Zelgadis blinked as revelation sank in. "A vampire?"
Gunther nodded grimly.
Zelgadis was indeed taken aback by this news. He racked his brains to find everything he knew about vampires. Of course! Now he understood everything! It was now all so clear! All the pieces fell into place - the pale complexion, the foreign accent, the peculiar charisma.....
Zelgadis faced Gunther with a look of alarm. "I heard vampires had a hypnotic gaze..."
Gunther sighed. "Yes, that is true."
"Then...." Zelgadis began
"You friends are indeed having their minds controlled by Leopold." Gunther finished.
Zelgadis was astonished.
"I've to get them out of here...." he growled.
"I'm afraid its not that simple." Gunther sighed. "Because as long as your friends remain under Leopold's control they will remain prisoners here."
"I see."
Zelgadis paused before continuing: "Leopold's sister Isabella, is she a vampire too?"
Gunther nodded.
Zel's face hardened. "Hold on" he growled suspiciously, "Does that mean you're a vampire too?"
Gunther chuckled. "No! Not at all! You see, I was sickened by Leopold's crimes against the innocent that I tried to destroy him. However I failed and he killed me. He then used his power to resurrect me as a thrall. Now I'm doomed to remain a dead man walking."
Zel blinked.
"And I'm not the only one." Gunther went on. "That servant boy Rolf - he too is a thrall."
Zel nodded. That would explain why Rolf looked so morose.
Gunther continued: "But despite the state I'm in, my desire to stop Leopold and his evil schemes still stands strong. I can assure you that I don't belong here amongst the living. Therefore I'm doing whatever I can to stop Leopold. When he is defeated, his power will collapse and I will rest in peace. That's why I have come to help you and your friends."
Zelgadis nodded. "I see. What can I do?"
"Well," Gunther explained. "By killing the head vampire, Leopold, you will consequently destroy all the other vampires he created through sucking their blood."
"Couldn't you defeat him yourself?" Zel inquired.
"No." Gunther sighed. "Leopold resurrected me, so he possess some control over me. Thus I can't kill him myself. But I have an ally within these mansion walls."
Zelgadis leaned forward as Gunther went on:
"He is a human named Gustav Liebermann. He came here seeking shelter as you did. But I managed to find him and hide him away. We are both conspiring to put and end to Leopold."
Gunther paused, giving Zel time to take it all in.
"I urge you to find Gustav. He'll be able to help you."
"I see. But Gunther - about Isabella. You told me she was a vampire too, right?"
"Yes."
"Then that must mean she must be controlling Gourry's mind!"
Gunther nodded grimly. "Your friend with the blond hair and large sword? Yes. Isabella must be succeeding where Leopold failed."
"What do you mean?"
"Leopold must've found your girl friends.... Why are you blushing like that?"
Indeed, a large blush worked its way across Zelgadis" face. He didn't like the choice of words Gunther was using. "Their names are Lina and Amelia" he growled in embarrassment.
Gunther chuckled under his breath before continuing: "Leopold must've found your friends, Lina and Amelia, easy to manipulate. They must've been seduced by his appearance."
"Yes." Zel agreed. "But if Gourry wasn't taken in by Leopold then he must've been swept up by Isabella."
A silence ensued.
"Listen" Gunther said at last. "Your friends are all lost to the power of Leopold and Isabella. We - as in you, me and Gustav - must all get them out of danger. Then we will all concentrate on getting rid of Leopold."
Zelgadis nodded in consent. "Thank you."
Gunther then smiled and reached into the pocket of his jacket.
"Oh and Zelgadis? Take this - you'll need it."
Gunther pulled out a silver crucifix on a chain. Zel examined it and nodded. Satisfied, Gunther turned and headed for the door. Then he stopped.
"Oh Zelgadis? I must warn you."
"Warn me? About what?"
"Leopold and Isabella aren't the only vampires in this mansion. Leopold is rumoured to have three vampire brides."
"Who are they?" asked Zel.
"I don't know. But what I do know is that they are equally dangerous. Take care."
And with that Gunther left the library, leaving Zel with his books.
Elsewhere, Gourry was still engaged in his word practice. He stopped momentarily. Lowering his sword, he grinned at his handiwork: The dummy was now chopped to pieces. Gourry then began rubbing his hand gently against his neck...
He stopped.
His fingers felt something that he hadn't felt before.
What was that? there certainly wasn't there yesterday.
It felt like....
Two tooth marks had punctured the skin on his neck.
Gourry was indeed surprised by these marks. How on earth did they get there....?
The afternoon wore on. As the evening drew nearer, Zel left the library. His brain whirred. If there this mansion was a vampire infestation then he certainly isn't safe here. He must go and find help.
"Are you sure you're doing the right thing?" a small voice in his head asked.
