Disclaimer: As usual, I don't own Slayers in any way, shape, or form. (I only wish I did) I'm just a poor college student writing to keep my sanity.
Thank you to everyone for the wonderful comments!
Keeper's Wake - Chapter 4
"Wow…I thought the legends said he was a hero loved by everyone!"
Lina acknowledged the comment with a snort of disgust. Crouching down beside the coffin's lid, she gently ran a finger across the side of the broken stone, then the top. Muttering a few choice words, she climbed to her feet.
"He was. The dust is wrong."
Two equally blank looks were the only reward for her observational skills.
"Oh for the love of- The dust is wrong! If someone had done this a long time ago, the side of that lid would be covered in just as much dust as the top."
They blinked in unison, still silent. After another moment or two, Gourry managed an intelligent comment.
"Umm…"
"Someone trashed this room recently! Probably today, maybe even just before we got here!" Lina yelled, throwing up her hands in open disgust.
"Why didn't you say that to begin with?"
Familiar with Lina's temper - and after briefly marveling at Gourry's affair with personal harm - Amelia took cover behind the second coffin just as Lina finished reciting her spell. By the time the destruction - and resulting small fire - were over with, the room had noticeably gone up in temperature.
"Miss Lina, you're ruining a priceless historical-"
Instantly Lina whipped around to glare at the girl. "Finish that sentence Amelia, and Gourry won't be the only one nursing a few minor injuries for the next few hours."
With a squeak of horror, the useless guide busied herself elsewhere. Calm for the moment, Lina resumed examining the wreckage. Gourry contented himself with moaning in pain in one corner.
Whoever got here first was pretty selective with his destruction. Only Gourry's coffin is open, broken, and robbed. But if they only wanted the same things I did, why the mess? It would be just as easy - easier, probably - to open the coffin, rob it, and close it up again. Then again, maybe they had help…hard to see a single person moving that lid easily and forcefully enough to break it clean through that way.
"Miss Lina!"
Surprised by the excitement in her voice, Lina didn't snap at her guide. "What is it, Amelia? Find something interesting?"
"I think this is the hero's sword! But…"
"But?" Lina prompted, when she didn't continue.
"Someone broke it!"
That got her attention. "What!"
It only took a moment to reach Amelia, who continued to hover over her discovery. Irritated at the movement, Lina bodily pushed her back a bit. "I need to see it to examine it, Amelia!"
In the end, the sword was rather disappointing. It wasn't a magic blade - at least not that Lina could detect - and at the moment it littered the cold stone in two pieces. A magic sword might be worth the repair costs, but a normal blade - especially one snapped cleanly through the blade - was easier to replace with a new one.
Looks like we just missed some really angry tomb robber or robbers. They toss around a solid stone coffin lid like a toy, then break a sword just as cleanly. No chips on the stone, no dents in the metal of the blade...so it's not like they had to work at destroying those things. We're not dealing with the average thieves or bandits here. They knew what they were looking for and they didn't mind trashing anything in their way.
The destruction around her wasn't the only unusual thing about the theft. The thieves had to have gotten into the tomb somehow, yet unless they had a mage with them - one who was even more skilled than Lina in black magic, rare as that was - there was no way inside the tomb.
Unless Gourry happens to have some other relatives wandering around here that I don't know about.
Deciding that thoughts alone weren't going to give her answers, she went for the direct approach.
"Hey Gourry?"
"I'm sorry!"
She stopped short in confusion. "What?"
"Whatever it is, I'm sorry! Just don't hit me with anything!"
"Okay….but I wasn't going to. I just wanted to ask you something."
He blinked at her a few times, before making the connection. "Oh. What do you want to know?"
"Do you have any other relatives out here, looking for this place…say like a mage or two?"
Gourry thought about it for a bit, then shook his head. "Sorry, we're a family of fighters…and I do have a brother, but he works in Seyruun."
So much for that idea. That's almost farther than I traveled to get here, and it definitely took more than a day!
Sighing to herself, Lina squared her shoulders. "Okay guys, might as well see what's left. I'm still looking for that cloak."
...
If I ever catch those thieves, there won't be a spell destructive enough to hit them with! Out of all the loot in this place, they just had to steal my cloak!
"Miss Lina?"
Lina absently noted the concern in Amelia's voice, but it wasn't enough to cut through her anger. "Of all the stupid luck!"
Several spells later, Amelia and Gourry finally emerged from their hiding places. In a surprisingly smart gesture, Gourry placed a hand on Lina's shoulder, while Amelia hovered anxiously.
"You'll find it, Lina…you're just not finished looking yet."
