Disclaimers and Useless/Useful Stuff To Know:

I don't own Slayers. I never will. Wish I did. Oh my dear ego; we're at the midpoint of the series.

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Slayers SILENCE
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Episode Six:
"Not Again! The Sacred Ritual of Mei City."


Naga the White Serpent was close to being out of money. She didn't realize that up until when she arrived at the inn. However, her confidence did not recoil; Naga the White Serpent would never give up!

She had a smirk on her face as she normally did, always smug and exaggerating her abilities. There was one ability she would never exaggerate, though. It was natural, and it came from bounds of training for who knew how many years.

Drinking.

So, the overconfident sorceress had strode her way to the bar, placing her fist onto the counter with a dark chuckle emitting that sent shivers up the spines of many of the men around her. Naga glanced around coolly, then nodded. An easy way to make some quick cash, aside from the occasional bandit beating.

"Now, hear this!" Naga began her announcement to the bar, which was easily done as she was known for her booming voice. "I, Naga the White Serpent, declare a challenge to any of those brave enough to step forward! This challenge consists of skill and endurance. I challenge any man here to beat me at drinking!" With that, she let out her infamous laugh.

Most men already scurried away. Few remained to finish their drinks, but one man had his eye on the woman. He stood up, tipping his scarecrow-styled hat up with an equally smug look on his face.

"I never turn down a challenge."

Naga laughed again. "All right, little man!" she agreed, although the man wasn't really short. He was probably taller, actually. "Bartender, bring us our drinks!" She eyed him. "Loser pays for all of the drinks and gives up their money to the winner."

"Agreed." He sat down next to her.

"Best if I know the name of the man I am about to defeat," Naga said smoothly.

The swordsman chuckled. Both were too confident of themselves. "Zangulus Montoya."


Lina tapped her fingers on the table, almost irritably. The group hadn't really gone anywhere since they arrived at town. Lina didn't complain much; she got her bath, good meals, and well deserved sleep. Still, what was mostly holding them back was their "leader." Actually, she had taken a hold as leader, yet Zangulus seemed to fill in as... co-leader.

He didn't seem to want to move right away, which Lina thought was odd. As far as she figured, he was the type to want to keep things moving along.

Don't blame him much since Bolum, but still... We can't just sit around forever. I wanna get to Mei City, Lina complained in her thoughts.

Nearly the entire group was at the table, except for obviously Xellos and Vrumugun who came and went as they pleased. Gourry and Zangulus weren't there, either, but oddly not dueling each other. They hadn't fought once, which nearly frightened Lina. What Gourry was doing by himself was beyond the sorceress.

"I thought you didn't want to travel with us," Sylphiel began.

Lina shrugged. "Only until Mei City. We just happen to be moving in the same direction. It's easier to go as a group, anyway."

"I'm interested in what's in Sai Sanctuary, as well. I haven't had very good leads lately, anyway. I may as well head for this," Zelgadis brought up, adding with a bored sigh. "Besides, I want to know who exactly is behind all this. As much as I'd rather not get included in a mess again, this is important. What surprises me is that you don't want to go, Lina."

Lina laughed nervously. "When a sister like mine lives in Zefilia, you'd never want to return there."

"Right. Nevermind."

"Ms. Sylphiel, is Mr. Zangulus doing any better?" Amelia changed the subject.

"I don't really think so. He seems better, but I just don't think he wants anyone to worry. I'll try my best to talk to him..." Sylphiel replied.

The fiery sorceress grew an evil grin at Sylphiel, who looked back nervously. "You two are growing suspiciously closer together, I've noticed," Lina said with a low chuckle. "I don't think Martina will be very haaapp-eeeee..."

Sylphiel blushed, frowning at the same time. "It's not like that!"

"Oh, c'mon. I'm sure everyone noticed when we reached you guys," Lina teased. "I never thought that you two would be sooo sneaky about it!"

"Ms. Lina!" Sylphiel nearly whined.

Zelgadis cleared his throat. "At any rate, I wouldn't mind Vrumugun coming by to explain some things."

Lina stopped making fun of the priestess, glancing to her stone friend. "Eh?"

"It was clearly him who froze and killed Dilgear. I'm not sure whether or not to thank him for it," Zelgadis said. "I doubt Dilgear would have told us anything useful, but there's always that chance that he could have."

