Disclaimer: Meep. I dont care anymore. I dont own anything. Not really.
The plot thickens! (Or rather splits into two) Things will be darkening, fellows...
Taka: Yeah, right.
Meg: Yeah, right!
Take: Yeah, right.
Meg: Yeah...right...^^"
AHEM. According to dictionary. com,
GOUT:
, recurrent disease characterized by painful inflammation of the joints, chiefly those in the feet and hands, and esp. in the great toe, and by an excess of uric acid in the blood.2.a or splash, as of blood; spurt.
I swear, I had no idea when Xellos called Gourry that.
Setfiregirl: Gosh. I'm out of words. THANKS for the reviews. Sometimes I don't even know if people from before still around, or if they decided to move on, or something. Now, for something drastic...Ehehehehe.
"Mmlph? Wha's happening?" Lina, along with the others, were scratching their heads and rubbing sleepy eyes. It was early morning, sort of, and it seemed premature for shouting and screaming to fill the town air.
"AHH! It's them! It's the bandits!!"
The Slayers stared, jaws hanging. Then large patrols of town guards approached the scene.
"There they are! Seize them!"
As it was customary, the Slayers took off on their heels and started getting the hell out of there.
"What kind of morning wake-up call is this?!?" Lina screamed as the ran, leading the Slayers by quite a distance.
"Ahh~ So hungry..."
"I knew sleeping in the public market district was a bad idea. We were bound to be found first thing in the morning without coffee." Zelgadis said as he and Amelia fired relatively weak Diem Wings to discourage pursue from the town guards.
"Ah! Where's Filia-san?"
"Eh! She's not here!"
"I can see that, Gourry!! ARGHH why does everything have to go wrong on this mission!!!"
The Slayers ran to a crossroad where vehicles of all sorts screeched their tyres in an effort to stop and drive in the opposite direction.
"Everyone split up! We'll regroup at the Town Square! Gourry, I'm counting on you!"
"All right!"
Lina dashed towards the Eateries, Amelia continued straight-on to the Residentials and Zelgadis ran towards the Entertainment street. Gourry braced himself and brought out his large sword, a hundred different styles of assault already forming in his mind which had no space for anything else.
First, he would take that blundering bounces of flab in armour and disarm him, jam the sword hilt into the one on his right, following which the guards will surround him halfway. In which case, he would take them on one by one - it was unlikely that an untrained troop such as this would dare to jump in all at once without a commander. This was simply a scout patrol of tens.
Gourry proceeded to grip his sword tighter as the troops ran down the slope with cutlasses not very unlike pirates. Gourry's eye narrowed in concentration. Everything counted on beating down the fat one. The skinny ones would then be demoralized, overall routing the patrol far more easily than necessary by chopping away cluelessly. He was ready. Gourry positioned his body to that of a striking serpent. He was ready. Tact. Speed. Reflexes. Automatic reaction..
Gourry yelled as he brought his sword down, metal clashing metal, sword grinding sword.. The two blades released each other, ready to dart back. It all depended on who was faster, quicker, more agile. The rest of the men were approaching. Gourry would succeed. He was a swordsman unlike any other. Just one heavy, lethal strike and all would be settled.
Or not.
"My sword!!!!!!!" Gourry exclaimed in horror as his trashy excuse for a weapon promptly broke into two, unable to withstand the pressure of Gourry's inhumane strength against a cutlass.
A guard approached Gourry from behind and knocked him out with the hilt of his sword. Indeed, the guards had him surrounded..
"Commander Angel! Good hit, sir!"
"Thank you, Andre. I try my best."
Angel stepped closer to Gourry, using his foot to push Gourry's face sideways so that he could see him (with his swirly eyes).
"It's him. Everyone continue patrol. I will deal with the intruder."
Lina was walking down the Eateries street, sticks of various meat on her hands. To cover up her conspicuous orange-red hair, she had used the pink side of her cape to cover it like a bonnet. No one would presume that this cute little girl in travelling outfit was Lina Inverse, the Pink Sorceress of Doom and Destruction.
"There she is! After the girl with the really small chest!"
"Please sign this agreement of utilizing our Miral Shield..."
Somewhere, a colossal mushroom-shaped cloud hovered over a massive explosion.
"...Lord Emel."
Lord Emel blinked at the window featuring the latest destallment to his city, turned back to the paper and promply drew an urn on the dotted line.
"Ah..Thank you."
RainWitch regarded the explosion with mild pleasure. It was about time for some shower.
Xellos poked his head about the corridors, trying to find Zelas. She was not in her usual throne room - rather unusual of her, but even more unusual that he could not find her in any of her usual lingerings. He sensed that she was underground, but he did not remember any underground rooms. Even the 'wine cellar' was accessible a room away from the throne room.
