"Wow! You got them to come!" Gourry said when Zelda exited the town with Leo and Glory behind her, meeting the blonde man in a glade some distance from the town. The sun glimmered though the leaves above to shine on his hair where he was sitting on the ground, back against a tree.
"Yes, and I had to promise to buy them breakfast and dinner, I'm going to be so poor!" Zelda sighed, shoulders sagging.
"HEY! You promised THEM breakfast and dinner and not US?! How COULD you Zelda?!" Lina shouted, popping out of the bushes.
"Its NOT like I have a bag of gold that never runs out, Lina, give me a break!" Zelda pushed her hood back, shaking her head and running her fingers though her tangled wire hair in an attempt to cool off.
"Zelda?" Leo asked, "I thought- I thought you were a man! Rezo called you a 'he'!"
Zelda smirked, pulling her mask down as well, "And I thought you were too, of course, now I can tell the difference since I've seen the female you as well as the male you. Though I must say there's not much." There was silence a moment then Zelda shouted, "REI WING!" just as two fireballs hit the spot she'd been standing.
"Zelda! What did I tell you about saying things like that to Lina?" Zelgadis called up at her from where he was perched on a tree branch enjoying what breeze he could get.
"Absolutely nothing," she called back, landing safely now that Lina and Leo were busy gawking at each other.
Lina sniffed and flipped her hair. Leo folded his arms across his chest and glowered. Zelgadis sighed, "I have the feeling that they're not going to get along well." He slipped down from the tree, landing deftly on his feet.
"Whatever makes you say that? They're getting on just fine. At least they're not blasting each other," Zelda replied. Amelia slid closer to Zelgadis. "Gourry and Glory are getting along well enough." The two blondes were standing near each other, looking from the two redheads and back to one another. "Do we have to get Prince Andrew involved in this?" Zelda reached up, picking a leaf from Zelgadis's hair.
Amelia sniffed, pouting some, "Yes! I wouldn't want to miss out on a chance to save the world, and neither would he!" She lifted her fist, going into a pose, "I may have missed my first chance to fight Shabranigdo, but I won't miss this one!"
"Oh bother..." Zelda muttered and Zelgadis patted her back.
"Zelgadis! You have to buy me and Gourry breakfast and dinner!" Lina suddenly exclaimed, the idea occurring to her.
The Chimera man looked at Lina for a long time, "What do I have to do that?" Zelgadis lifted one hand to his hip, his other hand resting on his sword hilt.
"Because! Zelda's buying THEM breakfast and dinner-"
"I'm hungry," Gourry broke in.
Glory blinked a few times, "Me too."
"YOU just ate!" Leo exclaimed, pointing accusingly at Glory.
"Yeah, but dessert would be nice," Gourry replied.
"NO!" Zelgadis and Zelda said at the same time. "Damn it, this really is a pain. If Shabranigdo weren't such a threat I'd just blast you all to hell," Zelda continued, stalking off into the woods, headed toward Seyruun's capital where they were to meet Zolf and Rodimus.
"Hey! You can't just walk off like that!" Leo exclaimed and ran after her. Glory followed her redhead, her mothering instincts saying that he was a kid and kids needed protecting. She was much taller then the sorcerer, as well as broad. It was somewhat hard to tell that she was a woman at all. Gourry blinked and jogged after his twin.
Lina shrugged and followed the two blondes, Zelgadis and Amelia moving last, "Traveling with her takes getting used to," Amelia commented. Zelgadis nodded agreement.
* * *
AN: Where's Naga, you might be asking? Not ANYWHERE nearby, we hope. Her male twin is Viper! The deadly snake! ;)
* * *
Zelda sat in her room after giving the innkeeper an entire bag of gold to pay for Leo and Glory's dinner. She sat on her bed, her elbows on her knees, face in her hands. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, hearing the crash and clatter downstairs that marked the feeding frenzy that was going on. She hadn't even had her nightly cup of coffee.
Moving finally, she lay on her side, tucking the pillow between her head and shoulder, hugging it somewhat, her feet still on the floor. Another crash followed by cursing caused the floor to vibrate. Zelda shifted again, putting the pillow on top of her head, holding it down with her arms.
