"Damn it," she cursed, clearly displeased. "Just what are we supposed to do now?" She murmured, not really wanting anyone to overhear. Wouldn't do to have her companions hear her and learn she was practically whistling in the dark. She supposed they could make use of the spells Ray Wing and Levitate to scout a bit, but that would be risky buisiness. If one of them, say, ran out of energy before they could get back to the ship they would probably drown, too tired from the continual use of magic to even swim. Still, they couldn't just sit back and do nothing.
"Hey, Lina!" Came the ever familiar voice of Gourry calling to her, the sorceress turning to face him. The swordsman was currently hefting a semi-large box with one arm, his brute strength coming into play yet again. He gave her a short wave with his free hand before walking down the dock towards her, smiling in his typical carefree way. Perhaps ignorance truly was bliss.
"What's up, Gourry?" Lina inquired, arching an eyebrow at him in curiousity. "We'ren't you helping to load the ship?" It should have been fairly obvious, what with the box, but she figured it would be prudent to ask anyway.
"Yeah, I was," he confirmed, shifting the crate a bit so he was more comfortable carrying it. "Then I saw you standing out here, spacing out, and thought I should check on you." Lina blinked, having almost forgotten that he could be thoughtful every once in awhile.
"Thanks, Gourry, but I'm fine," she told him, smiling up at him ever so slightly. She was actually sort of touched. "Just thinking is all."
"Well, okay, if you say so." He half turned toward the direction of the gangplank. "Don't worry, Lina, we'll find Claire, kick some ass and make it back to Seyruun in no time." He even went so far as to give her a thumbs up. This caused Lina's smile to widen a touch.
"Of course we will," she agreed, though she was sure it wouldn't be as easy as his words made it out to be. "By the way, what's in the crate?" She asked, pointing to it for emphasis. Gourry looked at it out of the corner of his eye.
"Well, Zelgadis said it was a bunch of 'delicate equipment that will break if you drop it'." His impression of the normally moody chimera was spot on. "I don't know what exactly, though." Lina's smile turned into a delicate frown as she thought about what it could be.
"Well, I'd say it's his mapping equipment, but the crate's too large for just that." She crossed her arms over her chest. "Anyway, you should get it on board...gently." He gave her a semi-salute.
"Right!" Then he began heading for the gangplank. "See you on board, Lina." The sorceress waved despite his back being turned, her frown deepening.
"Be careful, you big jellyfish," she murmured softly, worry seeping into her voice. Not only would there be danger once they reached the island but also at sea. Storms, pirates and even sea monsters were a constant threat for anyone that dared sail out of sight of land. Knowing Gourry he'd do something reckless in order to keep her from having to face the danger herself, even though she was more than capable of handling it. Damned guardian bullshit, always making the swordsman do something stupid. Wait, that was just Gourry being himself. Her gaze turned back to the ship, where Amelia was speaking with the captain and Zelgadis over a map, the three figures likely discussing the voyage ahead. The captain was a woman, surprisingly. Not to say women couldn't be ship captains, or anything sexist like that, but not many wanted to be. Having to lead a bunch of ornery, crusty sailors on voyages that could last months wasn't easy. She was likely one tough lady, which Lina could greatly appreciate. The sorceress only hoped she was up to the challenge that lay in reaching their destination.
0o0o0o0o0
"My lady, I understand that this is urgent," Captain Valeria Morgan began, currently looking down at the map spread out over and empty shipping crate between them, "but we can't be hasty about this." She pointed to the section of the map that made up the southern waters that they would be sailing into, which was a lot of area to cover. "Without a heading we could spend months searching for this island of yours and never find it out there." The captain was a tall woman, around 5'1o, with short black hair and steel grey eyes, all corded, wiry muscle and no slouch with a cutless. Pirates were still a threat, after all. She wore a dark blue, unbottoned vest over a white, loose, billowy long sleeved shirt, and a sash around her middle a shade lighter than her shirt. Add to this her black slacks and knee high boots that looked like they were made for ass kicking and she looked every inch the sailor...which was good, because she was. Anyway...where were we?
"I understand that, Captain Morgan," Amelia replied, knowing that she was right. "The problem is that, despite that, we have to go as soon as possible because a life is at stake." The captain nodded.
