Konnichi-Wa Minna!!!
Grrr.....sorry everyone....but this stupid writer's block is getting on my nerves!!! I'm able to write the some of my other chapters, but not this one, thus the delay. DAMN IT!! *sigh* I keep going back and forth on this chappie once I get inspired, but somehow, it's gone after an hour or so. My muse must be taking a very long vacation. Either that or she quit. I rather think the earlier part....scratch that.....I hope it's the earlier part. Well....here I go again.....forgive me on the grammar and any other killing proper writing material format. Now....
....On with the fanfic!
__________________________________________________________________________
THE SUCCUBUS' CURSE
(14) WHY US?!: Today's Trivia Question
"Oh no....not another obstacle." Amelia sighed exasperatedly.
"This land sure have enough of these things all over the place, don't they?" Gourry commented.
"So it seems....perhaps this area of the forest is combined with the other forest where we first entered into Macille." Sylphiel looked around to only see the pure greenery that matches her jade eyes.
"Yeah...only this place didn't take us over half a day nor have so many annoying obstructions to cross thru, over, and under them." the young ward plopped down as his fingers massage thru his light blue hair.
The rest of our travelers stood there staring wearily at what lays ahead of them.
"Actually, it seems to be even worse than all of them combined." Xellos stated with much amusement that he wasn't even trying to conceal.
"Great. Just great. How are we going around that?" the ancient dragon used his left hand to shade his golden eyes.
Wishing he and Filia could transform into their true forms so that they wouldn't have to worry this type of dilemma.
"AAAAHHHH!! I. HAVE. HAD. ENOUGH!!! I CAN'T STAND THIS KIND OF CRAP ANYMOREEEE!!!"
"Perhaps this is where from hence forward, you, young ladies, leave our side and enter these ruins."
Xellos spoke as he and the rest watched Lina stomping, shrieking out her complaints, and tearing up the directions into itsy, bitsy white confetti. Speaking of which....
"Er....how are we going back to Macille?"
The leader blinked, realizing what she had done, right before anyone else starts to open their mouths to scold her carelessness,
"Nevermind that! How are we supposed to go over that stupid waterfall?!" she quickly put up her defense mechanism.
"Well, there's that bridge that you guys keep looking at."
With Mr. Gabriev's everlasting short attentiveness as distraction, they have forgotten Aez's question.
"Once again Gourry, you have manage to completely miss the point entirely."
"What? But it's not that badly in shape."
He walked over there grabbing the right side of the rope bridge and starts to shake it to test its strength.
"See? I bet it could hold everybody, even you Filia....."
-----S---W---O---O---S---H----------
---------BAAAMMMM------------
In case you were wondering....that was our dear dragon priestess bringing forth her favorite and only melee weapon down on the "Foot-In-His-Mouth" mercenary as he still held on to the rope. The group backed away from the twitching blue eye golden dragoness who was breathing heavily with her right hand clenching tightly on the mace's handle. Sylphiel carefully climbed down where there is a large gaping hole and Gourry. She knelt down as she starts to heal the poor fool.
".......ouch......" His whole body twitched like a bug that was just squashed under someone's foot.
"Geesh Filia, you didn't have to bash him so hard."
"Do you want to be next, Miss Lina?" narrowing her eyes at the sorceress.
Sweat drops.
"Ironically, I don't know what's worse, Lina's way or Filia's on resolving things whenever it comes to Gourry having his lapse of intellectual senses."
"Hmm...quite the situation Zel-kun, however, the irony really goes out to Filia-chan who can, remarkably, still wave her trusted weapon around like her true identity is not sealed away."
"Quite indeed, you do have a point there, Fruitcake."
The redhead starts to wave her hands from side to side, nervously.
"Eh...hehe....let's not get too upset now. Besides, that's not what he meant. Right Gourry?"
"Did she just defended him?" Aez's blue-green eyes widen in awe.
"As to be expected." Zel mumbled under his breath.
