Chapter 16:
"L-sama."
Stepping out, the Trickster's eyes opened to reveal the pair of glittering amethysts as he knelt down before the Creator, head bowed in respect. The Knight of Ceipheed followed, both appearing amazingly dignified despite their state of dress. Or undress for that matter.
Frozen with shock, the rest of them just gaped at the beautiful, glowing lady donned in an elegant gown levitating slightly before them, her blond hair cascading down gently like a waterfall as she stretched her hand gracefully towards the pair. Phibirizo especially, was trembling from head to toe, as despairing memories of his own destruction hit him hard.
Arise…I trust you have both been well?
"That," Xelloss muttered while standing up, "Would be a matter of opinion, L-sama."
Lina, despite her initial shock, was beginning to recover, her agile mind thawing out as quickly as it froze. Why was it that the Lord of Nightmares, the all powerful being, the creator of heaven and earth, would be standing here before us? Not only that, why was She having such casual conversations with Xelloss and her sister, as though they had known each other for years?
Fiery eyes narrowed. Not that the last assumption was completely impossible…after all, her sister was the Knight of Ceipheed, and Xelloss was a General cum Priest of the great Beastmaster…they should be rather infamous to the Lord of Nightmares. Yet, how interesting. A powerful being from each side: the Mazokus and the Ryuuzokus. Xelloss and Luna. A perfect combination.
Four pairs of eyes widened along with fiery-red ones as realisation struck.
I see you have figured it out. Excellent, that would save explanations.
The lady chuckled softly as she casually flicked her wrist at Xelloss and Luna. The violet-haired pair was enveloped in a ball of glowing light, before they reappeared, Xelloss in his Trickster clothes, complete with his ruby staff, and Luna in her armour, wielding a sword in her hands.
Xelloss, Luna…I leave them in your capable hands. As suddenly as she arrived, the immortal vanished.
Breaking the tension hanging the air, Zelgadiss stepped forward. "Xelloss. I'm about to ask you a question, and I expect a serious answer."
The Trickster grinned, "Shoot."
"That's the best idea I've heard in centuries," the blond Filia murmured to Lina, who smirked evilly.
"Are you…who I think you are? And did…" the dark-haired man shot a glance at Zellas, who replied with a shrug.
"I believe a re-introduction is necessary." With a flourished swish of his cape, the Trickster bowed. "You see before you Xelloss Metallium, son, General and Priest of Zellas Metallium the Beastmaster; Luna Inverse, Knight of Ceipheed. Both loyal servants of the Mother of Chaos…"
"The Lord of Nightmares," Lina breathed.
* * *
The group now sat in the shape of a semi-circle, their eyes focused intently upon the violet-haired couple sitting in front of them. Filia's face still had a tinge of green on it. No, it was not envy…she just needed a paper bag to hurl into. The namagomi, a servant of the Lord of Nightmares? If this wasn't a nightmare, she is definitely going to suicide soon with the thought of such a person running around and helping the Creator shape the world.
Twirling his oak staff lightly on a finger, the Trickster rubbed his head sheepishly with his other hand. "Well…this silence is rather oppressive, wouldn't you say?"
Shuu fixed a stare of absolute disgust upon Xelloss. "A servant of the Lord of Nightmares sided the mazokus (of all races) and destroyed an entire clan of my kind? And is still working under Her and the mazokus?"
"It's a long story," the Trickster smiled widely.
"Cut with the cryptic answers and get to the point," Lina growled. One could almost see her fiery hair bristling and bursting into flames in the next second.
Standing up slowly, Luna began pacing the room, her violet eyes flicking from one person to the next as she passed them. An involuntary shudder raced up and down their spines as the unblinking eyes seemed to stare into their very soul.
"You are to complete a quest to satisfy L-sama, so that She would return us all back to the realm of magic again. This is a mission to prove to Her that it is possible to maintain harmony and goodwill between races…or even perhaps, to develop it. Once convinced, L-sama will send us back to our rightful world."
Clutching his bleeding nose, Phibirizo shook his head. "What's wrong our this world? I'm happy here."
"Being a thief and a murderer? You should be a Christian like me! Goodness and justice will prevail in…"
"Don't get me wrong," the dark-haired boy grinned at Amelia, "I do attend Church regularly. In fact, I pay great attention to the sermons."
"You do?" The undergraduate lit up with happiness.
"Oh yes. Most thieves go to church. The offertory offers all sorts of splendid opportunities."
Amelia looked suddenly aghast.
Laughing uproariously, Gaav patted the smirking boy on the back. "Once a thief, always a thief, eh? With a smart-ass mouth to go with it."
Luna stopped her pacing to raise an eyebrow at the young thief. "How much did you take from her?"
"Who?" Phibirizo blinked innocently.
"All right, give it all back."
Muttering, Phibirizo dumped a bulging pouch of money into the ex-Princess's hands. "Spoilsport."
"I could 'spoil' your jaw along with your sport."
The Trickster tapped his staff on the ground several times, breaking the tension between the Knight and thief. Walking round the group, he began tracing his staff on the ground, speaking at the same time.
"Get some rest, all of you. The quest will begin tomorrow. Luna and I shall guide you to the right spot."
Before anyone could blink, the circle which Xelloss had drawn round them glowed brightly, before a pillar of light blast forth, surrounding everyone.
In the next second, they were gone.
"All right, Xelloss," Luna sighed. "Where did you send them?"
"To Lina's house naturally."
"All of them?"
"Well…I merely thought they should start harmonizing with each other now and get used to it."
The corner of the Knight's mouth twitched slightly.