The amassed cultists were in an uproar, their leader laying in a pool of blood, dead. One of their number had committed the heinous act, but with everyone hooded it was hard to tell which one had done it. The sacrifice had been carried away to a safe location, according to the will of those closest to the now dead leader.
A lone cultist hurried down the crumbling hall, his precious cargo held close. Even as he moved farther away from the confusion he wondered how long he had before they caught on. He nearly tripped as he went, his legs still weak, but he couldn't stop. He had to get her to safety as he had promised.
He breathed a sigh of relief when not a single cultist crossed his path. It would make escape much easier. He dreaded running back out into the middle of nowhere, but he had little choice. If he stayed, it was a matter of time before Amelia was sacrificed. Even with the cult a chaotic mess with the untimely demise of its leader, it would only be a matter of time before another took his place.
It wasn't long before he was again out under the stars. The provided light would make his escape easier, but it would also make it easier for any pursuer to find him. There would be no rest tonight.
Zelgadis frowned. Such was his lot in life. He held Amelia closer as he plunged into the undergrowth. He cringed as branches scraped against his legs, but he pressed on. He would not fail to protect Amelia again.
He avoided the previous path they had taken, instead retracing the steps they had taken what felt like ages ago when they had originally decided to explore the area. A safe haven was a long way off, but at least it wouldn't lead them straight into enemy territory again. If only he had been able to warn her before.
"We'll be somewhere safe soon, Amelia, I promise," Zelgadis whispered into Amelia's ear. He looked down at her, worried that she hadn't moved at all since he had rescued her from the cult. The gash on her neck concerned him, but he didn't think it was deep enough to have damaged anything major. She was still breathing normally, thankfully.
Zelgadis paused a moment, listening intently to make sure they had not been followed. He could hear running water not too far off. Water would be good, both to revitalize them, but possibly also to cover any noise they might make from any pursuers. It would certainly give him time to make sure Amelia was alright.
After walking a short while, Zelgadis did come across a small river, a waterfall nearby. Even more importantly, there were plenty of rocks and other protrusions from the river he could use to conceal himself and his still companion. When he felt he had found a secure spot, Zelgadis gently lay Amelia down on the ground.
Zelgadis reached out to brush hair from Amelia's face, but paused when he looked at his hands; they were filthy. Stabbing someone in the heart with a dagger wasn't the best way to keep your hands clean. His hands still felt like they were covered in fine dust, something Zelgadis couldn't get used to. He paused a moment studying Amelia, then wandered over to the edge of the small river.
Zelgadis gasped as his hands touched the water, not having expected it to be as cold as it was. After the initial shock he recovered, quickly scrubbing dried blood and grime from his hands. The past few days played through his mind again, Zelgadis still in disbelief at what had happened.
He had always been aware of what creatures Rezo had merged him with, but to think they had still been sentient? And even then, that his free will could be overcome so easily? Zelgadis shuddered. But even then, despite that, Amelia had been kept safe. If only it had been enough. Zelgadis shook the river water from his hands, then reached under the cultist cloak he still wore to retrieve his
canteen. After filling it, he returned to Amelia's side.
Right away Zelgadis addressed the gash on Amelia's neck, thankful that, as he had thought, it wasn't very deep, but it was still bleeding. Lacking any way to clean up the blood properly, he poured some of the river water from his canteen onto Amelia's neck. Zelgadis frowned as the blood soaked into Amelia's tunic. Amelia suddenly gasped, causing Zelgadis to look at her face for any obvious signs of consciousness, but Amelia's eyes were still clamped shut as if she never intended to open them again.
"Amelia, it's okay. You're safe now." Zelgadis gently brushed loose hair out of her face, but he saw no further reaction. With a sigh, Zelgadis returned to tending to the open wound. He wasn't keen on using magic on her in her weakened state, but he had little choice. With an uttered, "Recovery," Zelgadis concentrated the healing energies on Amelia's neck, until the wound had closed up entirely.
"One problem down...who knows how many I have left." Zelgadis sighed. "You aren't making this any easier on me, Amelia. We've gone through too much for you to give up. Open your eyes, please. I'll keep you safe Amelia, I promise, just as I promised your father." Zelgadis paused when he noticed Amelia's eyes twitch.