"Miss Lina can be nice and protect others whenever she feels that she has accidentally puts herself in a dangerous spot." the still growing princess explain it further to the chimera's cousin.
As they continue with the conversation, the shrine maiden helped the bandaged swordsman to stand up.
"Right Lina....um...for what?"
"Why Gourry-kun, did you forget that you had made a comment on our dear Filia-chan's weight?"
.......now here is where the part where I was going to type 'Slapped foreheads' but I decided to type:
Xellos received many thrown objects at his direction. :Instead.
"Oh yeah. I was saying it's strong enough to ho...."
"Gourry!"
"Gourry-dear, please don't continue, I didn't carry that many bandage and medical supplies with me."
"If you value your life, don't finish that sentence blondie."
Blink, blink. "Uh...okay." he cheerfully smiled.
"Can we please stop with these shenanigans? Half the day is spent already and we're not getting any closer to that temple." he gingerly placed the tips of his blue fingers to massage his temples.
"True, but it also leads us back to the same unanswered question: How do we get from point A to point B?" Filia demonstrates by using her hands, although both her face and pride still bear the insulted expression.
"Without our magic, we're pretty much stuck here."
"*sigh* I can't believe there's even an amulet that is capable of snatching up magical essences." Amelia's memories during her travels and studies as shrine maiden didn't mention anything of this major problem.
"What I can't believe is why I haven't heard 'bout it and how does Prince Rat came to possession?!"
"Seeing that we have no other options, the bridge it is."
Lina raised her arms to later slapped them to her sides, a sign of exasperation and stare angrily at Zelgadiss.
"Terrific. More stuff that we don't get too many simple, Chaos-free choices. We are sure getting the short end of the deal a lot lately."
"Well, having you around with doesn't make every day life any easier...ACK!"
"Shut up you!" she tighten her grip on the ancient dragon.
"Oh, like how they laughed at us when we had those offers from Macille?" intervening to save Val from extinction.
A sea of slightly green faces met at her equally discolored one.
"Please, don't remind me Amelia." she lets go of him, allowing his face to go from blue to a nice shade of pastel chartreuse.
"Let's get back to square one, shall we? The bridge. Anybody knows how to cross on it?"
"By putting one foot in front of the other, holding on the rope rails, and...."
-Whap-
"Ow!"
"We know how Tofu!"
"I believe what Lina-chan meant is how to do so without getting a single drop of water on her."
"*snap fingers* Oh that's right, her succumb us part."
"SUCCUBUS!"
All minus two yelled at him, making both his loose bandages and his golden mane flitted.
"The only thing her other side is willing to do."
The red head glared at the sarcastic blue skinned shaman.
"Hey! Just be glad that I least remembered that part." defending himself.
"Why can we just cover her up with our cloaks? If we put enough on her then we don't have to worry getting her wet."
"Good thinking Sylphiel."
Lina had walked up behind the meek girl and slapped her back. She 'uffed' and regain her balance.
"*wince* Th..thank you, I think." her shoulders shlumped a bit as she tries to reach so that she can soothe her sore throbbing back.
"Don't ya think you hit Sylphiel too hard Lina?" the sympathetic blonde responded as he came over to the gentle priestess' side. "Are you alright Sylphiel? Here let me help you."
A touch of pink graced her cheeks, growing even more red once she felt him gently massaged her shoulders and back.
"Thank you Gourry-dear."
"Whatever, she'll survive. Well? I'm waitin'. Hand over your cloaks."
Those who wore them undon and handed the over to the ladies who it turn gathered up the materials, surrounded Lina, and made sure that she is covered every inch of her. The one that has no cape, just stood there, waiting patiently as he stares into nothingness, and of course not paying attention.
"There. We're set."
The circle broke up to reveal a small, bulky clump of a colorful ghost.
"Where's Lina?"
Before anyone could answer, a muffled voice was heard. Gourry's eyes widen as he realized where the sound came from.
"H...Hey...that ghost got Lina! We got to save her! *pulls out sword* Okay thing! Hand over Lina to us and you won't get hurt." glaring at the monster.