"Oh?" Xellos noticed a rather new addition to the island - a huge hole on the ground just beside the entrance. He phased inwards, deeper and deeper into the tunnel until -
A blinding flash of light churned out all the dirt and rocks. It wasn't underground anymore. Not with the 'ceiling' blown apart. Chuckling, Xellos descended even further down to enter a small space.
"I have found you, Mistress!"
"Yes. Indeed you have. " Zelas propped her hand on her waist, leaned back and wiped her forehead, examining her handiwork.
Indeed, a beautiful crack of unquestionable style split itself down Val's egg. The origin of the crack could be seen from the top of the egg, where there was a small, carefully-drilled hole from the mace.
The amazing thing was that the crack did not puncture into the interior of the egg, but rather split halfway down into the thick shell. This, Zelas said, would encourage Val to to the rest of the work on his own with the tiny little horn he should have by now.
"He will make a fine addition to the servants," Zelas stated simply and motioned for one of the servants to approach. That the mazoku did, and Zelas propped the egg on its outstretched hand. "The Stand," she stated briefly. The mazoku nodded and phased away.
Zelas combed back her wavy blonde hair with her fingers as though Wolfpack Island was having a summer beach weather. Any man would have fallen on the spot.
"My Lady, the golden dragon has been calling for me since morning in Upper Amorteria, presumably for some favour concerning Val. Also, the fight between Lina and the Mirans is inevitable and drawing closer. Your orders, please."
"Wine," Zelas stated, striding back to her throne room. There, she sighed and leaned back comfortably on her throne. Not for the first time, Zelas found Xellos pouring her her wine, something which happened not very often. She took a long sip and appeared weary. Just before dealing with Val, she had attended another meeting with Dynast and Dolphin. And as usual, they seemed to be keeping something from her... Although she had no proof nor idea of what it could be. But it might have concerned the Mirans, or perhaps the Slayers.
Which was why she felt hesitant in giving her orders this time.
"Answer that little gold's queries as you deem fit. Do what you want with her. As for Lina and her group... Aid them wherever necessary, but your main objective is to collect information on the Mirans. Those foolish servants have obtained nothing from the Outer World..."
Xellos nodded. He took note of the certain emphasis in her voice whenever she thought something would be dangerous.
"I will guard the objectives with my life, my Lady," Xellos opened his eyes, clearly meaning the Slayers. "But I shall be cautious. I believe I understand your implications."
Zelas felt a constriction in her throat. As always, she could not voice thoughts of concern, nor directly imply her worries to Xellos, but she chose two simple words to affirm his words.
"Be careful."
Amelia was also being chased by a group of guards. She had chosen one of the most unwise directions, as security was especially tightened in the residential area. Some guards were private, elites sent to be stationed outside the grand palazzos of the various nobility. As there was a reward for capturing the 'bloodthirsty bandits', Amelia soon found that more and more people were chasing her. More importantly, despite having been given orders to only protect the manors, none of the guards relented.
As Amelia changed direction and began to run in the Eateries direction, she noticed yet another high spot - the parapets. Quickly clambering on top, a large number of guards bypassed her and lost her. The remaining guards who were clever enough to look up were knocked out with a Sleeping spell.
It was at this moment that the massive explosion from Lina blew clouds of dust down the street. The guards that bypassed Amelia before now came running back, then noticed a frantic Amelia and began to chase her yet again down the main road. Zooming past them was Lina on Raywing in a rampage.
Zelgadis was the only one who did not run into trouble with the guards. He had walked the furthest distance from the Town Square, and had no idea that the Entertainment street was a one-way road. It was the day for the release of the much anticipated dark fantasy/action book - The Mysterious Swordsman III. Therefore, almost everyone in the Entertainment district was either cloaked or masked, as Zelgadis soon realised as he went deeper into the narrow alleys that expanded into a huge funfair. Guards stationed were all busy trying to get their own copy of the book.
Far from being pleased, however, Zelgadis was having a thoroughly irritable time. If children weren't clinging to his robes and telling him to 'join the dark forces', adults were waving at him with smiles and telling him what a great costume he was wearing. Moreover, Zelgadis didn't much like crowds as a rule of thumb. Even if no one was staring at him awkwardly, he never much liked the rowdy racket the people made.
Why was everyone making such a big deal out of a book anyway? It wasn't as though it did much to the good of society. There probably wasn't even anything worth learning from a fiction, unlike sacred tomes of magic. Zelgadis felt a prick of urgency and displeasure as he was reminded of his quest to regain his normal human form. Angrily, he randomly picked up a copy of The Mysterious Swordsman from a nearby bookstand to distract himself.
