Leopold loomed above Zel, as a gigantic black shade, a creature from a nightmare, a resident of the shadows, a true ally of the night. His crimson eyes were filled with rage. Rage that burned with fury at the interloper. Yet with all the rage, Leopold's eyes never lost their sparkle.
But Zel wasn't too worried. If what Gustav told him was true, then he shouldn't fall under the hypnotic power of the vampire.....
With a flick of his head, Zel broke off eye contact. And with his free hand, Zel reached up and pulled his cowl over his head, to thwart the vampire even further. Yes, Zel must avoid those eyes…. He must, at all costs. If he did, his mind will be lost to Leopold. In fact, everything will be lost....
But, to Zel's surprise, Leopold's eyes disintegrated from rage into sadness.
"What are you doing Zelgadis?" Leopold demanded. "Where are you taking Amelia?"
"Away from here." Zelgadis said, with an edge to his voice. "Away from you."
"What do you mean?"
"I know you are a vampire. And, like all vampires, you have powers of mind control."
Leopold's face hardened.
"I see. It would appear you know my secret."
"Indeed I do." Zel replied.
"Now tell me." he continued. "Why are you so fascinated with Amelia?"
Leopold sighed. "I want her to remain by my side for all eternity."
Zel blinked.
"Why would you care?" Leopold snapped. "When you arrived here, it seemed quite obvious to me that she had feelings for you, yet you were oblivious."
Zel's eyes beagn to grow determined.
"Lets just say, I can't afford to make the same mistake twice."
When Leopold heard this, his mouth formed into a sinister smile.
"Ha! That's absurd." He boomed, his voice at once both of mockery and triumphant.
"What can you possibly offer Amelia that I can't?"
Zelgadis' face hardened. "A future"
Leopold's expression grew angry.
"A future?" he snarled. "With you?! Nonsense! I can offer a future here - the type that only Amelia can dream about."
"What?" Zel mocked. "A future which involves spending the rest of eternity as one of the undead?"
"Better then spending the rest of eternity alone." Leopold retorted.
Zel sighed. He had better keep moving. He'd wasted enough time here already. Silently he knelt down beside Lina's recumbent form.
As Zel did so, Leopold's eyes blazed with increasing fury. What? The nerve of this chimera! First he establishes an obstacles with Leopold reuniting with Sofia and now he puts on a terrific display of arrogance and disrespect! Obviously this bastard needs to be taught a lesson...
Leopold advanced towards the chimera. Like a huge black cloud of impending doom, Leopold bore down onto Zel. Each step the vampire took thundered upon the wooden panels of the floor, leaving a resounding echo of doom. Leopold's eyes blazed with fury, his fists clenched so tight, they began to grow white, His mouth moulded into a ferocious snarl with his incisors bared. He looked completely daemonic, a creature from a nightmare, a legendary long-forgotten horror, a messenger of death......
But if Zel was afraid, his face didn't show it. Instead, his face looked incredibly calm. He seemed amazingly unafraid of the monstrosity that was bearing down towards him. His face revealed an expression of extreme confidence. He didn't run, he didn't scream, he didn't draw any type of weapon, he didn't change his position or make any sound. He just continued to stand in defiance at the vampire.
Leopold was taken aback by the chimera's bravado. What the Hell? What's going on here? Why was this fool looking so unperturbed about the impending doom that was fast approaching? Well, it is, after all, his loss....
Leopold was less then three feet away when Zelgadis finally moved.
His hand, ever so silently, reached into his clothes and pulled out Gunther's silver crucifix.
And then everything stopped completely.
Leopold's advance rapidly came to a grinding halt. His eyes, once so full of fury, disintegrated into pure horror. Leopold's mouth had no time for a snarl as his jaw dropped.
Zelgadis noticed these changes in the vampire's expression, and allowed himself a little smile of satisfaction. Well, it would appear that the vampire has a weakness. Good, there just might be hope yet...
Leopold was now looking anything but threatening. He raised his arms, to shield his eyes from the terrible visage before him. His feet began moving back the way they came, to escape that terrible, terrible crucifix. Leopold staggered his flight back to the doorway of Amelia's room. He then fell to his knees and shielded his face from the Zel's weapon.
Zelgadis blinked in amazement. What had happened here? Just a minute ago, Leopold was advancing down upon him, like a spawn from Hell. Now he was cringing in the corner of the doorway, like a little frightened child.
Zel shook his head. It seems he'll never understand the schizophrenic ways of evil....
Now that he had the vampire subdued, Zel slipped the crucifix chain around his neck. Then he set about getting his friends to Gustav. With Amelia's limp form still tucked under his arm, Zel knelt down and picked up Lina. She too was still unconscious.
Zel sighed. He can't recall the last time he'd seen Lina out cold - like this. She was a such a free spirit with a do or die attitude to match. But one things for certain - Life had turned completely on it's head ever since Zel and his friends set foot in this accursed mansion.
Thus it was high time that order was restored. With determination written across his face, Zel got to his feet with the two girls under each of his arms. Zel then flicked his head across at Leopold.
