Please refer to Chapter One for the STANDARD DISCLAIMER
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Hi there, minna-san. For those who have read the previous version, you'd notice that I omitted the part where Zelas reminisces on how she made her sister mad. Well, I just thought of explaining that in the next chapter since it somehow helps in the formation of this story's plot. Thanks once again to Filia Metallium for letting me know how Zelas REALLY got Deep Sea insane. And once again, I feel so stupid… (bangs head on tree)
UNHERALDED PROPHECY
By: Ryuuen
Chapter Two
Dark… There was no other word that could have better described the place than just that… except probably evil. Walls of cold granite stretched out to form seemingly endless corridors, nondescript tapestries lining their otherwise murky bareness, elegant decorations that succeeded only in amplifying the gloom even when there was pretty much to begin with. Occasional torches with black flames were situated strategically, lame attempts at illumination, not that is occupants needed any, seemed to have done just the opposite. Black marble floors added to its overall ambience for, aside from its unearthly color, it managed to magnify even the nimblest of footsteps a thousand-fold.
Xellos Metallium, general-priest to Beastmaster Zelas Metallium, sauntered leisurely down one of the previously described corridors and smirked. His Mistress surely was anything but a good interior designer… not that anyone minded or dared to point out, of course. He had spent all of his extremely long life with her to know better then to bother her over such trivial matters. He had no mission as of the moment, having just finished disposing of a rather disturbing group of lower-level mazoku that sought to finish off his Mistress. Now that was something you didn't see everyday. He had laughed his heart out when his Mistress gave him that particular mission. Well, he would have if he had a one. Nonetheless, those Mazoku were either very brave or very stupid for daring to challenge the Greater Beast. Why he hardly had to lift a finger! Fools! He let out a short derisive laugh that echoed eerily throughout the hallway. Reminds me of those stupid Golden Dragons I slew during the War of Monsters' Fall… And speaking of Golden Dragons…
For Xellos, unlike the other generals and priests of the three remaining Mazoku Lords, being free from a mission sure had his perks. His Mistress, treating him as a son rather than as a servant, allowed him a few liberties, one of which was spending some time off after every mission… time that he personally preferred to be spent teasing, tormenting and riling his favorite pet. Oh what beautiful chaos she created whenever he was near! He trembled with anticipation. Not that she wasn't rather infuriating at times, Xellos had to admit. There were times when Xellos caught himself daydreaming on what it would like to send a bolt of dark energy through her heart and end her life there and then just like what he did to a thousand of her kind… But then, he would remind himself that doing so would mean giving up his golden meal ticket. No. In as much as an annoyance that dragon was, he couldn't afford losing her. At least, not yet. It had been two years now since they traveled together, Xellos mused. It's not that he missed her or anything. No one would miss a stupid violent dragon now especially when said dragon managed to get on your nerves every passing second. Oh no. But then…
Xellos always enjoyed the games he played with his little dragon. Yes, she was his. Well, as far as mazoku society was concerned, he had already laid claim to her. If they do as much as lay a finger on her, I'll… Well, suffice it to say that it was something nasty. She was his and only he can play and toy with her as he chooses. Xellos wasn't possessive. No, he just knew what was his and wanted others to know what was his. And speaking of her, I wonder what trouble my Fi-chan got herself into this time…Probably, it was time she got yet another visit a certain trickster. And with that he teleported out of sight.
* * *
It was a very pleasant morning. The sun was shining merrily from behind a few clouds. The wind was blowing softly, making the newly sown wheat dance in the breeze. Busy housekeepers were sauntering through the market in search for bargains on food, clothes, and whatnots. It was a perfect day. Too perfect in fact that it was a rare oddity to find Filia-san's Mace and Pottery Shop not only devoid of any customers but entirely closed.
"What do you think happened?" whispered one overly concerned housewife a.k.a. nosy busybody to the other.
"I hope Filia-san isn't sick. I need a bag of her special tea for my husband. He's leaving for Saillune tomorrow."
"Do you think Filia-san finally eloped with that young man who always liked to hang around her shop?"
"Who? The one with purple hair? I always thought he was the father of that rather cute child she carries around."
"Well, he is, isn't he?"
The subject of their conversation listened on from where he was perched in amusement. How interesting…Me? Val's father? He chuckled lightly. These people don't really know what they're talking about…But it is rather amusing. Better not forget to mention this to Filia-san…
* * *
"Oh, lizard lips. I'm back! Did you miss me?"
Xellos phased into the extremely quiet house with his customary grin in place. He looked around, half-expecting to see an irked albeit mace-wielding dragon priestess approaching him and muttering "Baka namagomi mazoku" under her breath and was surprised when he found that the house was deserted. It was quiet alright. Too quiet… He tried again.
"Fi-chan, where are you? Your favorite Mazoku has a little surprise for you…"
Nothing.
What the hell's going on here?
A crashing sound filled the air, drawing him from his thoughts.
Nani?
Just then…
"ITAI!!! Watch it, Gravos. That's my TAIL you're stepping on!"
Xellos sweatdropped. He knew all too well who that person… err… mazoku was.
"Yare, yare, Jiras-san. I didn't know you could yell as loud as your 'oneechan.'"