"Hey, this isn't so bad..."
Just as Lina entered the town square, Amelia arrived too with Raywing and almost landed in the huge fountain, a feature of the area. Suddenly, a huge dome was cast over them, barring the guards from entrance. At the same time, a loud announcement rang throughout the town.
"Dear citizens of Amorteria. I am pleased to inform you that two of the infamous bandits have been apprehended in the Town Square. We beg all civilians to avoid this area and evacuate the town immediately if you have not already done so, as there are many more planning an attack. For this purpose, the shield over Amorteria has been lifted. Guards are to report to Field Camp 4 outside Vault. Thank you."
It was amazing how people would run at the thought of danger even without proof. Within moments the town was almost deserted, save the few who stubbornly refused to leave.
RainWitch phased inside of the dome, what little of her face that could be seen was smiling.
"So. Miral technology, eh?" Lina said, rapping the interior of the shield.
RainWitch nodded. "We had help from a technopathy."
"A what..?"
At this moment, Angel appeared beside RainWitch with a bow and more noticeably, Gourry.
"Gourry!" Lina and Amelia yelled at the same time.
Angel loosened his grip on Gourry's hair and left him fall face flat on the ground.
"Oww.." Gourry clambered to stand, and found that there was a thin band of metal around his neck.
Angel knocked Gourry on his head with his white rod and made him sit cross-legged.
"Don't move, or I'll sever your head."
"That sounds kinda harsh."
"Shut up, you dimwit."
RainWitch coughed loudly. "As you can see, we have taken one of your comrades hostage."
Lina raised an eyebrow. "You don't expect to take over the Inner Barrier with Gourry, do you? He eats too much, he sleeps too much, and he's not the smartest lad around."
"You didn't have to go that far, Lina!"
"It's called haggling the value of a jellyfish, Amelia."
"Even so," RainWitch continued. "We know he is a good friend of yours. And we also know that the princess is an advocate of justice - a goody two-shoes, so to speak."
"So we shall do this. Hand over the princess in exchange for this swordsman, unless you want him killed, or have that on your conscience."
Lina blinked. She would have to employ her lying techniques now. "You don't know he's a good friend. Don't you know? He's a mercenary swordsman. It sure was a waste of money to hire him, though. He eats and complains so much. Go on, get rid of him. You'll be doing us a favour, saving all the troubles of murder for us."
Lina's eyes swept the expressions of her two opponents. Did she go too far?
Gourry began to sweat profusely.
Amelia decided to help. "If I were a true advocate of justice and peace, I would never give myself and Seiruun up for... for.."
Amelia couldn't quite think of a proper and yet demeaning term for Gourry.
"Fine," Angel spat, clearly mistaking Amelia's hesitation for her disgust at what an animal Gourry was. He retracted his blade from Gourry's neck, at the same time phasing him out of the shield with a kick. "Run away, you miserable lump."
Once out, Gourry hammered on the shield and tried to cleave it with his sword to no avail.
"Lina! I'll come back and save you later!!"
With that, Gourry ran from the scene.
"Just stay out, you jellyfish brains..." Lina said exasperated.
"The Mysterious Swordsman really drank coffee?!" Zelgadis asked, eyes wide.
"Loved it! Here, try some of this," A fellow fan of The Mysterious Swordsman poured a generous mug of dark liquid which Zelgadis, for once, took and drank without suspicion.
"Delicious!" Zelgadis replied promptly, although it tasted vaguely of rotten cabbage juice with mustard.
Suddenly, a deafening sound of raw explosion raked through the skies, as dark clouds dispersed and overall gave the heavens above a dark tinge. The entire street sunk into an eerie silence.
"Dear citizens of Amorteria - " At this, all heads looked up. At what, Zelgadis didn't know. " - I am pleased to inform you that two of the infamous bandits have been apprehended in the Town Square. We beg all civilians to avoid this area and evacuate the town immediately - "
All the people in the vicinity started yelling and hollering, all moving towards one direction - the Gates.
" - if you have not already done so, as there are many more planning an attack. For this purpose, the shield over Amorteria has been lifted - "
Zelgadis' head perked up at this.
"- Guards are to report to Field Camp 4 outside Vault. Thank you."
Amongst all the din the people were making, Zelgadis, who had proceeded rather close to the Town Square already, heard an earsplitting scream echoing off not far away.
"Amelia?"
"Amelia!" Lina yelled in concern as Amelia was hoisted up by a growth of thick, strong vines that seemed to have its own consciousness. It coiled itself around Amelia's neck, trying to staunch her struggles.
"You... how'd you get those plants here? Can elementals spring flowers out of nowhere now?"
Angel chuckled. "An ambush is nothing if not well-prepared."