Zelda didn't recall falling asleep, but she was awoken by someone taking her shoes off and gently pushing her legs onto the bed. Lifting the pillow off her face somewhat, she looked to see Zelgadis pulling the blanket over her. "What are you doing?" she asked softly, suspicious.
"Putting you to bed," he replied with a slight smile, perching on the edge of the bed. He reached over and pulled the pillow from Zelda's head, "Your hair's messed up," he said.
She made a noise, "Its always messed up, I don't bother brushing it anymore, no use..." Tears came to her eyes, unbidden, she tried to force them back, but thinking about her hair had called forth the reaction she'd suppressed for so long. "Why did it have to happen to me?" she squeaked, unable to keep her voice straight, her throat tight. Zelgadis looked sadly down at her then reached over, taking her shoulders and pulling her up by them, hugging her against his chest. "All- all I wanted ...was to be with him!" she sobbed into his shirt, arms curled between them. Her fingers clutched the loose fabric of his shirt, holding it, finding comfort in it. She could smell him, noted that he smelt like a manly version of herself.
"I know. I know," Zelgadis murmured gently, feeling the pain of that betrayal once again, but she needed soothing. Finally, she was able to pull herself together and lifted her face from his shoulder.
"Thank you," she said softly, hugging him tightly.
"Any time," he murmured, squeezing in return, unafraid that he would crush her with his strength.
Zelgadis held her until she fell asleep against him and gently laid her down, tucking the blanket around her before leaving. He closed the door carefully behind him.
Zelgadis turned to find Leo and Amelia standing in the hall, watching him. "That was so nice of you Mr. Zelgadis," Amelia gushed softly, her fists clenched under her chin, eyes wide and glittery with tears. Leo just eyed the Chimera man.
Zelgadis locked his eyes with Leo's. If Zelda didn't intimidate the redhead, he might be frightened by the male version. Instead, Leo returned the gaze then finally brushed past Zelgadis, going to his room. Amelia jumped and hugged Zelgadis before he could fend her off. Instead of even trying, he sighed, patting the princess's head.
* * *
Zelda walked down the stairs, running her fingers through her hair as she yawned. She opened her eyes to look at the table where everyone but her was sitting, looking at her. She stopped in her tracks, the clenching of her stomach was the only sign that she was worried, of course, no one could see that because her shirt was on. Zelda did a mental check. She was completely dressed, there was absolutely no way she could have zits, her hair was always a mess so there was no reason to stare. "Do I have something on my face?" she asked nervously.
Amelia suddenly grinned. "Surprise!!" she exclaimed when Zelgadis walked down the stairs just behind her, leering over her shoulder to see what was going on.
"Oh great," Zelgadis muttered. "Amelia, that was last week-" he started.
"But no one celebrated Zelda's birthday!" Amelia replied, beaming at Zelgadis as he pushed past his female self. Zelda's stomach clenched harder, she could swear that her stomach acids were eating her from the inside.
"B-birthday?" Zelda asked. "We don't have time for this!" she shouted at them but it was no use, the others were set on having cake and Zelgadis wasn't going to do anything about it. She was forced into a seat by Lina and Glory grinned.
"How old are you?" Gourry asked.
Zelda was fuming, "None of your damn business! What IS your business is how you're going to get away from me before I decide to give my sword a chance to kill some people." She surged to her feet, one hand grabbing the scabbard of her sword, the other on its hilt. "We are NOT having a party, is that clear! WE ARE GOING TO ATLAS CITY!" she roared at them, startling them all into meekness.
Shoving her chair back, she stomped toward the door. "Or at least I'm going and you can sit here or not while Rezo resurrects Shabranigdo, its FINE by me." She turned, stalking out of the inn, the door slamming behind her. "Of ALL the nerve," she muttered.
Zelgadis shrugged, "She hasn't had the time to get used to you yet."
"Get used to us?!" Lina shrieked, heading after Zelda.
..."Blast them to oblivion and back even if I have to summon L-sama to do it," Zelda was muttering as she stalked down the street, headed toward the capital of Seyruun. "Zolf and Rodimus are probably there already. Why the hell didn't I let them come with me? Nooo had to go and let Zelgadis talk me into sending them on ahead just because he misses his old friends. Well..."
