I don't own Slayers. Never will. Wish I did.
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Slayers SILENCE
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Episode Three:
"In The Name of Justice! Or Maybe It Doesn't Solve Everything..."
Zangulus dipped the quill into the ink again, continuing to write the letter to Martina. He felt a little bad that she couldn't write to him so easily since he was traveling now. Maybe at some point he'd stay in a place long enough so she could do that.
"Yeah right," he muttered to himself. The king liked to keep things moving along; he wanted to get this entire quest over with as soon as possible. Still, things weren't going as planned, unfortunately. He'd been sidetracked more than he wanted and he had gained two people on his journey.
"Hellooooo, Zangulus!" greeted Xellos.
And a variable mazoku.
"So you have to bother me?" the swordsman said stiffly to the Trickster Priest, folding the letter and placing it into an envelope.
Xellos shrugged at bit at him, happy happy happy as usual. "Well, I figured you all needed some cheering up, so why not? With Ms. Sylphiel still down in the dumps, that'd make you unhappy, too, wouldn't it? And to Ms. Amelia, as well."
"Go cheer them up, then. I don't need you to bother me," Zangulus told him, idly writing the address on the envelope.
"Ah, but it's just not as fun. Besides, I'm sure Mr. Vrumugun is going to show up sooner or later and I just wish to speak to him," Xellos informed him with a helpful index finger pointed up. He suddenly had a chair next to Zangulus, already seated. "Sooooo, what's on your mind, Zangy?"
"Don't call me that," the swordsman warned. "And it's none of your business."
"Oh, I didn't need to ask, but I figured I'd be at least polite and do so first. Anyway, it's not a fake, Zangy," Xellos told him, opening an eye to look at him eerily, seeming to be almost serious.
Zangulus looked at him, confused. "What?"
"You know what I'm talking about. It's not a fake. You know none of your enemies know enough about your personal life to write a letter like that. It's real."
The Xoana king looked more than upset, which caused Xellos to go back into his pleasant-face mode. "How did you know about that?!" Zangulus demanded, grabbing Xellos by the collar.
The mazoku held up that finger again, wagging it at the swordsman. "Now, now. Do you honestly think I'd tell you that? You should just realize that, yes, it is real, Zangy."
"And you think I'll believe you?!"
Xellos shrugged. "Like I said before, whether you trust me or not is up to you." He perked up, disappearing and appearing out of Zangulus's grip. "Well, anyway, I think I'll go check up on Ms. Sylphiel! Hope you've been keeping her well rested! Buh-bye!" The mazoku then teleported away.
The swordsman glared at the air where Xellos was, then shook his head. Stupid. It was all stupid. The letter wasn't real. Xellos was just trying to confuse him again.
Zangulus sat back down, taking out the letter that started this whole crazy journey. He started to read it again, which got him only more furious. It was too realistic, and somehow Xellos knew about the letter and told him that, yes, it was real.
"He's the one who probably wrote it," Zangulus muttered. But, he knew that too was unlikely.
I'm disappointed in the life you chose, the letter said ever so kindly.
Zangulus threatened to tear up the letter, becoming more angry as a rip started at the top of it. Yet, he felt he couldn't, his hands growing weak and dropping the paper on the floor.
"Damn it all," he growled. He hoped they could leave soon.
Amelia sighed happily, finishing her breakfast. She looked over to Sylphiel, her big and innocent eyes blinking curiously. "Um... Ms. Sylphiel, are you okay? Rested enough?"
"I'm fine," she replied quietly.
"Oh, not to worry, Ms. Amelia. Ms. Sylphiel is doing much better," Xellos told the princess.
Amelia nodded slowly. "I know, but..." She suddenly smiled at the priestess. "Hey, are you feeling ready to go, Ms. Sylphiel? Mr. Zangulus should be down soon." Sylphiel nodded silently. "All right! Mr. Xellos, are you coming with us?"