"Oh come on." Zel mentally answered. "This mansion is dangerous. I'm going for help - alone. They've all lost their minds: Gourry, Lina and Amelia..."
And that's how Zelgadis found himself in the entrance hall of the mansion. He took a deep breath, grasped the door handle, and wenched in open.
"Stop! This is insane! You can't escape here! Especially not in this weather!" the voice protested.
Zelgadis ignored the voice. And without a further ado, he ventured forth into the rain.
But he didn't get very far. The rain pelted down relentlessly, soaking his clothes. Zel bowed his head underneath his cowl and struggled on. He wasn't going to let a little rain stop his escape...
"But what if that rain is a hard and persistent shower?"
Zel continued battling his way through the rain. He wasn't making much progress but he didn't stop. He had cleared the mansion's grounds and now he was at the edge of the forest.
Then the wind came.
It started out as a gentle breeze but then rapidly grew into a howling crescendo. Zelgadis still pushed his way through the mayhem, but to what avail? The rain and wind still held him from achieving his escape. They resisted all efforts of resistance that Zel came up with. After struggling to make his way through the dreadful weather, Zel collapsed onto the soggy ground.
He groaned, nursing his temples. Looks like his escape plan failed. He can't flee from the mansion in this appalling weather. He can't abandon his friends, especially when they are in danger.
Zel sighed. Picking himself up, he eventually succumbed to his conscious. He then slowly made his way back to the mansion.
But he couldn't help but feel he was being watched.
Zelgadis' suspicions were right. Upon the mansion roof, Leopold stood, using his vampire powers to control and manipulate the wind and rain. As he watched Zel return to the mansion he smiled. He couldn't allow Zelgadis to escape.
Leopold sighed. Guilt began eating his black soul. He didn't want to batter Zelgadis like that but he couldn't allow him to escape and warn the authorities. In fact, he couldn't allow any of his "guests" to leave. Amelia in particular....
Zelgadis eventually made it back to the mansion. He went straight to his room. Scanning the place over he soon located a dresser. Opening one of the drawers in the dresser, Zel found a new set of dry clothes. He picked out a pale shirt and some black trousers. Satisfied with his find, Zel removed his wet clothes and donned his new-found dry clothes.
Much to his surprise, he found out that he looked and felt rather good in them.
"Hey, nice fit." he murmured.
Just then he heard a knock on the door. Zel went over to the door and opened it.
It was Gourry. He had doe enough practice and he wore an expression of concern on his face.
"Zelgadis!" Gourry began. Then he noticed Zel's clothes. "Hey nice outfit."
Zel blinked. "Thanks. Now Gourry, is there something you wanted?"
"It's Lina and Amelia." he explained. "They want to have a chat with us...."
Lina and Amelia were waiting for Gourry and Zelgadis in the lounge - where they had congregated last night. As Zelgadis entered the room after Gourry, he was greeted with scowls from both Amelia and Lina. Neither of them noticed his change of clothes.
Zelgadis' face hardened. He wasn't liking this at all....
"Right!" Lina said. "Now that we're all here we can get down to business..."
Amelia closed the door behind Zel and Gourry.
Zel blinked. "What's all this about Lina?"
Lina glared accusingly at Zelgadis as she gave her answer: "Both Amelia and I have been talking and we are convinced that the pair of you are jealous of Leopold."
Gourry blinked. "So?"
"ITS REALLY GETTING US PISSED OFF!" Lina yelled with eyes blazing.
Zel sighed.
"Hey, what's up with you?" Amelia snapped.
Zel decided to come out with the truth: "Lina, Amelia, Gourry. Leopold is a vampire. He's all got you all under his mind controlling powers."
A stunned silence followed.
"Rubbish!" Amelia mocked. "Impossible! Zel, I just believe that you are hiding the fact that you're jealous!"
Gourry cut in: "I agree with Zel. Leopold..."
But Gourry never got to finish his sentence as Lina interrupted: "Gourry?! You too?!?"
"What me too?" Gourry asked scratching the back of his head.
"Well, looks like we're all taking sides over this matter." Amelia said.
"Listen to me all of you!" Zel snapped, trying to restore order. "We are all in danger! We can't afford to squabble amongst ourselves like this!!"
But Zel's voice of reasoning fell on deaf ears.
"Danger?" Lina snarled. "What danger? Leopold isn't a threat!"
"You're wrong Lina!" Gourry argued. "Leopold is a threat to us Lina! Don't deny it! "
"Oh yeah?" Lina grinned evilly. "What about you and Isabella?"
"What?"
"Oh come on! I know for a fact that you have an interest in her!"
"NO!" Gourry bellowed. "There is nothing happening between me and Isabella!!!!!"
"Oh really?" Lina said slyly. "It would be a shame if something were to happen to Isabella....."
