Mythical
Chapter 9
Lina and the rest of her group continued walking through the forest. She sighed loudly. It has been 3 hours and they still have not seen any village folk. Lina glared at her dirty boots. Her feet hurt.
"How much longer, Lina-San? My feet are killing me." Amelia whined from behind the group. Lina pouted.
"A little bit longer."
"That is what you said 2 hours ago." Gourry sighed sadly. Lina's eyebrow twitched.
"Just a little bit longer."
"Are you sure that you are not lost?" Zelgadiss suddenly muttered. Lina growled and glared at him.
"IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT LONGER." Lina snarled. Zelgadiss lifted an eyebrow.
"Why are you taking it all on me?"
"Because you are annoying." Lina scoffed. Zelgadiss rolled his eyes. They continued walking through the thick mud forest. Amelia yelped when the mud caught her feet and pulled her back. She waved her arms to keep balance. Zelgadiss easily caught her in his arms. She got upright and embarrassingly smiled at him.
"Thank you, Zelgadiss-San." Amelia giggled with a slight blush. She tugged her boot out and returns walking with the group. It was then Gourry's turn to get his boot caught in the mud. He waved his arms to keep balance.
"I'm falling!" Gourry yelled and started falling forward. He blinked when something caught him. His eyes grew large when he could not breathe. Zelgadiss managed to catch him before he landed face first into the mud. But he caught him by his cape that tied around his neck making him choke loudly.
"C-C-Can't breathe." Gourry choked. Lina sweat dropped when Zelgadiss kept hold of Gourry's cape and did not pull him to his feet right away. Eventually, Zelgadiss helped him to his feet and Gourry panted heavily for breath. "T-T-T-Thanks, Zel…" Gourry panted. Zelgadiss patted his shoulder and smirked.
"Don't mention it." Zelgadiss walked past him. Amelia quickly went to his side and walked with him. Lina watched Zelgadiss from behind. He and Amelia talked quietly amongst each other, Lina scoffed when Zelgadiss blushed and embarrassingly looked away while Amelia giggled and grinned at him.
"He is certainly gentle around Amelia and rough around us." Lina continued to watch him. Lina pouted. "Let's keep a close eye on him, Gourry. Don't forget that he is part demon."
"R-Roger." Gourry cleared his throat and rubbed it gently.
"IT'S A VILLAGE!" Lina and Gourry shouted. Amelia and Zelgadiss watched as they ran over each other toward the entrance. Lina pushed Gourry roughly to the bushes and rushed into the village.
"FOOD!" Lina spotted a nearby snack cart. Gourry instantly ran from the bushes and joined her at the cart. The cart man sweat dropped as Lina and Gourry watched him flip burgers and hot dogs in front of them. Lina dug into her pocket. She clenched her large money pouch and pouted.
"It's your turn to buy it, Gourry." Lina grinned. Gourry nodded and reached into his pockets. He tilted his head.
"I don't have my money pouch."
"What do you mean?" Lina helped Gourry look in his pockets. "Where did you last put it?"
"I don't know." Gourry opened his traveling bag and looked inside. "It's not in here."
"ARE YOU SERIOUS?" Lina's mouth dropped. "YOU LOST IT?"
"I don't know." Gourry tried to think. "I last used it when we were buying the camping gear… And I think I gave it to you." Gourry pointed out. Lina sweat dropped.
"No, you didn't give it to me." Lina muttered. Gourry pouted and continued looking through his pockets. As he did that, Lina looked into her own pouch and spotted Gourry's empty money sack in hers. She must have dumped all his gold coins into her own pouch. "Yup, I don't have it."
"Really?" Gourry frowned. He gasped when the cart man started pushing his cart away. "NO! Come back, Food!" Gourry shouted after him. He dropped to his knees and sobbed loudly.
"What happened, Gourry-San?" Amelia and Zelgadiss finally caught up to them.
"My food…" He whimpered. Gourry whined and continued to cry. Amelia looked at the cart and ran over, the others watched. Amelia spoke with the man, reached something in her pocket, and showed it to him. He immediately gave Amelia 4 hot dogs. Amelia smiled and waved at him. She left his side and walked over.
"You forgot to pay." Zelgadiss pointed. Amelia giggled.