Okay, here's where I know I hafta' put in 'Slapped foreheads'. As for that 'ghost, a strange red aura along with a stress mark, radiated, jumping up and waving wildly.
"Just what did you do with your intelligence and memory span a moment ago, Gourry?"
The mercenary lowered his weapon blinking but not removing his site on the rainbow colored thing ahead of him.
"What do you mean?"
"It still amazes me how he is the descendent of the Goru Nova, or at least when it was still in this part of the world."
"Mister Gourry----that is Miss Lina." Saillune's future queen gave the mercenary a look.
"AAAAHH! You mean that's Lina's ghost?!" he hugged his sword, staring at his friends.
Her patience ran out. She'll prove to him that she's very well alive. And what better to prove it then a good ol' fashion common sense "knocked" into him.
"No, Mister Gourry...."
Knuckles cracking echoed. The sound made the rest of the crew back slowly away from Gourry and the form coming behind him, even the sadistic demon. Although he's smiling from ear to ear, in a safe distance of course, he awaits patiently for the fire works to fly.
"What's wrong? *blink, blink* " he then noticed as they stare what's behind him.
"Wait...lemme guess...her spirit is behind me, right?"
"Not her spirit self per se."
Gourry lifted his hand up, his face in a relaxed motion.
"Don't worry guys. Lina can't hurt us now. She's in the after life. *sigh* Ceiphieed rest her soul. She lived a full life. It seems like only yesterday that she was beating up bandits, stealing, and terrifying everybody with her moods." his voice saddened as he lowered his head in reverence for the great Lina Inverse. Tears welled up in his eyes.
"Uhmm....that did happened yesterday."
"As well as for the days and years before that."
"G..G...Gourry...ddear....please understand that Miss Lina is ~not~ dead." Sylphiel widen her green eyes and trembling pointed at direction of the shedding ghost.
"No....but Gourry will soon be!"
"Huh?!"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN TERRIFYING EVERYBODY WITH MY MOODS?!?!"
------------BAAAMMM..........KAPOW!!!------------------
"YOU MORON! I. AM. NOT. DEEAAAAD!!!!"
"YIPES! "LLLLL...LLINNNNAAA?! Bbbb...but I...I thought you're dead!"
His bruised up body crawled out of the battling cloud, got up, and with jackrabbit speed his tail outta there. Not to be missed by an enraged and very lively Chaos Child chasing after him.
"Wait! Miss Lina! Mister Gourry!"
"Miss Lina!!"
The crew went to go after the two when they realize where exactly the blonde is escaping to.
"That idiot Gourry is heading towards the waterfall!"
"Oh please stop Gourry-Sama! Miss Lina don't go any further!"
"Oh no! There not listening!"
Their cries of warning fell unto deaf's ears. Then Amelia thought up of a word that might just work.
"LINA! YOU'RE GONNA GET WET! FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANITY AND JUSTICE, STOOOOPPPP!!!"
At that moment, she immediately put on her brakes when her hearing reached to her brain and sent a signal to her feet just before they actually reached the gently mist. Gourry also heard with his big ears and stood there in the middle of the bridge.
"Hey Lina...why did you stop? Did you forget that you wanted to beat me up?"
She glared darkly at him.
No...I haven't. Apparently, you are the one who have forgotten that I CAN'T BE ANY WHERE NEAR WATER!!"
"Hmm...*thinking* Me forget that part? No way. If you touch water or if it touch you...you turn into that man eating demon girl again.
"By the Shinzukos, he does remember."
"Mister Gourry's brain is capable to come up with something smart."
"If that's the case, then why did he had me chase him all the way over here then?!"
"Yes, why indeed Gourry-kun? I must say, this question have me weighing on a tip of a scale of logical reasoning."
"Oh....well, since Lina can't let water touch her, I thought I'll be much safer if I ran over here." he smiled.
Blink, blink.
"Ah....Bravo Gourry-kun. Although he can be too smart for his own good, Amelia."