"And I know that, but what are the chances of us reaching this person in time to save their life?" She asked, crossing her arms under her breasts. "We could end up saving a corpse." This was a perfectly logical argument but Amelia had that look in her eyes again. You know, the one she gets before talking about Justice?
"But we can't simply just leave Miss Claire to die!" The princess percisted, fire almost literally burning in her eyes. "A true Champion of Justice never backs down, no matter the odds!" Que the sweat-drop appearing on the back of Valeria's head as she glanced at Zelgadis, the masked and hooded man simply shrugging.
"Listen, Princess Amelia, we can't just sail out there blind." She had to be made to see the danger in this venture. "I've heard of Wolfpack Island, sure. Any captain worth their salt has at some point." The captain shook her head slightly. "But none of them, including me, have any idea where it is." An idea came to her. "Maybe if you sent out a fleet instead of just one ship-"
"Unfortunately, that's not possible," Zelgadis interrupted politely, wishing otherwise. "There are rumors of disquiet among Seyruun's neighbors, the sort that point in the direction of enventual hostilities." He glanced toward the port town they were docked at. "While there's no proof or any sign of just who it is that's building up forces, the crown prince can't take any chances."
"Exactly, so Daddy can't spare any military vessels right now," Amelia added, laying her hands on the map. "The only ones available are merchant ships, like yours." She looked down at the map, frowning as she did so. "I know it's dangerous and I'm sorry we're dragging you into this, Captain Morgan, but we can't simply abandon Miss Claire to the fate she'll meet at the hands of the beasts that hold her captive." Valeria sighed in resignation.
"Alright, alright, you've made your point." It wasn't like she could refuse an order from her employer, Seyruun and, by extention, Princess Amelia. Contracts were a bitch that way. "Once all the supplies are loaded we'll set sail...and may Ceified have mercy on us all."
0o0o0o0o0
Meanwhile, a late guest was arriving in Seyruun, having been tied up taking care of personal buisiness. Mainly visiting the grave of her father in Sairaag. So, there Sylphiel was, standing in the palace courtyard, finding herself curious as to why so many soldiers were present. Seyruun wasn't exactly known for such a show of force, after all, not unless there was some kind of threat on the horizen. So, with a sense of trepidation knawing at her heart, the shrine maiden headed for the gates. She wasn't all that surprised to see extra guards inside, not after the scene outside anyway. What was surprising was the lack of signs they were preparing for the wedding of Amelia and Zelgadis.
"Excuse me, miss, can I help you?" A servant asked, seeing her just standing there by the entrance. Sylphiel smiled at the young man in question, relieved.
"Yes, I was invited by the Princess to attend her wedding," she replied, holding up her invitation. The servant looked troubled by this.
"Oh, well...please follow me." With that he started off towards the throne room, if the maiden wasn't mistaken. Once inside the servant bowed toward the throne, where by stood Prince Philionel and his brother Christopher, conferring over something she couldn't quite make out. "Excuse me, your Highness, but this is one of Princess Amelia's guests for the wedding." The prince and his brother turned to regard her, the servant soon dismissed.
"You're Miss Sylphiel, right?" Phil asked, beckoning her to come closer. "Yes, I remember you from that unfortunate buisiness in Sairaag a few years back." The dark haired maiden nodded, bowing once at the foot of the steps leading up to the throne.
"I'm honored that you remember me, my lord," she said politely as she straightened back up. "I thank you for the aid you provided to us during that troubled time."
"Oh, please, don't be so formal," Phil urged her, smiling warmly. The expression didn't quite suit his features, but that mattered little. "Just call me Phil, or Prince Phil if you really have to." Sylphiel smiled in return, Christopher taking this moment to excuse himself.
"Thank you, Prince Phil." She looked around. "So, what is going on, if I may ask?"
"Well, unfortunately, the wedding has been postponed."
"...pardon?"
0o0o0o0o0
In another part of the castle, we find the shady captain of the guard in the chamber that was the center of the white magic array that made of Seyruun city, frowning as his elven associate poked around the place.
"If we're caught in here we'll be in deep shit," Borin groussed, slightly nervous even if it didn't quite show. The sorceress scoffed at his words.