Seizing on some small hope, Zelgadis kneeled close to Amelia, lifting her up until he was somewhat awkwardly cradling her as he peered down into her face. She seemed to react at the mention of her father, might as well milk it for all it was worth!
"Your father would be upset to see you like this, Amelia," he continued. "What am I supposed to tell him if I return with you like this? He trusted me to keep you safe, and I tried my hardest, but Amelia, you know I can't do it alone. I need you here to watch my back, to keep me on my best behavior. I know you won't approve, but Amelia, I killed a man to keep you safe. I'm lost without you here with me."
Amelia suddenly jerked, tossing her head back and forth. Zelgadis noticed her mouth moving, so he leaned in close to hear. "Killed....no, I killed him.."
"Who, Amelia?" Zelgadis asked, hoping he would get an answer. "Who did you kill?"
Pain coursed over Amelia's face as tears leaked from her still shut eyes. "Zelgadis," she sobbed, tears continue to course down her face.
Zelgadis felt a sudden wave of guilt. Despite himself, he held Amelia closer, practically crushing her into his chest. "No, Amelia, no, you didn't kill me. You liberated me! Please, open your eyes and look at me." He adjusted his grip so that her face was peering up into his, waiting.
At length Amelia's eyes did crack open, until she was staring directly up into Zelgadis' face. Her tears ceased, but she could only stare back up at Zelgadis in confusion. Cautiously she raised a hand to his face, resting it against his cheek as she continued to look at the man in front of her. "Mister Zelgadis?" her voice came out quietly and unsure.
Zelgadis nodded his head. He smiled down at Amelia but was taken by surprise when she lowered her hand only to suddenly latch onto him in a death grip. He rocked her as a new wave of tears soaked into his cloak.
"I really missed you," Amelia choked out, holding onto Zelgadis as if afraid he would vanish if she let him go.
Zelgadis shushed Amelia quietly. "I was only gone a day, Amelia." He continued to rock her gently. "I would have come sooner but wasn't able."
Amelia shook her head, her face still buried in Zelgadis' shoulder, muffling her words. "No, even before they took me away, you were gone from me. I tried my best to stay strong, but you weren't with me. I feared I would never see you again."
Zelgadis quirked an eyebrow. "But I was with you the entire time."
Amelia lifted her head up from his shoulder to look into Zelgadis' eyes. She reached a shaking hand out to touch his cheek again, brushing back his soft hair in the process. "In body, yes, Mister Zelgadis, but in spirit...I didn't know what had become of you. I feared you were dead and you would never come back to me."
Zelgadis was silent, thinking over Amelia's words. He gripped onto her free hand, trying to give her a reassuring smile. "Even then, Amelia, I never left you. Didn't you wonder why you were able to command me-ah, the golem? You didn't create it, so it had no reason to listen to you at all. Yet it did."
Amelia shook her head still staring intently at Zelgadis' face.
"I was still aware," Zelgadis replied, finding his words a bit difficult to come by just now. "Even though the golem had taken over, I was still able to direct it. I.." Zelgadis' words trailed off as his face flushed.
Comprehension dawned on Amelia. "What did you command it to do?"
Zelgadis cast his gaze away, finding spray from the passing river very fascinating. "Protect. Protect Amelia. I said it again and again." He thought to when the golem hadn't obeyed his will and could have endangered Amelia. "It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was all I could do."
Amelia found herself at a loss for words. Zelgadis could have very well endangered his life in doing all he could to keep her safe. As a matter of fact, he had! She had watched him...or rather, the golem die. "But what became of it? The golem, that is.." Amelia felt very awkward talking about it.
"Gone," Zelgadis smiled. "I can only guess since it had to sustain itself on a human body, when it had no reserves left it returned from wherever it came in the first place."
Amelia nodded. "So that's why your skin is so soft." She smiled.
Zelgadis groaned just then, remembering the pain that had brought him back to his senses. The golem had gone, taking the brau demon with it. To be honest, he wasn't sure how he had even survived beyond that. But he had, and that was all that mattered. He crooked a smile at Amelia.
An owl's cry brought Zelgadis back to the present. He frowned as he placed a hand over Amelia's. "Can you walk?"
Amelia's smile fell as she too became aware of her surroundings. While she was thankful not to be imprisoned or laying as a sacrifice on a cold stone table anymore, the forest wasn't an especially welcome sight. She subconsciously flexed her legs. "I think so."