A low growl came from the petite prodigy. Collective worried sweat drops hung over them as they overheard her grumbling that sounded very much like a promise that consists a slow, painful torture for a certain Jellyfish.
"Come on....we're not getting any younger by just contemplating over his intellectual side."
Lina angrily gathered her patched up raincoat while Amelia and Sylphiel came to help her. After crossing the bridge with much care and much pushing and pulling from the some of the petrified and still negligent people who whined about the height of the area, along with the waterproofed sorceress, they were to a cavern's opening. Since there is no other way for an entrance or any other directions, they proceeded into the damp, cool hallways and made sure that Lina remain under covers.
Since they couldn't cast Lightning nor could they rely on any of the two mazukos for their keen eyesight, Filia, Gourry, and Val made an old fashion torch. About ten minutes later on the straight, danky path, they noticed the air is getting lighter, and fresher when at last they saw natural sunlight ahead. Reaching outside, they could hear the sounds of colorful birds' loud cawing, howling and screeching of monkeys, and other exotic creatures' merry melodies where they stood at a cliff towering over a jungle.
"So this does lead to out here."
"But where is here anyway?" she looked at Val.
"There's really only one answer, the temple ruins." Zel answered Lina's question.
"Alright! And since we're up here, we might as well take advantage and see if we can either find a path or the site. If we're lucky, probably both."
The crew did as what Lina suggested, even that lazy Xellos.
[ Xellos: -_- Hey! I am not lazy! ]
[ Miss "L": Just shut up, I'm the authoress here, plus I believe there are many others who disagree with you.]
Moments and a sleepy Gourry later........
"Why is it that we can't ever have a simple assignment?"
"Because that would mean this story won't have that many chapters in it."
"I can't seem to find any kind of trail Miss Lina."
"I know Amelia, no one can."
"You know what that means."
Rezo's cursed grandson tried to tap whatever is left of his chimeric senses to see for any solution. Nothing. He let out a depressing sigh.
"Yeah, either Mauro lied to us or the temple lies at the other side from here."
"*yawn* Or maybe we pass it up."
Grrr.....sorry everyone....but this stupid writer's block is getting on my nerves!!! I'm able to write the some of my other chapters, but not this one, thus the delay. DAMN IT!! *sigh* I keep going back and forth on this chappie once I get inspired, but somehow, it's gone after an hour or so. My muse must be taking a very long vacation. Either that or she quit. I rather think the earlier part....scratch that.....I hope it's the earlier part. Well....here I go again.....forgive me on the grammar and any other killing proper writing material format. Now....
....On with the fanfic!
__________________________________________________________________________
THE SUCCUBUS' CURSE
(14) WHY US?!: Today's Trivia Question
"Oh no....not another obstacle." Amelia sighed exasperatedly.
"This land sure have enough of these things all over the place, don't they?" Gourry commented.
"So it seems....perhaps this area of the forest is combined with the other forest where we first entered into Macille." Sylphiel looked around to only see the pure greenery that matches her jade eyes.
"Yeah...only this place didn't take us over half a day nor have so many annoying obstructions to cross thru, over, and under them." the young ward plopped down as his fingers massage thru his light blue hair.
The rest of our travelers stood there staring wearily at what lays ahead of them.
"Actually, it seems to be even worse than all of them combined." Xellos stated with much amusement that he wasn't even trying to conceal.
"Great. Just great. How are we going around that?" the ancient dragon used his left hand to shade his golden eyes.
Wishing he and Filia could transform into their true forms so that they wouldn't have to worry this type of dilemma.
"AAAAHHHH!! I. HAVE. HAD. ENOUGH!!! I CAN'T STAND THIS KIND OF CRAP ANYMOREEEE!!!"
"Perhaps this is where from hence forward, you, young ladies, leave our side and enter these ruins."
Xellos spoke as he and the rest watched Lina stomping, shrieking out her complaints, and tearing up the directions into itsy, bitsy white confetti. Speaking of which....
"Er....how are we going back to Macille?"