"Well, I have some business to attend to in the next town you're heading toward," Xellos answered, "so I do believe I'll be traveling with you all."
Zangulus headed down the stairs of the inn, envelope in hand. He glared at the mazoku (who just waved at him all friendly-like) and glanced to the ladies. "Ready?"
Amelia nodded. "Just finished! Mr. Zangulus, Mr. Xellos wants to travel with us. Is that all right?"
The swordsman just felt like a boulder landed on his head, slid off, and landed on his toe. He had no idea how powerful the mazoku was, but the damned Mysterious Priest made him angry not long ago. Letting him travel with them didn't seem to brighten his mood much. He sighed. He was getting soft.
"How long do you plan on traveling with us?" Zangulus asked the mazoku.
"Hm... up until the next town, I suppose. I hope that isn't too much trouble, Zangy," Xellos replied, smiling and smiling and so forth to the king.
Zangulus turned to the door, looking forward to exiting. "It is, but you can come until then, Xellos." He gestured to his ever growing party members. "Let's go."
The three heroes and one evil demon of doom went outside the inn. Immediately, Zangulus dropped his letter off to be delivered, which got Amelia curious.
"Who's it to?" she queried.
"Martina. Promised to write to her," he replied, sounding uninterested.
Amelia nodded, smiling at him. "That's good to keep in touch with her." She grew a little more serious, rushing up to be right beside the Xoana king. "Um, Mr. Zangulus... it's about Ms. Sylphiel. She seems to be really getting distant. It's been nearly a week since we got her the cure. I haven't been able to snap her out of it at all."
"What do you want me to do about it?" Zangulus asked, staring down at the Seyruun princess. "I don't have much of a clue about how white magic works; I've never used it. If it's failed her, then it's going to hurt her for sure."
Amelia frowned. "It's a little deeper than that. I think what she really needs now is for you to support her a little more, too. You are kind of our leader and all."
"Leader?!" Zangulus boggled at the idea. Sure, he was a king, but he liked following his own rules; he didn't want to lead this rag-tag group. "Oh, come on, Amelia. It's not like we're all sticking together that long. I'm just taking you and Sylphiel as far as Rahns and Xellos is going to stop following us at the next town over. Otherwise, I'm on my own. You three are only along for the ride."
The princess glared at the swordsman. "That was uncalled for, Mr. Zangulus," she muttered at him. "Is that all we mean to you?"
Zangulus frowned and looked on toward the road. "Let's just drop the subject. I hear someone else up ahead."
Amelia became alert immediately. True; funny she didn't notice. She really must have taken what Zangulus said to heart. The Warrior of Justice looked around as the group suddenly stopped walking. Sylphiel jogged up alongside of Zangulus with Xellos behind her.
"Mr. Zangulus, what's wrong?" the priestess asked, looking around curiously. He simply held up his hand for silence, looking around.
Just then, a man on fire ran by the group screaming, right into a tree. The scraggily looking fellow rolled around in the dirt, putting out the flames, then groaned.
The group remained in silence, looking stunned.
"Ah-HAH! There he is! C'mon, Gourry!" Lina Inverse shouted, running through the bushes and picking up the burned man. "Okay, buddy, where's the loot??"
"Ms. Lina!" Amelia, Sylphiel, and Xellos exclaimed in unison, all alert and smiling now; even Sylphiel.
Zangulus preferred to remain in awkward silence, still in the stunned stage.
"Hey, Lina! I found this guy, too! Maybe they can take us to their lair, huh?" Gourry called out to his partner, dragging a large cut-up bandit behind him. He noticed the group (before Lina did, oddly enough). "Oh, hi guys! Again!"
Lina looked up, blinking at the group, then waved as she cheerfully strangled the bandit for answers. "Huh. Gourry wasn't kidding; you guys really were around."
"Gourry dear, Ms. Lina; hello again," Sylphiel greeted, walking up to the two. "Gourry dear, thank you for giving Ms. Amelia and Mr. Zangulus the ingredient."