Immediately the young guide agreed. "Think of it as a longer adventure! And when we find those unjust thieves-"
"I'll hit them with a fireball big enough to send them to Sairaag in little pieces!"
"-they'll be stuck in jail for life." Amelia finished lamely. "Umm…murder isn't the answer, Lina."
"With all your talk of justice, Amelia, you certainly don't recognize it in practice. Someone steals from me, I get to fry their ass. Fair's fair."
Suddenly cheered, Lina started making her way out of the tomb, head held high. After a sharing a look of fright, Gourry and Amelia followed at a safe distance.
Admittedly, it was easier to stay positive with a cloak full of newly…discovered treasure. There was something comforting about counting up her newest trinkets. Shocking as it was, Gourry did have a good point. So she'd have to track down a couple of tomb robbers…she wasn't a sorcery genius for nothing.
Easy to say. What kind of normal thief can do the kind of specific damage we saw without spells? Maybe the others were looking for normal damage, or signs that other things were missing…but I was searching for any sign of recent magic.
No, she wouldn't think about that. Better to focus on her missing cloak.
Still planning where to go next, Lina emerged from the tomb, shielding her eyes against the sudden brightness outside. All told, it hadn't taken them very long to make their way inside, search through the various treasures, and take their leave.
"Early evening…not bad. Looks like we'll be back in Arla just in time for a nice dinner!"
Instead of answering with a friendly comment or two, Amelia breathed in sharply while the faint hissing sound of a sword being drawn was Gourry's only reply. Instantly Lina was on alert, dropping her gaze from the sky to scan the area around them.
"My my, aren't you a suspicious lot."
Lina snapped reflexively, more annoyed than worried. "If you'd just had the day I did, you'd be a bit cautious as well."
"I stand corrected."
Not that the stranger didn't warrant suspicion in his own right. It wasn't that he looked particularly dangerous; his entire appearance was tidy, his posture was non-threatening, and his smile was polite…if a bit creepy. He carried no weapon, only a cloak draped over his left arm.
"My cloak!"
The man feigned innocence. "Your cloak? I was led to believe this was a tomb for Gourry Gabriev. I take it you are a relative then?"
That made Lina pause a moment, but she quickly adjusted. "You're the new arrival. I believe that means first introductions are up to you."
The man's smile didn't slip in the slightest, but Lina couldn't shake the feeling that having to introduce himself to her bothered him.
"If you don't mind…"
Lina followed his gaze, then chuckled. "Sorry, force of habit."
The fireball vanished with a last swirl of fire and air, and the man visibly relaxed.
Why do I get the feeling that spell wouldn't have hurt him? If this guy is the thief, either he's an accomplished mage in his own right…or he has a strength I'd rather not see up-close. Lina mused, looking the stranger over for another moment. Something about this guy screams secretive. First Amelia, then Gourry, now this guy…what is it about today and odd reactions to people?
"Ah, much better. My name is Xelloss."
Still smiling, he bowed slightly. Without quite knowing why, Lina found herself blushing, a reaction that in turn left her annoyed.
What is it with this guy!
"Xelloss…" Lina let her words trail off, making it plain that she expected a last name.
"Xelloss, Trickster Priest. Nice to finally meet you, Lina."
"How do you -"
His friendly smile twisted into an amused smirk. "You are Lina Inverse, aren't you? Easy to guess your name from your description. There are a lot of stories floating around about you."
"Listen pal, I've had a long and trying day! I don't have the time or the patience for these polite little word games of yours. Either tell me why you're here and what you want, or get out of my way entirely. It's not often I ask politely first, but…" She trailed off, unsure of what she meant.
...
Internally Xelloss let out a small cheer of victory - one of Lina's habits that had rubbed off on him in their early days.
Seems Lina does remember, at least somewhat. Despite the lifetimes apart, and the memories of us I stole, she still knows something is unusual about us.
Maybe there's hope yet.
"Are you sure you want to rush off so soon, Lina? I'd hoped to give you a few pres-" He started, moving his left arm to one side to display the cloak fully. His other hand idly twirled one of the talismans between nimble fingers, still out of Lina's immediate sight.
He never finished his sentence. In a flash Lina was at his side, eyes glowing with thoughts of treasure. She probably would have tackled him outright, but knocking him over might have damaged his presents.
You might be predictable in some things, Lina…but even there you are smart.
Not wishing to tempt fate, Xelloss quickly handed over the first of her gifts. "Your cloak, Lina." He breathed.
If she heard him, she didn't show it. With a victorious cry she took the cloth from his arm, unfolding it with an arcing twirl that ended with it held out in front of her.
