1 Chapter Two: Filia
2 Revelations
I sigh as I push the pedal of the pottery wheel. That was a strange talk with Xellos the other day. He had some strange questions, true. But it was almost as if … as if we were normal. Like … two old friends, meeting for a pleasant chat. Although the subject was anything but pleasant.
I hadn't talked about Monster's Fall for some time now. It was ironic, wasn't it, that the very same person who had caused me to try to forget it brought it up. And I hadn't heard or told the story of the Box of Nightmares for so long. I feel a sudden warmth under my hands and realize I have held them still for too long, causing the swirling clay to burn my hands. I quickly take them off, and look at the lump of clay sitting there, ceasing to pedal. A teacup is forming, wide-rimmed and thin. I close my eyes for a moment, remembering the first time I had held a teacup. I had broken it.
Why did a Mazoku even have questions about such things anyway? It was almost as if he was human. Or another race. Any race, except for the Mazoku. Mazoku do not feel emotion. I am sure of that. Or am I?
Xellos has changed my perceptions of the world and things in it, truth be told. Yes, Xellos! That 'filthy, dirty, conniving Mazoku'. Such is what I used to say of him. He is so different from what I expected, a long time ago- what is it the humans say? Way back when. Yes, way back when. So different from what I expected, way back when. I had always thought of him as a snarling beast, as befitting his name. Lesser Beast. He served Zelas, the wisest Mazoku. But still. A Mazoku, all the same. I pictured him with knotted and tangled fur, a body much like a wolf's, eight eyes- where did I get that? I'm not sure. Eight eyes, and a red, snaggle-toothed, snarling mouth. Ready to 'kill any Ryuuzoku that crossed his path'. So Elder spoke of him.
I, a Golden Ryuuzoku, crossed his path alright. I even traveled with him for some time! And yet here I am, the owner of a successful pottery, weaponry and tea shop. Still alive. I thought him strange, I wondered why he chose to look so innocent. So … handsome, even. Nothing to hint that he was one of the most powerful creatures in all creation. Why? I wondered this for some time. Then I began to think he had plans. Evil plans, that would reach fruition later. I once thought he wished to resurrect a piece of Ruby Eye Shabrinigdo, the piece that Ruby Eye saw fit to store in Mr. Zelgadis. For when he created Mr. Zegadis' chimera body, he found him as an invaluable place to store one of his pieces. That stone body was a wise place for it.
I perceive the world much differently from when I first started out on that journey to fetch Miss Lina to the Outer World. Naïve, I was. So innocently naïve, believing all that my Elders could feed to me.
Xellos saw a side of me I have hidden away for centuries now. The side that was before Monster's Fall. Before my parents' death. After they died, I felt … guilty. Yes, guilty. I felt I had failed them in what they had hoped I would be. I became the 'sweet, kind, rule-obeying priestess' I am now. It was this new temperament that allowed me to become the High Priestess to the Fire Dragon King. Before … now I pretend to be given to anger that flares and recedes as quickly as it shows. As for before … before I had a slow, smoldering anger that burned for centuries. Sharp, cynical. Sarcastic. Instead of plain anger, I contented myself with bitter thoughts and sharp snips occasionally. I have not changed, internally. I pretend to work into a rage. But I still smolder. Pure hatred against some person that died centuries still finds itself the darkest recess of my heart. My so- called 'pure' heart.
Xellos' visit also aroused questions in me that only one person can answer. Well, used to be able to answer. The Elder used to be my closest confidant, and even with him, I could not tell all my heart felt. He was my surrogate father figure.
Who else could answer? Elder would have told me the Golden Ryuuzoku version of it. I need the other point of view. The 'evil' that is not really that evil's point of view. Who else?
Ryuuzoku and Mazoku have hated each other for centuries now. Are we really that different? Both stubborn. Both willing to destroy whole races. Mazoku even, perhaps … better. They did not destroy … the entire race. No, we are not that different, you and I. Not that different at all.
How to go about such a thing? Such an … unthinkable thing. What would the young Filia have thought of such a plan? Go to the Lesser Beast myself! Wolfpack Island? Interesting name. I suppose that there are packs of wolves on the island to spur such a name. Wolves. I have never been afraid of any animal, knowing that I am a Ryuuzoku. The last of the once most powerful group of Ryuuzoku. Raising the last of the most powerful Ryuuzoku before my race. An Ancient. How much my life has changed!
