Author's Notes: I'm trying to get these chapters up faster!! I promise!! My life has been a large headache lately and I have no more aspirin ;_; But anyways, on with the mazoku!! Err… the story ^^;

Of Black Chains and Scarlet Letters

Link 7

Valgaav awoke to see Xellos standing over him, smiling as always. More anger ran through his veins as he quickly stood up. He did not understand where all this anger was coming from, but he knew this man was one of his greatest enemies in the past. "Did you have a nice nap? I hope so because you won't be sleeping for a long time." Xellos phased in front of Valgaav and grabbed his neck. Valgaav almost got a punch in but he could no longer move his limbs. Xellos released his throat to reveal a silver dragon necklace that hung simply from his neck. "Now, your job for the monster race is to woo Lina to our side. I would do it myself but, I have other matters to attend to." Valgaav growled and started to shout a long stream of curses at his captor. "Now, don't try to kill yourself or harm any mazoku, or I may have to kill those you hold dear." He could tell Xellos was dead serious and ceased his curses.

"What am I going to do! I can barely make sense of anything that I know now!" Valgaav screamed after the retreating mazoku. Xellos didn't turn around but he did start to chuckle.

"Just get to know her. I have a feeling you might enjoy this work. After all, didn't Lord Gaav want you to destroy Lina Inverse?" With that piece of information, Xellos phased out and the dimension dripped away to reveal the charred remains of a café. 'Yes… Lord Gaav's killer… Lina Inverse… Maybe if I get to know her… I'll understand my past...' With those thoughts, he used a tracking spell and flew off to find Lina.

+++

Lina and Zelgadiss landed in a forest just outside of the town. Zelgadiss landed on a rock and Lina sat on a tree branch. The two stayed in silence for a few moments before Lina decided to speak. "We must be here to stop some great catastrophe… right?" Zelgadiss didn't look at her and only nodded. "So maybe.. we should go talk to a current prophet!" After another long pause, Lina jumped out of the tree and went to sit by Zel. "What are you thinking about."

He still wasn't looking at her as he said, "Valgaav." Lina was ready to rampage again but remembered what he had said last time. She was about to speak when the person in question walked out of the underbrush. Zelgadiss went wide-eyed and was about to get up and hug his friend when he remembered…

Valgaav was about to summon Darkstar and the gate was opening above them all. He looked over at Lina and glared. "The only way to save this pitiful world is to destroy it!"

The flashback chilled Zelgadiss to the bone and he remained seated.

Valgaav walked over slowly and his hands were shaking. "Zel… I don't know… what's going on…" His words were truly sincere as he let his secondary self, take over. His bloodthirsty side from the past life buried itself until it would be needed. Valgaav's time in the dimensional pocket had been a torturous trial that had split his personalities in half. Neither personality was the true Valgaav. "Zel…please… help me."

Lina stood up and started to rant, "Look Valgaav we have no idea what you may or may not remember. But, that doesn't mean you can expect us to-"

Zelgadiss stood up and cut Lina off. He ran over to Val and put his arms around him. "Its ok," he said quietly and led him over to where Lina was now sitting. "Tell us what you know," he said and sat down next to Lina. There was a long pause before Valgaav even lifted his head up.

"I have these dreams… I guess they are memories now…of destruction and death. They all do not make sense to me… but you are all there. Including my mother who is crying for me," Valgaav fell into silence as a rustling was heard behind them.  

Suddenly, millions of chains flew out from every angle and grabbed Lina. Her arms were tied and she was slowly being dragged back into the underbrush. "Lina!" the boys screamed as they tried to get over to her. They faster they ran, the faster the chains went. Only Lina's eyes could be seen and the chains muffled her cries. Valgaav became enraged and cast a rune flare at the chains.  His eyes glowed red and the chains shattered. After the explosion of black light, Zelgadiss ran over to Lina and shook her. Valgaav stood above them and his face was hidden by shadows. "This happened because of me… didn't it?" His voice was barely audible as Lina awoke.

Her eyes were clouded and she looked up at Zelgadiss. "Did you…"

Zelgadiss shook his head. "No, Valgaav saved you. Are you alright?"

Her eyes went wide with shock and she stood up slowly. "I'm fine. Thank you Valgaav," she said awkwardly.

Valgaav only looked at her with sad eyes. "This all happened because of me!" He screamed again and started to shake. Zelgadiss shook his head and was walking over to Val when a few black chains snagged him. They dragged him away too quickly for anyone to react. Valgaav screamed in horror of his best friend being taken away.

A figure hiding in the trees just chuckled. It phased off without notice and appeared in the castle. "Has your first objective been completed?" Xellos called down to his ward. The mazoku nodded and phased off again. "I love it when things go according to plan!" His eyes slid open and he grinned evilly.