"It's too late to complain about it now, but I wouldn't mind Vrumugun stopping by, either," Lina agreed. "He knows a lot of what's going on, and typically he won't say anything. I'll make him say something, though!"

"I hope he takes you seriously, then. I'd have to pity him if you did make him," Zelgadis muttered.

Sylphiel was quiet for a moment. She wasn't too sure if she should have mentioned what Vrumugun told her about trying to convince Zangulus to stop the journey. It would be such a waste if the mage managed to.

The priestess would try to deal with it herself. She didn't want Lina to be more inclined to get angry at Vrumugun.

"Then there's Xellos..." Lina started, then groaned. "Jeez, why'd the mazoku have to be included, too? He even mentioned Dynast, which somehow Vrumugun has a connection with, but that's impossible. Dynast decided that he wouldn't come out of the North Pole until the next mazoku war, so unless Vrumugun just so happens to be about a thousand years old, there's not much of a chance he could possibly know Dynast."

"A lot of strange things have happened, Lina. Knowing how the world works, we'll find out," Zelgadis told her.

Amelia nodded eagerly. "Mr. Vrumugun can tell us when he's ready!"

Just then, there was a yell of a man and woman in semi-unison:

"LOVE AN' PEACE!"

Lina nearly facefaulted, recognizing both voices. She looked over her shoulder nervously, noticeably starting to twitch. "Oh, God, no," she nearly whimpered. "Amelia, come with me!"

"But I'm eating," she complained.

"Sylphiel, come with me!" Lina ordered, dragging the priestess.

Sylphiel stumbled. "M-Ms. Lina?! What's wrong?"

Lina looked grim. "You have to help me separate these two, and we're getting the hell out of here as soon as possible."

"Who...?" Sylphiel began before blushing at who she saw.

"Thish world ish made of... love an' peach..." Naga hiccuped, hanging onto her only support: Zangulus. He did the same.

"That's peace," Zangulus corrected, his words not as slurred but didn't look as much different.

"Yeah, yeah..." Naga giggled, finishing off her bottle of wine.

Lina twitched again. Never in all of her days did she expect to see Naga ever, ever again. Thank God the White Serpent was drunk off her arse or else Naga would have never left her alone. Why exactly Zangulus was in a similar state was beyond her, but there was no time for questions. Lina needed to drag him out.

The fiery sorceress started to tug Zangulus away from Naga. "C'mon, c'mon! We gotta go get Gourry and--"

"Gourry?!" Zangulus demanded, stumbling away a bit on his own. His eyes burned with fury. "I swore after my father died that I would go up to the six-toed noonsa and say... and say..." He hiccuped. "...Hello, my name is Zangulus Montoya... you killed my pants... prepare to die!" Finding that he had no sword, he grabbed a nearby spoon and held it up threateningly before he promptly fell over.

"Mr. Zangulus!" Sylphiel squeaked, helping the swordsman to his feet.

Naga giggled. "Can't hold hish likkar... lucor..."

"Boooooze! Booooooze!"

"Right, right," Naga remembered. She patted Zangulus on the shoulder. "I feel for ya..."

Zangulus burst onto tears. "I love you, man!"

"Methinksh I'm a woman..."

"Forgot... sorry..."

Lina looked at Zangulus irritably. How could anyone forget that Naga was a woman? Even with that much alcohol!

Enough of the silliness. Lina grabbed Zangulus by one arm. "Let's go, let's go. Sylphiel, help me carry him."

Sylphiel nodded, taking his other arm to guide him. "Right. Come on, Mr. Zangulus."

"Follow the yellow sick toad..." Zangulus sang weakly.

Naga stood up, wobbly. She held out a finger. "Halt, theivesh! You will not take my new shidekick!" She ran after them, then promptly fell over, passing out.

"That was easy," Lina said brightly, helping Zangulus upstairs.


Amelia walked through the hall, starting to head for her inn room, but paused having noticed Lina in the hallway. She shrugged and waved over to her. "Ms. Lina!"

Lina perked up and glanced to her. "Hey, Amelia."

"Ms. Sylphiel told me that Mr. Zangulus kind of... um..."

"Yeah, yeah."

Amelia laughed a little, mostly nervously at the concept. "Anyway, how is he?"

Lina shrugged. "Dunno." She knocked on the door hard behind her. "Hey, Sylphiel! How's Zang?"

There was a retching sound.

"He's awake!" Sylphiel called back.