Wolfpack Island. To go to Wolfpack Island. Or … perhaps you will visit again. Perhaps you will return, with more questions. Good. I will be ready for you then. Ready with questions of my own. Questions about … you. Will you answer?
I don't know.
You do come.
More questions?
I suspected this much, and I tell you so. Punctuated, of course, with a 'Namagami' at the end. Didn't you used to work into a rage when I did that? I used to be the only thing that could make you truly angry. You used to be the only thing that could make me truly angry, for that matter. When did we change? I wonder. I can still remember your early reaction to it: "NAMAGAMI?! NAMAGAMI?! WHERE THE HELL DO YOU GET NAMAGAMI?!" You stare at me with those disturbing amethyst eyes open. Did I say that out loud?
"Something wrong, Fi-chan? Or are we just reminiscing of … shall we say, to put it delicately, past happenings? Our … first encounters, perhaps?" You say. I smile at you coldly, baring sharp white fangs.
"Much more pleasant for me …" I say, my voice 'dripping with the sweetest poison'. So my sister used to tell me when I began to use that tone. My sister that died because of you. "… than for you, I believe, Namagami." You twitch slightly. You are too used to the furious Filia, aren't you? This … cold sarcasm does not settle well with your stomach.
Your stomach that holds not food, but negative emotions. Picky, picky, Xel- chan. I wonder what your reaction would be if I called you that?
I wonder.
Have I the daring to try? Perhaps. But for now … the sun is setting. I remember the last time I really watched a sunset. A millennia ago, it was. My mother took me to the mountain near the Temple to watch it the night before I started to train as a priestess. A night before she died. I have never watched a sunset since.
Is it safe to watch? Will it rip open the darkest part of my heart, the shadowy corner where my hatred and secrets are kept? Worse yet, will it cause me to break down before you, of all people? I will take the chance. Ah yes, the old Filia is coming back indeed. I pity all who have to see her.
You watch me. "Did you not say you were expecting me to visit again, Fi- chan? Why is that?" You ask. It may be just my imagination, but you almost sound like you are trying to start me talking again.
"Come." I say. "The sun is setting." You stare at me again. You leave your eyes open a lot these past days. You are growing strange, you are. "I, for one, intend to watch it. If you do not feel like coming, kindly leave everything where it is." I walk out the west door.
I feel a slight wave of energy as you teleport out. "Too lazy for even a little walk out the door, now, Namagami?" You blink at me. No, you are most certainly not used to this new- or old- Filia, are you now? You cannot even retort with something.
"Now." You say. "The question I had was another somewhat … philosophical one." You pause, and look at me. I wonder again what causes you to open your eyes now.
"Now, Namagami." I say, not returning your gaze. "No questions just yet, if you please. I plan on watching the sunset in peace." I turn my gaze west, towards the setting sun, which is quickly turning the sky around it shades of gold. You raise an eyebrow.
"Well, if you insist, Fi-chan. In fact, I haven't watched a sunset in a long time either." You turn towards the west as well.
The sky around the sun is a deep, fiery red. It fades to a pale orange, then gives way to clouds of a shade not quite stormy periwinkle blue, not quite darkish purple, and not quite dark cotton candy pink. The sky beyond is a rapidly darkening shade of innocent blue.
"The sun turned the sky into a rainbow of insignia …" I say softly. "… as he placed two fingers on her forehead and said gently …" I hear the rustle of your cloak as you turn to me. "… 'I will always be with you …" You look slightly surprised, but make no move to speak. "… as long as the sun rises every morning' …" The sun fades a little deeper into the horizon as I finish speaking. "… and his blood-stained glove fell to his side, but she did not weep as the life left his body … for he had made his promise … to stay with her until the sun did not rise again … and where his fingers had touched, a mark of blood was made … to show that love between two races that hated one another … was possible…"
I stop speaking abruptly. I know not why I suddenly chose to recite that story. Particularly with you. From a different race. A race that has hated mine and mine has hated for millennia.
"What was that, Filia?" You ask. Not a trace of teasing in your voice. How out of character. I turn on my heel and march inside the house, with you trailing at a respectful distance behind me.
I sit primly on a chair, and do not invite you to sit in one. You sit in the chair across from me anyway. That is more like you. Much better. "Now, Namagami." I say. "I answered your questions last time. Now you are going to answer mine." You blink in surprise.
"Well, all right, Fi-chan." You say. Back to your old, annoying self. I really do wonder what you would do if I called you Xel-chan. I must try that the next opportunity I get. "But what could you, High Priestess to the Fire Dragon King, not know that I, a filthy Mazoku, do?" Ah. Here is my chance to test this.
