Chapter 1:
"Come on, Zel, lighten up, it's a new year! Eat something!"
The cursed youth looked up sullenly at the flushed face of Lina Inverse, who was heartily munching on a chicken wing.
"Eat?" Zelgadiss turned to view the dining table. Aside from the mass of posteriors facing him, he noted that a vision of Gourry and Amelia sprawled across the table with stuffed faces did not suit his appetite.
Lina tossed her fiery red hair, pouting.
"You are such a stick in the mud, Zel!"
"Better a stick than two oversized rocks. They sink faster." A pointed glance was directed at the two gluttons on the dining table.
"Pessimist."
"Realist is more like it."
"Hello!"
The chimera fell off his chair in surprise, while Lina choked on her chicken.
Xelloss cocked his head to one side, smiling widely.
Lina and the gang scowled. For many, many reasons. Reason number one. They were having an excellent celebration (not to mention buffet), only to be interrupted. Reason number two. They were interrupted by Xelloss, the mischief, the fruitcake. Reason number three. They were still…HUNGRY!
Filia stood next to Xelloss, mace brandished. "State your piece, Namagomi, then leave this holy place!"
"Do I smell something repulsive? Oh my my…it appears to be coming from your general direction, Fili-"
Thud went the mace.
"I never did say it was you, Filia san," Xelloss croaked.
Lina stepped forward, snarling in a very ferocious manner. Never anger the bandit killer when her stomach is still rumbling.
"All right you…what did you do this time?"
Xelloss placed a finger to his chin reflectively. "If my memory preserves right, someone has released one of the pieces of Shaburanigdo found in the immediate vicinity."
Silence met this ominous statement.
The Princess of Seryuun snorted derisively. "Why should we listen to a servant of the devil?"
"Perhaps because a servant of the devil would know when his master has been released?"
More silence.
Clasping her hands together, Lina rested her chin upon them. On one hand, this cheap-skate, scheming bastard of a mazoku could be lying to them. On the other, he could be telling the truth. And hiding certain parts of it.
"I assure you, Lina san. For once, just this once, I am."
Lina jerked her head up. Violet eyes were open, piercing right through her. Giving her the allowance to search him. Eyes were windows to the souls. Windows indeed, for the fiery-haired bandit killer could read the truth in the mazoku's slinted eyes.
"Okay, then. What should we do?"
Amelia gasped. "You're willing to believe him?"
"There's a reason, isn't there." Down-to-earth as always, Zelgadiss was.
Xelloss clapped his hands together. "The task is simple. Seek out the Dragon Gods. They shall assist you in defeating Shaburanigdu."
The chimera raised a velvet eyebrow. "Why are you helping us?"
Cocking a finger at the youth, the mazoku smirked.
"Sore wa himitsu desu."
With a flourished bow and a swirl of the cape, he was gone.