"Don't be such a pussy," Teliel sneered, passing a hand over the seal set in the floor, the lines glowing faintly as she did so. "We'll be out of here soon."
"Why did Victor want us down here in the first place?" He asked, more than a little curious. The elf pulled out a sheet of paper on which was written a magical formula of some sort.
"Unfortunately the seal that protects your precious city would cancel out what he has in mind," she told him, laying the parchment down in the seal's exact center. "We're here to...weaken it." Borin's frown deepened.
"That would put the whole city at risk if we're attacked," he protested, clearly not a happy camper at hearing that. He may be a toad but he still loves his country.
"It's only temporary," Telial lied easily, raising her hands over the seal and parchment. "Now shut up so I can work." She began to chant in a low voice, the words sounding vile even though Borin couldn't quite make them out. He didn't like this, not one little bit.
0o0o0o0o0
Victor stood in the cabin that Marcus had killed in, the body long since incinerated, a clear orb held in his hands. Murmuring an incantation it began to glow with a soft blue light.
"All goes as planned, my lord," he intoned after a moment. "The crystal is ours and my agents work to weaken Seyruun's defenses even as I speak." The orb's glow brightened for several sexonds. "No, the Inverse woman and her companions have since left the city, apparently to rescue a new friend of sorts." Another pulse. "The woman in question, Claire, was taken by the one known as Xellos, my lord." Several pulses in rapid succession. "Yes, lord, that is correct." A pause, then it brightened for a moment. "It shall be as you desire, as always." With that the glow faded, Victor placing it within his cloak. "Seyruun shall be the first to fall, as you command." With that he phased out, the dust disturbed by the energy invoked the only sign he'd been there in the first place.
0o0o0o0o0
"...and so Lady Lina and the others are now on their way south in order to save Claire," Phil finished explaining, now seated on his throne. "I worry about Amelia's safety of course, but I just can't seem to deny her thirst for Justice."
"I see," Sylphiel murmured, deep in thought. That meant Sir Gourry was also going to Wolfpack Island, which was probably one of the most dangerous places on the planet. "I have to go catch up with them." With that she turned to leave.
"Wait, Miss Sylphiel, you'll never make it before they set sail," the prince told her, causing the shrine maiden to stop in her tracks. "Besides, my daughter and the others are more than capable of handling themselves."
"But I can't just sit here while Sir Gourry and the others head into danger," she protested, more than a little worried. Mostly about Gourry, but more on that some other time. Phil nodded in understanding.
"Still, there is little you can do at this point." He sighed softly. "I myself wish that I could have gone with them, as Claire seemed a sweet girl undeserving of whatever fate the mazoku have in mind for her." He seemed older all of a sudden. "Unfortunately I have my duty to the kingdom to consider, first and foremost." Sylphiel's expression softened at this. She wasn't the only one frustrated by the inability to act, it seemed.
"You're probably right, Prince Philionel," she began, forgetting his request to be called Phil for a moment. "Still, I wish there was something we could do."
"We can pray and hope that-" There was a low rumble from deep within the palace. "What the devil was that?" Another rumble, louder this time, and the whole city glowed with a horrid red light.
0o0o0o0o0
"It is done!" Teliel grinned widely in triumph, sweat dripping from her brow from the toll taken on her by the spell she had woven. Borin took a step towards her, suddenly having a horrible feeling settle in the pit of his gut.
"What have you done?" He demanded, the red glow only just starting to fade. The elven woman turned to face him, her grin turning to a predatory smile.
"What my master has bid me to, dear fool," she replied, raising a hand crackling with energy and pointing it at him. "Thank you for all your help."
"You bitch!" He snarled, lunging at her...only to be blasted back by a bolt of searing light, his armor blackened and his flesh smoldering. Teliel spat on his corpse.
"Stupid man," she muttered in disgust, kicking him in the head even though he was beyond feeling. "Though I suppose you did serve your purpose." With one last kick she headed for the exit, incinerating the parchment that held the magical formula as she passed it. Wouldn't want them undoing all her hard work, after all.
0o0o0o0o0
The head of the Mage Corp came dashing into the throne room, looking frightfully pale as he came to a stop before Phil and Sylphiel.
