Chapter 3

Filia was shocked. She knew that Xalless was a Mazoku, yet she didn't get that same feeling from Xalless that she always seemed to get with Xelloss.

They were all riding in the same group now, Xalless determined to keep going. She rode in the front and Xelloss rode next to her, presumably catching up on old times.

Amelia and Gourry rode behind them and Filia, Lina, and Zelgadiss brought up the rear. Lina and Zel had filled Filia in on everything and Filia agreed to help. Being a Golden Dragon, she'd heard of the Healing Springs and knew of its importance. Still, helping a one-time Mazoku made her feel awkward.

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"So this is where you've been," Xelloss said in a quiet voice.

Xalless nodded. "Why are you here though? What does Zelas have up her sleeve?"

Xelloss winked. "Sore wa himitsu desu."

Xalless smiled. "I swear you've gotten worse, Xelloss. We never used to have secrets between."

"That was before you left without saying goodbye." There was real anger in his voice.

Xalless sighed. "I see."

"But I'm not the only one keeping secrets. What's yours, I wonder?"

Xalless smiled and winked at Xelloss. "Sore wa himitsu desu."

That earned her a soft chuckle from her Mazoku brother.

"We both have secret agenda's, Xelloss. Now it seems like it'll be a contest to see who figures out the other's first. Kind of like old times." She spurred her horse slightly ahead and Xelloss did not try to catch up.

"Yeah. It will."

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Deep Sea Dolphin crushed the glass she held. Wine spilled to the floor. "Damn her. What's she up to? Sending Xelloss into this? Hah! None of them will survive. Doesn't she realize this? Baka. And then she has the nerve to come here and ask me to help! Well, I have my own plan."

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Zelas sighed. Xelloss had recently reported in and now she knew that Dolphin couldn't be behind the 'disturbances.' So Zelas had decided to pay a visit to her fellow High Mazoku. Dolphin had proved a failure, rejecting Zelas before she had time to lay out her full plan, but then, Zelas and Dolphin had always hated each other. Zelas could only hope that Dynast would be more open to hearing her plan.

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"We must move quickly. If they keep going at the rate they are, they'll get to the cave before we break through again. They must be delayed."

"Yes master. What about the High Mazoku?"

"They won't help. Each one always has their own agenda. They wouldn't be able to unite long enough to be any kind of threat. Don't worry about them. With any luck, they'll kill each other and no longer be a nuisance."

The young man bowed and hurried out. The evil voice chuckled slightly.

"When I'm done with that pool, I will be more powerful than all the High Mazoku combined. My power could even rival that of L-sama's itself!"

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Lina was beginning to get worried, so she moved her horse up to ride beside Xalless. They were on their second day of travel and had met no opposition at all.

"Xalless, isn't this going a bit too smoothly? I mean, you spoke of an army and someone is bound to find out about us. We aren't exactly keeping our movements quiet."

"Yes. I am well aware of the situation. I've been expecting something to happen myself. But these people aren't stupid. They're planning something. I just wish I knew what."

"A trap most likely. We're heading into a forest where trees can provide cover, so it would be easy to prepare an ambush."

"Hmm. Yes. You are right. Do you suggest we take the long way around?

Lina knew Xalless was testing her. "Of course not. Where would the fun in that be?"

Xalless chuckled. "Good answer, Lina. Then let's just remain prepared."

Lina nodded.

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Zel and Amelia had ended up in the rear, talking.

"I'm glad you're back, Mr. Zelgadiss."

Zel sighed. "You know we've been friends for a long time. You can call me Zel."

Amelia blushed. "Oh-okay. Zel."

It felt strange to her to hear Zel call her a friend. She was certain he'd only ever thought of her as annoying. Still, it also felt good. She knew what her feelings towards Zelgadiss were, but she wouldn't admit them until she knew how Zel felt about her.

Zel, however, did normally share his feelings and wasn't about to start now. He did love Amelia, but he was still determined to get his cure. He'd decided that he'd ask Amelia to marry him after he received his cure from Xalless, but not before.

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Filia was riding with Xelloss. Baby Valgarv was sitting up in the basket and was watching Xelloss intently, which made him look very cute.

"So Xalless is your sister? I didn't know Mazoku had a family structure."

"Xalless was my sister," he said testily. He was still angry at Xalless and decided to change the subject. "Valgarv is looking rather healthy."

"Yes, but I'm wondering if I should have brought him along. Maybe I should have accepted Prince Phil's offer to watch him."

Xelloss smirked. "Yeah, it was pretty stupid of you, but typical of your kind. Never realizing the danger."

Filia's tail popped out. "Oh! Just stay away from me Namagomi," she yelled angrily.

She looked down at Val-chan, only to find him gone from his basket. Looking around she saw him cooing happily in Xelloss' arms. She was about to yell, but subsided when she noticed Xelloss smiling genuinely. She smiled to herself and let it go.

Xelloss looked back. "Filia, if you really don't want to take Valgarv into battle, I know someone who could take care of him."

"Really? Who?"

"My mistress."

"What!?"

"She's really good with kids. Trust me." The way he said it told Filia that trusting him was the last thing she wanted to do, but she didn't have much choice.

"Well, okay. If you're sure?"

"I'm sure."

They waited until they stopped for the night, then Filia said goodbye to baby Val and Xelloss disappeared with him.

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"Absolutely not! I will not watch a baby dragon!"

Zelas was enraged. "I'm practically at war with Dolphin and I still need to get my plan under way. That. baby. would only hinder me!"

"So then, maybe Dynast would help?"

Zelas faltered. Dynast was her one wak spot. "Well. All right. But just this once."

Xelloss smiled. "Thank you." He put baby Val-chan in Zelas' arms and disappeared to return to the group.

In spite of herself, Zelas couldn't help but smile at the little child.

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Dynast watched all this in a mirror. He couldn't help but watch Zelas. Normally, he would be cold and calculating and uncaring, but Zelas was his one weak spot, much as Dolphin had bee Phibrizzo's, a secret known only to Dynast.

Dynast loved to spy on the other High Mazoku. It gave him a slight advantage, so he already knew about the pool. One thing he wasn't sure on though was this Xalless person. Xelloss had mentioned her and both he and Zelas seemed to know her, but Dynast couldn't figure out how. But this was a mystery Dynast was determined to figure out and if he had to spend time with Zelas and baby Val to do it. well, that was just a perk.

He smiled and teleported to Zelas.

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Well, that's the end of Chapter 3. I felt a bit of comedy was needed in the serious plot so Zelas has become a babysitter. But it's been so long since there were any little ones around Wolf Pack Island. Do you think Zelas remembers how to change a diaper? Anyways, I hope you enjoy so far. Chapter 4 will hopefully be completed soon, so don't go away and please r/r!