He hadn't moved. He was still cringing in the doorway, still afraid of Gunther's crucifix.
But wait.
Leopold now lowered his arms away from his face. Only now, he didn't look frightened any more. His eyes had now shed their terrified look and were now as furious as before.
His mouth had now resumed it's ferocious snarl. And now radiating with menace, Leopold had really made a comeback.
Zel blinked. There was no doubt about it - Leopold had certainly conquered his fear of the crucifix. And now he was looking extremely angry....
Oh well, perhaps it is time to get moving.....
Maybe then, at long last, Amelia's mind would be restored.....
Riding on the wings of hope, Zelgadis shot off down the hallway at an incredible speed. Leopold struggled to his feet with a furious roar. But he was too late. Zelgadis had already gone.
And he had taken Amelia with him!
Leopold, his face now twisted with rage, stalked back into Amelia's room. Damn that accursed chimera! Damn him suspicions! Damn his interloping! Damn him to Hell! If it wasn't for him....
Leopold sighed. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out the locket. He flicked it opened and was greeted with the ever familiar portrait of Sofia.
"I've failed you again." Leopold whispered.
But still the portrait didn't answer.
"This Zelgadis is proving to be a increasingly large obstacle" Leopold mused. "And thanks to that bastard, we are now no more together then before."
Leopold's face then moulded into a wolfish grin.
"But don't worry beloved." He whispered. "That meddling chimera will rue the day he dared interfere with my affairs. I will make him pay."
"And then we'll be one step closer to being reunited."
Leopold was now thirsty for vengeance. Yes, Zelgadis will feel his wrath. Yes indeed.
Leopold could feel his hands break Zel's neck even now.....
But, as Leopold was consumed by feelings of revenge, he could not feel his grip tighten around his locket.....
Nor did he hear or see the crack that had just made it's way across the protective glass face of the portrait....
Zelgadis, still carrying the unconscious forms of Lina and Amelia, ran into Gustav's room, his face etched with determination. He may have escaped Leopold but he isn't completely safe. And was Gustav really trustworthy as Gunther claimed?
Oh well, there's only one way to find out......
And its certainly the best offer of sanctuary Zel has heard of since entering this hellhole....
Zel gently set Lina down on the floor. Then, still holding Amelia, he went over to the portrait on the wall. Reaching behind it, his fingers found a small switch and flicked it. Suddenly, the secret doorway opened.
Zelgadis withdrew his hand from the back of the portrait and paused momentarily. He made his way over to the doorway and peered inside. He was then greeted with the sight of a long, dark, dirty tunnel leading from the room.
The tunnel then went on to end at a soft white light.
Zelgadis blinked. Well, this was an opportunity that was good as any other.....
Zelgadis then knelt down and gathered Lina up, before dashing off down the tunnel. But just before Zel set off, his ears caught the sound of a grinding noise. Zel flicked his head around to see the secret door close behind him.
Zel shrugged. Oh well, at least he didn't leave any evidence of the secret door behind him. Which was indeed a good thing.
Then, without a further ado, Zel sprinted towards his destination, at the end of the tunnel.
It was only a matter of time before Zel found himself at other end of the tunnel. His destination turned out to indeed be a sanctuary - a secret room, built in amongst the walls of the mansion. But it wasn't exactly the most glorious sanctuary he had ever seen. It was sparsely decorated, it didn't have much in the way of furniture (with only a large bed, a single chair and table), the walls were dirty and unkempt, and the room was enlightened by a numerous candles.
The first thing that struck Zel was that one third of the bed was occupied by the tall frame of Gourry. He was still out cold, from that nasty blow to the head that Zel gave him.
"So, you've returned" said a voice.
Zel flicked his head around to see Gustav, lurking behind him, next to the doorway. Gustav grinned as Zelgadis' eyes narrowed. His suspicions on Gustav were still as present was ever. Zel didn't say anything and instead let his facial expression to the talking.
But Gustav didn't notice Zel's glaring. Instead he was more interested in Zel's luggage.
"So this is the infamous Lina Inverse?" Gustav inquired, gesturing towards the burden under Zel's arm.
Zel nodded.
"And I take it that this is Amelia?" Gustav asked, his gaze shifting to the other burden.
Zel nodded again. But he still didn't say anything.
Then he walked over to the bed and set the two girls down upon it alongside Gourry.
However, by now, Gustav was growing concerned over Zelgadis' silence.
"So" Gustav said conversationally. "How did it go?"
Zel didn't answer
Gustav, perturbed at Zelgadis' behaviour, opened his mouth. But before he could speak a noise echoed around the small room. A noise that was enough to stop Zelgadis and Gustav dead in their tracks. They both turned towards the bed to see Gourry wake up. The swordsman sat up, yawned and blinked through half asleep eyes. Then he was greeted with the sight of Zel and a bald man. But it was the sight of Zel that was enough to make Gourry relax.
"Zel!" Gourry grinned, as he got to his feet.
Hearing Gourry's voice, the voice of a long lost friend, was enough to make Zel relax.
"Gourry!" Zel said, his voice rich in relief. "Am I glad to see you."