The leader blinked, realizing what she had done, right before anyone else starts to open their mouths to scold her carelessness,
"Nevermind that! How are we supposed to go over that stupid waterfall?!" she quickly put up her defense mechanism.
"Well, there's that bridge that you guys keep looking at."
With Mr. Gabriev's everlasting short attentiveness as distraction, they have forgotten Aez's question.
"Once again Gourry, you have manage to completely miss the point entirely."
"What? But it's not that badly in shape."
He walked over there grabbing the right side of the rope bridge and starts to shake it to test its strength.
"See? I bet it could hold everybody, even you Filia....."
-----S---W---O---O---S---H----------
---------BAAAMMMM------------
In case you were wondering....that was our dear dragon priestess bringing forth her favorite and only melee weapon down on the "Foot-In-His-Mouth" mercenary as he still held on to the rope. The group backed away from the twitching blue eye golden dragoness who was breathing heavily with her right hand clenching tightly on the mace's handle. Sylphiel carefully climbed down where there is a large gaping hole and Gourry. She knelt down as she starts to heal the poor fool.
".......ouch......" His whole body twitched like a bug that was just squashed under someone's foot.
"Geesh Filia, you didn't have to bash him so hard."
"Do you want to be next, Miss Lina?" narrowing her eyes at the sorceress.
Sweat drops.
"Ironically, I don't know what's worse, Lina's way or Filia's on resolving things whenever it comes to Gourry having his lapse of intellectual senses."
"Hmm...quite the situation Zel-kun, however, the irony really goes out to Filia-chan who can, remarkably, still wave her trusted weapon around like her true identity is not sealed away."
"Quite indeed, you do have a point there, Fruitcake."
The redhead starts to wave her hands from side to side, nervously.
"Eh...hehe....let's not get too upset now. Besides, that's not what he meant. Right Gourry?"
"Did she just defended him?" Aez's blue-green eyes widen in awe.
"As to be expected." Zel mumbled under his breath.
"Miss Lina can be nice and protect others whenever she feels that she has accidentally puts herself in a dangerous spot." the still growing princess explain it further to the chimera's cousin.
As they continue with the conversation, the shrine maiden helped the bandaged swordsman to stand up.
"Right Lina....um...for what?"
"Why Gourry-kun, did you forget that you had made a comment on our dear Filia-chan's weight?"
.......now here is where the part where I was going to type 'Slapped foreheads' but I decided to type:
Xellos received many thrown objects at his direction. :Instead.
"Oh yeah. I was saying it's strong enough to ho...."
"Gourry!"
"Gourry-dear, please don't continue, I didn't carry that many bandage and medical supplies with me."
"If you value your life, don't finish that sentence blondie."
Blink, blink. "Uh...okay." he cheerfully smiled.
"Can we please stop with these shenanigans? Half the day is spent already and we're not getting any closer to that temple." he gingerly placed the tips of his blue fingers to massage his temples.
"True, but it also leads us back to the same unanswered question: How do we get from point A to point B?" Filia demonstrates by using her hands, although both her face and pride still bear the insulted expression.
"Without our magic, we're pretty much stuck here."
"*sigh* I can't believe there's even an amulet that is capable of snatching up magical essences." Amelia's memories during her travels and studies as shrine maiden didn't mention anything of this major problem.
"What I can't believe is why I haven't heard 'bout it and how does Prince Rat came to possession?!"
"Seeing that we have no other options, the bridge it is."
Lina raised her arms to later slapped them to her sides, a sign of exasperation and stare angrily at Zelgadiss.
"Terrific. More stuff that we don't get too many simple, Chaos-free choices. We are sure getting the short end of the deal a lot lately."
"Well, having you around with doesn't make every day life any easier...ACK!"
"Shut up you!" she tighten her grip on the ancient dragon.
"Oh, like how they laughed at us when we had those offers from Macille?" intervening to save Val from extinction.
A sea of slightly green faces met at her equally discolored one.
"Please, don't remind me Amelia." she lets go of him, allowing his face to go from blue to a nice shade of pastel chartreuse.
