Chapter 7: Strong Friends

Zelgadis just stands there for a couple of minutes and doesn't really know what to do. Apparently, if Lina is really there, she doesn't know how to react. He sighs and carefully walks forward with his hands outstretched. When his right hand touches something, he recoils slightly but then gently traces his hands up the form's arms and onto their face. The face is smooth, round and heart shaped, with long wild hair. He smiles. It must be Lina Inverse, but just to be sure he reaches down and feels her chest.

Yep, definitely Lina.

Without warning a small, but very strong, hand swings an uppercut under Zelgadis's chin, sending him flying back onto the ground. Visibly appearing to groan, Zelgadis rubs his jaw and tries to sit up. Another form, a larger one, with heavier footfall, emerges at Zelgadis's right side. Zelgadis can only imagine the bickering going on right now between the two companions as Gourry helps Zelgadis to his feet. When he is steadily up again, Zelgadis proceeds to touch Gourry's face as well. Trying to familiarize himself with their new appearance. He takes note of Gourry's new sword and points to it while his other hand remains on Gourry's face. Nodding, the swordsman, affirms to Zelgadis that he finally has a new sword, much to Zelgadis's relief. Zelgadis has little doubt that their travel to Seyruun will be a challenging one.

It will only be a matter of time, before the three monsters come looking for him again. Hopefully this new sword of Gourry's will be up to the challenge.

Lina takes Zelgadis by the hand and guides him to a table and chair, handing Zelgadis a pen and piece of paper. He feels Lina pull up a chair next to him, and patiently wait. Just like Lina to get as many answers as she can from someone.

With a smile Zelgadis begins to tell Lina all that has happened, everything that the trickster priest has probably failed to mention. Zelgadis tells them about the chimera outbreak, his search for the sorcerer, his kidnapping, how he lost his senses, and about his past week living in a black hole. Moreover, Zelgadis tells Lina about his plan to unseal his senses in Seyruun and asks for her and Gourry's assistance.

There is a slight pause as Zelgadis's words sink in. Lina stands from her seat and seems to be shaking, but Zelgadis doesn't know why. She is furious that someone has taken advantage of her friend, but he has no way of knowing this. Lina is furious that she wasn't there and is powerless at the moment to do anything about it. The best she can do is to honor Zelgadis's request and she cannot very well ignore a blind, mute, and deaf man in good conscience.

His request is soon answered with a hearty pound on the back by both of his friends; one slap on each shoulder. Guess that's a yes. Zelgadis wonders if perhaps Lina is going to use this information for her own gain, but he cannot figure out how that is possible. Perhaps he really does have friends that he can trust, even after he has purposefully been avoiding them all these years.

Over the next few days, Zelgadis becomes keenly aware of how slowly they are traveling and as far as he can tell, it isn't his fault.

They are constantly stopping to eat and go treasure hunting.

Apparently, Lina and Gourry are going out of their way to travel to each and every town on their way to Seyruun. While Zelgadis can communicate with Lina sufficiently, using pencil and paper, he has no way to know what Lina may be trying to communicate to him. Every once in a while she will poke him, slap him on the back, or hit him, but he has no idea why she is doing it, which frustrates Zelgadis to no end.

In his irritation, Zelgadis sometimes thinks he can see again, but quickly realizes that his mind is playing tricks on him. It is quite common for a person like him, who has seen all his life, to see things after suddenly going blind.

Lina is frustrated that Zelgadis cannot hear her, making her frustrated with herself; she is powerless to do anything about it.

As Zelgadis travels on this slow journey, he decides to practice more with his magic. He gets a little better at seeing moving objects, but everything else is invisible to him. So it is no surprise when he doesn't see the large rock in front of him until he's actually tripping over it.

Down he goes.

Stumbling to the ground, Zelgadis manages to land on his knees right as a knife flies over his head. Rolling his eyes, Zelgadis muses that it is probably bandits again, until Gourry pushes Zelgadis back down onto the ground again as a flame flies above their heads.

Magic.

Zelgadis can feel Gourry say something and desperately wishes to know what's going on. He can feel the tension in the air. Concentrating with his magic, Zelgadis manages to get a muddled picture of what is happening around him. Not only does he manage to see what is happening in front of him, but behind him as well. Unlike having two eyes, this magical sense can see in every direction, up to a fixed distance. Lina and Gourry are doing a good job, fending off the attackers, but the enemies aren't normal men. Their steps are strange, stiff and unpredictable. They seem familiar.

They are chimera.

A rough hand grabs Zelgadis by the shoulder, but he can tell it is coming. Seizing hold of the chimera's arm, Zelgadis swings the creature onto his back and kicks him in the stomach. Before the creature can get up Zelgadis struggles to his feet and tries to cast a spell, but he is only rewarded with a slight tingling sensation down his spine. With a soundless grunt, Zelgadis reluctantly races to Lina's side. A quick icy breath explodes from her hand and envelops the fallen chimera before it can rise to its feet and capture Zelgadis. In no time at all the battle is over and Gourry grabs Zelgadis's arm as the group runs away from the battle scene.

