you two!
Overcoming Strength
Knowing Too Much
Chapter 1
"So that is what astral vision is?" Xellos says as he finishes his tea across from Zelgadis.
The once chimera man, Zelgadis, bites back a sarcastic reply and attempts to enjoy his beverage. As promised, Zelgadis has just finished explaining the astral vision magic he has mastered thanks to his latest adventure.
Over the course of a month, Zelgadis had the unfortunate luck of losing his voice, hearing, and sight. They were sealed into three monsters by a crazy sorcerer who called himself Ralnker the Gold. This took place over two months ago and since then Zelgadis has tied up most of the loose ends from that miserable event. Xellos had been of some assistance to Zelgadis during this trying time and in return for Xellos's involvement, Zelgadis promised to tell Xellos how he was able to overcome Ralnker's spell.
Zelgadis has just finished telling Xellos how he was able to see and talk using astral magic, without the need of unsealing his senses from Ralnker's monsters.
During the time that Zelgadis was forced to be mute, deaf, and blind physically, he found a way to see using astral magic and the astral plane in a way to interpret the physical world around him. Zelgadis also discovered a way to communicate with Filia using a version of a shamanist Vision spell and Tansaku spell. He learned how to sense the use of magic before it took a visible form as well.
Ironic that he has Xellos to thank for learning this last trick, after the monster viciously attacked him once. Astral Vision is the short name and term Zelgadis is using to describe all of these techniques he has mastered.
Xellos pretends to be impressed after hearing all of this, but it is nothing new to him apparently.
Honestly, Zelgadis is surprised that Xellos is even bothering to collect on his promise. Zelgadis figures that Xellos already knows all of this information anyway (if not more) and Zelgadis is somewhat put out that the mysterious priest is wasting both of their time with this meeting.
"Are you still using your astral vision even though you can see again?" Xellos asks casually.
"Yes," Zelgadis says. He wants Xellos to leave, what more could the monster want? In boredom, Zelgadis lets his eyes wander and he looks out the window. Watching a young magician entertain some children with a light spell, Zelgadis is momentarily amused. The magician twirls the light around in his hands as if he is juggling balls.
Recognizing a small child with blond hair, Zelgadis smiles briefly, watching her squeal with delight at the simple magic trick. The child was extremely ill when Zelgadis first came to the town a day ago, but he healed her. The girl is supposed to still be in bed recovering, but apparently she escaped her vigilant parents.
Recently, Zelgadis has been traveling around with his friends and helping people like he use to with Rezo. Zelgadis is paid for his services however, unlike Rezo. Besides, Zelgadis doesn't have a huge following of fans like Rezo did that can support him.
In addition, ever since the defeat of Ralnker, Zelgadis has tried to become more considerate of his friends, but he still finds it difficult to stay put for long periods of time. At this moment, he is traveling with Amelia and Sylphiel, who are in town discussing issues with the local governor. Apparently they are concerned about the questionable sanitation for the working class. Since they happen to be near Sairaag, Sylphiel came along as well.
The little blond hair girl outside chases one of the balls of light with the other children before the magician scatters the light spell. As Zelgadis watches, one of the balls of light seems to become blurry in his vision, but after he blinks a few times it comes back into focus.
"Have you been practicing your sign language or pot making skills?" Xellos asks.
Where did that come from?
"No," Zelgadis says.
"That's too bad," Xellos says. The monster frowns, but his closed eyes are still grinning.
Zelgadis really wants to bad mouth the monster, but he keeps it together.
"Do you want to know anything else?" Zelgadis asks.
"Yes I do," Xellos says. "But it's a secret, so I'll need to ask you about it later."
Zelgadis raises an eyebrow, what on earth is that supposed to mean?
Eyeing the position of the sun Zelgadis stands from his seat and leaves a tip for the bar tender. "I should be going, I'm sure Amelia is done by now," Zelgadis says.
Xellos nods and stands from his seat as well. "I'll see you again shortly," Xellos replies.
"Don't tell me that," Zelgadis says through clenched teeth. "Just leave it at 'that's a secret.' I don't want to see you so soon."