"I wondered that myself." I say sweetly. "But I'm sure that your age and knowledge far surpass mine …" I drag the 'a' in 'far' dramatically, and finish my sentence with your new title. Sending a stinging slap in each syllable, yet still sweetly. As sweet as honey and as deadly as hemlock. "… Xel-chan."
You seem to be surprised for a second. Then you begin to twitch. Rather quickly the twitching becomes an expression of anger. "What did you, a Ryuuzoku, just call the Priest of a Mazoku Lord?" You say forcefully. I would have been afraid you would kill me before. Now, I do not care. No one else will care, why should I?
"Xel-chan?" I ask innocently. It seems our roles have been rather reversed in the last few minutes. I calm, annoyingly composed. You furious, ready to rip my hair out.
You finally manage to calm yourself, although your usually carefully hidden aura is flaring dark black around you. You take a deep breath, and look at me. "You are taking rather dangerous chances, Filia Ul Copt." You hiss. I smile at you with closed eyes. Giving you a taste of your own medicine, a human would say.
"Of course, Xel-chan." I say sweetly. Opening my eyes a slit, I see that you are twitching. A lot. You speak calmly with effort.
"Now." You say. "What were your … questions?" Now comes the hard part.
"My questions?" I say. "Oh, that. What was your side to the killing of the Golden Ryuuzoku?" I ask nonchalantly. You, however, are not so calm.
"What?" You say, obviously in shock. I have unnerved you completely in the past few minutes, have I not? How … amusing. I have a strange feeling this is how you think. And yet I do not care. "You, of all people, want to know my side to the Golden Ryuuzoku Massacre?"
"Oh, is that what you Mazoku call it?" I ask. "I was wondering." You are still twitching. "Oh, I'm sorry I interrupted you." I say. "Please do continue, Xel-chan."
"I had orders." You say simply. "Orders to kill any Ryuuzoku that happened to cross my path at the time. Juuo-sama, Haao-sama and Kaao-sama were all having a spat with a Golden Ryuuzoku Elder. What was his name now?" You say thoughtfully. No, that word does not fit you. Pensively. Pensive Xellos. Ah yes, it works better. You say pensively. "Ah, yes. Saichuro." I jump in surprise. You notice.
"Surprised, are we not, my little Ryuuzoku?" Now we have both unveiled the true person underneath, haven't we? This should get interesting. Your little Ryuuzoku? That will be punished, Xel-chan. I'll see to that.
"Saichuro-sama, Xel-chan dear?" I say sweetly. "You are mistaken, I should say." You twitch, your carefully gathered composure falling apart again. I see now why you enjoy annoying people. The reactions are quite satisfying. I am beginning to suspect that I am a little sadistic after all. The pure dragon priestess. Sadistic.
"You wanted to hear my side of it, did you not?" You say. "So kindly listen to it." I lean forward and put my elbows on the table, supporting my head with my hands, smiling a smile that bares wickedly sharp fangs. I have not smiled like so in a long time.
"Oh, do forgive me." I say. "Please continue …" You lean forward and place your elbows on the table, in the same position that I am in. We are now close enough to count eyelashes. "… Xel-chan." I whisper, breathing onto your face. You do not flinch. Your smile is a reflection of my own.
"Of course, Fi-chan." You reply, also in a whisper. Now things are getting interesting. "Juuo-sama, Haao-sama and Kaao-sama all sent their generals to kill Golden Ryuuzoku. Word got around that the Ryuuzoku were sending a delegation out to make war, and they debated about which Lord's General to send out. At the time, Juuo-sama had a General, and I was merely her Priest. The natural choice at the time, actually, was to choose Phin, Kaao- sama's General, mostly because she was the most powerful. However, both Juuo-sama and I had a little grudge against your Elder. He had rather severely taunted the power of the Beastmaster, even though she was the third most powerful General under Shabrinigdo at the time. Being her Priest, I was more sensitive to taunts about her power than her General. She managed to convince the two others that I was sufficient to defeat the delegation. Then, because he had showed no anger at Saichuro's taunting of Juuo-sama's power, she destroyed her General, and I was granted the power of both a General and a Priest, therefore making me the most powerful Priest or General." This is more than you have talked in the entire time I have known you. Well, at least at one time.
"Mmm-hmm." I say. "So then you destroy nearly a whole race?" Your smile is wicked.
"Yes, Fi-chan." You reply acidly. "Of course."