Gourry shook with rage. "Oh yeah?" he roared back. "She's more of a friend then you'll ever be Lina!!!"
Zelgadis watched this argument heat up with eyes widened. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. This wasn't the Lina and Gourry he knew. Lina must be under the power of Leopold completely. And Isabella's power over Gourry must be growing rapidly. But now they were oblivious to the chaotic argument they were engaged in...
Zelgadis turned away, but found himself staring into Amelia's blue eyes. But now her blue eyes were burning with rage. Zelgadis blinked. He didn't like to see Amelia angry. It marred her beauty....
"Zelgadis?" Amelia asked - with a gentle voice infested with the sharpness of a dagger.
"Amelia?" he asked, as if dreading a hateful answer.
"I don't believe your accusation of Leopold."
Zel remained silent.
"He isn't a threat. He is such a nice man. He's so handsome and sophisticated."
Zel raised an eyebrow. "Amelia? Are you trying to tell me that you find Leopold fascinating?"
Amelia nodded. "Oh Zelgadis, it isn't more then a fascination, it's an adoration!"
"And where does this leave me?" Zel asked.
Amelia's smile faded. "Oh Zel, I used to have a crush on you but that fell through. I got so sick of waiting for you to see it and go with it. But now you're too late. I love Leopold now...."
Zel frowned. This certainly wasn't the Amelia he was talking to last night. "So what are you going to do now? Spend the rest of your life here in this decrepit mansion?"
Amelia smiled a demented looking smile: "You know that sounds like a good idea."
"What about your goal to bringing Justice to the world?"
"Oh stuff that" Amelia answered.
Zelgadis blinked in disbelief. Was he really hearing this? This definitely wasn't the Amelia he had known all this time. She must also be seduced by Leopold.
So this is where it ends. Everything is lost. Bowing his head, Zelgadis left the room.
Hours later, Gourry wandered to his room. He just couldn't believe what Amelia and Lina have done. Not only had they lost their minds by Leopold but they also had the nerve to bad mouth his beloved Isabella! And Zel. How could he have a severe distrust for Isabella?! She seemed harmless enough. So why are they all so wary of her? There was nothing wrong with her as far as he could see. She was very nice to him. And she didn't criticise him for his stupidity. She seemed very interested in whatever he was up to. But she wasn't like Sylphiel - in the amorous sense.
Gourry made his way to his bedroom door and opened it.
He stepped through and, to his surprise, the window was open. The rain remained on the outside while a soft breeze filtered in and gently billowed the curtains. A soft moonlight also contributed to the scene by adding some light.
Gourry paused. Who had left the window open? He certainly didn't. he closed the door behind him and made his way over to the curtain.
Suddenly the room was lit in a blaze of light. Gourry, shielded his eyes from the light. After spending some time in the dark he was dazzled. Eventually his eyes adapted to the light change and Gourry lowered his arms. Looking around he sought the source of the light. Suddenly his eyes widened.
He wasn't alone in the room. There, in the corner, holding a lantern was a young blond woman. She was slender of body, elegance in grace and pale in complexion.
"Sorry about inviting myself in." she said. Her voice was soft and elegant, like honey pouring from a pitcher.
"Who are you?" asked Gourry.
"Lenya." Said the woman.
Gourry looked at her, his eyes reeking of disinterest. "Where's Isabella?"
"Oh she is out on business" answered Lenya drawing closer. "She regretfully informs you that she can't come here. So she sent me instead."
"I see."
Lenya moved up close to Gourry. She caressed the bottom of his face. Then she planted a full kiss on his lips. Needless to say, Gourry was astonished. His mind whirled, leaving him spellbound by this moment. Lenya withdrew her lips. She could see that Gourry had been by hypnotised by her kiss. She smiled evilly. Then she blew out the light in her lantern.
Meanwhile, Zelgadis lay on his bed, staring out through the window. Out into the night. He wished Amelia was here. But she was with Lina, seeking out Leopold and his company. Both enraptured of the vampire. Both spellbound by his charms. And Gourry. No doubt he too been swallowed up by Isabella's powers. Zelgadis never felt so alone.
So alone....
Suddenly the door opened. Zel looked up to see a young brunette woman enter, carrying a lantern. She was slender of body, elegance in grace and pale in complexion. Zelgadis' suspicions arose - What did Gunther tell him of Leopold's brides.....?
"Zelgadis Greywars?" the woman asked.
Zel didn't answer.
"I'm Elissa."
Zel still didn't answer.
When it was clear he'd not answer her, Elissa decided to get down to business. She knelt down until her head was alongside Zel's neck. Then she moved in for her kiss.
Zel didn't move. He knew he should resist but now....
....he has lost everything.
And so he closed his eyes as darkness engulfed him.....
Chapter 8
Contents