"Zelda," Lina called, the Chimera completely ignored her, continuing to mutter under her breath. Lina shook her head, so much like Zelgadis.
* * *
Zelda stood leaning against the wall of an inn, hearing the crashes inside that denoted the feeding frenzy inside. She was really getting tired of this. Even her male self didn't mind it but Zelda was absolutely fed up with it. She had pondered just taking off without them but she needed Lina Inverse and Glory Gabriev and with those two came the rest of them. There was no way to get the Sword of Light from Glory and Lina was the only one who had cast Giga Slave without destroying everything. Besides, Zelgadis had been through the whole episode before and knew what to expect.
The Chimera woman heaved a sigh, her arms folded on her chest, one foot back against the wall of the inn. Her hood was pulled low, her mask on, fingers tucked against her chest. She was glad her cape was silver, her shirt was light green, her pants a soft beige. Her pants were tucked into boots that came almost up to her thighs; they were white.
Zelda's eyes gazed at her chest, her breasts were even smaller then Lina's, people called her a 'he' on a regular basis, of course, her shirt was so loose that it hid any curves she could possibly possess. She wondered briefly what it would be like to wear a dress but pushed that thought aside.
A soft gust of wind fluttered her cape some but the bangs that hung in her face didn't move at all. Zelda's eyes were drawn to something white on the ground. Slowly, she bent down and picked it up. Brushing the dirt off the paper she read it.
ATTENTION!
All females interested are welcome to enter the SINGING CONTEST to be held in Atlas City! The prizes include money, jewelry, and for the white mages, a Claire Bible Manuscript!
Zelda pondered, "Claire Bible manuscript as a prize? What kind of fools are they?" She found herself looking for a date anyway. "That's in four days! We'll be there in three..." she glanced around, finally folding the paper and headed into the inn.
She saw that most of the dishes had been taken away and the feeding frenzy had finished. Stepping close to Lina, she nervously extended the paper.
"This had better NOT be a love letter from Gourry or something!" the sorceress exclaimed and snatched the paper, unfolding it and reading. "Claire Bible Manuscript?! Hey Zelgadis- wanna join a singing contest?"
Zelgadis looked interested, he swiped the paper from Lina's hand when she held it out to him "It's for females, Lina, if you hadn't noticed that part," Zelgadis pointed out, somewhat annoyed.
Lina slowly looked at Zelda, "So? You could still be in it."
"I don't sing, Lina," Zelda stated, folding her arms.
"Of course you do! I heard Zelgadis sing before! He's not that bad!" Lina replied while Amelia giggled.
Zelgadis looked annoyed, "Do I have to bring up the part about what YOU were dressed in at the time?" Lina glared.
"Oh dear L-sama, you were all drunk weren't you?" Zelda asked, giving Zelgadis a long disgusted look.
"No we weren't! I wish we HAD been though, then I wouldn't remember so clearly! At least I Dragon Slaved everyone for being witness to the whole fiasco," Lina replied, smirking slightly at Leo. "C'mon, Zelda, it'll be fun!"
"No! I will NOT let you make a fool of me!" Zelda replied firmly.
"Just give in, she's going to do it anyway, there's no way you can get out of it." Zelgadis sipped his coffee, "At least you're female so being dressed in women's clothing won't be so bad."
"WHAT?!" everyone who hadn't been there at the time stared at Zelgadis. His ears turned red in embarrassment.
Lina giggled as Amelia said with watery eyes, "He looked so pretty in a dress!" Gourry was blushing as well, sinking down in his chair, hoping that they would forget that he was there. Of course he remembered the two times he'd been dressed as a woman, there was no way he'd forget something THAT embarrassing.
"Besides, we're going to Atlas City anyway so we can do that while we're there," Lina said brightly.
"B-but-But Zolf and Rodimus would be there!" Zelda tried to argue.
"So?"
* * *
Zelda had to admit that she looked pretty, but she did not want to do this. Lina was going to sing as well, which didn't make Zelda feel any better. The sorceress was on the stage singing some silly song about 'tiny little breast'; Zelda wasn't paying attention.