As she looked over her newest treasure, Xelloss fought off his memories with speech. Better to reveal minor secrets if they let the important ones remain in shadow.
"That cloak really didn't belong to Gourry, you know."
"What?"
Amused that both Lina and Gourry answered as one, he continued.
"I have it on the best authority that that cloak originally belonged to Lina Inverse. Fitting that you should have it, Lina."
He didn't expect modesty from his Lina, and she didn't disappoint. "Of course!"
"Try it o-" He stopped short, noticing that she'd already replaced her old cloak with his present. "It suits you."
He didn't bother adding that it always had. Like most everything Lina chose in life, her apparel suited her and no one else. It was part of her, an extension that just seemed to fit, even if it couldn't be put into words exactly why.
Humans…they focus on the superficial, judging people by whatever standards currently hold the popular opinion. They ignored her inner fire, her blazing strength that openly challenged even the greatest Mazoku…and for what? What are manners or a figure in the grand scheme of things? Not that I ever really understood why the others didn't approve of the latter.
Social dances are for those afraid to take their own path, or those that wish to hide their true agenda - a tactic I'm certainly familiar with - from the world. Appearance is only temporary, worn away under the eternal flow of time. Or, in the case of Mazoku, something for temporary diversion, flexible as imagination.
People were so blind to the greater scheme of things, forever ignoring the bright threads of existence around them. Yet Lina - with all the greed, short temper, and violence she was known for - saw more. She lived for the moment, challenged existence itself to forever offer her surprise and wonder. Yes, she could and often was rash, impulsive, and chaotic…but when she did dig herself a hole, she willingly fought her way out of it.
Even she couldn't get through life without flaws or mistakes, but she was the only one that always faced the results head on, often with an intelligence and cunning that did even a Mazoku like me proud. They were fools for ignoring her potential…and after I helped her become so much more, only then did they start looking her way.
As if I'd let any of them have my Lina.
Satisfied that his gift was in her hands again - details about it could wait for a better, and certainly more private, time - he extended his right arm, talisman in hand. The others still rested safely in their box, away from prying eyes and greedy hands.
"And this-" He held it out to her, purposely out of reach.
The feel of something gathering stopped him cold. Damn.
Externally, Xelloss sighed. "Of course. Of all the times to arrive, he chooses now to find her!"
Noticing the withdrawn present and following comment, Lina shot him a suspicious look. "What?"
"RA TILT!"
Immediately Xelloss wrapped an arm around Lina's waist. They were gone in the same moment, reappearing at a safe distance across the clearing. Before Lina could work up a reaction, the area they'd previously occupied erupted into a column of white-blue light.
The next thing he saw was a close up - and wonderfully detailed, he noted absently - view of the grass they'd been standing on.
Why-? Ah, that's right; Lina has a very…physical temper. I'd forgotten what a lovely right cross she has.
"Idiot! I can take care of myself!"
He coughed once before getting to his feet. "Of course. My mistake."
"Xelloss!"
I miss the days where he was cold and patient…
Adopting his usual smiling mask, he afforded Lina a brief nod. "Excuse me, this shouldn't take long."
He vanished even as she started demanding an explanation.
...
"You called?" He asked calmly, appearing directly behind Zelgadis.
He managed not to show his amusement when the chimera jumped slightly, then cursed loudly.
Whirling sharply, Zelgadis glared at him. "What in the hell are you doing?"
"Talking to you. I thought that was obvious, even for you."
If anything, Zel managed to look even angrier. "Don't play your word games with me, Xelloss! You know what my assignment is. Why did you interfere?"
"That is-"
"If you finish that sentence, I will hurt you."
Xelloss opened his eyes slightly. Despite his cheery smile, the effect was sinister enough that the chimera shuddered.
"Always with such promises, Zelgadis. A shame you never fulfill them."
This is one place where you and Lina differ, Zelgadis. You try so hard to remain in control, yet it leaves you drowning in buried emotions. Lina expels most of her demons as soon as they surface. A few worthless towns might get damaged in the process, but it leaves her harder to manipulate in the long run. She becomes less of a feast for my kind, as well as inflicting some delightfully direct pain on a regular basis.
Briefly he debated taunting Zelgadis a bit more, but a ripple of energy caused both of them to look toward Lina in shock and anger.
"Did you-?" Zel started, looking toward Xelloss.
Something in the look on his face must have answered Zel's question, for he stopped abruptly. Xelloss didn't really notice one way or the other, focused as he was on the fading trail of magic.
Lina was gone, whisked away from the clearing by very strong magic. Only two things were certain; he wasn't responsible, but he would tear the world apart finding out who was.