2 Revelations
I sigh as I push the pedal of the pottery wheel. That was a strange talk with Xellos the other day. He had some strange questions, true. But it was almost as if … as if we were normal. Like … two old friends, meeting for a pleasant chat. Although the subject was anything but pleasant.
I hadn't talked about Monster's Fall for some time now. It was ironic, wasn't it, that the very same person who had caused me to try to forget it brought it up. And I hadn't heard or told the story of the Box of Nightmares for so long. I feel a sudden warmth under my hands and realize I have held them still for too long, causing the swirling clay to burn my hands. I quickly take them off, and look at the lump of clay sitting there, ceasing to pedal. A teacup is forming, wide-rimmed and thin. I close my eyes for a moment, remembering the first time I had held a teacup. I had broken it.
Why did a Mazoku even have questions about such things anyway? It was almost as if he was human. Or another race. Any race, except for the Mazoku. Mazoku do not feel emotion. I am sure of that. Or am I?
Xellos has changed my perceptions of the world and things in it, truth be told. Yes, Xellos! That 'filthy, dirty, conniving Mazoku'. Such is what I used to say of him. He is so different from what I expected, a long time ago- what is it the humans say? Way back when. Yes, way back when. So different from what I expected, way back when. I had always thought of him as a snarling beast, as befitting his name. Lesser Beast. He served Zelas, the wisest Mazoku. But still. A Mazoku, all the same. I pictured him with knotted and tangled fur, a body much like a wolf's, eight eyes- where did I get that? I'm not sure. Eight eyes, and a red, snaggle-toothed, snarling mouth. Ready to 'kill any Ryuuzoku that crossed his path'. So Elder spoke of him.
I, a Golden Ryuuzoku, crossed his path alright. I even traveled with him for some time! And yet here I am, the owner of a successful pottery, weaponry and tea shop. Still alive. I thought him strange, I wondered why he chose to look so innocent. So … handsome, even. Nothing to hint that he was one of the most powerful creatures in all creation. Why? I wondered this for some time. Then I began to think he had plans. Evil plans, that would reach fruition later. I once thought he wished to resurrect a piece of Ruby Eye Shabrinigdo, the piece that Ruby Eye saw fit to store in Mr. Zelgadis. For when he created Mr. Zegadis' chimera body, he found him as an invaluable place to store one of his pieces. That stone body was a wise place for it.
I perceive the world much differently from when I first started out on that journey to fetch Miss Lina to the Outer World. Naïve, I was. So innocently naïve, believing all that my Elders could feed to me.
Xellos saw a side of me I have hidden away for centuries now. The side that was before Monster's Fall. Before my parents' death. After they died, I felt … guilty. Yes, guilty. I felt I had failed them in what they had hoped I would be. I became the 'sweet, kind, rule-obeying priestess' I am now. It was this new temperament that allowed me to become the High Priestess to the Fire Dragon King. Before … now I pretend to be given to anger that flares and recedes as quickly as it shows. As for before … before I had a slow, smoldering anger that burned for centuries. Sharp, cynical. Sarcastic. Instead of plain anger, I contented myself with bitter thoughts and sharp snips occasionally. I have not changed, internally. I pretend to work into a rage. But I still smolder. Pure hatred against some person that died centuries still finds itself the darkest recess of my heart. My so- called 'pure' heart.
Xellos' visit also aroused questions in me that only one person can answer. Well, used to be able to answer. The Elder used to be my closest confidant, and even with him, I could not tell all my heart felt. He was my surrogate father figure.
Who else could answer? Elder would have told me the Golden Ryuuzoku version of it. I need the other point of view. The 'evil' that is not really that evil's point of view. Who else?
Ryuuzoku and Mazoku have hated each other for centuries now. Are we really that different? Both stubborn. Both willing to destroy whole races. Mazoku even, perhaps … better. They did not destroy … the entire race. No, we are not that different, you and I. Not that different at all.
How to go about such a thing? Such an … unthinkable thing. What would the young Filia have thought of such a plan? Go to the Lesser Beast myself! Wolfpack Island? Interesting name. I suppose that there are packs of wolves on the island to spur such a name. Wolves. I have never been afraid of any animal, knowing that I am a Ryuuzoku. The last of the once most powerful group of Ryuuzoku. Raising the last of the most powerful Ryuuzoku before my race. An Ancient. How much my life has changed!