"Don't worry, you look better in that dress then I did," Zelgadis told her, "at least you didn't have to stuff a bra." Zelda blushed deeply.
"Just shut up," she told him. He shrugged at her.
"Thank you Lina Reverse!" said the announcer and the audience clapped. "Now announcing Zelda Graywords!" Zelda felt like she was going to faint. All the people staring at her as she walked up the steps and across the stage to the microphone. Clasping her gloved hands in front of her tightly, she saw Zolf and Rodimus in the audience, looking directly at her.
Zelda's stomach clenched hard as the music started. Taking a breath, she looked down and started humming with the song for a moment to get her voice working. "I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls, with vessels and serfs at my side," Zelda hesitantly sang, only the microphone caught her voice and magnified it. "And of all who assembled within those walls, that I was the hope and the pride," as she sang, she gained confidence, "I had riches all to great to count, and a high ancestral name." Her voice thankfully didn't crack, due to her usual control over it. In the back, she saw Zelgadis making arm motions. Taking the hint, she followed his lead.
"But I also dreamt which pleased me most, that you loved me still the same. That you loved me, you loved me, still the same. That you loved me, you loved me, still the same." Zelda stepped back from the microphone as she hit a high note to keep from blasting the audience.
"I dreamt that suitors sought my hand," Zelda held out her hand, one pressed to her chest. "-That knights upon bend-ed knee. And with vows that no maiden's heart could withstand they pledged their faith to me, and I dreamt that one of that noble host came forth, my hand to claim." She followed Zelgadis's movements as he danced around some, thankfully, he was standing behind the judges and they couldn't see him.
"But I also dreamt which charmed me most, that you loved me still the same. That you loved me, you loved me, still the same, That you loved me, you loved me, still the same!" Zelda held the last note almost to where the music ended and blushed deeply when everyone clapped for her.
Zelda hurried offstage and was met by Lina and Amelia, "That was so beautiful, Ms. Zelda!" Amelia gushed, eyes all starry.
"I didn't know you were a soprano," Lina said with a grin. "You were better then anyone else up there- except me of course!" Zelda continued to blush.
"I- I'm not that good..." she murmured.
"Yes you are," Zolf said as he came up behind her, Rodimus was grinning. "Where were you looking though?"
"Zelgadis was in the back..." Zelda admitted as Zelgadis stepped out of the crowd, "The judges will be mad if they find out..."
"They won't," Zelgadis said with a slight smirk.
"I wanna hear a duet of you two!" Lina exclaimed, pointing at the two Chimeras who blushed deeply.
"No, Lina, you're not going to get me to sing again," Zelda said firmly, crossing her arms.
"Either of us," Zelgadis told the sorceress.
"The judges have come to a decision!" The announcer called, unfolding his piece of paper carefully. "Third place- Jessica Kogner!" The ecstatic girl dashed up the stairs to take a bow. "Second place- Lina Reverse!" Lina sniffed, unhappy to only get second place but she went up the stairs to join the other winner. "And First Place goes to-" he paused a long moment, "ZELDA GRAYWORDS!"
Zelda's knees collapsed but Zolf caught her and helped her steady herself then pushed her toward the stairs. Nervously, Zelda went up the steps to be congratulated.
"So which prize do you choose?" asked the announcer as a table was wheeled out with the prizes on it.
"The Claire Bible Manuscript!" Zelda said into the microphone when it was held near her. The person who'd wheeled out the table handed her the book, which she immediately started going through.
"And you?" the announcer asked Lina.
"The MONEY!" Lina exclaimed all cute-like. She was handed a bag full of gold. The third girl was given the jewelry, which she'd wanted anyway.
They made their way offstage and Zelda took a breath, "!@$%&*(^%!" Amelia took a step back from Zelda. "It doesn't have a cure in it!" Zelda was ticked but let Zelgadis take the book as she stomped off to get changed back into her regular clothes.
Zelgadis opened the book and looked through it carefully, "It may not have a cure...But there's something else interesting." He managed to keep Lina from stealing the book as he read though the pages memorizing it quickly. "No, Lina, you wouldn't be able to cast this spell, it works with Shamanist magic, not black." Lina pouted.
