Chapter 9:

Chapter 9:

Xelloss watched with repressed mirth as the Dragon Gods began bickering among themselves. Kazeryuu's miko had left them to return to the Realm, but not without a cheer of support for her favourite God. They certainly haven't changed. They haven't changed one bit. Still looking as hilarious as ever, but once in battle mode…

Stop those fools! Time is running out! a voice snapped abruptly within his mind. The Trickster Priest nodded in silent acknowledgement towards the Knight of Ceipheed.

Driving his staff with a loud crack into the ground, the Mazoku flashed his amethyst eyes at the Dragon Gods, who promptly halted their animated discussion to blink at the former. Xelloss's eyes narrowed, appearing to glow and consume them all, the gradually glowing ruby built upon his staff adding to the sinister sight. Even Lina Inverse, chaos poster girl, lover of sorcery and any form of destruction or excitement, took a cautious step away.

"That will be enough." His voice echoed strangely around them. Mokuryuu glared at the Mazoku, opening his mouth to snap a fast retort. "We're wasting time, my friends. Time is essential…time is precious. And right now, time does not favour us. Either we move on," the Trickster Priest raised a hand, a shimmer of a spell within his palm, growing ever so gently. The Wood Dragon squeaked and trembled in terror.

"Or we could stay here…for eternity."

"Amusing, highly amusing!" The fiery Chaos Dragon pounded his fist upon the wooden table, roaring with laughter. Zellas blew cloudy smoke into the air, her eyes crinkled in a smile.

Gaav threw a bag across the table to the smiling Beast Master. "You're right, watching those loons is very entertaining!" The beautiful lady took a swig from her vodka, shaking the bag and listening to the melodious jingles from within.

"Always a pleasure to cheer my companions up," Zellas's eyes glinted.

Chaos Dragon snorted, then began polishing his sword. "By the way…have you by any chance seen the fourth piece of Shaburanigdo that his Lord has personally chosen for his partner?" The answer to his question was a low, feral growl. Gaav laughed.

"I thought you'd think that. First time I saw her, my eyes nearly fell out."

"While something went down, another went up, eh."

It was a miracle. The impulsive Chaos Dragon actually blushed.

Luna Inverse blew her bangs off her perfect face, sighing with frustration. Although they did manage to achieve them to pay attention, that was all they could achieve now. Just the sight of Xelloss threatening to annihilate them made them wail for their mothers. Utterly ridiculous.

Stepping beside the still-glowing Mazoku, her cape soaring in the wind, the Knight of Ceipheed issued a sharp command.

"Kazeryuu, state the name and area of the next Dragon God."

The mighty Wind Dragon stared at the violet-haired knight, golden eyes still glazed in terror. Luna rolled her eyes to the heavens in exasperation. Drama Kings! The bane of everyone's existence…Ceipheed's Knight moved in front of Kazeryuu at astonishing speed and…

…slapped him.

The sandy-haired Dragon God clutched his swollen cheek with large watery eyes. With icicle glares at him, the Knight of Ceipheed raised her hand high into the air.

"TheEarthDragonisattheouterperimeterofOldSairaag!!!"

With a blink of an eye, Xelloss's glowing aura dissipated, replaced only with the usual, annoying heck of a Trickster Priest. He smiled amiably at Kazeryuu. "There now, there wasn't so hard was it?"

Finally hitting the road again, they journeyed till it was dusk and settled into a nearby inn. Of course, before one goes to bed, one must have dinner. That is the Golden Rule. The poor restaurant had no idea what hit it.

Gobbling and snatching food off plates, Lina, Gourry, Amelia and the Dragon Gods set to it with gusto. Zelgadiss quietly drank his cup of coffee at the side, while Sylphiel tried her best to salvage as much food as she could for herself. The Knight of Ceipheed quirked an eyebrow at the group, while the Trickster Priest merely beamed. These two, one must mention, have intelligently seated themselves at a different table, having a relatively normal dinner course.

Suddenly, Lina's elder sister released a sharp hiss, dropping her utensils with a clang upon her plate. Matching her grim expression, the Mazoku placed his hand onto his staff.

The group stared at the two. But not for long.

"Why, Luna dear," a sultry voice purred. "Why so hostile an expression?"