"Good," Zelgadis replied, easing Amelia from his lap as he stood. "I would offer to carry you, but I'm about spent." Zelgadis proffered a hand to Amelia. "We should go before they catch up again."
Amelia sighed, but took Zelgadis' hand so he could lift her to her feet. She felt wobbly, but it would be wrong to expect Zelgadis to carry her again after all he had gone through for her. She took a tentative step forward, which seemed to signal Zelgadis that they were ready to go, as he fell into step right beside her.
"Where will we go, Mister Zelgadis?" Amelia asked, all the while trying to stay focused on walking so that she didn't trip.
"South," Zelgadis replied. "I apologize, but it's going to be at least another day's journey before we reach a city, but we should be safe once we do. We can alert Saillune from there."
Amelia perked up. "Saillune?"
Zelgadis didn't miss a beat. "To send in some troops to clean up this mess. I don't think your father will be particularly happy to hear some insane cult tried to sacrifice his daughter, do you?"
Amelia shook her head. "Oh. No, he wouldn't." She slumped her shoulders but kept walking.
"Something wrong?" Zelgadis noticed the sudden change.
Amelia sighed. "No, not at all, Mister Zelgadis. I had just hoped, that is, I was wondering what you would do once we return to Saillune."
Zelgadis couldn't hide his smile. "After we bring these cultists to justice?"
Amelia laughed out loud, not used to hearing such words from Zelgadis. "Justice? Mister Zelgadis, there may be hope for you yet! Yes, after we bring them to justice. Would you stay, or are you going to leave again?"
Zelgadis turned his attention back to where they were walking. Amelia did ask a valid question. It had been a long time since he had stayed anywhere for any length of time. It might not be such an easy decision to make.
Amelia paused, watching Zelgadis as he continued to walk on. "Mister Zelgadis?" She asked, hoping to shake him from his thoughts.
Zelgadis also stopped in his tracks, turning back to Amelia. "I don't know, Amelia. I guess that would have to depend." He looked back at her, a serious expression on his face.
Amelia felt nervousness well up inside her as she looked at Zelgadis. "Depend on what?" she finally squeaked out.
Zelgadis dropped his gaze. "You've been following me all this while, aiding in what I was seeking after. It would only seem right that I now do the same for you." He looked back at Amelia from the corner of his eye, feeling very unsure of himself.
Amelia gasped then, but instead of shock it sounded joyous. She practically leaped as she caught Zelgadis up in a hug. "Mister Zelgadis, if you would do me the honor, I would want for nothing more than to have you by my side!" Tears streamed down her face again, but she was so filled with joy she didn't care.
Zelgadis struggled to regain his breath. He would have to get used to such responses from Amelia, but at the same time he couldn't think of any better way to spend his days.
"I would be honored, Amelia."
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Author's notes: Are the cultists brought to justice? Did the dagger really have the power to summon Shabranigdo? Will Zelgadis actually stay in Saillune? I won't be answering those questions since I like to leave something to the imagination, it can ultimately end however you wish it to. Plus, if it drives readers crazy enough wanting to know, I take full responsibility for any plot bunnies this might breed. ^_-
Anyway, I seem to tread through similar themes a lot, so in many ways this could be seen as an updated version of my very first A/Z fic (Love is Blind) since I continue to run into fans and fanfic writers who think Amelia only likes Zelgadis for how he looks as a chimera. It's always rubbed me the wrong way... Yes, she has said she likes him as he is, but to me she's always accepted him for who he is, not what he is. So, in short, this was sort of a retaliation against such mindsets since I let Amelia have Zelgadis' chimera body, but a body is nothing without the spirit it houses! Being a priestess, Amelia might be all for focusing on the real essence of a person instead of their outward appearance anyway (since, lets face it, why would she ever willingly choose to travel with and even develop a friendship with a known thief/murderer/not at all nice person if she couldn't see there was something more there?)
So there you have it. What started off as a simple thought grew into this story. I'm not entirely happy with it, but I suppose that's a good thing since it means I'll keep writing until I get it right! (On that note, I have been working on another story for a while now, but it still has some time before it's done. It will not be related to this story in any way, however. In fact, the theme is incredibly different. I'll be waiting for the mobs to come after me whenever I do post it. Lay claim to your pitchfork and/or torch now!)
Until then!
-Ichiban Victory