Zelda returned, her hood pulled low over her face. Zelgadis told her to memorize the spell in the book quickly. "Why?" she asked.
"From my experience, Xelloss shows up about now and destroys the book," Lina said and Zelda sighed, doing as told. Once she was finished she stuffed the book into a pocket of her cape.
"Can we please just go get Andrew and hunt down Rezo?" Zelda asked, "I would really rather not stick around here anymore."
"Don't worry Ms. Zelda, Andrew is already here!" Amelia piped up.
"I came to congratulate the winner!" said a boy who, though taller then Amelia, was younger then her. He had large blue eyes and was dressed in a white tunic with a white cape and pants. "You sang with a heart full of Love and I'm SURE you're a great warrior of Justice!" the boy exclaimed, lifting a fist into the air as he posed.
"Here we go again..." Zelgadis muttered.
"What do you mean by THAT, Mr. Zelgadis?" Amelia asked, glaring at him.
Said Chimera stared at her for a long moment, "Nothing Amelia," he smiled at her, of course that disarmed her completely. Andrew jumped down from the post he'd been posing on and grinned happily.
"So we're going on a quest to save the world?! WOW! That's so cool!" Andrew gushed.
Zelda closed her eyes, she knew already that Andrew was going to have a crush on her, Amelia had a crush on Zelgadis. It was one thing for the girl to be like that, but completely another for the guy. She felt tired. She wanted to disappear, but she couldn't because so many people knew her.
"Lets just get going," Zelgadis said when Lina returned from changing back into her regular clothes. "At least we won't have to fight Kopii Rezo and Zanafar.... if we do this right, anyway."
* * *
Zelda was in her room with Zolf and Rodimus perched on the edge of her bed. The Chimera was standing near the window, looking out onto the street. Once again, they were spending the night in an inn, this time, headed toward Rezo's laboratory in Siraag.
There was silence in the room, companionable, but Zelda's gestures spoke more then words. She was restless. Finally, she spoke. "I can't help but think something's about to happen."
"Why don't you go take a walk? Its dark, no one's out," Rodimus suggested. "We could come if you wanted."
"No, the others would probably think I'm trying to sneak off. That Leo doesn't trust me, still... Not that I trust him either." Zelda pushed her bangs away from her face but they fell back the way they'd always been as soon as she let them go.
Zolf smiled slightly, his mustache looked even more gray then it had ever before. "Be careful, Zel-sama," he said.
Zelda bowed her head briefly, "Like anything would dare challenge me." She swept up her cloak and tossed it over her arm as she headed out the door.
She paused at the table where the feeding frenzy had abated and said simply, "I'm going for a walk," then left. Leo shuffled to his feet, eyes narrowed, Zelgadis shook his head, getting up and forcing the sorcerer back into his seat.
"Is Ms. Zelda okay, Mr. Zelgadis?" Amelia asked.
Zelgadis smiled at her, "She'll be fine, probably just restless."
* * *
She took her time, walking through the dark with her eyes downcast. Zelda reflected on how things had truly gotten hectic for her. As expected, Andrew got a crush on Zelda the moment he saw her. She almost wished she'd just stolen the manuscript from the winner instead of participating in that stupid contest. It had been nice to show her more feminine side, but she didn't like doing it in front of so many people.
The night was quiet. Clouds had descended upon the sky like hungry birds, blocking out the stars and the sliver of light that was the moon. She cast no shadow except where the occasional window was lit from within by candles. Even those windows were few and going dark as the night wore on.
Zelda came to the edge of town, looking out at the grass that was a silvery substance on either side of the dirt road that ran though the small town. Off in the distance, she saw dark huddled shapes that were a forest. She lifted a hand to wipe away her tears, sniffling as she did. Zelda pushed her hood back from her head and pulled down her mask, putting both hands to her face.
"What did I ever do?" she whispered softly as a breeze gently blew her cape against her legs, tears glittering on the rocks that surrounded her eyes. She tilted her head back to look up at the sky. "Rezo..." she whispered softly, "You were all I knew... and why did Shabranigdo pick you? I wish I didn't have to kill you. I don't want to. But you're already dead... the Rezo I knew is anyway." She folded her arms on her chest, continuing to stare up at the sky. Instead of the rolling clouds, she was seeing herself as she was, hugging Rezo's waist, his hand in her wild violet hair.