"I don't need to pay." Amelia handed him a hot dog. "I just need to show my Saillune Royalty Crest and I get things for free."
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THIS BEFORE, YOU SELFISH BRAT?" Lina screamed. Amelia yelped and fell on her bottom. She swiped a hot dog from her.
"I didn't think I needed too. You and Gourry-San had so much money so I thought you didn't need the crest." Amelia chuckled wearily. She noticed Gourry staring at the hot dog and smiled. She happily gave him one. "Here you go, Gourry-San."
"Amelia…" Gourry's eyes grew large. "I LOVE YOU! LET'S GET MARRIED!" He wrapped his arms around her and cried loudly. Amelia sweat dropped when Lina and Zelgadiss kicked him off her and pummeled him to the ground.
"Idiot." Lina and Zelgadiss ate their snack angrily. Gourry painfully sat up and happily ate.
"It's so good…" As the group stood in the middle of the street, Jiras poked his head out of the bushes and watched them. He smirked and looked down at the bomb in his hand. He can take them all with his bombs. He does not need to bother Val-Sama instead he will kill them for him and he will get the praise and glory.
"I just need to find a hostage." Jiras looked at each of their faces. He scanned at Zelgadiss and Gourry's face. "That freak is part demon and that bigger man looks strong." Jiras sweat dropped. He looked at Amelia. "She can kill me with one breath." Jiras sweat dropped bigger. He finally looked at Lina. He grinned. The redhead was short and flat-chest. She did not look strong or aggressive. Jiras watched as they walk further into the village. Jiras jumped out of the bushes and began following them.
"Jiras-San." Jiras blinked and turned around. A man with shoulder-length purple hair stood behind him with a big broad smile. He was leaning against a tree with his long branch-like staff in his hand. The man grinned and walked over to him. He was in black sorcerer clothes and had on a black cloak.
"What do you want?" The fox demon snorted.
"Are you sure you want to go through your plan?" The purple-haired man smirked. "That redhead is stronger than you think."
"Why do you care? I'm going to get the praise and glory from Val-Sama." Jiras scoffed and return to following them. The man sighed and watched him run after them.
"Why do demons do things the hard way?"
"Look at that, Lina-San!" Amelia and Lina browsed through the market. They stared at the pretty jewelry with wide eyes. "Wow!" Amelia touched a gold necklace with a silver locket and sighed in amazement.
"You have a good eye." The elderly woman chuckled softly. Amelia smiled.
"I always like necklaces but I never got a chance to buy one." Amelia stared lovingly at the necklace. She blinked when Lina elbowed her in the ribs.
"Why don't you use your crest?" Lina whispered. Amelia pouted.
"That crest should only be used when it is necessary. Not for personal things." Amelia scolded her. Lina rolled her eyes.
"You are truly an angel, Amelia." Lina sighed. She turned her head when Gourry and Zelgadiss walked out of the weaponry store.
"This market is a rip off." Zelgadiss grumbled behind his mask and hood. "Everything here looks fake."
"I thought that sword looked weird." Gourry pouted. Lina crossed her arms and called Amelia from the jewelry.
"Come on, Amelia, let's look over there."
"Let me just… put this on." Amelia put on the gold chain she was admiring. Zelgadiss watched her look at herself in the mirror. "I really do want this… but I don't have any money."
"I'm telling you, use the crest." Lina said aloud. Amelia rolled her eyes and sadly unhooked the necklace off her neck. She carefully placed the necklace back on its stand.
"That looked good on you." Zelgadiss stood beside her. Amelia smiled.
"Thank you, Zelgadiss-San." Amelia giggled and walked back to Lina and Gourry. Zelgadiss reached over and touched the gold chain. He rubbed his thumb against the gold and gently caressed the heart locket.
"Your girlfriend is quite infatuated with that jewelry." The elderly woman suddenly giggled. Zelgadiss stared at her with a big blush. He cleared his throat.
"She is not my girlfriend."
"By the way you look at her and she look at you, I would've thought you two were lovers." The woman laughed. Zelgadiss embarrassingly rubbed the back of his neck. A few minutes later, Zelgadiss finally joined the group. They were ordering food at a nearby restaurant when Zelgadiss sat beside Gourry across from Amelia and Lina.