Feebly, Zelgadis tries to keep his magic sense alert, but it is exhausting. As his magic world fades from his senses Zelgadis actually sees something out of the corner of his blind eye. Zelgadis trips and falls to the ground forcing Gourry to let go. Quickly, Zelgadis looks behind him and surprisingly sees something, but it isn't something he wants to see. It is the monster Klide, twitching in a long black robe that is much too big for him.

Gourry grabs Zelgadis again and they begin to run; only this time Zelgadis is running with a bit more fervor in his step.

Zelgadis doesn't notice when he passes out, because his world is already dark and numb.

He dreams that he is still running, only this time every moment he spends looking behind him is a shock. For some reason he can see the crazy sorcerer and twitching monster behind him, getting closer and closer. Gourry's hand disappears from his touch. Grabbing at thin air, Zelgadis searches for a guide. Now he wishes that he got a walking stick in the last town.

Zelgadis still doesn't realize that he is dreaming.

Without Gourry leading him, Zelgadis begins to panic. He keeps running, with battering thoughts of how weak he has become crowding inside him. His stubborn nature turns into a bitter enemy as it agrees with his weakness. As he runs, Zelgadis hears Lina scream followed closely by Gourry screaming, only to be choked out in silence.

Quickly stopping, Zelgadis desperately looks around him, but only sees the ever smiling sorcerer and monster steadily coming closer. He can't stand it, being this feeble; he wants to fight, he wants to be stronger. He doesn't want to lead Lina to her death. Lina should lead herself to her own demise. It shouldn't be his fault. He wants to protect her, not kill her. But it doesn't matter how strong you become, you will always be missing something. That is what he learned after surviving his last curse.

Zelgadis lets out a silent scream as he charges at his foe. He is through with running. As he collides with the two men, he sends a wave of pure magic into the dream surrounding him, making his enemies vanish.

But his enemy is right beside him.

With relief Zelgadis welcomes the world of nothing which surrounds him once again, but is startled when a hand violently grabs him by the chest, ripping into his flesh. Blindly, Zelgadis grabs the slender wrists of the invisible foe. "You will succeed where Rezo failed," he hears the maniacal sorcerer say with a laugh.

Zelgadis roughly grabs the invisible figure in front of him by the arms and throws him off. But his arms are not his own. They are twitching and cloaked in black. In a panic he blindly begins to attack his foes.

But now Zelgadis is awake.

In a blind fury, Zelgadis stumbles around as large arms try to restrain him from behind. Quickly, Zelgadis shoves the figure backwards while pushing his arms down in one smooth motion, breaking the larger forms grip. Twirling around, Zelgadis yanks one of the man's arms down while sending his knee into the poor soul's gut.

As Zelgadis turns around preparing a wide kick to send his enemy all the way down to the ground, a strong, small hand slaps Zelgadis across the face. Zelgadis staggers back and reaches his hands forward in confusion. One of his hands is taken and put to the assailant's face.

Lina.

This means he probably just hit Gourry, really hard. Slumping to his knees, Zelgadis lowers his head in humiliation. For some reason he wants to cry, but he doesn't. So it is just a dream he has awakened from, probably an attack from the Mazoku chasing him. Gourry's hand holds Zelgadis by the shoulder and Zelgadis offers him a sheepish grin as an apology.

Next thing he knows, Lina is handing him a pen and paper. Obviously, she wants an explanation. In frustration and humiliation Zelgadis describes the dream for her. If only he could know how long he has been out and how close they are to reaching Seyruun. Apparently, they are at an inn. The floor is made of wood and the air is slightly stuffy, smelling like a cross between soap cleanser and beer.

As they continue to travel, Zelgadis begins to have nightmares more frequently, either he wakes up and doesn't realize it or Lina has to slap him. Both outcomes are unpleasant for him. In one town Lina gives Zelgadis a walking stick, which is made of wood, much to Zelgadis's relief. The last thing he wants is a staff like Rezo's and Lina is well aware of this fact. The whole reason this nonsense started is because of his apparent similarities to his great-grandfather. And he isn't even doing it on purpose. But Zelgadis is sure of one thing, he will never put his cure above other's lives and sacrifice them needlessly. He may demand money, but he isn't going to sell anyone out.

Eventually, after a week's time, with many nightmares and countless more chimera attacks, they reach Seyruun. In all it has been nearly five weeks since he was last here. Zelgadis can tell by the smell that they have finally reached his desired refuge. Once they are safely within the city's gates, Zelgadis's stiff stance relaxes and he breathes a little easier. As they walk through the streets, he feels a few figures come up and take his hand, either they are saying hello or apologizing for something. He isn't really sure which it is.