"You betrayed me."
Zelda blinked, spinning around, looking to see who had spoken. She knew it was Rezo. She knew that voice anywhere. "You turned me into a Chimera first," she replied, holding herself back from attacking him, though she didn't have to exercise that much self control to do so.
"I gave you what you wanted," Rezo said as he stepped out of the shadows, his staff clanking as he set it on the ground every few steps.
Zelda shook her head, "You cursed me. I never wanted this and you know it."
"How did you get back here?" he asked instead.
"I won't tell you that." Zelda held her hands firmly by her side, fingers curled into fists.
"You brought others with you," Rezo said softly.
"I did. They destroyed you and Shabranigdo in their world."
"Can they kill me combined with Zanafar?" Zelda knew Rezo's words were meant to frighten her, but she wasn't surprised, she'd heard about it from Zelgadis.
Zelda bowed her head, "Yes, they can. They've beaten monsters far more powerful then you. And even if you did become more powerful, we have Leo Inverse who has just as much power as Lina Inverse who killed you. Both of them working together will be enough to stop you." She lifted her head to look at him. He wasn't smiling.
Slowly, Rezo lifted a hand, stepping forward and touching Zelda's face. "You've been crying," he said softly. She did not reply as he gently wiped her tears away with his fingers. She hadn't let him touch her again after he'd changed her into a Chimera. "You know my sight is important to me. I want to see you."
"And see the mess you made," Zelda said softly in return, she'd meant to speak acidly, but it didn't come out that way, "Shabranigdo is sealed in your eyes, that's why you can't heal them. If they were to open, the Dark Lord would be freed."
Rezo's hand stiffened a moment. "And you learned this from those you brought?"
"Yes." There was silence between them. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "I wanted to see you look at me as much as you wanted to look at me. Please.... don't do this. Don't make me kill you." Zelda's voice broke and more tears fell from her eyes onto Rezo's fingers as they were still touching her face. "Rezo... I- I still love you..." Slowly, she stepped forward, putting her face against his chest and her arms around his waist, feeling his hand slide into her hair.
"What...have I done..?" he asked rhetorically.
Zelda sniffled, "A lot of bad things, but there's still time to change. I- I can forgive you- with time..."
"FIREBALL!" a familiar voice shouted. Zelda shoved herself in between Rezo and the volley, putting up a shield. "I should have known you weren't on our side!" Leo Inverse accused after the flames died down.
"You stupid little punk. Can't you ever mind your own business?!" Zelda shouted back at him, awakening people in the nearby houses.
"Don't make me Dragon Slave you," Leo warned.
"Zel-sama?" Zolf called as they ran down the street, Lina Inverse and the others behind him.
"Zelda... who is here," Rezo asked softly.
"Leo Inverse, Lina Inverse, Zolf, Rodimus, Prince Andrew, his double Princess Amelia, Glory and Gourry Gabriev, and my double Zelgadis," she replied quickly.
"Zelgadis," Rezo called, "Come here." The Chimera man hesitated for a long moment, glancing at the others, then finally made the decision. "You defeated me in your world, did you not?" Rezo asked, his blind face turned toward the direction he'd heard footsteps in.
"Yes," Zelgadis replied softly, "And we can defeat you again."
"Is it true that Shabranigdo is sealed in my eyes?" Rezo asked, his fingers tightening on his staff.
"Yes. Lina, myself, and Gourry witnessed Shabranigdo take over your other self's body and change it into his own."
"And how did you defeat Shabranigdo?"
Zelgadis paused a moment, glancing over those gathered, "Lina used the Sword of Light as a power boost and cast Giga Slave." Rezo was silent, his face gone pale. "She knows the danger of casting that spell now," Zelgadis said softly. "Doesn't stop her from using it anyway." He refrained from telling Rezo how his own double had helped Lina control the Giga Slave when she'd cast it the first time.
