XX

Xelloss teleported as soon as he materialized. It took several leaps to make it as far as the Fire Dragon temple. There had been no sign of Lina at the war camp. As instructed, he left the army alone for the time being since they did not have Lina.

Now he was looking at the new Fire Dragon Temple from a distance. He wondered if they'd be rebuilding it once again. Waiting for Xelas's decision had been horrid; he would allow neither walls nor dragons to keep what was his from him any longer.

Dark energy emanated from him in visible waves as he walked up to the temple. His pace was slow and measured. Anger barely held in check. For once his eyes were unmasked and his face open to the raw emotions and power he was feeling.

As he reached the temple doors, several dozen dragon soldiers ran to meet him. With a sneer and flick of a finger, Xelloss's dark power destroyed them. Not even ash remained. Twice more groups of soldiers perished in such a fashion as Xelloss made his way ever deeper into the temple.

The holy defense spells and aura of the temple slowing him, weighing, and weakening. This was not a place he could linger. When he reached the council chamber, he was in pain. A growl tore from his throat at the scene that met him there. An unconscious Lina on an alter, surrounded by the elders, a ceremonial dagger in the supreme elder's hands as he chanted some prayer or holy spell.

The elder did not pause his chanting but did nod to his fellow elders. They all moved forward to block Xelloss from reaching Lina. Lina was too close to them to simply unleash his power like he did for the previous groups of guards. But Xelloss refused to play this game by their rules. Raising his staff and taking up a fighting stance, he teleported to behind the supreme elder.

The blow from his staff sent the elder into the wall at the far end of the great room. The dagger skidded across the floor. Surprised the other elders turned. Xelloss scooped up Lina. He glared at all the elders. His fury screamed for their deaths, but there was always the chance of Lina being lost during the fight. Especially since the longer he remained in this holy location his powers would be diminishing exponentially.

The pain was becoming a lancing fire every time he used his powers. Leveling his staff at the elders Xelloss chanted a dark spell and raised the staff to the doomed ceiling. It was enchanted and he'd have to destroy the spell and ceiling itself to get out of this room quickly. Xelloss grimaced and barely kept from dropping to a knee at the backlash of holy power that hit him after his dark spell. But the ceiling and spell crumbled. Large chunks of falling marble scattering the elders. The supreme elder remained still, crumpled against the far wall.

Xelloss flew through the gaping hole in the ceiling. He was grateful that only a handful of dragons were left at the temple. Had the army been here it may have been difficult to get away weakened as he was. As it was, there was no pursuit. Without the supreme elder to order them, it seemed the other elders did not feel it was worth their lives to pursue Xelloss.

Looking down at the woman in his arms, Xelloss frowned. Why would the dragons want Lina dead? It seemed unlikely they'd kill her for refusing to aid them. As chaotic as Lina could be, Xelloss knew better than to expect her to side with the demons either, it was below her mighty principles. Of course the elders may not have trusted in Lina not to side with their enemies.

Xelloss could feel the holy spell still binding Lina's consciousness. It would take a powerful priestess to remove it safely. Even the thought of having to ask HER for help left a bitter taste in his throat.

Reaching the rooms he and Lina shared, Xelloss set Lina down on the bed. He closed his eyes and leaned heavily on the bed. In a weakened state the holy spells of Seillune were even more oppressive. Taking several deep breaths, he pushed himself up. It was best to get this over with and leave this cursed holy city. Filia would not attack him, but he doubted any other dragon would overlook the opportunity.

It was an effort to leave the room and enter the hall. When Xelloss's knock was answered by Milgazia, he could not keep the frown from his face. Milgazia looked at him at first surprised and then very thoughtfully.

"I need to speak with Filia." Xelloss said but was on his guard. Milgazia obviously could sense Xelloss was stretched thin.

Milgazia nodded. He turned without closing the door or inviting Xelloss in. "Filia."

The priestess looked at their visitor then jumped up angrily. "YOU! What did you do with Miss Lina?" She yelled accusingly.

Xelloss frowned. He looked at the dragon leaning casually against the far wall considering Milgazia. How much did the other dragon know? And how much should Xelloss reveal? Would the other dragon try to finish what the elders started? Filia of course was far too honorable to resort to such actions against Lina.

In the end, it was in sake of saving time that made up his mind for him. Xelloss needed to get away from these holy places before he could start regaining his strength.

"What I did to Miss Lina was take her out from underneath a dagger held by your new Supreme Elder." The title was said with a sneer. "It seems he has even lower intentions towards Lina than his predecessor."

Filia let out of shocked gasp. "No. He couldn't. Not Lina. Not after what she's done for the world. Not for refusing to work with the counsel." Even though she said the words the denial sounded hollow.

Milgazia remained silent. Considering the situation.

Xelloss decided to continue. "Lina is still under the effects of a holy spell, if you don't want to believe me. Which is why I am here." He really didn't want to have to ask.

Filia met Xelloss's gaze or tried to. It was back under the mask and behind the curtain of bangs. She just nodded instead.

"Show me."

As silly as it was, Xelloss was relieved that he did not have to say the words. To speak the request would have been a bur that would jab him for centuries.

Filia's hands flew to her mouth trying to hide the gasp. "No." Tears sprang to her eyes. "How could they?" She ran forward. Placing both hands on Lina, she began speaking the holy spell's release.

Xelloss grimaced. More holy magic. His head pounded and his entire being ached. He glanced at Milgazia. The dragon was still staring consideringly at him. Milgazia feared him, but would he feel obligated to attack Xelloss while he was in this weakened state to avenge his fellows or would he side with Filia.

Lina groaned and sat up. She looked like she wanted to be sick. "Filia?"

"Oh Miss Lina I'm so sorry! I had no idea!" Filia gushed and held the sorceress.

Lina hugged her back but her gaze was drawn to Xelloss. Before Xelloss could make since of the strange look, he was hit from behind. Xelloss slid to his knees and closed his eyes while trying to hold back the pain and force his body to react.

"Milgazia! What are you doing?" Filia shrieked.

"He's a Monster, and he's weak right now." Milgazia did not look away from Xelloss who was still struggling to rise. "He's killed thousands of our kind. This is an opportunity that we cannot overlook."

Xelloss was only halfway up when the next attack came. A hastily erected shield protected him from the spell, but the backlash of the shield breaking threw him back to the ground.

Lina was not about to sit by and let this scene play out. "Bom De Wind!" A wall of air slammed Milgazia into the stone wall. The attack stunned him, effectively stopping the third attack which Xelloss was obviously not prepared to block.

Not about to waste his chance to get out of this dangerous situation Xelloss used the bedpost to help himself up and grabbed hold of Lina. "Filia." He nodded to the priestess and then disappeared with Lina.

Filia was left speechless. Was that the equivalent from a thank you from a Monster? And dragons, servants of the gods, reduced to attacking weakened opponents from behind? She shook her head as she looked at Milgazia who was slowly regaining his feet. Which race really was the right and honorable one? Filia did not like what this war was doing to the participants.