Chapter 16:

Chapter 16:

Rise, Milgasia. Golden orbs travelled round the group, before resting upon a dashing man dressed in a raven-black tuxedo, bearing a widening smirk upon his face. The powerful Thunder Dragon was, to say the least, taken aback.

His voice remained soft, yet seasoned with a dash of scorn and disgust. I sense Mazoku. A powerful one, judging from the large amount of aura around him. Milgasia stiffened in shock, as his Lord gazed down at him. Explain yourself.

Before the Golden Dragon could speak, the violet-haired man stepped towards the former.

"Perhaps this would answer your question, Milgasia-san."

With a quick snap of his fingers, his tuxedo was replaced with a familiar travelling attire, a staff with a glittering ruby set upon it snaked out and appeared in his palm.

There was a sharp intake of breath, followed by a lethal hiss. "Xelloss!"

The Trickster Priest flashed an impudent grin. "At your service, houshi-sama."

Golden eyes narrowed and glowed, as a sudden burst of power erupted from Milgasia, nearly throwing the cast off their feet. Rearing to its full height, a Golden Dragon stood in the houshi's place, its wings beating fiercely upon its back, flexing its large claws.

Rairyuu watched his priest impassively. Excellent, Milgasia. We think alike. His Golden orbs flickered towards the other Dragon Gods, who cowered slightly under his venomous tone.

And what are your reasons? Have you forgotten what his kind had done to ours? The Thunder Dragon lifted his head and roared towards the sky. Dark clouds gathered above him, as a spark of lightning struck the ground near the other Gods. Mokuryuu clung on desperately to Luna's cloak.

You dare to let this tag-along mazoku appear at my shrine, revealing to me your worthless hides as Dragon Gods?!

Timidly, the normally bouncing Earth Dragon cleared her throat. "Um…Rairyuu san…Xelloss has been quite helpful throughout the trip and…"

Large golden orbs pierced down upon Tsuchiryuu.

Xelloss eh? I've heard of that scum's name. Xelloss, the Trickster Priest, servant of the Beastmaster. The mazoku who single-handedly destroyed an entire dragon clan. Tsuchiryuu cringed as the orbs flashed. And you, as a Dragon God, are telling me that that murderer is helpful?

Wisely, the Slayers cast backed themselves into a comfortable spot in the woods. It was not intelligent to get involved in a fight like that lest one had a death wish.

Lightning cracked, illuminating the shadows of the Thunder God and his houshi. Join me in this battle, you cowards, or die with that filthy mazoku, the curt voice echoed forbiddingly in the tensed air.

With a blink of an eye, four Gods appeared at Rairyuu's side, all in their transformed state, and towering over the Trickster Priest. The Earth Dragon mouthed a silent "I'm sorry" to the violet-haired mazoku.

The Knight of Ceipheed who was gauging the situation silently gave the Trickster a smirk.

Swinging his staff such that the glittering ruby faced the Dragon Gods, tendrils of dark aura surrounded Xelloss, who returned the smirk.

Rairyuu growled. Attack.

His cape flying wildly behind him, Zellas's general eyed the five charging Dragon Gods and Golden Dragon with a bored expression.

The Beastmaster in question blew a draft of smoke into the air with a grin upon her face. Teach those Dragon Gods who's boss, my Xelloss.

I would never disappoint my Master, would I? came the cheerful reply.

Several wolves bared their fangs in the shape of a grin and snickered.