"My lord, the barrier has fallen and we are vulnerable to magical attack!" He cried, evidently more than a little panicked. Phil scowled at this bit of news.
"Calm yourself, man," he ordered, settling into his role as prince once more. "Summon up the rest of the Corp and have the soldiers man the walls immediately. We could be under attack even as we speak." The man bowed to the unibrowed prince, then ran out. "How could this happen?"
"My lord, what's going on?" Sylphiel asked, getting worried herself. Phil turned to face her, his expression grim.
"Normally Seyruun is protected by a white magic barrier, able to stop all conventional spell attacks and weakening any mazoku that happen to enter its borders," he explained, eyes moving towards one of the windows set high on the walls. "But, if it is indeed down, we're open to anyone that wants to attack us."
"Then what can we do?" Sylphiel inquired softly, gripping her rod tightly in her hands, having summoned it once the red light appeared.
"we can prepare for the worst and believe in the might of my people," Phil replied, determination in his eyes. "would you be willing to lend us a hand, Miss Sylphiel?" The shrine maiden nodded, looking equally determined.
"Of course, Prince Philionel."
"Please, I told you to call me Phil."
0o0o0o0o0
Amelia stared back at the steadily fading line representing the mainland from the aft of the ship, an ominous feeling gripping her heart. Zelgadis, sensing that she was troubled, moved to join her.
"What is it, Amelia?" He asked softly, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder. The princess glanced at him before returning her gaze to the barely visible shore.
"I don't know," she replied, tone subdued. "I just suddenly have this horrible feeling, that's all." Zelgadis arched an eyebrow at this.
"That's all, huh?" He shook his head slightly, leaning against the rail afterwards. "Sounds more serious than what you're saying to me." Amelia turned to face him, frowning slightly.
"I'm not leaving anything out, Zelgadis," she told him, though the feeling wouldn't let up. "I just feel that Daddy's in danger somehow." The chimera smiled reassuringly.
"Your father is a strong ruler and an even stronger man." Both hands came to rest on her shoulders then. "If anything happens he can more than handle it." This made her smile a little.
"You always seem to know what to say to make me feel better." The smile widened a touch. "Thank you." Zelgadis smiled in return.
"My pleasure, princess." That said he pulled her into a gentle embrace, eyes turning back to the mainland. What he didn't say was that he had felt something moments before, a terrible shift in the air coming from the direction of Seyruun. He'd meant what he'd said, however. Surely Phil could handle anything thrown his way.
0o0o0o0o0
She'd been poked, prodded, cut, jabbed with needles and shocked...and that was only to name a few. Claire was once again in her room/cell, having just come from a battery of tests done by some twisted little man, under the orders of Zelas, to see how exactly she'd been designed. Apprently she was tough and healed more quickly than humans did. Destructive magic also had an interesting effect on her. Shamanistic magic harmed her, but for some reason black magic cast in her presence made her feel almost ill, as well as hurting her. This information seemed to intrigue the Greater Beast, not that the homunculus cared what interested the mazoku lord these days. Only that it usually meant she'd likeyl be in pain again soon. The longer she was in the "care" of Zelas, the more she felt that she was doomed to live an agonozing life. If it could be called living. Despite her general feeling of not caring if she lived, she found she didn't want to die, either. So she played the games set before her, danced to the tune played...and hated it and herself all the more. She felt so pathetic. If only there was some way to get free of them.
"Not bloody likely," she muttered, voice sounding hoarse from screaming. The freak hadn't been gentle in testing her, after all. "Face it, Claire, you're-" Suddenly she found herself unable to speak, feeling as something was making a fist inside her chest and squeezing something vital in the process. Then it passed and she felt...great, as a matter of fact, better than since before she arrived here. She felt as if she could fly, of all the impossible things. Then, just as quickly as it came, it was gone, leaving her feeling tired and dreadfully depressed. Little did Claire realize that, for the short span of time the feeling had been with her, her eyes had turned as red as freshly spilled blood.
A/N: and there we are, another one down. Feel free to share any thoughts, opinions or theories regarding the story you might have and, if you really liked it, review. Laters.