A Lone Wolf

Chapter One

Author's Notes:
General disclaimers apply. The single quotations are still used for telepathic conversation. Comments welcome. Constructive criticism is also welcome. The next few chapters will seem rather useless but they play an important role in the plot, which will be explained as the story develops. Sorry! My sister hacked into my file and reviewed me. I know it looked like I was either crazy or arrogantly talking to myself. I'm really sorry about that. I have also made a few mistakes in my writing which I shall contrive to correct. Thank you to 'the DragonBard' for pointing some of these mistakes out.

* * *

A slow grin appeared on Xelloss' face. The hunt had begun again. There was nothing he preferred better than hunting. It was a trait that Zelas-sama had instilled in all of her Mazoku. It would be a refreshing change to hunt down and kill these Mazoku by himself. He had manipulated others into killing off Zelas-sama's enemies for so long that he had almost forgotten what the hunt felt like. It was a truly glorious feeling.

Raock and Kioull had been easy to track once he found out where to look for them. He shifted into wolf form and padded softly into the forest near Saillune. He glorified in the primal savageness that the hunt installed in him. The old hunting instincts returned and he was on his feet more stealthy then Kousha could ever be. His slitted violet eyes glowed with a dangerous, animalistic look that was so common among predators. Their scent led him to a cave far into the depths of the forest. Xelloss sniffed the air, sensing that Raock and Kioull were not far. He was right.

Ears twitching slightly, he perceived a slight rustling of leaves and the crisp snap of a twig. Crouching low, he prepared himself for the move he knew the other Mazoku would make. It came in a second. Xelloss whirled around, claws and teeth bared, as the other Mazoku pounced. His claws caught in the Mazoku's fur, leaving three long gashes across his chest. He sniffed the air, trying to determine which one he was fighting. The distinctively pungent smell of dead animal ascertained that he was dealing with Kioull. With a name like that it was no wonder he smelled so horrible.

He also sensed a deep fear rooted within Kioull. If wolves could grin, this one did as he sensed and drank in that delightful fear. Before the other Mazoku could react Xelloss moved and had his claws bared at Kioull's throat.

'Why are you prying into Zelas-sama's business?!' demanded Xelloss.

'Dynast-sama and Dolphin-sama wish to eliminate you. Rugradia has being dead for centuries, and what was left of him, that pitiful piece called Aqua, has been destroyed. The seal is weak, and The Demon King of the North can finally be freed. He has given orders that a list of candidates must be made up of Mazoku that are suitable to be Mazoku Lords. Unfortunately, you come highly recommended from Lei Magnus-sama himself. You are too sentimental to be Mazoku Lord. You even fell in love, not once but three times. You have no loyalties either. You would betray Zelas and even Shabranigdu-sama to better your own needs. I despise you and your weakness."


'Ah such hatred is the true food on which I dine. As to my sentimentality? It never existed. Those women were only toys. I killed them when I grew bored. My loyalties lie with Shabranigdu-sama and the true Mazoku cause.'

'What about your loyalty to Zelas, your own creator and overlord?'

'That is a secret, my dear Mazoku,' he smiled smugly.

Xelloss heard a slight rustling nearby. He jumped away just in time as Raock joined in the fight. The stakes of the fight had just been upped slightly. Even though Xelloss was not about to use magic, he still knew that he had an infinitely greater advantage. It just made the game all the more interesting. He grinned an intensely inane grin. Both Mazoku attacked at once, from different angles. He jumped aside from the two-pronged attack.

'Not fair! You attacked at the same time. I guess I'll just have to even the odds.'

He leapt at Raock and slashed at him viciously. Raock seemed to have a rather tough skin but it was eventually pierced. Essence gushed from the wound, leaving him weak. Kioull retaliated, seeing that Xelloss was otherwise occupied. Xelloss was too fast and dodged the attack. He savagely tore into the Kioull's throat. Bored now that his opponents were immobilized, he tore into their astral forms. The Mazoku slowly disintegrated into nothing more than particles of dust.

* * *

'Zelas-sama, I have finished all the tasks that you've given me. Would you like me to report in to you?'

'Yes, I want to hear about the information that you managed to squeeze from the two interfering Mazoku I wanted you to get rid of.'

'Very well, Zelas-sama. Your wish is my command.'

Xelloss smirked. The hunt had been refreshing, although he would have to ponder the other Mazoku's words. He would have to go to Wolf Pack Island immediately. It wouldn't do at all to anger Zelas-sama when she was already keeping something from him. Being late would arouse too much suspicion. With that last thought in mind, he teleported directly into Zelas-sama's chambers.

* * *

"Xelloss, dear? Have you obeyed my orders and obtained my little trinkets? I already know that you finished my other task, since you so liberally informed me just a second ago. I need new jewelry. What I currently have is terribly boring and out of style. I'm also running low on wine and cigars."

"Of course, Zelas-sama. Everything is as you ordered. The shipments of fine Zelphelia wine and cigars will be here shortly. The other trinkets I have here with me." As he said this, Xelloss produced an ornate gold casket for Zelas-sama to inspect.