Trying to hide a tinge of red embarrassment, threatening to appear on his face, Zelgadis offers a small smile and curt nod to anyone who approaches. He must look so stupid to them with all this nodding and smiling. It drives Zelgadis crazy.

When the people stop coming to take his hand, Zelgadis assumes that they have made it to the palace. Gourry lets go of Zelgadis's arm, leaving him in a sea of nothing once more. He hates this feeling, but in some ways he finds it comforting. It's quiet. He does like that part at the moment, especially after all the random people taking his hands.

Two small hands grab Zelgadis's hands, forcing Zelgadis to drop his staff.

"(hello, how are you)" the figure signs with their arms swinging together in unison.

Zelgadis beams, for once offering the person a genuine smile. Releasing one of the newcomer's hands, Zelgadis reaches forward and touches their face. Large lips and eyes, short soft hair, and a nose that slightly turns up.

Amelia.

Suddenly, Amelia grabs Zelgadis and pulls him into a suffocating embrace. He can feel her slightly shaking as she forces back her need to cry. Apparently, she has been worried about him since his disappearance. Biting his lower lip, Zelgadis begins to feel an ache of shame for coming back like this. He also doesn't like being hugged, but he feels guilty for thinking such a thought, after all Amelia is actually succeeding in communicating with him in some small way.

After she calms down Zelgadis takes her hands once more and she asks. "(What Happened?)"

"(Lina/Red head) (Will tell you)," Zelgadis says.

"(Yes/alright)" Amelia signs back.

Before long the group of reunited slayers ends up in Zelgadis's office, looking for the antidote for curing his new curse. It is the same method by which Lina attempted to unseal her magic during the monster trouble in Seyruun many years ago. Since then, Zelgadis has found the old secret with help from Kira and recorded it down in a notebook. Unfortunately, said notebook is missing.

Frustration begins to boil through Zelgadis as they search. It is not like he has misplaced the book: his office is efficient and neat for the most part, and he couldn't have lost it. Zelgadis quickly raises his hands up and down with exaggerated facial expressions as he describes exactly where the notebook is supposed to be. He hopes that Amelia can understand him; the mage isn't quite sure how much Amelia knows of the language.

Eventually, he feels Lina pound him on the head and hands him a sheet of paper with a pencil. With an inaudible grunt, Zelgadis swipes the pen and paper and explains where the notebook is. With his explanation complete, Zelgadis sits in his chair and moodily contemplates his bad luck.

After some time, Amelia takes Zelgadis's hands hesitantly and begins to attempt a conversation with Zelgadis. "(Book) (not) (on top) (shelf)," Amelia says.

"(Take me)" Zelgadis asks with one swift gesture as he tries to contain his frustration.

Amelia calmly takes his hand and guides him to the shelf. He feels along the books spines and applies his magic in an attempt to read their titles. To his dismay, his desired note book is missing. Someone must have taken it, Zelgadis thinks in anger.

Trying to not let his anger show, Zelgadis asks for a pen and paper so he can tell them how to break the seal. While it is disturbing that someone has stolen his notebook, he isn't dependent on it. He has the spell memorized and so he writes down what needs to be done.

As the group of young sorcerer's who work under Zelgadis gather the ingredients, Lina and Amelia practice the incantation. Amelia is constantly asking Zelgadis questions about the process, which Zelgadis happily answers.

He tells her that the spell will need to be cast three times. Once for each sense he has lost. Unlike unsealing magic, the spell requires an equal exchange of energy to overpower the original curse. It might take a couple of days and meals to unseal each part. After much thought, Zelgadis tells Amelia that he wants his hearing back first. Part of him wants his sight back initially, but logically speaking, hearing is what he needs the most. While he has been able to communicate with them just fine, they cannot communicate with him very well. One sided conversations are getting old and even when Lina writes something for him to read, he doesn't have the magic ability to read it all. The best he can do in order to read is try to feel the indentation of the letters on a page, which is extremely difficult to understand, if not entirely impossible. Maybe if he spends more time practicing his new found magic abilities he will be better off.

But Zelgadis is starting to fall back into his rut.

A rut to find a cure.

And that is not the test he is meant to be faced with.

The enemy had not expected Zelgadis to already know how to cure himself originally, so the evil man is forced to start chasing after Zelgadis. But obviously, chasing Zelgadis down and stealing his book isn't good enough. At dinner, the sorcerer makes his next move.

AN: The slashed out words are there for the reader to get a clearer understanding of the context and what is being said. In sign language these words are not necessary to convey information so I slashed them out. I haven't needed to use it thus far but I will be implementing it from now on for Zelgadis since he signs differently when compared to Amelia. That and Zelgadis has gotten a little better at it over the last few weeks.