Gourry scratched his head. "Ingredient...? Ohhhh! The red herring!" He nodded, smiling. "That's okay; it seemed really important. Lina didn't believe me when I said I had one."
"No one's caught those things in years! Of course I don't believe you," Lina defended herself, dragging the half-dead bandit behind her.
Zangulus crossed his arms. "Well, he had it. End of story. What are you two doing around here?"
"What's it look like? Kicking some bandit butt," Lina chuckled. "Anyway, same to you, Zang; why are you with Amelia, Sylphiel, and Xellos? I thought you didn't like working with groups."
The swordsman grumbled, "I don't," as the Trickster Priest popped up beside him suddenly.
"Well, it's just so nice to see you again, Ms. Lina! How've you been since the Dark Star incident?" Xellos asked cheerily.
"Fine, Xellos," Lina said flatly, looking at him carefully. "Hey, Zang. Got something to ask ya. C'mere."
"What? Why?" the brunette swordsman asked, confused.
Lina grabbed him by his ponytail and dragged him away, leaving the unconscious and probably paralyzed-for-life bandit. "Just c'mere!" she snapped.
Amelia scratched the back of her head, watching Lina and Zangulus before looking to her other companions. "Mr. Xellos, do you think Ms. Lina will want to travel with us, too?" she asked, now sounding really excited. She wouldn't have minded having Lina and Gourry along for the ride, too.
"Could be," Xellos replied. "It would be best for Ms. Sylphiel. Then again..."
Amelia frowned. "What?"
"Oh, I can't say, is all," he laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ms. Lina might have her own reasons for not coming with us. Besides, Zangulus wouldn't want any more party members along, now, would he?"
The princess shook her head. "That's not very fair. Ms. Sylphiel has gone through a lot. I think she deserves some more company."
"Well, it's really up to Zangulus, isn't it?" Xellos replied with a shrug as if he honestly couldn't care less.
Amelia looked over to Gourry and Sylphiel, who seemed both just fond of chatting nonsense to each other. The Justice warrior sighed and hoped that Sylphiel would be all right with either decision by Zangulus.
Once Lina felt it was far enough from the group and that Zangulus had had enough of his hairs pulled out, she looked at him seriously. "Why are you out here, Zang? I figured you should have been at Xoana with Martina."
"Believe me, I wish I was," Zangulus told her. "But, it's a long story. Basically, during my journey, I ended up having those three with me. It's not like I wanted to. I'm sure that you saw those monsters at Seyruun, right?"
Lina nodded. "Right," she answered. A pause. "Not even sure what they were, actually..."
"Neither do I. I get the feeling that Xellos might, though," Zangulus mentioned.
"Speaking of Xellos, you're going to want to watch it. He's not trustworthy," Lina began.
"I already knew that."
Lina shook her head. "Not just that. He's not following you for just the sake of annoying the hell out of you; he has some kind of purpose behind it. I just wanna warn you to watch your back. He wants something from you guys or to wherever you're headed." She grinned suddenly. "Which is why I'll follow you guys."
Zangulus shook his head. "Oh, for crying out loud..." Then, there was a benefit out of it. None of the others were sword fighters. If Gourry came along, he would finally have a good duel. "Well, maybe. I'll consider it, but I don't like big groups."
Lina nodded. "I know. But just for now until I figure out what the heck Xellos is up to. Whatever it is, it's not good and most likely has something to do with whatever those things were."
"Speaking of which, Vrumugun showed up about the same time Xellos did," Zangulus mentioned. "He might appear again. Said he would. Don't know what he's up to, either. All he said was that he was after these monsters. I didn't really ask; Vrumugun likes to keep to himself."
"So I've noticed, but if he shows up don't take offense if I try to pry some info, okay?" Lina said with a grin. "I won't hurt him much if he cooperates."
Zangulus shrugged. "Just take it easy on him. It's pretty important if Vrumugun wants to be involved with it."