"Oh, Zel-Zel you're no fun," Xellos pouts. Zelgadis cringes slightly at the use of the nickname Ralnker had given him. Xellos offers a cruel unfeeling smile before vanishing from the public's views. Zelgadis continues to watch Xellos as he flies away. Using his astral vision, Zelgadis carefully watches the monster's astral form, making sure the monster leaves and doesn't come back.
The truth is that thanks to his astral vision, no monster can ever hope to sneak up on Zelgadis. With the help of his astral vision, Zelgadis can see two times further than the naked eye can.
Walking up to the blond little girl outside, Zelgadis is polite enough to stop and smile kindly down at her.
She smiles sheepishly, recognizing the man who saved her.
"Shouldn't you still be in bed?" Zelgadis asks.
Looking at her shoes the girls says, "Yeah."
"Well, then you should probably go home, before your parents start to worry," Zelgadis says.
"Okay, Mister Grey," she says. With a short bow the girl heads straight for home.
He smiles after her and turns around towards the governor's manor.
After passing through the market and past the higher class homes, Zelgadis meets up with Amelia and Sylphiel before ever reaching the governor's home.
"There you are Mister Zelgadis," Amelia says walking up to him. The princess is now twenty one years old and is a lot taller than she use to be. It has taken a while for Zelgadis to get use to it. Sylphiel smiles at him warmly, offering a small nod in greeting.
"I was just going to meet up with you both," Zelgadis says in his usual monotone fashion.
"Well, Mister Thretle and I finished up eventually. I was surprised that you weren't in the parlor waiting for me." Amelia says. She looks at Zelgadis with a smile, but her eyes betray a bit of confusion.
"Did you have a lot of customers today?" Sylphiel asks softly.
"I had some business to take care of just like you," Zelgadis says. "It took longer than I would have liked."
"I see," Amelia says. "Well, I hope your business was as successful as ours was. Justice and cleanliness was carried out flawlessly today. The people will hopefully no longer become sick so easily."
"And Sairaag will not need to be worried about it either," Sylphiel says.
"That is good to hear, I think my business today was successful as well," Zelgadis says. He turns around and the three begin to make their way back towards the inn.
Indiscreetly, Zelgadis takes note of Amelia, who is eyeing his swinging arm. With a bright smile, she grabs his arm tightly as he blushes. "I'm glad we got to travel together again."
Sylphiel beams brightly as she watches the two, seemingly happy, couple.
"Yeah-ah, me too," Zelgadis sputters.
Once again, Zelgadis is face to face with Amelia's feelings towards him. He was hoping it wouldn't be too bad this time around since Sylphiel was with them. That doesn't seem to be the case. These situations have become increasingly common since he has been spending more time with Amelia and the others. Zelgadis isn't sure if he likes Amelia the same way she likes him. He appreciates all she has done for him, especially recently, after purposefully avoiding her for years, but he isn't sure he wants this. He thought that after he lost his stone exterior he could settle down and fall in love, but he still finds it difficult to stay put. His heart is still made of stone.
Zelgadis lets her hug his arm and he offers her a small smile, despite his discomfort.
Standing this close to her, Zelgadis is reminded of another issue he was avoiding before the Ralnker incident. While Amelia has grown up over the years, he hasn't changed at all. He didn't really care before, but now he is finding that it does bother him, especially the knowledge of his unchanged chimera astral form nagging at the back of his mind. He resists looking at himself with his astral vision. Anyway, he hasn't aged at all since making this new human body for himself.
Now this wouldn't be a problem if not coupled with another tidbit of information. Six months ago, Zelgadis also made a new body for Pokota, but unlike himself, the young prince has grown. Zelgadis purposefully created the prince's body shorter than himself, but in just six months the young man has grown the way he should considering his age.
While Zelgadis is lost in his musings, the three friends make it to the inn and chow down on dinner. Zelgadis eats a lot more than he use to, but now that he isn't a chimera it is expected.
"Is something bothering you," Amelia asks.
Sylphiel stops eating and looks at Zelgadis along with Amelia. What is it with these women?
Zelgadis stops eating briefly and looks at Amelia. "I'm fine Amelia," Zelgadis says truthfully. While there are plenty of things that are inconvenient for Zelgadis right now, he isn't worried about it. After being blind, mute, and deaf for a month, Zelgadis considers such issues, like dealing with Xellos, his monstrous astral form, and inability to age, little more than small nuisances.