"There ya go," Lina replied. "Well, as soon as he's done with his hangover, we're out of here." She stood up and brushed herself off a bit. "I'll go see what Gourry's up to. He's been by himself nearly all day."

Amelia nodded. "Okay. I'll go check on Mr. Zelgadis." She skipped off.

Lina looked after the princess before entering a room. She gave a slight wave and greeted her partner. "Hey, Gourry."

The blond looked up, surprised to see the sorceress. He grinned. "Hey, Lina."

Gourry was in a chair, leaning on his sword. Leaning up against his seat was the Howling Sword, which he still kept. He really hadn't done much but stick around his room during the day. Lina didn't like the way that turned out.

"Watcha been up to?" Lina wondered outloud, sitting onto the bed.

Gourry shrugged a bit. "Nothing special. Just thinking."

Lina didn't bother to remark this time. "Really? What's up? If you're sticking around here, must be important."

"Well... guess I'm worried how this whole journey is turning out. Amelia, Sylphiel, and Zangulus are really going through some bad stuff. I guess you are, too, Lina."

Lina rolled her eyes. "I'm fine, Gourry."

"No, seriously." Gourry said to the sorceress. "I mean, you kinda wanna go with everyone else, but not to Zefilia, but maybe ya should..."

Lina considered. It was true. She sort of wanted to, but her fear of her sister kept her. Then again, it was her sister, and if these things happening to Rahns was the same for Zefilia, checking up on her sister for maybe a minute might have been the best thing. Just see if she was safe...

But her fear, then again, wanted otherwise.

"Maybe, Gourry. Maybe," Lina sighed. "I still have some time to really decide." She eyed him a little more. "Was that all you were thinking about?"

"Um... I don't think so... Maybe..." Gourry drifted before perking up. "Oh! Yeah... I'm worried about Sylphiel and Zangulus."

"We all are," Lina pointed out.

"Yeah, but it's like I dunno how he's taking care of Sylphiel," Gourry replied with a frown.

Lina seemed to grow a little sour. "Oh." She blinked for a moment. Why did she react like that? It was fine for Gourry to be worried about his friend. "Um... how do you feel about Sylphiel?"

Gourry scratched his head. "Well, I guess that's easy enough to answer. I really care for her."

She wasn't sure why, but Lina's heart sunk.

"She's like... a little sister!" Gourry said brightly. "Yeah, that's it."

Lina perked up. "Oh!" She blushed, realizing that she shouldn't sound so excited. "Oh, yeah... eh, how long have you known her, anyway?"

"I forget... awhile, maybe. It was after a fire accident," Gourry mentioned. "Then after I got her out, she told me about this story about how half her family died in an accident a lot like it. So, I kinda felt bad and she was a lot like a little sister since."

"Half her family?" Lina murmured, feeling a little pity for the priestess.

"Yeah. She said she didn't remember them well, but it was her mom and sister," Gourry elaborated. "Maybe it wasn't a sister. I don't really remember, but it was a sibling! So I just felt like I wanted to be a big brother."

Lina nodded. "Wow... sheesh. She's lost a lot of close family members..." she said sadly. She supposed it was no wonder Sylphiel fell for Gourry so easily; the priestess needed that sort of comfort.

"So, anyway... um... since I never really see Sylphiel that much and Zangulus has been traveling with her, I just wanna make sure he's taking care of her," Gourry brought up. "Since I'm your protector and all, I can't be there for Sylphiel all the time so I just hope Zangulus is doing an okay job."

Lina laughed a little. "Yeah, don't blame ya." She waved her hand a bit. "Anyway, we better see if we can go now. I'm tired of waiting."


"Ugh... head... want coffee..." Zangulus mumbled, trudging along the road with the others. He had finally asked for the Howling Sword back, although a bit reluctantly. Gourry didn't seem too sure if Zangulus was finally back to himself, but Lina told him to give it back.

"Well, it's your own fault! I can't believe you went for a drinking contest," Lina growled.

"She challenged me first!" Zangulus claimed.

"Yeah, but you accepted. Deal with it." Lina paused. "Who won?"

Zangulus paused as well, then eyed the soceress. "Pretty sure I did."

"Of course," Lina said with a roll of her eyes. "Forget I asked."

"Mr. Zangulus, why did you participate?" Sylphiel asked, looking a bit hurt.

He sweated a bit. "I never turn down a challenge."

"Never will, either," Lina muttered.