"Sure thing," Lina replied, waving her hand a bit before looking back to the group. "Let's call 'em back, eh? We can go soon."
"Soon?"
Lina smirked. "I gotta finish these bandits first!"
Zangulus sighed. Oh, well. At least not much had changed with her.
The growing group continued on and Sylphiel was considerably happier, walking alongside Gourry. Besides, having Lina there as an extra friend wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Amelia also seemed in higher spirits, pleased that Zangulus had agreed to let Gourry and Lina travel with them. The only reason why Xellos didn't keel over and die from all this happiness was that Zangulus still held onto his anger from the morning.
"Taking what I had said very seriously?" Xellos poked the question toward Zangulus with, of course, a smile.
"What makes you think that?" the swordsman growled.
"Because you're still pretty miffed, I noticed," Xellos pointed out with pleasure, which only made the king a little more angry. The mazoku let out a soft "aaaahhhh." It was that kind of "aaaahhhh" people use when they're having a chocolate donut with chocolate milk out on a warm summer day with just the right heat; not enough to make you sweat, but enough for a niiiice long nap... but I digress.
"Look, a lot of things are just bothering me and it's none of your business, Mazoku," Zangulus hissed at the priest.
The fruitcake shrugged. "Well, actually, it's entirely my business, but if you don't want to tell good ol' Uncle Xelly all about it, then it'll just have to wait, right?" He perked up, looking on ahead. "Ah-hah! I see we're getting close to the next town!"
Lina ran up alongside the mazoku, excited. "Really?! Hey, we're almost there, everyone!"
"Lemme guess; you're hungry?" Zangulus remarked.
"Ahhh, cheer up, Zang. You're starting to sound like Zelgadis," Lina commented, giggling. "Lighten up, will ya? It's not like there's a seriously good reason to be upset, right?"
Zangulus muttered, "Yeah, sure. No reason at all."
Once the group arrived at the small village, there was something quite odd about it.
"It's empty," Gourry said obviously.
"Gourry, we know that! It's not like we have our eyes closed," Lina told him with a small glare.
Xellos coughed.
"Well, most of us," Lina corrected.
Sylphiel looked around, concerned. She hung her head a bit. "I hope that Rahns isn't like this," she murmured sadly.
Then a butcher's knife was thrown and landed just a millimeter from Amelia's head. She squeaked and jumped into Zangulus's arms on pure reaction, causing them to nearly fall over from the surprise.
"Th-that was close," Amelia stammered out. Zangulus flushed angrily at the princess and put her down, grumbling to himself.
Then a tree fell on them, or would have if Lina hadn't blown it away with a Diem Wing on, yet again, reaction. She sweatdropped, looking around, "Damn! What's going on here?!"
"I'd suggest that we head into the town, Ms. Lina. There might be some survivors of whatever this was, after all," Xellos piped up, not at all concerned with what was going on.
Lina nodded to him. "Hate to say it, but you're right. Let's go everyone."
The group began to search the empty town. It looked like that it was abandoned for a few weeks by then, a starving dog skittering across the street, whimpering away from the searchers.
Gourry perked up and pointed up ahead. "Hey, it's a little girl!"
Amelia nodded, also looking on ahead. It seemed like the girl was just staring down an old well, only seen in profile, and her eyes were glazed and daydreaming. The Warrior of Justice frowned; the child seemed so lonely. "Little girl!" the princess called out, running toward her.
"Amelia, wait!" Lina shouted. "Something's not right!"
Amelia went to a halt, looking back to the sorceress in confusion before glancing again to the little girl. The child turned slowly to the princess, making Amelia shriek in fright.
The little girl had half her face missing, and in one hand she held a long steak knife.
"God damn...! Another one!" Zangulus growled, taking out his sword. "Just too many different kinds to even tell what the hell they are!"
Gourry also took out his sword, looking concerned as he glanced around the area. More children with body parts missing were gathering, holding various sharp objects. "Just give the word, Lina."