"Are you sure?" Amelia asks and Sylphiel continues to look with concerned eyes.
Now Zelgadis is becoming slightly annoyed. If there isn't anything wrong now, there will be if she keeps asking about this none existent thing. Zelgadis realizes that he has purposefully been spending more time with his friends recently, but where does one draw the line when said friends become irritating. The old Zelgadis would get up and leave, but the new one doesn't run from troubles such as these.
"Yes, I am sure," Zelgadis says calmly. He doesn't betray any emotion.
"Alright," Amelia says awkwardly.
"Well, like Amelia asked earlier, who was your business with earlier?" Sylphiel whispers, at least it sounds like a whisper to Zelgadis. Slightly taken aback, Zelgadis wonders when Amelia ever asked such a question. He doesn't remembering hearing her say something like that tonight. Before Zelgadis can answer Sylphiel's question he is interrupted.
Outside they hear a commotion start on the street and everyone in the inn eyes the door suspiciously. Sylphiel grips her napkin in slight unease.
Using his astral vision Zelgadis immediately recognizes the two people outside the door.
"It's Lina and Gourry," Zelgadis says in confusion. "Did you tell them we were going to be in this town?"
"No, I didn't," Amelia says. Both Zelgadis and Amelia next turn to look towards Sylphiel. The twenty-five year old priestess is obviously guilty.
"Well," Sylphiel says blushing before continuing. "Of course, I would tell my future husband where I was. I have to try my hardest since Lina won't let him go. I'm going to be a spinster at this rate. When I told Gourry where I was going, Lina just happened to be there at the time."
Before Amelia or Zelgadis can flee for their lives, Lina bursts into the room. "There you guys are," Lina says with a beaming smile.
Leave it to Sylphiel, Zelgadis thinks to himself while rolling his eyes.
"Man it's great to see you again so soon, Zel," Lina says hitting Zelgadis on the back in an over the top fashion. "I didn't think you would keep your social practices up like this. Hey Amelia, Sylphiel, how's it been?"
Sinking into his seat, Zelgadis does his best to ignore the three girls as they begin to chat.
Gourry says something as he takes a seat next to Zelgadis, but Zelgadis cannot make it out. The room is becoming much noisier now that Lina is here. The background noise is almost nauseating. Without a second thought, Zelgadis stands and makes his way to his room. There is a point where one must draw a line.
But for the record he is not running away.
"I'll see you in the morning," Zelgadis says as he smiles at his friends.
"Ah, but don't you want to catch up?" Lina says as she takes some leftover meat off of what use to be Zelgadis's plate.
"I don't have anything to report," Zelgadis says suppressing a laugh. "Don't worry Lina, no new mad men or twitching Mazoku is getting under my skin."
"Well that's good, alright Zel you're off the hook," Lina says as she engulfs Zelgadis's surrendered food. She doesn't get away with it for long, as Gourry starts to steal some of the food from under her nose. When an all out war breaks out between Gourry and Lina over the food, Zelgadis takes the opportunity to leave.
It seems strange to Zelgadis. Here they are, in their mid and early twenties and all of them are doing nearly the exact same things they were doing five years ago. Will the Slayers ever change? Probably not.
As Zelgadis climbs the stairs he absentmindedly rubs a slight pain in his back. Is all this traveling getting to him, Zelgadis bitterly wonders? Dismissing the pain as a Lina inflicted curse, Zelgadis goes to bed early and sleeps soundly. Even though he rests easily, Zelgadis cannot fall back to sleep after the sun peaks over the horizon.
Grunting under his breath, Zelgadis heads down stairs and orders some coffee as he waits for his companions to rise. They do not join him until nearly two hours later. Apparently, Zelgadis has been up since six in the morning. Amelia comes to sit beside him.
"I said, did you sleep well Mister Zelgadis," Amelia asks as she gently nudges his arm in order to get his attention. The princess orders a decent sized breakfast and Zelgadis takes the opportunity to order something for himself as well.
"I think so," Zelgadis replies with a shrug. "But I did have a little trouble falling back to sleep early this morning."
Lina butts into the conversation loudly. "That's what you get for going to bed early, old man" Lina says and proceeds to order three rounds of the house special.
"Are you feeling okay Zel," Gourry nearly screams at Zelgadis from across the table.