Wolfpack Island. To go to Wolfpack Island. Or … perhaps you will visit again. Perhaps you will return, with more questions. Good. I will be ready for you then. Ready with questions of my own. Questions about … you. Will you answer?
I don't know.
You do come.
More questions?
I suspected this much, and I tell you so. Punctuated, of course, with a 'Namagami' at the end. Didn't you used to work into a rage when I did that? I used to be the only thing that could make you truly angry. You used to be the only thing that could make me truly angry, for that matter. When did we change? I wonder. I can still remember your early reaction to it: "NAMAGAMI?! NAMAGAMI?! WHERE THE HELL DO YOU GET NAMAGAMI?!" You stare at me with those disturbing amethyst eyes open. Did I say that out loud?
"Something wrong, Fi-chan? Or are we just reminiscing of … shall we say, to put it delicately, past happenings? Our … first encounters, perhaps?" You say. I smile at you coldly, baring sharp white fangs.
"Much more pleasant for me …" I say, my voice 'dripping with the sweetest poison'. So my sister used to tell me when I began to use that tone. My sister that died because of you. "… than for you, I believe, Namagami." You twitch slightly. You are too used to the furious Filia, aren't you? This … cold sarcasm does not settle well with your stomach.
Your stomach that holds not food, but negative emotions. Picky, picky, Xel- chan. I wonder what your reaction would be if I called you that?
I wonder.
Have I the daring to try? Perhaps. But for now … the sun is setting. I remember the last time I really watched a sunset. A millennia ago, it was. My mother took me to the mountain near the Temple to watch it the night before I started to train as a priestess. A night before she died. I have never watched a sunset since.
Is it safe to watch? Will it rip open the darkest part of my heart, the shadowy corner where my hatred and secrets are kept? Worse yet, will it cause me to break down before you, of all people? I will take the chance. Ah yes, the old Filia is coming back indeed. I pity all who have to see her.
You watch me. "Did you not say you were expecting me to visit again, Fi- chan? Why is that?" You ask. It may be just my imagination, but you almost sound like you are trying to start me talking again.
"Come." I say. "The sun is setting." You stare at me again. You leave your eyes open a lot these past days. You are growing strange, you are. "I, for one, intend to watch it. If you do not feel like coming, kindly leave everything where it is." I walk out the west door.
I feel a slight wave of energy as you teleport out. "Too lazy for even a little walk out the door, now, Namagami?" You blink at me. No, you are most certainly not used to this new- or old- Filia, are you now? You cannot even retort with something.
"Now." You say. "The question I had was another somewhat … philosophical one." You pause, and look at me. I wonder again what causes you to open your eyes now.
"Now, Namagami." I say, not returning your gaze. "No questions just yet, if you please. I plan on watching the sunset in peace." I turn my gaze west, towards the setting sun, which is quickly turning the sky around it shades of gold. You raise an eyebrow.
"Well, if you insist, Fi-chan. In fact, I haven't watched a sunset in a long time either." You turn towards the west as well.
The sky around the sun is a deep, fiery red. It fades to a pale orange, then gives way to clouds of a shade not quite stormy periwinkle blue, not quite darkish purple, and not quite dark cotton candy pink. The sky beyond is a rapidly darkening shade of innocent blue.
"The sun turned the sky into a rainbow of insignia …" I say softly. "… as he placed two fingers on her forehead and said gently …" I hear the rustle of your cloak as you turn to me. "… 'I will always be with you …" You look slightly surprised, but make no move to speak. "… as long as the sun rises every morning' …" The sun fades a little deeper into the horizon as I finish speaking. "… and his blood-stained glove fell to his side, but she did not weep as the life left his body … for he had made his promise … to stay with her until the sun did not rise again … and where his fingers had touched, a mark of blood was made … to show that love between two races that hated one another … was possible…"
I stop speaking abruptly. I know not why I suddenly chose to recite that story. Particularly with you. From a different race. A race that has hated mine and mine has hated for millennia.
"What was that, Filia?" You ask. Not a trace of teasing in your voice. How out of character. I turn on my heel and march inside the house, with you trailing at a respectful distance behind me.
I sit primly on a chair, and do not invite you to sit in one. You sit in the chair across from me anyway. That is more like you. Much better. "Now, Namagami." I say. "I answered your questions last time. Now you are going to answer mine." You blink in surprise.
"Well, all right, Fi-chan." You say. Back to your old, annoying self. I really do wonder what you would do if I called you Xel-chan. I must try that the next opportunity I get. "But what could you, High Priestess to the Fire Dragon King, not know that I, a filthy Mazoku, do?" Ah. Here is my chance to test this.