"It's all right. They're already dead, but someone's pulling their strings. We can attack freely," Lina replied coolly.
"Wouldn't matter to me either way," Zangulus remarked, the Howling Sword humming loudly as it became a glowing black.
"There he goes with that recklessness again," Lina commented with a smirk. Zangulus eyed her before sending a shockwave at the girl in front of Amelia.
Xellos waved in fake sorrow. "I'm afraid I can't do much good here, my friends. The best I can do is be a shadow as my lord doesn't permit me to fight alongside you all."
"Figures just as much, but I didn't expect you to, Xellos," Lina said with a shrug. She held out her hands. "Elmekia Lance!"
Sylphiel took out her rod, closing her eyes and started to murmur a spell. The orb on the rod began to flicker with life. Lina looked at the priestess in surprise; what was she doing?
"Oh, blessed and humble hand of God, life and breath of Mother Earth, come before me and show your great compassion and deliver us..."
"Sylphiel! What're you doing?! A Recovery spell??" Lina demanded, but Sylphiel finished her spell.
"Recovery!" Sylphiel flung the white magic spell at a small group of children, immediately causing them to crumble to dust.
By then, Lina's jaw hit the ground. "Wha... wha... WHAAAAT?!"
"Mr. Vrumugun told Ms. Amelia and Mr. Zangulus that white magic harmed these creatures," Sylphiel said modestly. "I was wondering if he was right..."
Amelia decided it was her turn with white magic. She held out her hand and touched one of the children monsters. "Recovery!" The same thing happened.
Xellos, although aside from the battle, looked on with interest. His eyes were halfway open, a thoughtful smirk on his face. "So Mr. Vrumugun happens to know their weakness. Now this is really interesting..." he murmured to himself.
"Howling Sword!" Zangulus roared, throwing another shockwave.
"Sheesh, this is endless," Gourry muttered after sending a strike to another monster. He turned to look to Lina, frowning. "Hey, Lina! Can't you cast a spell to get rid of them all?"
"I'd love to, Gourry, but normal spells don't really work well on these guys! You know that! I did it at Seyruun!" Lina shouted at him.
"Actually, I don't really remember..."
"What a time, Gourry! Right in the middle of battle!" Lina growled. "Elmekia Lance!"
"Recovery!"
And so forth.
"Are you sure, Lina?" Gourry asked again, glancing to his partner. As she was just about to snap at him when Gourry shouted at her: "LINA!"
Immediately on instinct, Lina pulled out her dagger and stabbed one of the children monsters. The child beast jerked for a moment, staring at her as if in recognition, whispering before he fell over and died, "M-mama...?"
Lina dropped her dagger, horrified at what she had just done. The children were still half alive.
"That's it. I'm getting sick of this mess," Zangulus growled. "Sylphiel!"
The priestess looked over to the black haired man, alert. "Mr. Zangulus?"
"Get a barrier up in front of everyone. That means you, too, Gabriev," Zangulus snapped to the blond swordsman.
Gourry was confused. No, seriously; for a good reason this time. "Huh? Uh, what're you gonna do, Zangulus? You can't do this alone!"
"Just watch me," Zangulus said with a smirk now, shoving the other swordsman toward the group.
"Ms. Sylphiel, what's he going to do?" Amelia queried the raven haired priestess.
"He did the same thing back in the other town. I think it might work," Sylphiel confirmed. She held up her rod, closing her eyes as she concentrated. Then, a flickering barrier appeared over the group.
Xellos looked on with curiosity. He hadn't expected this either. Strange, he thought. Am I losing my touch? Nonsense; there was always time for new information! After all, he actually didn't know much about Zangulus to begin with.
"Good luck, Zangy!" the Trickster Priest called out.
"Leave me alone!" he answered.
The Howling Sword glowed black again, this time with violet lightning. Zangulus's battle smirk grew as he held out his enchanted weapon. "Howling Blast!"