"Where were you the entire time, Zel? We already ordered." Gourry tilted his head. Zelgadiss removed his mask and hood.
"Give me a cup of tea and steak." Zelgadiss told the waiter. He ignored Gourry's question and looked at Amelia carefully. She was chatting happily with Lina. Zelgadiss sighed and looked down at his hands. He's such an idiot.
Lina's spoon finally dropped at the bottom of the empty bowl. She licked the ice cream from her lips and sighed. She stacked her bowl with the other empty plates and stretched her arms out.
"That was great." Lina smiled wide. She suddenly pushed the dirty dishes off the table making Amelia yelp.
"Lina-San!" Amelia gasped at the broken dishes. "Why did you do that?"
"Let's get to business." Lina unrolled an old parchment paper. She scanned the map and pinpointed where they were located. "There are 2 villages on the way to the Harbor. Once we refill our supplies and rest for the night, let's start heading to the next village."
"You and Gourry stock the supplies. Amelia and I will get the food." Zelgadiss announced. Lina snickered.
"You and Amelia?" She grinned evilly. Zelgadiss glared at her. "You are always with Amelia, aren't you?"
"I'd rather be with her then be with stupid Arch Angels."
"Tell yourself that." Lina grinned. Zelgadiss growled and crossed his arms.
"Since you want to be with her, you can restock the food with Amelia than. I'll be with Gourry."
"That's the spirit." Lina chuckled. Amelia lifted an irritated eyebrow and glanced at her.
"You only want to be with me because you don't want to spend money." Amelia said aloud. Lina let out a loud laugh. She crossed her arms with pride.
"No shit!" She continued to laugh as the others sweat dropped.
Amelia sighed as Lina flashed the Saillune crest proudly to every store they went. The store managers kindly gave them whatever they needed and happily denied their money.
"This is the easiest method of shopping, don't you think?" Lina laughed aloud with the crest pinned to her shirt. Amelia sweat dropped. Lina sang loudly as she and Amelia walked down the street. Jiras poked his head out of the street corner and smirked.
"I'll manage to take her without the other one seeing me." Jiras reached into his pocket and pulled out a handheld bomb. He lit it up and waited for a few seconds. Jiras clenched the bomb and threw it at Lina and Amelia. They blinked when it landed a few feet away from them. They stopped in the middle of the road.
"What is that?" Lina kicked at it. Amelia tilted her head.
"I don't know, Lina-San." They crowded around the bomb until they heard a small sound.
"What was that?" Gourry and Zelgadiss helped each other up from the ground. People around them began panicking and running through the streets. Zelgadiss found dark smoke coming from the other end of the village.
"It felt like an earthquake, didn't it?" Gourry grabbed his full sack of supplies and strapped it over his shoulder. Zelgadiss stared at the dangerous smoke.
"More like a bomb." He muttered. He blinked when Gourry patted his shoulder.
"Let's hurry and get the other stuff so we can get back to the girls." Gourry grinned. Zelgadiss nodded and followed him to another store. He sweat dropped when Gourry gasped happily at the shining weaponry on display. "Oh! Oooooo! Can we get this, Zel?" He was like a kid in a candy store.
"No." Zelgadiss slapped his groping hands away from the swords and dragged him with him to the other end.
"But-But-But I don't have that one!"
"You already have a sword." Zelgadiss snorted. Gourry sighed sadly and hung his head. He allowed Zelgadiss to drag him through the store using his long hair as a leash. They fell to the ground when they heard another loud explosion and the dirt beneath their foot shook aggressively. Zelgadiss got up quickly and ran out the store. Somethings going on. Gourry groaned and painfully followed him. They blinked when they heard a loud scream echoing through the sky. Zelgadiss looked to the sky and lifted his eyebrow. He grabbed Gourry by the sleeve and placed him in a specific spot.
"Stay." Zelgadiss ordered. Gourry nodded like a good dog. The scream grew louder and more familiar. Gourry pouted and looked around the area.
"Doesn't that sound like Lina?" Gourry asked. Zelgadiss nodded. It was then a powerful like blow struck Gourry to the ground from the sky. Zelgadiss crossed his arms while Lina got off Gourry's broken body.