"Let's get back to square one, shall we? The bridge. Anybody knows how to cross on it?"
"By putting one foot in front of the other, holding on the rope rails, and...."
-Whap-
"Ow!"
"We know how Tofu!"
"I believe what Lina-chan meant is how to do so without getting a single drop of water on her."
"*snap fingers* Oh that's right, her succumb us part."
"SUCCUBUS!"
All minus two yelled at him, making both his loose bandages and his golden mane flitted.
"The only thing her other side is willing to do."
The red head glared at the sarcastic blue skinned shaman.
"Hey! Just be glad that I least remembered that part." defending himself.
"Why can we just cover her up with our cloaks? If we put enough on her then we don't have to worry getting her wet."
"Good thinking Sylphiel."
Lina had walked up behind the meek girl and slapped her back. She 'uffed' and regain her balance.
"*wince* Th..thank you, I think." her shoulders shlumped a bit as she tries to reach so that she can soothe her sore throbbing back.
"Don't ya think you hit Sylphiel too hard Lina?" the sympathetic blonde responded as he came over to the gentle priestess' side. "Are you alright Sylphiel? Here let me help you."
A touch of pink graced her cheeks, growing even more red once she felt him gently massaged her shoulders and back.
"Thank you Gourry-dear."
"Whatever, she'll survive. Well? I'm waitin'. Hand over your cloaks."
Those who wore them undon and handed the over to the ladies who it turn gathered up the materials, surrounded Lina, and made sure that she is covered every inch of her. The one that has no cape, just stood there, waiting patiently as he stares into nothingness, and of course not paying attention.
"There. We're set."
The circle broke up to reveal a small, bulky clump of a colorful ghost.
"Where's Lina?"
Before anyone could answer, a muffled voice was heard. Gourry's eyes widen as he realized where the sound came from.
"H...Hey...that ghost got Lina! We got to save her! *pulls out sword* Okay thing! Hand over Lina to us and you won't get hurt." glaring at the monster.
Okay, here's where I know I hafta' put in 'Slapped foreheads'. As for that 'ghost, a strange red aura along with a stress mark, radiated, jumping up and waving wildly.
"Just what did you do with your intelligence and memory span a moment ago, Gourry?"
The mercenary lowered his weapon blinking but not removing his site on the rainbow colored thing ahead of him.
"What do you mean?"
"It still amazes me how he is the descendent of the Goru Nova, or at least when it was still in this part of the world."
"Mister Gourry----that is Miss Lina." Saillune's future queen gave the mercenary a look.
"AAAAHH! You mean that's Lina's ghost?!" he hugged his sword, staring at his friends.
Her patience ran out. She'll prove to him that she's very well alive. And what better to prove it then a good ol' fashion common sense "knocked" into him.
"No, Mister Gourry...."
Knuckles cracking echoed. The sound made the rest of the crew back slowly away from Gourry and the form coming behind him, even the sadistic demon. Although he's smiling from ear to ear, in a safe distance of course, he awaits patiently for the fire works to fly.
"What's wrong? *blink, blink* " he then noticed as they stare what's behind him.
"Wait...lemme guess...her spirit is behind me, right?"
"Not her spirit self per se."
Gourry lifted his hand up, his face in a relaxed motion.
"Don't worry guys. Lina can't hurt us now. She's in the after life. *sigh* Ceiphieed rest her soul. She lived a full life. It seems like only yesterday that she was beating up bandits, stealing, and terrifying everybody with her moods." his voice saddened as he lowered his head in reverence for the great Lina Inverse. Tears welled up in his eyes.
"Uhmm....that did happened yesterday."
"As well as for the days and years before that."
"G..G...Gourry...ddear....please understand that Miss Lina is ~not~ dead." Sylphiel widen her green eyes and trembling pointed at direction of the shedding ghost.
"No....but Gourry will soon be!"
"Huh?!"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN TERRIFYING EVERYBODY WITH MY MOODS?!?!"