Gourry grinned a friendly grin at the chimera. And then he noticed Gustav.
"And who are you?"
Gustav then brought his hand forward, to Gourry.
"Hello there" Gustav greeted. "I'm Gustav. I believe we've met...."
Gourry blinked at this strange man. But eventually, being too stupid to know any better, took Gustav's hand in a handshake.
"So, tell me." Zel said to Gourry. "Do you remember anything from the past two days?"
Gourry stopped. Then he began concentrating, trying to think, trying to recollect what he remembered from the past two days. After much thinking he gave an answer.
"No! Not at all!"
And then Zel smiled in relief. Yes, Gourry was certainly back to his usual self. He exchanged nods of approval with Gustav. Gustav then blinked at Gourry. He had yet to be enlightened on Gourry's appalling low IQ rate.
Gourry's gaze fell onto the sorceress lying beside him. His eyes grew wide.
"Lina!" Gourry exclaimed in alarm. "What the......"
Suddenly Gustav's hand shot pierced the air between Gourry and Lina. yet it was enough to stop the swordsmen before he could go any further.
"Stop" Gustav said, his voice radiating calm. "I'll take care of this."
And before Gourry could protest, Gustav, ever so gently, opened Lina's mouth and tipped a portion of his concoction into her mouth. Then he gently rocked her head back and forth to ensue digestion.
Gourry blinked at this odd preceding. He didn't have a clue what was going on (which was normal for Gourry). Zelgadis' eyes hardened. He was still unsure on whether he could trust.....
Suddenly, Zelgadis' thoughts were interrupted by something completely unexpected.
As Gustav was rocking Lina's head, her eyes shot open!
Lina's eyes were astonished at first but then grew angry at the bald man before her.
Suddenly, Lina dealt a mighty uppercut into Gustav's chin! The next thing he knew, Gustav was flying across the room and colliding with the wall at the other side!!!!
Lina leapt to her feet, a murderous glint in her eye.
"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!?" Lina thundered at Gustav. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!?"
"Ah Lina." Zelgadis murmured. "It's good to see you back."
"Lina!" Bellowed an overjoyed Gourry.
Next thing she knew, Lina was swept up in a huge bear hug by the elated swordsmen.
Zelgadis chuckled at the scene before him. Then his gaze fell onto Gustav. The bald man, between coughing, was picking himself from Lina's nasty uppercut. Gustav caught Zel's gaze.
"That's never happened before!" he gasped. "My concoction has never worked that quickly before!"
By this time, Lina's face began turning a bright shade of red.
"Uh, Gourry" Lina mumbled. "Could you be so kind as to letting me go?"
The ecstatic swordsmen, nodded and loosened his grip around the sorceress, enabling her feet to return to the floor.
As Lina, got her breath back, her gaze found Gustav.
"Hey Gourry, who is that guy anyway?" Lina inquired, gesturing to the bald man, who was now trying to remember how to walk.
"He's Gustav." Gourry grinned.
Gustav was now making his way back to the bed. Suddenly, his eyes grew frightened, for Lina intercepted his route. Gustav had only just met the sorceress but their first 'meeting' was enough to make Gustav cautious of the red-head. At least now he understood why she was the bane of bandits everywhere. Lina smiled sweetly at Gustav, but this didn't stop his blood from turning into water.
"So Gustav" Lina said. "Care to fill me in here?"
"All in good time." Gustav stammered. "But first I should see to your friend here....."
Gustav then made his way to the bed and Amelia. He then, utilising his gentle hands, poured his concoction into her mouth and began rocking her head back and forth.
"Hey!" Lina snapped. "What do you......?"
"Shhhh." Gourry said. "He knows what he's doing."
Even Zelgadis looked into Gustav's proceedings with eyebrows raised. Would Amelia be alright? Would she remember?
Just then, Zelgadis got answers to his questions - much quicker then he expected.
For Amelia's eyes shot open! Gustav's expression then changed into one of alarm...
And for good reason too! Amelia, having no idea who this strange man was or what he was doing, delivered a nasty kick into the man's chest. Once again, Gustav took flight and crashed into the wall, leaving a much bigger dent then the first time he landed therein.
Lina and Gourry chuckled at the situation. Zelgadis smiled in relief. Yes, that certainly was the Amelia he remembered. And then sweet music entered Zel's ears - in the form of a justice speech!
"Villain!" Amelia snapped at Gustav. "By the blazing hammer of Justice....."
It was then that Zel couldn't help but smile. This justice speech was proof enough for Zel to know that Amelia was back to her old self. This was the Amelia that he had befriended all those years ago.
Then all of a sudden, Amelia fell flat on her face! Gustav blinked in astonishment. But Lina, Gourry and Zel smiled at the princess' antics.
Suddenly a cold chill filled the room. All eyes turned to the doorway. There, to the surprise of the onlookers stood a well-dressed young man, with long black hair fashioned into a ponytail, a neatly trimmed goatee, and a pale complexion bearing a confused expression.
"Am I interrupting something here?" Gunther inquired.
Chapter 11
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