"Nice catch, Gourry." Lina chuckled. Gourry whimpered and fainted on the ground.
"What was that explosion?" Zelgadiss asked. Lina turned to face him.
"There is a demon on the other side of the town. He had us running around trying to deflect the bombs." Lina pointed at the dark smoke in the sky. "He managed to send me a good 50 yards away."
"Where is Amelia?"
"Before he blew me away, I told Amelia to find you two. She should be here soon enough." Lina sighed.
"This demon… what did he look like?" Zelgadiss suddenly asked. Lina crossed her arms.
"A fox with an eye patch." Lina told him. Zelgadiss growled and scanned the area.
"Was there another person with him? A guy with turquoise hair and red slash marks on the cheeks?" Zelgadiss questioned. Lina's eyes widen. She suddenly remembered a demon with turquoise hair and red marks on his cheek. He was the one to kill Amelia with a small twitch of his lips.
"No but I know who you are talking about." Lina watched him look around the area. "What does that guy have to do with the fox demon?"
"He is a Halfling like Amelia." Zelgadiss growled. Lina's eyes widen.
"I thought Amelia was the only one."
"Val is a half of Demon and Angel." Zelgadiss began pacing the road. "He is working with the new Demon Lord to resurrect Shabranigdo." He met Lina's eyes. "In other words, Val is the one who hired me to kill you."
"So why is that fox demon in this picture?"
"That is one of Val's servants. If that fox is here, there is no doubt that Val should be close by watching us." Zelgadiss unsheathed his sword. "Why the hell is Amelia taking so long?"
"The first and only time I met Val was when he took Amelia's puppet away to hell. Just to show off his power, he killed Amelia by just moving his lips." Lina gulped. "If he is after Amelia, he would have no problem picking her off the street when she is alone."
"Let's find her." Gourry said aloud. He had his sword out as well.
"If any of us find her, send out a fireball to the sky and the rest of us will go to you." Lina told them. Zelgadiss and Gourry nodded. Lina and Zelgadiss blinked when Gourry stuck his hand in the middle of the group. Gourry grinned. Zelgadiss lifted an eyebrow when Lina placed her hand over Gourry's hand.
"Come on, Zel. What do you got to lose?" Lina scoffed.
"My pride."
"You already lost it when you joined this team." Lina snickered. Zelgadiss sighed and placed his gloved hand over theirs.
"1 2 3, Team Old Man go!" Gourry shouted as their hands dispersed. Zelgadiss rolled his eyes and ran down the street away from the other two. Lina chuckled and patted Gourry's shoulder.
"We are slowly breaking him."
"GOURRY-SAN! ZELGADISS-SAN!" Amelia screamed their names as she ran down the street. She stopped in the middle of the road and panted heavily. "Where could they be?" She looked around the empty street. She gasped when she saw an elderly man trying to close his shop.
"Excuse me, sir!" Amelia ran over but the old man saw her and quickly slammed the front door in her face. Amelia sighed and continued running down the street. She gasped loudly when she saw a man skipping happily down the street.
"Excuse me, sir!" Amelia rushed to him. The man blinked and turned around. He had purple shoulder length hair and wore black traveling clothes with a black cloak over his body.
"Yes?"
"Have you seen a big man with long blonde hair and a middle sized man covered in beige clothing?" Amelia asked. She waited patiently as the man put his hand on his chin and began contemplating.
"MmHmm… Sounds familiar." The man muttered. Amelia gasped loudly.
"Can you tell me where you saw them?"
"Sure I can." The man grinned. "But first, you must do something for me! A simple questionnaire."
"Um… Okay." Amelia shrugged. "Can you ask while we try to find my friends?"
"Of course." The man turned and return to skipping down the road. "Follow me!" Amelia sweat dropped and walked alongside of him. The man with lines for eyes smiled at Amelia.
"First question is… Are you happy?" The man suddenly asked. Amelia blinked. She pouted and rubbed the end of her chin.
"That is quite a strange question but nonetheless…" She thought about all the activity that was going on and how she had great friends to rely on. Not to mention, her heart never felt so alive ever since Zelgadiss joined the group. Amelia blushed and giggled. "I believe my life is filled with happiness at the moment."