"Unfortunately, I must insist that he turns this one down; a way of calling this journey a challenge, I suppose."

The group immediately stopped their walking, turning to look behind themselves. Vrumugun approached, his eyes only on Zangulus. Lina looked a little infuriated.

"Where have you been?!" she demanded.

Vrumugun didn't bother to even glance at the sorceress, his gaze still on the dark swordsman. "Stop the quest, Zangulus."

Zangulus was nearly speechless. "Wh-what?! Why?"

"Mr. Vrumugun, you can't make us stop it," Sylphiel told the mage, stepping in front of Zangulus rather protectively. "Mr. Zangulus has to go to Zefilia. His mother is waiting for him! She still has something to say to him, even if it is a false life."

"I have already told you, Sylphiel. This is more dangerous than anyone can imagine," Vrumugun spoke as a soft glare was aimed at her. "It would be best for all of you stop it."

Lina crossed her arms. "No can do. If this has such an effect to everyone, especially Zefilia, then I guess I gotta go, too." She shivered. "As much I don't wanna see Sis... looks like I don't have a choice."

"Exactly! We Warriors of Justice have gone through enough! We can't stop now knowing that this is dangerous; we must stop and destroy this evil at any cost!" Amelia announced, her Fist of Justice out to prove her point.

"I don't really get what's going on with these monsters, and I guess no one else does, either. What I do know is that we gotta stop 'em, right? I mean, sure, it's dangerous an' all... but it's something we gotta do," Gourry agreed. "Did I get that right, Lina?"

Lina nodded and patted him on the head. "Good boy."

Zelgadis nodded a bit. "Besides all that, there's something I want to know. I'm sure we're all dying to, as well. What exactly makes you tied into all this, Vrumugun? How do you know everything, and why did you bother to kill Dilgear?"

"I cannot tell you anything," Vrumugun said honestly. "To do so would mean more danger to you all."

Lina rubbed her forehead. "Jeez, that's helpful. Look, Vrummy, it makes it even more troublesome for you to be so secretive!"

"As it is, I must refuse to tell you."

"Then I refuse to stop this journey," Zangulus said impatiently, adjusting his hat with one hand. "Yeah, like Amelia and everyone else said, it might be dangerous and all but by now I'm willing to risk that. I don't want anyone else hurt because of me, but I guess I don't have much of a choice. I'm going to Zefilia whether you like it or not."

Vrumugun remained quiet for a moment. "Then I will have to go with you," he concluded. "Know that I shall try to stop you again, Zangulus."

"You know, for some reason at this point, I don't really care," Zangulus commented, arching a brow. "Now another thing..." He eyed his companions accusingly. "How the HELL did you know about why I was going to Zefilia?!"

Almost everyone had blushed in slight nervousness.


It ended up that Sylphiel had to explain. She was a little more than willing to, but Zangulus had interrupted her. He plainly said that she had to find out eventually anyway.

The subject was dropped, considering its discomfort.

Thus their journey continued to Mei City.

When the group began to see the city in the distance, Vrumugun was the first to speak after a moment of awe at its glory. "You all know about the ritual required to pass through, do you not?" The rest nodded. "The ritual, I have heard, is difficult to go through with some. Do you suppose you all would be up to the task?"

"Depends on what it is," Zelgadis said immediately. His stare came upon Vrumugun almost as coldly as the mage's. "I wouldn't suppose you know what it is?"

"As well informed as I can be, I am afraid I do not know," Vrumugun apologized. "I do believe that it is the high priest that performs the rituals; it would be possible for him to know."

"Always abundant with information!" Xellos cheered as he teleported right next to the mage. "I always admire you for that, Mr. Vrumugun."

The mage almost made a face before he picked up his pace to get away from the mazoku.

"Would you happen to know?" Lina immediately asked the Trickster Priest.

"Yes, but you'll find out. It's not so dangerous," Xellos replied to the sorceress pleasantly. "To just tell you takes all the fun out of it, you know."

"Well, just so long as it's not so dangerous..." Lina mumbled.

Zangulus glowered. "What? You're actually going to trust him?"

Lina shrugged. "I doubt his goal is to get us all killed, Zang. We'll be fine."

So they went to Mei City and died. The end.

In another story, perhaps, but in this one the adventurers went to Mei City. It was a perfectly nice city; it didn't look old, yet something about the place glowed with age. It was probably just taken care of properly.