Zelgadis openly glares at the idiot swords man, "Yes, I'm fine," Zelgadis yells back.
"Oh good," Gourry shouts.
Without any warning a twitching Lina slams Gourry with a pink bunny slipper. "Why are you yelling so early in the morning!" Lina yells at him. "Great now I'm yelling." Before she can hit Gourry again, her breakfast arrives and her idiot companion is momentarily saved by the delicious house special.
"Lina's right, people shouldn't be yelling at breakfast," Amelia says. In a momentary lapse of justice Amelia pumps her arm and looks at the ceiling valiantly. "After all, it would be unfair of us to disturb the late risers who are staying at this fine establishment."
Sylphiel nods in agreement.
Zelgadis notes that Amelia's justice speeches are not nearly as extravagant as they use to be, but she still says them too often for his taste. Bringing his attention back to his meal, Zelgadis takes a bite of his breakfast and begins to thoroughly enjoy his food. Time passes like this for a while, with the others chattering away and Zelgadis lost in his own thoughts. He doesn't even hear them.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Zelgadis's companions finish up and stand, beginning to make their way to the exit. Caught off guard, Zelgadis drinks the last of his cup and rushes after them.
Gourry lingers at the back of the pack and waits for Zelgadis. "Ready to go?" Gourry shouts at him.
"Yes, I guess I am, but why don't you guys warn me before taking off like that," Zelgadis says, trying to contain his annoyance at Gourry's shouting.
With obvious concern, Gourry looks at Zelgadis carefully. Having come to some unknown decision, Gourry smiles down at Zelgadis and nods at him.
As the party makes their way out of town, Zelgadis is surprised that Lina and Gourry stick around. Apparently, Lina decided to travel back to Seyruun with them and of course Gourry is sure to follow. Racking his brain, Zelgadis tries to remember anything that might have been said during the meal this morning, but nothing sticks out to him. He only remembers hearing them fight over food. That's what meal times always are with Gourry and Lina in tow.
Lina, Amelia and Sylphiel are leading the group as Gourry and Zelgadis walk at the back. For the entire journey Zelgadis puzzles over his lack of knowledge and he briefly considers asking Gourry about the discussion he apparently missed at breakfast, but decides against it. It is highly unlikely that Gourry remembers anything other than the food exchanged at the meal.
Even after eating lunch, Zelgadis doesn't say a word to his friends, but is completely lost in thought. Scratching the back of his head, Zelgadis looks up in time to see the huge astral form of Xellos flying towards them. Just perfect, Zelgadis thinks to himself.
"Hello Zelgadis," Xellos's astral form says to Zelgadis. "I see you are traveling with Lina, how nice."
"I thought our business was over," Zelgadis says to Xellos. He refuses to look directly at the monster.
Gourry turns towards Zelgadis and looks around. The keen swordsman is wondering who on earth Zelgadis is talking to, because no one is nearby with the exception of himself and the girls some ways off in front of them.
"Well that business is over, but I'm here for my next assignment." Xellos says. Mysteriously, the monster remains in his astral form.
"Hey, Zel who are you talking too?" Gourry says loudly, but he doesn't yell.
Zelgadis rolls his eyes. "To Xellos," Zelgadis answers stiffly.
"Oh, I see," Gourry says loudly again with a smile. At this point, the girls at the front of the pack are starting to take notice of the men behind them and glance back.
"You would be wise to pay more attention Zelgadis," Xellos says with a giggle. At this point Zelgadis realizes that Xellos is not showing himself on the physical plane.
"What are you getting at," Zelgadis says in a low tone. Now he knows why the girls and Gourry were looking at him funny. Zelgadis is use to implementing his astral vision along with his normal vision so he didn't readily realize that Xellos was purposefully messing with him.
"Watch out," Xellos says simply as Zelgadis begins to trip and fall to the ground.
Luckily, Gourry is paying attention and catches Zelgadis before the young man can fall all the way over. Firing off multiple thoughts, Zelgadis's brain tries to figure out where on earth that fallen log came from.
"Careful Zel," Gourry says loudly. Now the concern on his face stays there. The swordsman doesn't smile or brush it away. "Didn't you see the log Zel?"