"Really?" The man chuckled. "Are you sure?"
"Well…" Amelia smiled brightly. "It's the people around me that keep me happy." Amelia and the man turned a street corner.
"Next question..." The man suddenly stopped, Amelia stopped with him. He turned his body towards her and she blinked. "If one of your friends is in grave danger, what would you do?"
"I will rescue my friend."
"Even if it means your life?" He asked. Amelia stared at him with wide eyes. The man chuckled softly, he slightly flashed his amethyst eyes at her and looked at her emotionless expression. She suddenly smiled causing him to lift an eyebrow.
"My life is not my concern. My friends are." The man smiled at her answer and nodded. Amelia blinked when she spotted Lina running on a separate road.
"There is one of my friends, right now!" Amelia pointed. She turned to the man and bowed her head low. "Thank you so much for leading me!"
"You owe me now." The man grinned. Amelia tilted her head. She grinned back.
"Of course. When we see each other again, I will repay the favor." Amelia bowed again and ran after Lina. The man smirked and took a step back into the shadow. So, her life is not a concern but her friends are. He eventually blended in with the shadow and disappeared.
"AMELIA!" Lina called out her name. She blinked when she heard Amelia's voice. She turned around and spotted her running to her.
"LINA-SAN!" Amelia waved her arms. Lina sighed in relief and waited for her to meet up with her. As Amelia ran to her, Jiras appeared from behind Lina. Amelia gasped loudly. "BEHIND YOU!" She screamed. Lina lifted an eyebrow and looked over her shoulder. Jiras grinned and grabbed her from the waist.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Lina watched Jiras struggle against her as she tried to break free from him. Lina yelped when a dozen of lit bombs dropped from Jiras's pocket. "TURN THOSE OFF!"
"I can't, it's been lit!" Jiras yelped. Lina and Jiras ran from the bombs. Amelia blinked when Lina grabbed her by the arm and hurriedly dragged her away from the sight alongside with Jiras. The three of them fell forward when the bombs exploded behind them. The explosion burnt down half of the village and created great damage throughout the rest of it. Jiras was the first one to get out from under the rubble. He scanned the damaged village rubble around him and grinned.
"I guess I got them." Jiras snickered. He blinked when he heard a soft whine. Jiras yelped when a hand punched through a cement block. The pair of hands pushed the block off and Amelia climbed out of the mess. She stared at the destroyed village and gasped.
"Oh my goodness…" Amelia whimpered. She yelped when Jiras grabbed her from around the wrist. "L-Let me go!" Amelia screamed. Jiras grinned.
"After I present you to Val-Sama, I will be awarded for my achievements." Jiras laughed. "I could be promoted to be a leader!" Jiras watched as she struggled against his hold. She eventually tugged her hand away and fell back on her back.
"ELE-" She stopped herself from casting a spell when Jiras reached into his pocket and took out another bomb. He wagged his finger at her and grinned.
"Be a good girl and come with me or I'm going to blow up the rest of this village." He threatened. Amelia gulped. She watched with fearful eyes as Jiras took a few steps closer to her. He blinked when he felt a sudden sharp blade pressing against his neck.
"Get the fuck away from her." Zelgadiss snarled in his ear. Jiras sweat dropped.
"Um… Uh oh." He noticed Gourry on his left with the Sword of Light pointing at his neck as well, Lina stood in front of Amelia with her hands to her hips.
"Amelia, are you alright?" She helped Amelia to her feet.
"I'm fine." Amelia smiled brightly. She noticed Zelgadiss, Lina, and Gourry staring at her intently. She tilted her head. "What is the matter?"
"Um… Your hair." Lina pointed. Amelia raised her hands to the top of her head and glided it down her raven soft hair. Her eyes widen when she could not feel her beautiful long hair past her shoulders. Her mouth dropped.
"M-My hair…" Amelia's once long beautiful long hair was burnt and choppy to her shoulders. "My hair…!" Amelia's eyes widen in shock. She continued to touch her choppy and rough hair. Her entire body shook.
"Amelia?" Lina carefully touched her shoulder. "It looks… fine?"