Angel threw more seeds in the air and a great carnivorous plant spawned. It was poisonously purple with nasty orange spots. Its teethlike appendages were viciously green and sharp, layers of them over each other as it formed a huge mouth. As Lina watched and Amelia squirmed further, the plant sprouted two more eyeless bulbs that split apart to form a dark void.
A trickle of sweat rolled down Angel's forehead.
Why does he look like he's straining himself? He attacked Amelia first, but didn't even try to attack me. That carnivorous plant can't hope to catch me with its mouth....
Lina noticed another thing - that RainWitch was standing in front of Angel, as though she was protecting him. That was odd - indeed she had not yet demonstrated her powers, but was it possible that she was a defence factor?
Lina was snapped out of her reverie as Amelia screamed once again. The vines constricting her started protruding dark, poisonous thorns which cut painfully easily into Amelia's skin.
"BRAM GUSH!!" Lina fired off the spell, fully expecting it to tear the hostile plants into shreds. However, RainWitch stepped forth and deflected the spell with a flutter of her cloak.
Lina grit her teeth. They're not attacking, just defending. They're biding for time. For what? Reinforcements? Or were they waiting for something to happen? Surrender, perhaps? Or..
Something wet hit the ground. Lina watched it as the raindrop fell and splash into smaller raindrops that rebounded from the impact of the stone ground.
Rain.
"Now," RainWitch said, smirking. "Stand there or your friend will be put through an agonizing death."
Lina was frozen to the ground - sadly literally, for the moisture in the air was finally ripe for picking, and RainWitch promptly froze Lina up to her torso.
"Xellos! I know you're there! Give me a hand here!!" Lina yelled to no one in particular.
But, as the devil came when spoke of, Xellos phased happily with Gourry and Filia outside the dome shield.
"You again!" Angel snarled.
"Me," Xellos stated simply. "I might be mistaken, Lina, but did you call for my help?"
"Gloat later, Xellos. Help me out here!"
"I'm afraid I can't, Linny. I can only help when 'absolutely necessary'."
"CIRCUMSTANCES ARE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY HERE!!!" Lina shrieked, gesturing over at her frozen arms and a bloody Amelia who was about to be fed to the Purple Carnivorous plant.
Xellos remained silent and smiling.
"Filia! You can help, can't you?!?"
Filia lowered her head. "I - I'm sorry, Lina. I can't."
"Filia...." Lina said, shocked.
"Hey, Xellos. How about you send me in there?" Gourry said, after continued failures in his attempt to enter the dome.
"With a broken sword that could be manipulated by the enemy as a form of weapon?"
"Ah..."
"Well do something!!!" Lina yelled as her feet began to feel the effects of frostbite and Amelia became faint, slumping in the vice grip of the vines.
"Ah!" Xellos said cheerfully as Zelgadis could be seen running from not afar. "The perfect - "
"AMELIA!" Zelgadis yelled desperately as he watched the plant thrust open its gigantic mouth, the vine slowly lowering Amelia inside...
" - man for the job."
Zelgadis slammed his rock fists on the shield, achieving nothing. Still panting, he faced Xellos.
"Send me in there."
Xellos opened an eye, considering him.
"Say 'please'."
Zelgadis looked into his eyes.
"..please."
Xellos eye closed and his smile looked no different from when they were open, though one could object. He tapped a finger on Zelgadis and they both were transported into the interior of the dome.
Amelia slowly opened her eyes. Voices were swimming in her head.. she couldn't see properly, couldn't feel anything but the choking sensation of the sharp vines bound on her tight. Something ... no, someone was flashing by her, shouting her name.
Who was it?
The vines hurt. The jagged, venomous thorns were moving in her..
Amelia...
There it was again. That voice. It was so familiar.
She struggled to regain full consciousness, but the dull ache throbbing in her head was too much...
"AMELIA!!!"
Amelia's eyes shot open wide for just a moment. She saw a handsome young man, face masked in concern. He was wearing snow-white robes, face arranged in the utmost concern. Then, slowly, his eyes closed and he smiled.
Zelgadis?
Meg: Hey Taka, look! The shield doesn't just keep people out, it turns them into worthless normal humans!
Taka: You do realise you're half a worthless normal human yourself.
Meg: A worthless normal human who is a prodigy.
AC: Hey, doesn't this mean Xellos won't be able to get out?
Anne: Oh, dear. He's in trouble.
Taka: Nah. Meg likes Xellos. He'll be fine.
Meg: Easy for you to say. It's hard to write fighting scenes with people like Xellos without making the power rank seem misplaced.
Thanks for reading this long chapter which took a day of thinking, because I so totally owe it to you guys!!