"Zangulus, STOP!" Lina suddenly screamed out to him.
His attack became not quite as accurate, destroying not all of the monsters before him. A few remained, starting to attack more furiously. The swordsman cursed as a knife went into his leg, falling back and throwing another shockwave to wipe out his attacker.
Gourry came back, his sword back in his hand and taking out the remaining demonic children. He sighed heavily. It was about time the battle scene was over. He sheathed his blade and walked to his fellow swordsman, looking honestly impressed. "That was pretty neat, Zangulus," Gourry complimented.
"Thanks," Zangulus grumbled, yanking the knife from his leg with a wince. Sylphiel came running over to him, immediately starting to heal his injury. That didn't stop him from glaring at Lina. "Why did you try to stop me?"
"Zang, those children were still technically alive," Lina said in a serious tone, looking back to him in hurt eyes. "They were still aware of what was going on around them. I didn't realize that until just a little before now."
"And what could you have done for them, Lina?" Zangulus snorted. "They were already dead. Aware or not, they had to die. I certainly don't feel like getting killed today."
"Oh, but Ms. Lina is quite right, actually. They were still partially alive," Xellos agreed with Lina. "Yet, whether you could have done anything to help them was highly unlikely as healing spells have the opposite effect on them. Killing them was probably for the best, Ms. Lina."
"Of course you'd agree with him, Xellos!" Lina growled at the mazoku. "And it's no problem for you to kill them, Zang, because you used to do it for a living!"
Zangulus stood up, which was fortunately just after Sylphiel finished healing him. "What's that supposed to mean, Lina?! You should've had no problem doing it yourself! They were dead, for God's sake!"
Amelia frowned. "Ms. Lina, I could have let them suffer and they would have hurt others coming here. I couldn't let them do that."
Lina looked away from him, her eyes settling on her next victim for her fury. She didn't want to pull Gourry into this. She told him to fight, after all, but as for... "Sylphiel, you seemed to have no problem doing it yourself!"
The priestess folded her hands in front of herself, eyes half-closing. "I... had to put them to rest... They were suffering..."
"They were children!" Lina tried to explain desperately.
"Don't pull her into this argument, Lina! If you don't want to come with us to Zefilia, I have no problem with that," Zangulus snapped at the sorceress.
Lina looked horrified. "Z-Zefilia...?!" Actually, she didn't even ask where they were headed when speaking to Zangulus earlier. "We were headed there??"
"Yes, Zefilia. That's where I'm headed," Zangulus confirmed, tired of this fight.
Lina frowned, turning around. "C'mon, Gourry. We're going."
"Lina?!" Gourry asked, shocked.
"We're going!" Lina said sharply at him, glaring. "I'm not going to Zefilia, and I'm going back to our original plan. I'm not interested anymore. Go knock yourself out, Zang. I want no part in this."
"Fine with me," Zangulus agreed. He turned his back to Lina, glancing to his main traveling companions. "You're all welcome to join her if you like," he offered, a little angrily.
Amelia frowned. This was unfair. She didn't want to choose between these two groups. She would have loved to be with Lina and Gourry again, but Amelia had made her mind up. "I'll go wherever Ms. Sylphiel wants to go. She needs me the most right now."
Sylphiel gave a little smile of thanks to the other shrine maiden. Zangulus looked at her a little more gently. "Go with Lina and Gourry if you want, Sylphiel. I won't be mad," he told her quietly.
The priestess paused. She loved being with Gourry, really, but she had realized long ago that he was meant to be with Lina. Besides, she had to go to Rahns, and who knew what kind of side quests Lina would take? Sylphiel smiled at Zangulus. "I don't think you could handle being with Mr. Xellos alone; you get angry at him a lot. I'll keep traveling with you."
"Well, then, I intend on keeping my promise," Zangulus replied. He wouldn't say it, not ever, but he felt relieved that Sylphiel decided to travel with him.
Lina nodded, feeling a lot more angry yet looking too calm. "Fine," she reluctantly agreed. "Gourry, let's go."