"My hair…" Amelia suddenly growled. She glared at Jiras with red flaming eyes. "DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT TOOK ME TO GROW MY HAIR? IT TOOK 2 DECADES! THERE IS NO MAGIC TO GROW HAIR, YOU KNOW?" She grabbed Jiras's collar and shook him relentlessly. "YOU… YOU… YOU… YOU ARE NOT CUTE!" Amelia insulted with a red face. Zelgadiss and Lina sweat dropped. Her hair got burnt off and all she can come back with is 'You are not cute'? Gourry nodded in agreement.
"He is certainly not cute."
"I-I'm sorry!" Jiras yelped.
"SORRY WON'T GROW MY HAIR, YOU… YOU MEANY!" Amelia pushed Jiras to the ground and pinned him down with a foot on his chest. Gourry and Zelgadiss withdrew their swords and joined Lina's side. "I thought demons at least had SOME courtesy and manners but I guess I was wrong! You have chosen the wrong side, Demon! JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL AND IT HAS MADE A JUDGMENT FOR YOU! THAT JUDGMENT IS MY FIST!" Amelia's fists glowed bright light.
"But I said I'm sorry!" Jiras waved his arms.
"JUSTICE WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU! YOU MUST TAKE THE JUDGMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECIDED FOR YOU! PREPARE TO BE JUDGED!" Amelia swung her fist back.
"I'll tell you everything you want to know! PLEASE, JUST SPARE MY LIFE!" Jiras screamed. Amelia grinned and thrust her fist towards him. Jiras's eyes widen when her fist slammed beside his face. It punched through the rubble beneath him and smoke escaped from her fist.
"Okay!" Amelia giggled. She looked back at her comrades and tilted her head. They were staring with big shock eyes. "What is the matter?"
"Now I see Phil in you." Lina muttered. Gourry nodded with her. Amelia giggled with a light blush. They rushed over and grabbed the tormented Jiras roughly from the ground. As Lina and Gourry tortured the demon to speak, Zelgadiss walked carefully to Amelia. She was sighing sadly alone as she touched her short hair. Amelia heard Zelgadiss clear his throat behind her and turned around.
"Um…" Zelgadiss opened his mouth but nothing came out. Amelia frowned big and looked down at her feet.
"Do you prefer long hair instead of short, Zelgadiss-San?" Amelia sadly asked. Zelgadiss stared at her big frown. He smirked and reached into his pocket. Amelia blinked when Zelgadiss closed the gap between them and loosely wrapped his arms around her neck. Amelia blushed red but while she wanted to wrap her arms around him, Zelgadiss took a step back and smiled. She tilted her head when she felt a sudden weight around her neck. She touched her neck and felt a heart locket. Amelia's eyes widen. She looked down at the gold chain around her neck and at the gold heart locket. She met Zelgadiss's eyes. He was looking away with a big blush.
"I… I can see your smile more without all that hair in the way." He muttered. Amelia blushed wildly. She smiled large and lunged at him. Zelgadiss managed to brace himself as Amelia threw her body into his arms. She hugged him tightly around the neck and giggled. He embarrassingly patted her back. He could not bare look back at Lina and Gourry's snickering faces. Amelia pulled away from him slightly and went on her tiptoes. Zelgadiss's eyes widen when Amelia kissed him on the edge of his lips, her lips partially touching his. Zelgadiss dropped to his bottom and touched the area she kissed with a large big blush while Amelia danced around with her new hairdo and new jewelry.
"They are like children." Lina rolled her eyes. Gourry chuckled and looked at her.
"I think it's cute."
"You think everything that involves with love is cute." Lina gave him a sly smile. Gourry grinned and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Is that why I think you are really cute, Lina?" Gourry asked. Lina's face got bright red.
"S-SHUT UP!" Lina heard Jiras's soft snicker and pounded him into the dirt. "SHUT UP!" As Lina continued to beat the fox demon to the ground, Gourry stopped her from her thrashing and pulled her back. "Don't stop me, Gourry!"
"Lina." Gourry tilted his head. "Who is that?" Gourry pointed. Lina lifted an eyebrow. She turned her head to the destroyed area in front of her. Her eyes widen.
"Looks like my slave disobeyed me." Val stood a few yards away from them. Zelgadiss and Amelia noticed him and watched as he walked over to Lina and Gourry. They took a few steps back as Val walked to Jiras.
