Chapter 1



The young girl frowned at the opening before her.

"Damn. I didn't think they'd get through so quickly. I'll have to seal this opening off."

She held her staff in front of her and it floated before her. She closed her eyes and spoke in a voice so quiet, you wouldn't have been able to hear her even if you were standing right next to her. Her arms were held straight out before her, her right hand standing right next to her left hand.

At last she opened her eyes quickly and called out, "SEAL!!!!" She flipped her arms across each other and the staff spun in a circle.

When the staff had stopped spinning, she caught it and set it aside to examine her barrier.

"Well they won't get through this way, but they also won't give up. Eventually they'll get through and I won't be able to stop them. Damn! I'll need to get help."

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Someone had watched her. He was on the other side of the barrier. He quickly ran back to tell his master what he had seen.

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Zelgadiss was walking down the streets of Atlas City. He was on his way back to see Amelia. He had been gone a long time and had had no luck at finding a cure. So when he'd received an invitation from Amelia, he'd decided to accept it. He really wanted to see Amelia, even though he would never admit it.

"Well, how goes the search for a cure?"

At those words he stopped dead I his tracks. He looked around, but couldn't see anyone who might have spoken to him.

"Who's there," he demanded.

"No one special," said the voice again. "I'm just the person who might have your cure. But you need to help me first."

No doubt, he thought. It's definitely a female voice, but where's it coming from?

"How do I know you're telling the truth?"

"You don't. So let's get together for coffee and we can discuss the terms. Then you can decide."

He thought about it. Well, no harm could come from just listening.

"Alright. We can get together."

"Excellent!"

This time the voice came from right behind him and he whirled around. There was a young girl there, smiling at him.

She looked to be about 17 and had long black hair with silver bangs and purple eyes. Her pants and boots were black, while her shirt was white. She also wore a silvery-gray cape.

He blinked and she smiled again.

"Let's go," she said, and she grabbed his arm, dragging him along to a quiet restaurant.

Later, after they had finished their meal, she discussed the problem.

"There's some men who are trying to steal something from my home. I can't fight them myself. That's what I need your help with. In return you get your cure."

"Really? That sounds almost too easy. What's the catch?"

"This. The men I spoke of have an army. In this army are powerful sorcerers. There's possibly even a Mazoku tied up in this. although I believe that if he is then he is working without the approval of any demon lord."

"Now this sounds like a challenge. Can you prove that you have the cure?"

She nodded and grabbed his hand. "Allow me. Hold on tight." With that, she teleported.

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They stood in front of a sealed doorway, at the base of a mountain.

"Here we are. Go ahead and try to open it."

Zelgadiss, recovered from the sudden teleport, fought the urge to glare at the girl. "You could have warned me," he muttered as he stepped up to the sealed door. He tried everything he could think of. and none of it worked.

Then she stepped up to the door and placed her hand on it. She winked at him, then gently pushed the door back. It moved at her slightest touch.

Zelgadiss was shocked.

"How did you."

Then for the first time, she looked fierce.

"That was only a demonstration. Hurry inside."

When he was in, she waved her hand and sealed the doorway again. Then she lead the way, deeper inside.

"LIGHTING!!!!" She shouted and the whole place was lit up. In the center of the cave was a mighty throne and next to it rested a pool.

Zelgadiss gasped.

"Do you know this place, chimera? It is the hiding place of the one pool that holds life. The pool that heals diseases and even curses."

She now seemed angry, though not at Zelgadiss.

"Yes! Curses even such as yours Zelgadiss, for which no cure can be found. And those men seek to defile this place and claim it as their own. I can't let that happen!"

"So am I to assume that you are the fabled Guardian who protects the secret of the pool, even with her own life?"

"You assume correctly. I am the one that is neither demon nor dragon nor even human. I will protect the spring with my life. It is my chosen duty."

"Then why can't you take care of them yourself? I've also heard the legends of your power."

Now the girl looked sad. "My power comes from the pool. The pool sees human life as a precious gift and therefore I cannot take such a life. I can fight, but I cannot kill. I can take care of Mazoku and Ryuzoku though, for my power is equal to, if not greater than, theirs. That is why I need your help. You can enlist whatever help you need, so long as you do not tell them of the deal we have made. Others humans may not care for it."

Despite his better judgment, he asked, "Why?" He was growing slightly suspicious.

She walked to the pool and stood over it. As she spoke, she stretched her hand over it.

"This pool is made of life. Each drop of water is a spirit waiting to be reborn."

A drop of water floated up to her outstretched hand, as though called.

"To drink even a single drop is to deny someone that chance. The choice is yours Zelgadiss. Do you accept my offer?"

Zelgadiss didn't hesitate.

"Of course I do."