Chapter 19:
Golden eyes stared into the flickering flames of the campfire, silently contemplating the complex philosophies of life. How odd that all these happened centuries ago…and were once again being repeated. It was like a vicious cycle…wake up, fight, sleep, wake up, fight, sleep…personally, the fight part did appeal to him most being a skilled fighter himself.
"Penny for your thoughts, Rai-chan!"
The Thunder Dragon God never moved. "Getting bored, Ceipheed?"
Propping herself down beside Rairyuu, the Water Dragon began tying her hair up with a dark blue ribbon. "All these people do are eat and argue."
At that moment, Lina Inverse was attempting to kill Gourry Gabriev for "stealing her last marshmellow". The Princess of Seryuun began her speech of justice, which immediately resulted her in being fried to a crisp by the bandit killer. The other Dragon Gods watched the scene with a rather amused air.
Rairyuu snorted. "Pathetic, the lot of them."
"Well…they did manage to complete their task of summoning us…"
"After months and months of delay."
"Yes, they were a tad bit late I suppose…"
"A tad?"
Patting the Thunder God on the shoulder, the midnight-haired lady sighed. "You haven't changed, Rai-chan."
"Of course. And stop calling me that."
Laughing, Ceipheed stood up and glided over to her Knight, who was currently leaning against the tree, her sword lain across her lap for a little chat session with the latter.
Rairyuu returned to his quiet musings. Suddenly, a sixth sense was triggered within him, like a sharp blade cutting rapidly into him.
Mazoku… Golden eyes narrowed. And it's not the aura of that violet-haired bastard…
In full concentration, Rairyuu frowned. Now it's heading towards our camp…shit.
Standing up, the Thunder God stepped into the dark shadows of the forest.
"Going somewhere, Rairyuu san?" Tsuchiryuu called.
Rairyuu turned a little, just enough for the shadows across his face to reveal his piercing golden eyes.
"Just…for a walk."
The Earth Dragon knew better than to question that.
Snapping a tree branch out of her face, Dynast's general plodded through the forest for her usual night stroll. Sherra enjoyed the night air: refreshing and crisp; and the light illuminated from the moon gave such a gentle radiance of warmth.
If Dynast sama heard me now…he'd probably laugh in my face for such thoughts, smiled the lady general.
Without warning, the bushes rustled violently, and a large bright glow burst through, smashing into a very shocked mazoku's chest.
"Wha…"
A pair of eyes glowed in the darkness.
Xelloss's amethyst eyes snapped open, as he straightened from his comfortable position on the tree branch which he was lying upon. Something just happened. He could feel it in his bones. Gazing down at the Slayers troupe, the Trickster Priest realised a certain Dragon God's disappearance. Clutching his staff, the mazoku levitated above the canopy of trees. He felt a familiar aura coming from the forest, before his observant eyes caught a bright light flashing in the middle of it.
This can't be good… Zellas's general cum priest glided towards the source of the light.
Blood dripped from her wound as Sherra placed a hand upon a tree to steady herself.
"Who…who are you?" Gritting her teeth, Dynast's general spat out the question.
There was no answer. Blurring into the background, the attacker sprinted towards the girl, spell in hand.
Bewildered, Sherra hesitated for a second. Then, throwing caution to the winds, Dynast's general charged forward, hefting her zanbatoh* with an ear-piercing cry.
Gliding across the forest, the Trickster Priest threw his hands over his face and ducked, a hair's breath away from a large, crackling energy ball. More explosions shook the forest, while dark clouds began forming overhead.
Xelloss sped up his pace.
The Princess of Seryuun screamed as the earth moved. Sylphiel took to grasping onto her confused blond mercenary, while the chimera instantaneously placed a hand upon the hilt of his sword. Lina stood, a spell at the ready. Staring at the forest, the Dragon Gods swallowed. Calm and composed as ever, Luna Inverse proved her capability as the Knight of Ceipheed. Surveying the group with her violet bangs falling across her narrowed eyes, Luna folded her arms across her chest.
"Where is Rairyuu sama?"
Without a word, the Earth Dragon pointed a finger at the glowing forest. The Knight of Ceipheed gazed up at the foliage of leaves. There was no sign of a dozing Trickster Priest. Adding to that was the evident aura of another mazoku in the vicinity.
And the aura was gradually diminishing.
"Stay here, all of you, and remain calm. I'll be back in a while."
The Slayers group nodded, as Luna flew over their heads like a speeding bullet. As he felt the breeze of the Knight passing him, Karyuuou ran a hand through his maroon hair.
"Ah, youngsters these days…"
He received several looks of exasperation.
Dodging another fire of lightning bolts, Sherra collapsed onto the ground, her raven-black braid coming undone, her armour smoking in several places. Pushing herself up, the mazoku general ignored the puddle of blood on the rough ground. A trickle of blood ran down Sherra's chin as she took a breath.
"Why are you...after me?"
Silence filled the air, before the dark shadow finally spoke. "I have to no need to answer the questions of such scum." With a sudden flare of aura, golden eyes flashed.
Slitted black eyes widened. "You're…ryuuzoku…" There was no movement. Sherra sighed.
Dynast sama's instructions were specific.
Silver bangs flowed down liquid hazel eyes, slightly narrowed. "Listen carefully, Sherra."
Banging her weapon upon the ground with a thud, the lady general came to attention.
A smile, before the hazel eyes softened with such a slight degree that the general did not notice it.
"Touch not any of the dragons or their Gods. Only at the final battle are we allowed to attack."
Dynast's black-haired general stabbed her zanbatoh into the ground, tip first, with a scowl. "Ryuuzoku, let's end this ridiculous battle. I'm not in the mood for fighting today."
The golden eyes widened, then narrowed.
"Do you think I'm falling for such a trick, fool?" Merging into the background, the shadow dissolved into the night.
Immediately whirling her razor sharp weapon, Dynast's general deflected the series of spells that flew rapidly at her.
"Shit!" Grinding her teeth, Sherra's hair flew as she sped away from her attacker.
I can't fight him…I can't disappoint Dynast sama!