Rezo was silent, his head bowed slightly, his fingers curled tightly on his staff. Zelda reached out, placing her hand over his, taking his other hand and forcing his fingers open to touch her face. "Rezo... fight him... fight the Dark Lord, if not for me, then for yourself. You're stronger then to let something so terrible rule you."
"Umm, what's going on?" Glory finally asked. Lina jumped on the swordswoman, beating her head.
"You stupid Jellyfish! Yogurt brain! Baka!- oops.. you're not Gourry." Lina fell off the girl's back, Glory sniffled, tears in her eyes.
Rezo smiled slightly, hearing what was going on, his hand moving to pet Zelda's hair. "You are right... I can't let the Dark Lord rule me." He shook his head slightly. "I'd come to see if you would join me and I end up joining you." Zelda could tell he was sad though.
Zelgadis was glaring daggers at Rezo, "Well if you're on our side, how about changing Zelda and I back into humans?" he spat.
The Red Priest turned his face toward Zelgadis, "I'm afraid that I cannot. It is about as unattainable as my sight."
"Don't worry Ms. Zelda! You look cool the way you are!" Andrew exclaimed and got a long look from the older Slayers group as well as Zelda.
"I recall hearing that somewhere before," Zelgadis murmured, looking at Amelia who blushed.
"Great minds think alike?" the princess offered.
Zelda glowered. "Hey, don't we have that weird rock?" Gourry asked, "The one in the statue?" Lina fell on her face.
"Gourry... may I ask HOW you remembered that?" the sorceress asked from the ground.
He grinned, "Gee, I don't know!" Lina sighed.
"Perhaps, though, there might be a way," Rezo said softly, "If you do have the Philosopher Stone then perhaps I could find a way to turn you both back into humans and ...possibly even remove the sealing on my eyes."
"That would still involve letting Shabranigdo loose, Rezo," Leo pointed out, still not ready to trust anything that was going on. The Red Priest smiled at the young sorcerer.
"We have you, though, and you supposedly have the power to destroy a part of Shabranigdo. Perhaps we should go to my laboratory?" Rezo turned his face toward Zelda. "Draw a circle large enough for everyone to stand in."
"Now wait a moment!" Leo started but was ignored by Zelda who worked at shoving everyone together then drawing a circle on the ground with her sword tip. "This had better not be a trick, Rezo!" Leo said pointedly.
"Yes, you wouldn't want to see either of us when we're mad," Lina added, smirking slightly, arms folded on her chest.
"Hardly, Inverse," Rezo replied, stepping into the circle with Zelda's help. Holding his staff in both hands, he began murmuring a spell. Light flashed from the end of his staff, creating a dome over the group, its circumference was the circle drawn in the dirt. Electricity snapped over the dome's surface then the scene faded to be replaced by that of Rezo's laboratory in Siraag.
* * *
"Lord Rezo?" Eris called, having heard the mini-thunderclap from the main room, the sound of the teleport spell displacing air in the room. She had been busy dusting things off in the storage area.
"Yes, Eris, it is I," Rezo called. Lina shivered.
"Last time we met her, she was rather insane as well... I just hope we don't meet those two jerks who tried to get us here last time," Lina muttered as Eris came around a shelf and gasped. She had only expected to find Zelda and Rezo standing in the center of the giant magic circle that was carved on the floor.
A sad smile touched Rezo's lips, "I brought some guests," he gestured at the pack behind him. Zelda didn't look amused.
"Grandfather, please try not to get overly engrossed in your work," Zelda said softly, "If you send us to the surface I'll take them to an inn-"
"Oi! We can go see Sylphiel!" Gourry exclaimed. "She has great cooking." Glory nodded in agreement.
"We will all go to my house," Rezo stated, though it was more of a mansion then a house, but he didn't know the difference. "Come Eris." The black haired girl stepped forward to stand near Rezo as he cast the spell again, this time causing the scene to change to that of his house. "Eris, show them all to rooms."
"Lord Rezo, I don't think there's enough," Eris replied.
"Gourry and I can share, Amelia and Lina can share," Zelgadis said, causing Eris's attention to be drawn to him. "Zolf and Rodimus, Leo and Andrew, Glory and Zelda."
Eris saw Rezo's nod, "Yes sir," she said softly, leading them all to rooms.