"I wasn't paying attention I guess," Zelgadis says as he straightens up and carefully maneuvers his feet over the dead tree. Choosing to hide his discomfort from Gourry, Zelgadis glares at Xellos. Although he doesn't want to admit it, Zelgadis hadn't seen the log lying in the middle of the path. Zelgadis briefly considers the possibility that he perhaps didn't notice such a simple thing because of Xellos, but this excuse doesn't work out. He was purposefully avoiding direct eye contact with the monster. There is just a blur in his mind, where the log is supposed to be. Zelgadis's astral vision didn't help him out much since objects that do not move and aren't living are harder to discern using this technique.
Zelgadis stops and looks up to where Xellos once was, but now the monster priest is in his physical form and is walking beside him.
"Did you make Zelgadis trip?" Gourry asks Xellos loudly, peaking around Zelgadis in order to see the monster better.
"No I didn't Gourry," Xellos says with a small smile. "I was just having a private conversation with him."
"Zel can see you when you are invisible?" Gourry asks loudly again in wonder.
"Yes he can," Xellos says. The monster's smile is getting bigger and bigger for some reason, which is disconcerting to Zelgadis. "And I have just confirmed that he can hear me on the astral plane as well, isn't that fun."
Zelgadis goes pale as Gourry smiles at Xellos. "Yeah, that sounds cool," Gourry says loudly, making it obvious to Zelgadis that the man beside him has no clue what Xellos is talking about.
"No, that isn't good," Zelgadis says under his breath. Am I cursed again, Zelgadis thinks.
"Hey, Xellos, why are you here?" Lina calls back as she notices their new member.
"That's a secret Miss Lina," Xellos says shifting his finger from side to side in his common manner.
"Hmff, well I'll figure it out," Lina says with a shrug and the crew begins to continue their trek without any sign of further interruptions.
Zelgadis smiles at this encouraging notion, but frowns as Gourry raises his sword. Zelgadis sees the bandits before anyone else. "Look out Lina!" Gourry calls.
Out of the surrounding overgrowth and trees the Slayers gang is attacked by bandits. Needless to say, these bandits could not have chosen a worse party to attack, but there is no changing their mind as soon as Lina fires a slew of spells at them. The smarter bandits immediately run in fear.
Gourry swings his sword high as Amelia smashes them with her fists of justice. Even Sylphiel doesn't go easy on the fiends as they attack. Zelgadis fires off numerous spells bringing out his sword only when one of the bandits manages to get close enough. Catching something out of the corner of his eye Zelgadis turns around swiftly only to see Xellos's back. The monster blocks an attack from one of the bandits with his wood staff before Zelgadis has a chance to do anything.
Zelgadis bites his tongue, but as the fight continues, he is keenly aware that Xellos doesn't leave his side.
When the battle is over, Zelgadis considers confronting Xellos about it, but decides against it. Either Xellos will claim that it is a secret or worse it will be something Zelgadis just doesn't want to deal with. Both answers would not be welcomed.
"Wow, look at the loot these guys got!" Lina says as she searches one of the bandit's bodies. The excited red head looks as if she is opening presents for a surprise birthday party. Raising a magically infused amulet Lina inspects her prize happily.
"Miss Lina look at this too!" Amelia says as she lifts a magically infused dagger for her friend to inspect.
"As long as it doesn't turn its bearer crazy, I'll take it," Lina says, swiping it from Amelia and taking a closer look.
Half an hour later Zelgadis is amazed, and slightly alarmed, at the amount of magically infused items the bandits were carrying into battle. He then turns his attention to the monster in their mist. Chances are the monster knows what is going on. To avoid appearing suspicions, Zelgadis uses his astral vision to study Xellos. The monsters material and astral form don't betray anything much, but Zelgadis does get the distinct feeling from Xellos' astral cone body that he is excited for some reason.
"I'd appreciate it, if you didn't look at me like that," Xellos says opening his eyes slightly.
Zelgadis tries to hide his surprise and quickly makes his way towards Lina. Maybe it isn't too late to grab some of the bandit's stash, before Lina takes it all.
Authors Note: Now begins the sequel to 'Becoming Stronger.' This story will have less action, but it will answer the questions I left hanging in the first story. In some ways I enjoy this story more since Zelgadis is a bit more mature in his actions and decisions. I hope you enjoy.