Chapter 17:
"Six Dragon Gods and one Dragon Houshi…what are the odds, Dynast sama?"
The Supreme King flicked his wrist idly towards the glowing crystal ball. "With Zellas's general? Complete oblivion."
Stepping forward to peer at the image of seven dragons bearing down upon a smirking Trickster Priest, Dynast's general tossed her hair over her shoulder, grinning. "He's such a fool to take on the Gods, eh, Dynast sama?"
Hazel eyes pierced at Sherra, who swallowed nervously. Was there anything wrong with the remark she had so casually thrown?
A smile grew upon Dynast's face.
"Sherra, Sherra, Sherra…" he leaned back against his seat, folding his arms across his chest as the girl before him cringed slightly.
"What ever made you think I was talking about Xelloss?"
All seven Dragons split away from each other and surrounded the still figure, firing massive spells at the latter. Opening their jaws, both Milgasia and his God blasted large balls of lightning at the mazoku. Kazeryuu raised a fist and drew rapid circles above his head. As the wind sped up and obeyed his movements, a gigantic tornado was summoned and sent whirling to its victim. The Fire Dragon spread his hands and completed a wide circle before him, creating an enormous fireball flying to the Trickster Priest.
Lina choked. The energy and power of the ball had to be about a hundred times, no, a thousand times stronger than she could ever make hers!
The Earth Dragon placed her palm upon the ground, causing the ground to crack open, the crack running quickly towards Xelloss. Mokuryuu, perched atop the Earth God, blasted several balls of crackling energy to the figure.
Sapphire eyes watched the many attacks flying towards their destination. Pulling his hood over his head, the chimera quietly flattened himself upon the ground.
"Brace yourselves," he whispered. The Slayers gang gladly took his advice. The Knight of Ceipheed remained in her comfortable standing position and crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing shrewdly.
What will you do this time, my friend?
As if answering her question, Xelloss casually held up a gloved hand. The Dragons' attacks bounced off an invisible barrier, a hair's breath within the Trickster's smirking face.
Seven pairs of golden orbs widened in shock, as the reflected spells flew rapidly towards them.
Reacting quickly, Tsuchiryuu threw herself away from area, giving vent to a scream. "Hit the deck!"
As the other Gods dove from attack range, the Thunder Dragon stood his ground, releasing a snort of contempt. His houshi gaped as the spells hit his Dragon God. "Rairyuu sama!"
Waving his hand at the smoke, Xelloss cleared it in the blink of an eye.
Rairyuu was gone, leaving only a gigantic crater deep into the ground.
The Trickster Priest's eyebrows shot up, his smirk curving. "Well well…not bad."
Clasping his staff with both hands, he swung it up in a huge arc, just as a descending Rairyuu threw his punch from the air with a roar. The sound of fist clashing with thick oak resounded in the clearing. Flat on the ground, the gentle Sylphiel could not resist a shudder. The Thunder Dragon pulled back, his golden orbs flashing with pure hatred.
Get up, you blithering cowards! The Dragon God bellowed at the others, who quickly got to their feet and charged Xelloss. The Trickster Priest glanced up, his amethyst eyes open and glittering with amusement.
With a mere snap of his fingers, the violet-haired mazoku froze the attacking Dragons in their paths. The Supreme King smirked at his general's gaping mouth.
"You're dismissed for now, my general," the mazoku Lord's husky voice brought Sherra back to attention. Bowing, the female general turned to leave.
Dynast flipped silvery strands out of his slitted eyes. "Oh, and Sherra…"
The general stopped abruptly and stiffened.
"You are greatly mistaken if you think that mazoku's power exceeds mine." The hazel eyes glinted in the darkness. "And you do know what happens when you make such mistakes…don't you?"
The armoured girl gulped, realising that the Supreme King had just read her mind.
With a rigorous nod of the head, Sherra hastened out of the door, jumping slightly as her amused Master called after her.
"Don't forget to close the door on your way out."
Frozen and immobile, Rairyuu could only glare at the mazoku, who was currently floating round the Dragons and poking each one with the point of his staff, an enormous grin upon his cheeky face.
The Slayers troupe, meanwhile, were trying their best to keep their eyes from falling out of their sockets. Filia took to pacing around and muttering incoherently, her face as white as ghost. The Knight of Ceipheed began polishing her sword to wipe away the urge of bursting out in laughter at the Trickster Priest's antics.
Sitting atop the Thunder Dragon's head, Xelloss gave a benevolent smile. "If you promise not to attack me anymore, I shall release you."
The words the Dragon God uttered within the Trickster's mind are not fit to be mentioned. The latter cocked his head, tapping his chin reflectively. "Now, is that a yes or a no?"
Rairyuu attempted to bare his teeth.
"Perhaps I should ask someone else." Hopping off, the mazoku landed next to Mokuryuu. "What is your answer, Mokuryuu san?"
The Wood Dragon drew a mental image of a third finger in Xelloss's head.
"Oya oya…such manners."
Deciding that they had wasted enough time, the Knight of Ceipheed coughed loudly. "Release them, Xelloss. Or I shall do it myself."
The Trickster Priest wagged his finger, his cape swirling behind him. "Not until they say the magic word!"
"And what word would you be thinking of…" Luna grinned and tilted her head, letting her hair spill over her shoulders. "…Sean san?"
Grimacing, the violet-haired mazoku went to his task of unfreezing the Dragons. "You fight dirty, Luna san."
Far away, a slender curly-haired woman donning a silk dress snickered.