Zelas-sama opened the pretty golden box to reveal dozens of magnificent pieces of jewelry piled elegantly on a rich, scarlet silk lining. She smiled greedily and picked up several of the golden bangles, which she placed on her slim, bronze wrists. The diamond and earrings immediately replaced her old ones to dangle wickedly from both earlobes. A heavy diamond collar replaced her old gold one against her long, silky throat.

"Your new jewelry suits you eminently well, Zelas-sama."

"Do you think?" she asked as she twirled a strand of dark blond hair between slip, tapered fingers.

"Of course. You wear your jewelry spectacularly unlike anyone else. It creates a devastating effect." He flattered, well aware of her vanity.

"Rich jewelry does suit me. I think that we must get back on task though," she sighed remorsefully, "You did interrogate them before their untimely demises?"

"Don't I always do exactly as you ask? I have done so for more than a thousand years."

"Yes, well get on with it."

"Kioull made some interesting comments. They were trying to assassinate me. Apparently I'm to be made Mazoku Lord. That does not seem to suit either Dolphin or Dynast and they ordered my demise on the grounds that I am apparently to 'sentimental' to join the ranks of the Mazoku Lords such as yourself."

"Was that all?"

"Yes."

"Very well, you are dismissed."

"Thank you, Zelas-sama."

Xelloss bowed and teleported out of the room.

* * *

Zelas smirked. It had been an excellent idea to plant those two Mazoku. They would arouse suspicion in him against Dynast and Dolphin. She had done her job well. The mention of the three women would cause him a lot of worry and suspicion. It would drive him mad not to know how other Mazoku had discovered his well-kept "secrets", and what they had meant by specifically mentioning them. It also had another cause. She had seen a long time ago that her General/Priest's little pet golden dragon was a perfect mix of all three women. Sooner or later he would fall in love with the dragon and then she could prove that he was unsuitable for the position of Mazoku Lord.

She didn't want him to become a Mazoku Lord. She had worked very hard to finally mold Xelloss into exactly the sort of minion that she wanted. He was cunning and capable enough so that she would have to do very little work. His cleverness would enable him to understand that betrayal was not an option if he wished to live. He was secretive enough so that he would not reveal any of her plans. Xelloss was also ambitious enough to do a good job on every bit of work that she gave him. His ambition, however, was what had gotten her into this mess. Zelas had never made room for the factor that new Mazoku Lords could be chosen if too many of them died off. That little bit of oversight might just cost her a great deal. He was irreplaceable as her General/Priest. She would not look forward to actually having to do things by herself if the time came that Xelloss was no longer working under her.

Another problem with Xelloss becoming a Mazoku Lord had been brought into view. If Xelloss became a Mazoku Lord, he would be far too dangerous to her. He knew her secrets and how she operated. Xelloss had exactly the kind of inside information that could be her ultimate doom. The best way to ensure her own position was to keep him like a devoted suitor attached to her apron strings.

It would certainly not be an easy thing to do. Xelloss himself was too intelligent to fall into anything but the most finely wrought traps and he had also never been tricked before. Zelas was not sure that she could even develop a trap that would be clever and tricky enough to overcome Xelloss. The first thing she needed was to certify to Lei Magnus-sama himself that Xelloss would not be a good Mazoku Lord. Lei Magnus was looking for Mazoku that were capable, ambitious and clever. Xelloss fit the bill entirely. The only way to prevent Xelloss from becoming a Mazoku Lord was to convince other Mazoku that he was too sentimental and perhaps even emotionally unstable. The most important thing to remember in all of this was that Xelloss must not suspect a thing.

He had not looked overly surprised that he was a prime candidate for the position of Mazoku Lord. Perhaps it was already too late. Maybe he already suspected her. No, it would do her no good to think like that. She must think optimistically and hope for the best. It would be hard, but she would even have to give up fine wine and cigars for now. Zelas would need her mind to be entirely clear in order to outwit her own General/Priest. It would be the most difficult thing she had ever set out to do. The worst was that she would have to succeed or be overthrown.

* * *

What had been the use of mentioning those women to him? They fascinated him, but he had never loved them. The fact that he had killed them in the end proved that he was not sentimental. There must have been a use to the long tirade that the Mazoku had spit out at him. Did they think that by mentioning anything to do with them he would fall apart and succumb to emotional fits that were not befitting of any Mazoku? There must have been a use for mentioning those women. If he wanted the upper hand, he would have find out what that use was.

It was greatly rumored that Lei-sama and L-sama had formed a mutual attraction. Xelloss believed that attraction but not love was possible between Mazoku. They could be greatly captivated by objects of great power, but love was out of the question. Mazoku simply were not made with the capability to love. Xelloss decided that Lei Magnus-sama could not fault him for something that he too was guilty of.

The fact that he had already killed those women was proof that one would be hard put to hold them against him. They had interfered with his ambition to gain power and so they were killed. It was typical of an intelligent, ambitious Mazoku to do such a thing. They were made to try and end the world, so what was a couple more deaths? What could they possibly hold against him for those three women. Xelloss continued to ponder this thread of thought.

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Have you guessed where Raock and Kioull come from? If not tune in to the next chapter for "enlightenment".