The blond swordsman didn't like all this arguing. It was getting everyone way too upset. He shrugged; he was Lina's protector. He would go where she went, no matter what. Gourry smiled his usual friendly expression, saying, "All right, Lina." However, he looked at Zangulus seriously. "Take care of Sylphiel, okay? Good luck, you guys." Gourry walked after Lina.
"You too, Mr. Gourry!" Amelia called out, waving to her friends. "Bye, Ms. Lina!"
"Be careful, Gourry dear! Ms. Lina!" Sylphiel shouted after her friends.
Zangulus watched the duo leave, adjusting his hat. He muttered, "Yeah, I promise to take care of her. Wouldn't do otherwise."
Xellos appeared with his companions, especially enjoying all the negative emotions that went around. Delicious and nutritious. He smiled to them for many reasons. "Well, that was very interesting. I do believe you made the right choices, my friends! After all, a small group makes the traveling easier."
"Either you completely missed the point or you just don't care; I'm sure it's the latter," Zangulus grumbled at the mazoku. "Anyway, if you guys are ready, we can go."
Sylphiel nodded to him. "Just a little tired, but I can travel."
"We can continue our road and quest for Justice!" Amelia announced, smiling pleasantly.
Zangulus rubbed his head. "Yeah, sure. Quest for Justice," he said sarcastically. "Anyway, let's get going."
The group was near the end of the town. Amelia sighed heavily in relief. Good. The town was way too spooky and empty. What they really needed was a good rest and dinner. Would it be time for dinner, though? It was hard to tell the position of the sun with all the mist.
The travelers were split in half suddenly by what looked like a root rising out of the ground. Amelia fell back while Xellos teleported right next to her, not looking surprised. Maybe amused. The princess couldn't tell all that well with the mazoku.
"Ms. Amelia! Mr. Xellos! Are you two all right?!" Sylphiel called out.
"Fine!" Amelia answered, getting to her feet.
Then a scream pierced the air. Amelia decided that Sylphiel wasn't okay on the other hand, especially when Zangulus called for the priestess before yelling out as well.
"Mr. Zangulus! Ms. Sylphiel!" Amelia shouted for her friends, jumping over the root, then stopped to see her companions in the air, wrapped by their arms and legs with the same... thing. Then a familiar voice made Amelia's heart stop.
"Hello, Amelia," the voice purred, a known figure to the princess approaching the group.
Amelia stammered, looking terrified, "A-Alfred..."
"Who the hell...?!" Zangulus began, eyes glaring at Alfred.
Xellos appeared next to the swordsman, floating. "He is Ms. Amelia's cousin, once made a deal with another mazoku that Ms. Lina destroyed. Or rather he was..."
"Wh-what do you mean?" Sylphiel whispered, eyes wide.
"Alfred died a year or so ago," Xellos announced. He clapped his hands. "Well! That's enough exposition from me! I do believe I will take my exit here. If you survive this, I will be ever so impressed." He teleported away. "See you later, maybe!"
"Xellos!!" Zangulus growled after the mazoku. "Damn it!"
Alfred laughed softly. "Yes, a tricky one, isn't he?" He shrugged lightly, focusing on his cousin. "Amelia, how've you been? I hope that my father and Uncle Philionel have been keeping good health..."
"Alfred... why are you alive? I saw you die; I was there, and... I..." Amelia choked out.
"I'm not quite alive, nor am I technically dead. I have been brought back only temporarily. How long it lasts is beyond me, but I hate it, actually," Alfred answered. "Too long, it's been lasting, though. I hate it, and I hate the living. I've been requesting death for a long time, now." He smiled at Amelia. "You wouldn't believe how happy I was to see that you were here, Amelia. Now you can end it all."
"The first time... it was horrible, Alfred! I can't do that!" Amelia cried out. "What happened to you before? You used to be so sweet. When Daddy was away on adventures, you and Uncle Christopher were so wonderful to me. I can't kill you, Alfred! Please, just come back to Seyruun with me."