Lina and her companions went to the high priest rather easily; the temple he resided in was accessible to any outsiders as Mei City seemed like a relatively nice place to just live in. So when they asked their question about the ritual, the high priest had smiled warmly before he responded.

"You must be wed!"

The group nearly died from fatal heart attacks, or would have if they weren't so young and healthy.

"What?!" Lina and Zangulus yelled in unison.

The raven haired swordsman eyed the sorceress. "Lina, I'm already mar-- OW! Why'd you hit me?!"

"Shut up, or you probably can't get through," Lina hissed at him. She glanced at the high priest. "Yeah? Is that it? We just get married?"

The high priest nodded. "Aye. Any who are married spend their honeymoon at Sai Sanctuary to help explore the depths of their love!"

Amelia and Sylphiel grew shining eyes. Everyone else looked like they were about to gag.

"Yeah, sure. Explore depth and ... stuff..." Lina muttered. "Oh-KAY! Let's all discuss this outside."

So they did. Sort of. Lina went into a loud verbal rampage first, then Zangulus grumbled to himself about how Martina was going to kill him for this if she ever knew. Zelgadis blushed too much and hoped he wouldn't have to get married to any of the guys, which specifically meant Xellos.

Lina let out a loud sigh before actually speaking to her comrades. "SO! Let's choose our partners. Gourry, you're with me. If there's one good thing about a wedding, we get a banquet!"

The blond perked up at that. "Really?!"

Sylphiel looked a little hurt, sighing silently. It figured. She honestly didn't expect to be able to marry Gourry.

She perked and looked up as a hand squeezed her shoulder gently in some comfort. The priestess smiled softly at Zangulus.

"Amelia, you and Zel stick together," Lina ordered.

The two blushed, but weren't willing to argue the point.

Lina grinned and slid over to Sylphiel, nudging her. "You can have Zang! I know you'll love it," she said with a wink.

"Ms. Lina!" Sylphiel squeaked, blushing angrily.

"I have to marry Sylphiel!?" Zangulus demanded.

Lina rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. It won't be so bad. First of all, it's a fake marriage. Second of all, you two have been getting along. It won't kill you!" She turned to the last two members. "Lastly..." The sorceress paused, then snerked. "Heh heh... Vrummy? Xel?"

Xellos seemed to spill with joy. "Joy!"

Vrumugun seemed to spill with joy. "... ... ... Joy."

The mazoku hugged the mage, beaming. "Won't this be great, honey?!" Vrumugun tried to remain unresponsive, but became a little red from embarrassment and/or anger. Xellos giggled annoyingly and kissed the mage on the nose. "Oh, and I always thought you had the cutest nose!"

"I am not doing this," Vrumugun stated, shoving Xellos away from him. "I will meet you all later." He vanished.

Xellos sobbed into his hands. "Boo-hoo! Always the bride's maid, never the bride!"

"Bleh," Zelgadis groaned. Zangulus seemed rather equal with that.

"There there, Mr. Xellos," Sylphiel comforted the mazoku. Almost everyone made a face at her. "Don't be like that! Mr. Vrumugun just ran out on him!"

"Sylphiel," Zelgadis began, "so what?"

Xellos was immediately all smiley again. "No problem! This can be fixed!"

Like cell division, a body separated from the mazoku. It was a Xellos, only in girl form and wearing a blue dress with a frilly apron on. The original Xellos now had on a toolbelt.

Everyone was gaping.

"Well..." Amelia laughed uneasily. "Whatever works, right?"

Xel-chan sighed dreamily at her future husband. "Oh, honey!"

"Hey, baby," Xel-kun said to Xel-chan.

Half of the travelers looked sick.

"I never knew you could do that," Gourry commented.

"I wish I never knew you could do that," Lina groaned.


The group got their individual rooms. Rather, they received their "engagement" suites.

In the room of the gluttons, Lina created a make-shift mattress for Gourry on the floor with the dozens of heart-shaped pillows that decorated the bed. She was definitely NOT going to share one bed with him.

In the room of the shamanists, both were blushing all too much. Zelgadis said he'd take the floor, considering no matter the size or how comforting a bed was, it wouldn't make a difference to a rock. Amelia hesitantly agreed after a little bit of argument.

In the room of the dark-haired travelers, the said travelers were not there. They feared seeing the room.

In the room of the Xels, the mazoku were doing whatever the others didn't want to know about.