"V-Val-Sama!" Jiras sat up and bowed his head low. Lina smirked.
"Nice to see you again, Val." Lina said aloud. Val glared at her. He grabbed Jiras by the collar and threw him behind him. Jiras quickly recovered and rushed to Val's side. Val noticed Gourry unsheathe his sword.
"I'm not here to kill you just yet." Val growled. He met Lina's red eyes. "I want to make a deal."
"I don't make deals with demons." Lina crossed her arms.
"I was not talking to you, pathetic being." Val looked past her and met Zelgadiss's eyes. "I was talking to the Freak." Zelgadiss cringed at the insult.
"Whatever deal you are making with him, you are making with us." Lina blocked his view from Zelgadiss. Val glared at her. "He is part of the team."
"You actually included a demon in your team?" Val lifted his eyebrow. Lina bit her lower lip. "You are certainly a hypocritical being. You said you don't make deals with demons when you have a being with demon blood in your team." Val muttered. He lowered his face close to Lina and grinned.
"I bet you don't even trust him. He is too much of a Freak to ignore." Val chuckled. "You say that he is part of the team but in reality, you are only keeping him around because he is just another bodyguard for the Halfling and he is actually useful." Val whispered. Lina stared at him and smirked.
"That's right." Lina agreed aloud. "Everything you said is the truth." Lina looked to the ground and scoffed. "When I first met him, I thought of him as a greedy freak of nature who only wanted to kill Amelia for the cure. I was disgusted of him." Lina said suddenly. Zelgadiss stared at the dirt, he listen to Lina laugh softly.
"I didn't like him at all." Lina laughed. "But Zel is human too." Lina sighed and turned around. Zelgadiss lifted his head and met Lina's eyes. She smirked. "Amelia said that you are human and human's can change. They can make stupid horrible decisions and in the end, they end up in hell. Though there are some humans who do make a stupid choice but they make a change for the better. It is the human's soul that should be judged, not their actions." Lina grinned. Zelgadiss stared at her with wide eyes.
"So… I still don't like Zel a whole lot but I know he changed and I believe that his soul is as pure as an angel." Lina looked back at Val. "Zelgadiss is not a freak or demon that you thought he was. He is better than that. He's a man who changed his ways to become a better person and to be a better person to the people he loves."
"What a bunch of bull shit." Val growled. Lina smirked at him.
"You believe whatever you want. But I trust him." Lina looked back at Zelgadiss from over her shoulder. "I trust him with my life and everyone else's life." She grinned large. Zelgadiss smirked and shook his head with a soft chuckle. Val saw the unfamiliar hint of happiness on Zelgadiss's face and scoffed. He turned around and walked away.
"Come, Jiras." Val growled. Jiras whimpered and followed him.
"But Val-Sama, what about them?" Jiras asked softly. Val snorted and glared at him making him cower.
"Later." Val grumbled. Jiras nodded. Lina watched as Val and Jiras vanished in thin air, she sighed and put her hands to her hips.
"That was kind of scary." Lina chuckled to herself.
"LINA-SAN!" Amelia wrapped her arms around her waist from behind and grinned. "You are so cool!" She praised. Lina laughed aloud with her chest in the air.
"Of course I am! I am the powerful, beautiful, and incredible Lina Inverse!" Lina announced loudly. She blinked when Zelgadiss walked to her side. He had his arms crossed on his chest.
"Don't you mean liar?"
"What did you say, Rock-for-brains?" Lina growled.
"You are a great liar, you know that." Zelgadiss muttered. "You almost had me believing you." Lina stared at the appearing smile on his face and smirked.
"Oh, darn, you caught me." Lina sighed and crossed his arms behind her head. "I guess I'll have to do it better next time." Lina laughed. Zelgadiss saw her big grin on her face and rolled his eyes. He shook his head with a soft smile.
"Come on, guys, let's go eat!" Gourry suddenly said aloud.
"That idiot demon didn't blow up the other half of this village so there is bound to have restaurants left!" Lina cheered. As Gourry and Lina walked ahead to the rest of the damaged village, Amelia and Zelgadiss walked alongside of each other.