"I couldn't, Amelia. Even if I wanted to, that barrier will keep me out," Alfred told her gently. "What good would it do, anyway? I hate this false life. I hate all life. I want to be destroyed, but this I cannot do to myself. I wasn't recreated to do that. So all I ask is that you do this for me, Amelia. Kill the criminal, the unjust man who tried to kill your father and my uncle."
Amelia shook her head at him, squeezing her eyes shut. "I can't... I can't! How could you ask me?!"
Zangulus hissed a curse, then snapped at Amelia, "I just had this argument with Lina! You have to, Amelia!"
"Mr. Zangulus... I can't kill Alfred. Maybe Ms. Lina was right about the children, too," Amelia whispered. "Maybe there's another way."
Alfred crossed his arms, sighing. "What will it take to get you to kill me? Ah, yes. Those children. My doing. It's unjust, Amelia. Unjust. Smash me with your Hammer of Justice, won't you?" He smiled playfully, almost. "I'll ask nicely. Please, Amelia. Kill me."
"Alfred... you don't deserve it. Even if you tried to kill Daddy and you did that to those children... you were so nice to me. Alfred, please!" Amelia begged him.
He shook his head. "Stubborn. Still in your Justice cloud. Well, let's see... I have your friends here. If you don't kill me, they'll die. How does that sound?"
"Alfred!" Amelia shrieked.
"Which first? Your priestess friend?" Alfred offered. "Maybe you should hurry, Amelia, before I decide." He looked up at his two choices.
"Leave Sylphiel alone," Zangulus warned, struggling to try to get his sword.
"Then you? Thank you for offering," Alfred said gratefully. "Makes it all the easier. Better hurry, Amelia-chan."
The princess sobbed. "Alfred..."
"Mr. Zangulus!" Sylphiel shouted to the swordsman, tears in her eyes.
"I promised to take you to Rahns, didn't I?!" Zangulus snapped at her, then choked at he felt the roots tighten around his body, one root coming near his face.
"Alfred!! Stop it!" Amelia screamed. "Please!"
"Amelia-chan, you'd best make up your mind. Your friends or me," Alfred said seriously, watching as the root forced itself into Zangulus's mouth. "One at a time. You might be able to save at least the priestess."
"Mr. Zangulus!" Amelia shouted. "No!"
"Zangulus!" Sylphiel shrieked, struggling helplessly. The swordsman gagged on the root as it went down his throat to wherever it desired.
Amelia held up her hands slowly, dried tears on her face as she looked to her cousin. "Stop this..." she whispered. Alfred didn't bother this time with words, forcing the root down further. Amelia frowned and murmured an incantation before approaching her cousin. She touched his face with both hands, already having started to feel the weariness the spell was taking out of her and the whole situation.
"Resurrection," Amelia mumbled. Alfred smiled gratefully before glowing white and becoming dust.
Sylphiel and Zangulus fell to the ground as the roots became the same substance. The swordsman choked and coughed holding his throat as he gasped for air. Sylphiel immediately went to his side, concerned.
"Mr. Zangulus. Thank goodness you're all right," Sylphiel whispered, relieved as she wiped away tears of worry.
"Have a little more faith next time," Zangulus grunted. "Amelia?"
The princess stared down at what she had done. She fell to her knees, tears coming to her eyes. Before they could fall, Amelia fell forward into Alfred's dust, falling into unconsciousness.
"Ms. Amelia!"
"Amelia!"
The Warrior of Justice questioned herself before everything became black:
Was it just?
-=-=-
As any good hearted series, this is to be continued in...
"Sin or Lawful? I Want Tomorrow to Come."
...where Amelia comes to realize what she's done
and can't agree with it. Whether she'll continue or not is all up to her,
and who'll help her through this? Be a little more supportive, Zangulus.
---
Alba Aulbath
berry@adelphia.net