There was a point in the journey, right about where Amelia was in silent depression, that Zangulus didn't think that things could get quite much worse. Just in case things could, he didn't mention the thought out loud, so maybe then it wouldn't come back and bite him the rear. However, now he was positive that this was one of the worst things to happen.

He was married, he confirmed. He shouldn't have to go through this, especially when it meant that Lina could use it in the future for blackmail. If Lina had an advantage over him, Zangulus would have to do something particularly nasty. He didn't know what that nasty thing was, but he didn't want to do it.

Yet, this was not just the one reason why he didn't want to get married (again); for some reason, Zangulus didn't want to think of Sylphiel... in that way.

The swordsman sat outside of the suite. Sylphiel had taken off, murmuring that she had to go do something that was important and stuff. Zangulus didn't argue the point.

He pondered going inside the room. No, he might get blasted with ultra huggily wuggily cuteness and pink and ugh. Besides, he wouldn't know what to do about there only being one bed in there. He knew it was there because that was the way people's over-imaginative romantic minds worked.

Zangulus sighed. He'd fix this. The Xoana king stood up and marched away from the engagement rooms, deciding he'd find an inn. If anything, he'd give Sylphiel her privacy and get his own room. See? Problem solved.

His gut didn't quite agree that way. The thought of marrying her just, for some reason, made Zangulus's skin crawl. Of course they were friends! Of course they got along well! They had to if they were to stick together during this journey. Still, Zangulus just couldn't imagine Sylphiel that way.

After getting his own inn room, Zangulus decided to explore the town. So he did that.

Or he tried.

Amelia had found Zangulus, grabbed his arm and smiled. "Come on!"

"Wh-wha?" he barely even managed to stammer.

The princess giggled. "We need to find you an outfit for the wedding tomorrow!"

"Why can't we just do the wedding tonight and get it over with?" Zangulus suggested, although somehow that thought made him feel even worse.

Amelia sighed a little. "Ms. Lina wants to eat the food at the celebration of four weddings in a row, an engagement party for all of us, then we'll go tomorrow. Besides, it is kind of getting late. Who knows how far Sai Sanctuary is from Mei City?"

Zangulus sulked. Great. He had time to think about why this whole thing felt so gosh darned wrong in his mind.

"Anyway, Mr. Zelgadis went on his own. He wanted to get some information on Sai Sanctuary, so I decided why not live with the moment and try to enjoy it all?" Amelia said happily. Then she just noticed something. "Where's Ms. Sylphiel?"

"She said she had something to do," Zangulus quickly answered.

Amelia nodded a bit. "Oh, and don't mind Ms. Lina. She kind of thinks that, uh... well... something is going on between you two..." Zangulus made an irritated noise. "I don't think so! You and Mrs. Martina are perfectly happy. It wouldn't be right if you thought about Ms. Sylphiel that way."

"I thought in your book love and truth and crap was all righteous," Zangulus pointed out, although he did agree to an extent with the princess.

"Well, yes, but only certain love. It's fine if you love your wife, but to love someone behind her back?" Amelia backed up her statement, wrinkling her nose. "It's so unjust, Mr. Zangulus. I'm just glad this is a fake wedding."

"Me too." Zangulus glanced around. "Ah, Amelia? Go on without me. I have my own things to do."

"Okay. See you later, Mr. Zangulus," Amelia replied with a nod before skipping away merrily to herself.

Amelia was right, pride and honor said. Thank goodness it's just a fake wedding.

Still, the gut began, it seems wrong either way, doesn't it? There's something wrong, isn't there?

Zangulus tried to ignore his feelings as he headed back for the inn.


There was something wrong. Sylphiel knew that she would never have had the chance to marry Gourry, even if it was all fake. She would have never had the chance. He and Lina... well, it just seemed to belong.

The priestess sighed gently, sipping her tea. It was a nice little restaurant that someone had kindly pointed out to her. She felt a little guilty lying to Zangulus that she had important things to do. Honestly, all she wanted to do was try to sort out why she felt so bad other than the fact that it was not she who would be marrying Gourry. And get a room at the inn for herself; if anything, she didn't want to sleep in the same bed as Zangulus. That just made her feel even worse.

Zangulus was nice enough once you got to know him a little. He was driven through a good deal of his life because of his mother's expectations. Sylphiel lived similarly; she lived the way she knew that her father would want.

However, as far as Sylphiel knew, Zangulus didn't quite meet his mother's ideals, which brought him into wanting to kill Gourry two years back.