------------BAAAMMM..........KAPOW!!!------------------
"YOU MORON! I. AM. NOT. DEEAAAAD!!!!"
"YIPES! "LLLLL...LLINNNNAAA?! Bbbb...but I...I thought you're dead!"
His bruised up body crawled out of the battling cloud, got up, and with jackrabbit speed his tail outta there. Not to be missed by an enraged and very lively Chaos Child chasing after him.
"Wait! Miss Lina! Mister Gourry!"
"Miss Lina!!"
The crew went to go after the two when they realize where exactly the blonde is escaping to.
"That idiot Gourry is heading towards the waterfall!"
"Oh please stop Gourry-Sama! Miss Lina don't go any further!"
"Oh no! There not listening!"
Their cries of warning fell unto deaf's ears. Then Amelia thought up of a word that might just work.
"LINA! YOU'RE GONNA GET WET! FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANITY AND JUSTICE, STOOOOPPPP!!!"
At that moment, she immediately put on her brakes when her hearing reached to her brain and sent a signal to her feet just before they actually reached the gently mist. Gourry also heard with his big ears and stood there in the middle of the bridge.
"Hey Lina...why did you stop? Did you forget that you wanted to beat me up?"
She glared darkly at him.
No...I haven't. Apparently, you are the one who have forgotten that I CAN'T BE ANY WHERE NEAR WATER!!"
"Hmm...*thinking* Me forget that part? No way. If you touch water or if it touch you...you turn into that man eating demon girl again.
"By the Shinzukos, he does remember."
"Mister Gourry's brain is capable to come up with something smart."
"If that's the case, then why did he had me chase him all the way over here then?!"
"Yes, why indeed Gourry-kun? I must say, this question have me weighing on a tip of a scale of logical reasoning."
"Oh....well, since Lina can't let water touch her, I thought I'll be much safer if I ran over here." he smiled.
Blink, blink.
"Ah....Bravo Gourry-kun. Although he can be too smart for his own good, Amelia."
A low growl came from the petite prodigy. Collective worried sweat drops hung over them as they overheard her grumbling that sounded very much like a promise that consists a slow, painful torture for a certain Jellyfish.
"Come on....we're not getting any younger by just contemplating over his intellectual side."
Lina angrily gathered her patched up raincoat while Amelia and Sylphiel came to help her. After crossing the bridge with much care and much pushing and pulling from the some of the petrified and still negligent people who whined about the height of the area, along with the waterproofed sorceress, they were to a cavern's opening. Since there is no other way for an entrance or any other directions, they proceeded into the damp, cool hallways and made sure that Lina remain under covers.
Since they couldn't cast Lightning nor could they rely on any of the two mazukos for their keen eyesight, Filia, Gourry, and Val made an old fashion torch. About ten minutes later on the straight, danky path, they noticed the air is getting lighter, and fresher when at last they saw natural sunlight ahead. Reaching outside, they could hear the sounds of colorful birds' loud cawing, howling and screeching of monkeys, and other exotic creatures' merry melodies where they stood at a cliff towering over a jungle.
"So this does lead to out here."
"But where is here anyway?" she looked at Val.
"There's really only one answer, the temple ruins." Zel answered Lina's question.
"Alright! And since we're up here, we might as well take advantage and see if we can either find a path or the site. If we're lucky, probably both."
The crew did as what Lina suggested, even that lazy Xellos.
[ Xellos: -_- Hey! I am not lazy! ]
[ Miss "L": Just shut up, I'm the authoress here, plus I believe there are many others who disagree with you.]
Moments and a sleepy Gourry later........
"Why is it that we can't ever have a simple assignment?"
"Because that would mean this story won't have that many chapters in it."
"I can't seem to find any kind of trail Miss Lina."
"I know Amelia, no one can."
"You know what that means."
Rezo's cursed grandson tried to tap whatever is left of his chimeric senses to see for any solution. Nothing. He let out a depressing sigh.
"Yeah, either Mauro lied to us or the temple lies at the other side from here."
"*yawn* Or maybe we pass it up."