Chapter 18:
The Knight of Ceipheed raised her head, her eyes reflecting their respect for her God as they examined the altar before her. Five depressed Dragon Gods stood around her. His hands in his pockets with an emotionless face, the raven-haired Thunder Dragon resisted the urge to give a scowl at a certain mazoku.
Giving Rairyuu a silent inspection, the bandit killer decided to give him an A in both brain and brawn department. Definitely "cool guy" material. Unlike some other Gods…Lina rolled her eyes at the thought. Finally, they were about to complete the ceremony of summoning the Water Dragon King. Recalling dear little Aqua obaasan, the fiery-tempered Lina released a sigh. She must be watching over them…protecting them…
"Oi, Lina…what are they doing?"
"Don't interrupt me when I'm thinking, jellyfish brains!"
As the Lina busied herself with the task of pounding the blond mercenary to pulp with a gaping Sylphiel at the side, the chimera glanced at the altar.
"If it helps, Gourry…" Placing a hand upon the marbled walls, Zelgadiss continued.
"We are now trying to summon Ceipheed, the Water Dragon King. This is her temple, and before us…" the cursed youth nodded his head in the direction of where Luna and the Gods were standing, "…is the altar, where Ceipheed's Knight and her Dragon Gods are to converge their powers together in order to summon the great Dragon himself."
Zelgadiss's sapphire eyes flicked to the pulp on the floor. "Do you understand?"
The pulp squeaked its approval.
Raising a velvet eyebrow, the chimera stepped back into the shadows.
But not before the Trickster Priest cheerfully grabbed the former's cloak.
"What are you doing?" snarled Zelgadiss, his ears standing erect with fury.
Raising his finger, the Trickster shook it despairingly at the growling chimera. "Tsk tsk…such temper. I merely wished to correct a little error you made in your explanations."
Lina, who was attempting to wring the pulp that was Gourry, looked up, her bright red eyes blinking.
"Error?"
Appearing with a pop beside a rather surprised bandit killer, Xelloss smiled. The blond Filia began snickering.
"Why of course…whatever made you think Ceipheed sama was a he?"
As Karyuuou's miko burst out laughing, Lina, Amelia and Sylphiel opened their mouths to give an exclamation at the news.
"I'm so glad you made it here alive and in time!"
Heads turned.
Ceipheed placed her hands together in front of her, giving the gang a polite bow, midnight hair flowing behind her.
"I am Ceipheed," her soft voice whispered melodiously, as turquoise eyes inspected the group.
"Lina Inverse, Zelgadiss Graywards, Amelia Wil De Saillune, Gourry Gabriev, Sylphiel, Filia Ul Copt…"
The gentle Dragon God's lips curved into a smile.
"Your quest is over."
"Your quest is over."
Giving a quick bow to the mist before him, the Supreme King marched out of the room with a swirl of his cape, his general following in his wake.
"Everything is in place…the end is coming, isn't that right, Dynast sama?"
A strand of silver hair fell over his beautiful hazel eyes, which narrowed shrewdly as Dynast gave his reply.
"No, Sherra my dear…the fun is just beginning."