As close as she felt to the Xoana king, she didn't want to marry him. Real or not, it didn't fit. Sylphiel not only felt guilt because of Martina's marriage to Zangulus, but... it just did not feel right. Something was just totally out of place about it.

I do feel like I'm closer than a friend, Sylphiel confirmed. Yet... it isn't the feeling I'd call to a lover.

What was it, then? What made her feel ill at the idea of marrying Zangulus?

"Sylphiel?"

The priestess glanced up at Zelgadis, blinking a bit. "Mr. Zelgadis? Hello; would you like to sit down?"

"Maybe just briefly," he agreed with a shrug. "Anywhere Lina isn't, I'm willing to stay."

"Is she bothering you?" Sylphiel wondered.

"With her constant innuendo, I'd say yes," the chimera replied with a groan. He ordered his typical meal of caffeine. "Where's Zangulus?"

Sylphiel reddened. "I... wanted to explore the city a little on my own."

Zelgadis didn't believe her, but didn't press on. "Just ignore Lina. The whole thing's a fake, anyway. You know it is."

"I know, but... I just don't feel so good," Sylphiel stated bluntly. "And it's not because Ms. Lina is marrying Gourry dear."

Zelgadis nodded a bit. "With Lina giving you not-so-subtle hints about you and Zangulus, it's best to try to ignore it. Something is going on with you two, but I don't think it's anything like that." He paused, then quickly amended. "Not that I'd know or anything."

Sylphiel smiled a bit. "I do care for Mr. Zangulus a lot, but it's just I don't think it's like that. At least with me. Besides, I couldn't do anything behind Mrs. Martina's back."

"Well, just keep in mind that it's all fake, Sylphiel. I've managed to keep that in mind," Zelgadis pointed out. When it arrived, he sipped his coffee.

"Do you feel that way to Ms. Amelia?" Sylphiel queried.

Zelgadis proved against the laws of nature that a rock can indeed blush. "We're talking about you here!" he reminded.

"Sorry," she apologized with a quiet giggle. "Just... please, do me a favor and take care of Ms. Amelia. You know what happened with her cousin..."

"So I've heard," Zelgadis affirmed. "I'll... see what I can do."

"Thank you, Mr. Zelgadis," the priestess said gratefully.


Only Lina and Gourry really attended to all of the parties. Food and fun, of course.

Zelgadis decided to try to get an early sleep. He walked down the hall of the engagement rooms, then paused as he heard a noise. Placing his hand on his sword, the chimera looked to his left, seeing the most disgusting thing he had ever seen.

"UGH!" he moaned. "Stop it! At least do it in your own room, for God's sake!"

Xel-chan and Xel-kun were making out in the hallway, both refusing to move. Zelgadis made a face, giving up, heading to his room as he unsuccessfully tried to ignore the happy "couple."

He arched a rocky brow at the next thing he saw. "Zangulus?"

The Xoana king eyed the chimera, then shrugged at him. "I'm heading off."

"Pardon?"

"Just tell anyone who asks that I'm at my own room at the inn," Zangulus elaborated. "I don't really wanna share a room with Sylphiel."

Zelgadis shrugged. "Fine." He went into his room.

The chimera glanced to Amelia, not noticing his blush. "Ready for tomorrow?"

"Yep! I'm prepared," she replied, already in bed. She looked a little concerned. "Will you be fine on the floor?"

"Considering all of the carpeting, I think it'll be fine," Zelgadis replied. "It's a bed on its own."

Amelia nodded brightly. "That's good!"

And awkward pause.

The princess smiled a little more nervously. "Um... Mr. Zelgadis..."

"Yeah, Amelia?"

"I wanted to talk to you..." Amelia spoke quietly. "I know Ms. Sylphiel, Mr. Zangulus, and Ms. Lina have, but... I..."

Zelgadis frowned. "...It's about Alfred."

Amelia nodded a bit. She looked down at the bed, tears forming. "I feel better, but... I still don't know if it was the Just thing to do..."

"Either choice had its benefits and faults," Zelgadis said. "You could have left Alfred alone. Maybe, by a slim chance, he would have gotten better and maybe he would have been able to live elsewhere. Then again, Sylphiel and Zangulus would have died. That left you to having to destroy him."

Amelia sighed a little. The chimera winced. That sounded maybe a little harsh. He tried to amend that.

