Chapter 28:

Chapter 28:

"I wouldn't recommend that, Luna san. Not when you're like this."

"Xelloss."

The Trickster Priest stood his ground, a grim expression on his usually cheeky face.

Sighing, the Knight of Ceipheed's aura diminished. Gasping, the Hellmaster took great gulps of precious air as he sprawled on the ground. Luna stomped back to the side of the room, obviously still in a very bad mood.

"In that case, how about a little duel?"

Luna's violet eyes met Xelloss amethyst ones. The Knight of Ceipheed smirked. "Why not?"

With a flash of steel, the Knight thrust her sword at the violet-haired Mazoku, who countered it swiftly with a swing of his staff. Moving faster than wind, the pair flew down the room, sword and staff whirling rapidly as the sounds of combat echoed wildly.

Ryo's emerald eyes flickered with the pair, watching their actions with great interest. Still draping against her love, the chestnut-haired Rui showed similar interest in the fight.

The sounds of clashing came to an abrupt halt. Both Trickster Priest and Knight leapt back from each other, as their respective weapons clattered to the ground.

"Bram gush!"

"Vice flare!"

Everyone was thrown off balance as the two spells met each other with a gigantic explosion. The Mazoku Lords and Shaburanigdu had conveniently teleported to higher grounds, having the added advantage of an eagle's view.

As the smoke cleared, Luna and Xelloss charged forward again with their capes billowing behind them, completely vanishing to the naked eye at their speed.

"Flare arrow!"

With a fast twist to the left, the Trickster Priest dodged and pulled his gloved hand back. "Freeze arrow!"

Another explosion occurred.

Filia gave vent to a scream as she was smashed against the wall at the impact of the explosion. "We are not having the time of our lives here!"

"Flame breath!"

"Zellas Brid!"

As a magic circle flew towards the Trickster Priest, a band of white light travelled in a zig-zag line at the Knight of Ceipheed.

Both spells blew up simultaneously on either side.

The dark-haired Princess glanced back at the still snoozing chimera and sighed. Squinting at the smoking spots, she blinked. "Are they…?"

High up in the air, Zellas Metallium smirked. "Still going."

There was a blaze of light expanding outwards in the right corner of the room. Scrambling away, Lina grabbed Zelgadiss by the collar of his shirt, screaming.

"Levitation!"

Following the bandit killer's lead, Amelia, Filia and Sylphiel did the same, while a panicking Gourry clutched on to the Sairaag Priestess.

The area beneath their feet began having explosions from every corner of the room as the combat between Trickster and Knight sped up greatly with the extra room created for them.

Unrecognisable spells were cast, as the pair ducked, dodged and weaved round the large arena at full speed.

As the thick cloud of smoke drifting around finally cleared, the sounds of steel ringing against oak echoed once again in the hushed room. Both fighters had evidently decided to switch back to their good old weapons again.

With a sudden movement, the Knight of Ceipheed stabbed the point of her sword into the ground. Her aura glowing brighter than ever, she shoved at the sword, swinging it through the ground which obediently cracked open to make way for it.

"Blade haut!"

The ground snapped wide open in a gaping hole, the massive tremor travelling towards the Trickster Priest. Thrusting his staff into the ground, the ruby upon it glittered strangely, reflecting the mazoku as he raised his arms.

"Bogardic Elm!"

The ruby flashed with a brilliant glow. Sloshing and gurgling, the once solid ground turned into a muddy swamp. The running crack was stopped as the oozy brown mixture poured into it, filling it up.

An applause sounded from above their heads. Xelloss and Luna glanced up at the smiling Ryo. "Wonderful…wonderful! That was an excellent battle. However, I would like to have a brief rest before we resume our fights. Scylla."

Fixing her hands in the shape of a T, the sandy blond grinned.

"Half-time! Guests and Dragon Gods, please follow me to your rooms."

Sitting around the table, Lina, Gourry, Amelia and Zelgadiss brooded together. The rest had adjourned to their respective rooms at the level above them. Slamming a fist onto the wooden table with a resounding thud, the fiery-haired bandit killer hopped off her seat.

"I've had enough! We spend all those months searching for those loons they call Dragon Gods to battle Shaburanigdu and his minions, then they just dump us aside like useless trash!" A spark of flame lit in her red eyes.

"I'm practically itching for a fight!"

Sipping his coffee, the chimera closed his eyes. "Shall I warn the nearest bandit hideout of your current mood?"

Pouncing onto the emotionless youth, Lina began throttling his hard neck.

"But Lina san, isn't it much better to stand at the sidelines and watch the battles?" The dark-haired Princess bore a confused expression on her face. Dramatic tears flowed down her cheeks as she sniffled. "They're all so powerful! I don't want to die yet!"

Fortunately for Amelia who continued her exaggerated whining, the bandit killer's attention was fixated entirely upon the chimera. The blond mercenary just blinked.

After kicking Zelgadiss in the jaw, a satisfied but still pissed Lina Inverse stomped up the stairs, cape flowing. "That's it! I'm speaking to oneesama about this!"

Making the sign of the holy trinity, Gourry bowed his head. "May you rest in one piece, Lina."

"I believe it's 'peace', Gourry sama?" inquired the gentle Sylphiel.

"Fireball!"

Amelia backed away from the smoking piece once known as Gourry burning on the ground.

With a sharp slam of the door, the fiery girl burst into her elder sister's room with a scream of the latter's name.

The look of surprise crossing the Knight of Ceipheed's face was priceless. It was an extremely rare moment. However, the expression on the Knight's younger sister was far more candid.

His hands placed tenderly on Luna's shoulder, Xelloss smiled at Lina.

Silence reigned. Being quite an impatient person in general, the Knight rolled her eyes at her sister. "Just say your piece and leave, Lina."

Without a word, the bandit killer slammed the door shut. Screams and thuds were heard from outside the room, sufficient evidence to suggest that Lina had missed a step on the stairs and slid down the entire flight. The Trickster Priest arched an eyebrow. Leaning back against the mazoku, the Knight of Ceipheed sighed.

"Just keep at the massaging, Xelloss. It feels really good."

"Hai, Luna san."

Sapphire eyes gazed down at her. "What happened to you?"

Leaping up from her sprawled out position on the ground, Lina snatched the chimera's hand and began squeezing it for comfort, her face as white as ghost.

"I just…I saw…I think…I…I…"

"…you're twisting my hand off."

"I'm in mortal pain!" Embracing the wincing cursed youth with her vice-like grip, the fiery-haired girl sobbed. The sound of cracking bones caused Gourry and Amelia to sweatdrop, as Zelgadiss died in Lina's arms.

"Um…Lina san? I think you should let go…"

Red eyes flicked to the chimera, whose face was a remarkable shade of purple.

"Oops."