The lights changed and began to focus on the stage. A figure in the shadows slowly emerged as the band on the stage began to play. The figure in the shadows finally stepped forward on a certain beat and into the dim light.
It was Zelgadis.
He had a guitar in his hand and at a certain cue from the band behind him, he began to strum his guitar. The tune was a lilting melody that caused every woman in the club to sigh. He had the attention of every person in the room, whether the attention was negative or positive; it didn't matter. The melody of his song had captivated everyone present and the lighting effects hauntingly illuminated his aura. Lina had already realized why the club had become so popular, but now she had a better comprehension. Even through his freakish appearance, Zelgadis Greywords made and enormous impact on her senses and the sheer beauty of his song captivated her. Even Gourry was awed by Greywords' skill. And to think, every time he performed it was for the Saillune woman. Just that thought would make any woman sigh with longing. How romantic.
After the performance, the thunderous applause shook the club. Lina rolled her eyes. She wouldn't be surprised if all the single women of the club came just to be entranced by Greywords. The way the light played on his rock skin and wire-hair made him glow like a fallen angel. The whole system was alluring. She wouldn't be surprised either to find out if Amelia Saillune had been the one to design it.
As the DJ's music began again and the dancing resumed, Lina caught sight of a man heading straight for them. He had a punkish bright green hair that hung to shi shoulders, yet he didn't look the least bit like a punk. The look about him was that of a seasoned killer. She narrowed her eyes as she took in his appearance and finally met his eyes across the club. He sneered as their eyes connected and his golden ones flashed with a deadly promise. She knew instantly that his was the saboteur.
Gourry had also already noticed the approaching guest and was ready for anything he was going to pull. Gourry lightly caressed his sword that rested against his waist. Whatever this guy was planning didn't really matter to Gourry. He just would not allow him to harm Lina.
Xellos stood and greeted the man with a contemptuous smile. It was then that Lina realized something. She had been so caught up in the story behind the Chimera that she had forgotten to ask Xellos about the saboteur. Oh, well. She was sure to find out now.
"Well, Xellos, I knew you were a sneaky bastard, but I didn't think you'd go so far as to bring your partner to this meeting. I take it you really don't value her life," the green haired man said, his golden eyes flickering as he took in the two before him.
"Of course, I don't, Valgaav. I just Lina Inverse to my own needs. That's why she brought her husband, Gabriev. He'll be sure to protect her if you try to pull anything."
Gourry said nothing, but Lina only smirked. "Of course, Mr. Valgaav. Xellos uses me to his advantage, just like I use him. It is a convenient partnership in which we work together within the limits of our minimal trust for each other." She turned to Xellos with a smile. "Right, Xellos?"
His eye twitched just before he smiled. "Quite right, Lina." He turned back to Valgaav. "Won't you have a seat?"
"I think not, Xellos. You found me out and I only agreed to this meeting because you said it could benefit me. But I'm sure whatever deal you make won't satisfy me. I was Lina Inverse dead, but first I want to crush her reputation. Get in my way, Xellos, and I'll destroy you as well."
"And just why do you hate me so much?" Lina asked, genuinely curious. She had never even met this man before. Why did he hate her so much?
Valgaav only sneered at her. "I'm sure you'll find out soon enough, Lina Inverse. After all, you do have Xellos here to let you in on the little details before I kill you."
Xellos sighed. "I see we cannot make a deal."
Valgaav's eyes narrowed. "Clearly not."
"Then I'll just have to get rid of you."
"And just how do you plan to do that, Xellos? Hire a brain dead assassin—or will you do it yourself for a change?" Valgaav smirked as he tormented Xellos.
The purple haired man ignored him. "Of course, I'll do it myself. Anyone else would just botch up the job."
Lina blinked. "When did this conversation get out of hand?"
"Then let's settle this here and now, Xellos!" Valgaav taunted, an evil smile on his face full on anticipation.
Lina shot up from her chair. "What he devil are you talking about? You can't have a shoot our here! With all these people! They have nothing to do with it!" Gourry quickly got up and stood before Lina.
Valgaav turned to her with a growl. "Stay out of this. Your turn to die will come soon enough. Be patient." And with that he lifted his and blasted her.
She didn't even know what happened. One minute he was threatening her, the next minute he was aiming at her with his hand and a blast of light and energy came at her. Gourry stopped the blast at the last minute with his sword, protecting her, but the battle had begun. When she looked to see Valgaav and Xellos, they looked completely different. One of Valgaav's arms had mutated into a black claw of some sort and Xellos had a staff with a red jewel on it. In the next moment, a battle began with power blasts that shouldn't even exist.
"What the—" but Lina's shout was drowned out by the screams of he people rushing out of the Chimera to get away from the battle that had so abruptly began.
Amelia was rushing toward the battle, ushering people out, and her eyes furious. This was her club! She wouldn't have any special effects fights in her club. She upheld justice and peace as much as she could. So, in her club this was not going to happen.
She was just about ready to interfere when she was tackled to the floor. She shook her head and looked up into Zelgadis' face.
"Zelgadis? What are you doing?"
He growled at her and lifted her into his arms. "Are you mad?! I saw you ready to march into that crossfire! I don't know what kind of weapons their using, but I don't want you to be hit by it!"
"I don't think they're using weapons."
The two turned behind them and saw Lina Inverse with Gourry Gabriev. Amelia blinked in surprise, but before she could say anything, another explosion erupted behind them. Lina wasted no time.
"Let's get out of here!"
The four rushed out of the building, just before another explosion set the stage on fire, igniting all the electrical equipment. Once safely outside, they watched the flames consume the very popular club and Zelgadis cursed.
Amelia turned to him and placed her hands over his. "Don't worry about it, Zelgadis. Daddy can have the Chimera rebuilt in no time."
He stood silent for a moment and then nodded in agreement. It was then that they turned to Lina Inverse; Amelia's eyes narrowed.
"Ms. Inverse. Isn't on eof the men burning down my club your business partner?"
Zelgadis and Amelia eyed Lina darkly as she blinked in surprise. "Yeah, but I don't know what's going on. It looked like those two were ready to kill each other…" she slowly drifted as her eyes widened. "Damn! Xellos is still in there! The place is burning to the ground and I don't hear the blasts anymore, just eh sirens of the fire department coming."
They all turned to the club, but it was Gourry who spotted the figure coming out of the flames.
"Look!"
The quickly rushed toward the exiting figure to see a young woman with massively long blonde hair and a large hat that was almost smoldering helping an injured almost unconscious Xellos. Lina and Gourry quickly went to him and Gourry took charge of carrying him, while Zelgadis and Amelia took care of the woman. Her big blue eyes were watery and her face was covered with soot. She turned to the four as Zelgadis was helping her up.
"There's something wrong with him."
They all turned to her in surprise. She quickly continued.
"He's been cut quite severely on his left shoulder, but here is not blood only something that resembles liquid steam. I doubt any of the paramedics have seen something like that, but I have. I'm a private doctor, take him to my place." She was abruptly cut off by a fit of her own coughing. Zelgadis quickly gave the woman to Lina Inverse and for the first time Lina heard him speak.
"Head to this woman's place. Amelia will take down the address. We'll deal with the cops and the fire department when they get here and then we'll meet you at her place once we're through." He turned away and continued. "I want to get to the bottom of this and find out how your friend here burned down my club."
He began to walk away as Amelia took down the address the woman muttered and then quickly followed him. Lina just blinked in amazement and wondered why she had this feeling that she knew him. She shook her head and followed the woman's instructions as she and Gourry headed there quickly.
Lina didn't waste any time finding out the woman's name.
Filia Ul Copt.