The fox's eyes widened (well, the one without the eye patch did) as he realized who it was.
"Xellos-san," he yelled in a manner that would have made Filia proud. "What are YOU doing here? If you dare touch Val-sama, I'll…"
"Keep it easy, will you. I'm not here for Val." At least, not yet, he added mentally. "My dear Filia-san won't like it, ne? And speaking of that selfish dragon, where is she?"
"I don't know," Jiras responded promptly, albeit firmly.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sorry, Xellos-san, but I really don't know."
"You don't know, eh?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Fi-chan did not tell you anything?"
"No."
"Mou, and I thought she trusted you that much."
Xellos smirked. This was going to be fun. Not as much fun as my dear Fi-chan though… he mused.
"Well," the rather confused fox began, stuttering. "Oneechan does trust me. There just are some things that she likes to keep to herself."
"Nani? That's not the way I see it. If Fi-chan really trusts you, she would have given you even the slightest hint on where she was going, ne?"
Jiras turned red. (and that's saying something.)
"Well, she did!"
"I don't think so."
"She did to."
"Did not!"
"Did to!"
"Okay, prove it."
"I know exactly where oneechan went."
"Why don't I believe you?"
This was too much for Gravos.
"Alright, alright! She attended a meeting with those Ryuuzoku who did not perish during the battle with Dark Star at the Shrine of the Fire Dragon King. Now there. Stop bickering! Val-sama's sleeping."
Jiras was petrified. Gravos paled. Crickets chirped. A tumbleweed passed by. A gust of wind blew. Yet another tumbleweed passed. More cricket chirps.
But Xellos was too submerged in his own thoughts to notice.
Nani? What are those stupid dragons up to this time? Then again…
Xellos…
A very familiar voice echoed through his mind, disturbing his thoughts. What was going on? It was not like Juu-ou-sama to summon him during one of his vacations unless it was something important. Drawing himself back the real world, he dismissed the sulking figures in front of him nonchalantly.
"Well, now, Jiras-san. It looks like I'd better be going. I'll tell Fi-chan you said hi. You too, Gravos-san. Ja!"
And with that he teleported off to Wolf Pack Island, not quite satisfied with the meal that he had. He had to find that dragon soon.
* * *
Damn it! Zelas cursed inwardly as she sipped her wine tensely. She sure hated a lot of things that day. She hated it when she didn't get her way. She hated it even more when others ordered her around. She hated it most when the said others were Dynast Grausherra and Deep Sea Dolphin. Okay, she didn't half-mind working with Dynast. Well, not most of the time. What she couldn't bear was that he was actually siding with that stupid excuse for a Mazoku Lord. True, her suggestion wasn't bad but… Damn that Kai-ou! Why did things always turn out in her favor even if she weren't aware of it?
Maybe I should have not invited her to our meeting in the first place… Zelas thought with venom. If only I knew it was THAT important…
Just then, the air thinned and a cloaked figure appeared, bowing low in reverence.
"You summoned me, Mistress."
"Rise, Xellos. Where have you been?"
"Oh, here, there. It's nothing. I wouldn't want to trouble you with my whereabouts. Why did you call for me, Juu-ou-sama? Was it something I did?"
Zelas stifled a smirk. Xellos somehow always had a way of lightening her mood.
"No, Xellos. It's nothing. Was I interrupting something?" she asked suggestively.
"I wish you were," Xellos, remarked, half-wistfully, half-truthfully.
Zelas quirked a brow.
"Zelas-sama, do you need me to do anything as of the moment?"
Uncertainty. Doubt. There was something bothering him and that concerned her. After all, what kind of mother wouldn't be concerned for her own son?
"Xellos, are you alright? You seem… distracted…"
"Juu-ou-sama, did you know of… I don't know… some survivors, some Ryuuzoku survivors from that incident with Dark Star?"
Zelas frowned. What exactly is he getting to?
"Well, as a matter of fact, Xellos, I have heard of a few strange rumors about them. Why did you ask?"
"Well, I visited Fi-ch… I mean, Filia-san a while ago and…"
Zelas suppressed a smile. Her general-priest was worried about his favorite pet. How… unusual…
"She… well… was not there. My sources told me that she met with the remaining Ryuuzoku congregation."
Zelas almost dropped her goblet.
"What did you say?"
Xellos looked quizzically at his Mistress. She never was this sidetracked.
"The Ryuuzoku called for an assembly, Juu-ou-sama. I still haven't found out their agenda. Is anything wrong?"
Zelas quickly composed herself.
"No, Xellos. Nothing's wrong."
"Then…"
"You are wondering whether I could allow you to investigate this matter?"
"Hai, Juu-ou-sama."
"Alright, you may."
"Thank you, Lord Beastmaster."
"Just be sure to bring back as much information as you can. And do it quickly. You'll have a very important mission waiting for you when you return."
"Hai, Zelas-sama."
"Okay, you're dismissed."
Her general-priest once again bowed low before phasing out. Zelas slumped against her throne. So, they have begun…
Standing up, she teleported straight to the North Pole.
I had fun writing this chapter… hope you had fun reading it, too. More reviews shall be appreciated. Until the next chap, minna.