"I wondered that myself." I say sweetly. "But I'm sure that your age and knowledge far surpass mine …" I drag the 'a' in 'far' dramatically, and finish my sentence with your new title. Sending a stinging slap in each syllable, yet still sweetly. As sweet as honey and as deadly as hemlock. "… Xel-chan."
You seem to be surprised for a second. Then you begin to twitch. Rather quickly the twitching becomes an expression of anger. "What did you, a Ryuuzoku, just call the Priest of a Mazoku Lord?" You say forcefully. I would have been afraid you would kill me before. Now, I do not care. No one else will care, why should I?
"Xel-chan?" I ask innocently. It seems our roles have been rather reversed in the last few minutes. I calm, annoyingly composed. You furious, ready to rip my hair out.
You finally manage to calm yourself, although your usually carefully hidden aura is flaring dark black around you. You take a deep breath, and look at me. "You are taking rather dangerous chances, Filia Ul Copt." You hiss. I smile at you with closed eyes. Giving you a taste of your own medicine, a human would say.
"Of course, Xel-chan." I say sweetly. Opening my eyes a slit, I see that you are twitching. A lot. You speak calmly with effort.
"Now." You say. "What were your … questions?" Now comes the hard part.
"My questions?" I say. "Oh, that. What was your side to the killing of the Golden Ryuuzoku?" I ask nonchalantly. You, however, are not so calm.
"What?" You say, obviously in shock. I have unnerved you completely in the past few minutes, have I not? How … amusing. I have a strange feeling this is how you think. And yet I do not care. "You, of all people, want to know my side to the Golden Ryuuzoku Massacre?"
"Oh, is that what you Mazoku call it?" I ask. "I was wondering." You are still twitching. "Oh, I'm sorry I interrupted you." I say. "Please do continue, Xel-chan."
"I had orders." You say simply. "Orders to kill any Ryuuzoku that happened to cross my path at the time. Juuo-sama, Haao-sama and Kaao-sama were all having a spat with a Golden Ryuuzoku Elder. What was his name now?" You say thoughtfully. No, that word does not fit you. Pensively. Pensive Xellos. Ah yes, it works better. You say pensively. "Ah, yes. Saichuro." I jump in surprise. You notice.
"Surprised, are we not, my little Ryuuzoku?" Now we have both unveiled the true person underneath, haven't we? This should get interesting. Your little Ryuuzoku? That will be punished, Xel-chan. I'll see to that.
"Saichuro-sama, Xel-chan dear?" I say sweetly. "You are mistaken, I should say." You twitch, your carefully gathered composure falling apart again. I see now why you enjoy annoying people. The reactions are quite satisfying. I am beginning to suspect that I am a little sadistic after all. The pure dragon priestess. Sadistic.
"You wanted to hear my side of it, did you not?" You say. "So kindly listen to it." I lean forward and put my elbows on the table, supporting my head with my hands, smiling a smile that bares wickedly sharp fangs. I have not smiled like so in a long time.
"Oh, do forgive me." I say. "Please continue …" You lean forward and place your elbows on the table, in the same position that I am in. We are now close enough to count eyelashes. "… Xel-chan." I whisper, breathing onto your face. You do not flinch. Your smile is a reflection of my own.
"Of course, Fi-chan." You reply, also in a whisper. Now things are getting interesting. "Juuo-sama, Haao-sama and Kaao-sama all sent their generals to kill Golden Ryuuzoku. Word got around that the Ryuuzoku were sending a delegation out to make war, and they debated about which Lord's General to send out. At the time, Juuo-sama had a General, and I was merely her Priest. The natural choice at the time, actually, was to choose Phin, Kaao- sama's General, mostly because she was the most powerful. However, both Juuo-sama and I had a little grudge against your Elder. He had rather severely taunted the power of the Beastmaster, even though she was the third most powerful General under Shabrinigdo at the time. Being her Priest, I was more sensitive to taunts about her power than her General. She managed to convince the two others that I was sufficient to defeat the delegation. Then, because he had showed no anger at Saichuro's taunting of Juuo-sama's power, she destroyed her General, and I was granted the power of both a General and a Priest, therefore making me the most powerful Priest or General." This is more than you have talked in the entire time I have known you. Well, at least at one time.
"Mmm-hmm." I say. "So then you destroy nearly a whole race?" Your smile is wicked.
"Yes, Fi-chan." You reply acidly. "Of course."