"The latter had more of its benefits. You saved Sylphiel and Zangulus, but in that process Alfred got what he really wanted, right? Besides, rather than living a life like that, he was put to rest knowing that you didn't hate him for what he did," Zelgadis pointed out. "I can't say for sure that I approve of him, but I'm sure he was glad to know that you didn't hate him."

Amelia smiled a little. "Thank you, Mr. Zelgadis..." She wiped her eyes. "I'll tell Uncle Christopher..."

"It's all right, Amelia. Don't feel sad forever."

"You shouldn't either," Amelia prodded a little, looking a lot more cheerful.

Zelgadis rolled his eyes a bit, but he smiled. "Good night, Amelia."


When he fell asleep, Zangulus didn't feel so great.

Normally, when one dreams they think it means something or it's just a bunch of not-making-much-sense crap. Zangulus couldn't tell which it would have been at first because he first dreamt about a memory, which he didn't do very often. He rarely decided to remember his dreams or think much of his past in the first place.

Which proved that his subconscious differed from his conscious mind.

It was snowing in the fields. Zangulus was just a little boy, wearing his usual vest, slacks, and sandals. He ran outside when his mother had just died. It was cold, snow scraping at his skin like needles. He cried a lot.

Why am I bothering to remember this?

Then a figure appeared not far from him. Zangulus had looked up, surprised. The cloaked man held out his arms in a welcoming gesture. He didn't want to lose that chance, so the young Zangulus jumped into his arms, clutching the cloak, crying into it. The man himself was like ice, but the cloak was warmer than anything else. Zangulus cried about his only family member's death to the figure, and he was held and comforted--

Stop it.

"She's gone," the child whimpered to the cloaked man. "I'm all alone now! She's gone!"

The figure untied his dark cape and placed it around the young Zangulus. "Yes. She is."

"I'm all alone..." he would whimper, but the cloaked man hugged him again.

"No. Do not say that," the figure scolded softly. "I will watch you. I will be watching for eternity."

He lied. He never watched me. He was gone, and what good did he do me?

The subconscious ignored Zangulus generally, zipping to a totally different dream because he was inconsistant like that.

"Oh, honey!" Sylphiel called out to her husband. Zangulus looked up happily toward her, waving. "Come see your new baby boy!"

Zangulus came over, happy with his wife. A happy couple that had a happy life and were happy with the life that they chose. Now Zangulus would happily see his new happy baby.

Sylphiel held him up to Zangulus. He accepted, to happily see what he didn't expect to. A totally deformed child, who smiled with crooked teeth and spoke in a booming voice:

"DADAAAA!"

Zangulus was not quite as happy. "AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Zangulus woke up.

Things could only go downhill, he decided.


Gourry yawned, scratching behind his ear. He hated getting the midnight munchies. As much as he loved food, he would have preferred sleeping at that moment.

He entered a random restaurant, not surprised to see it mostly empty. What surprised him was that Zangulus was there.

Gourry blinked for a moment before greeting the other swordsman. "Hey, Zangulus!"

The dark haired man stirred a little. "Gourry?"

"What're you doing?" the blond wondered, staring at what Zangulus was eating.

"Eating icecream. Before we arrived at Mei City, Sylphiel made me promise not to drink again for the rest of the trip, so I have to drown my sorrows in something else," Zangulus told him glumly.

Gourry looked suspicious. "Hang on a second. I think there's a little more going on than just icecream." He snatched the bowl away from Zangulus, sniffing it, glaring at the other man seriously. "Just as I thought. Orange sherbert!"

"You got me! I--! ...What?"

"Well, it's nothing to be ashamed of. I mean, if you like sherbert better than icecream sometimes, I know the feeling! Once, I wanted raspberry sherbert, so I--" Gourry began.

Zangulus sighed a little, taking his bowl back. "No offense, but I don't really care right now, Gourry."

Gourry looked a bit hurt that his story was interrupted, but nodded. He sat down across from the Xoana king, ordering a dinner for two. Normally, he'd go for five, but he was only a little hungry at this time of the night. "So, why are you up?" the blond asked.

"Can't sleep. Dreams hate me," Zangulus replied tiredly. "Can't stop thinking. Hate it. Argh." He shoved a spoonful of sherbert in his mouth irritably.

"Yeah, I hate thinking, too," Gourry agreed. "Ever since Lina and I started traveling with you guys again, I can't help it!"

"Mmf?" Zangulus asked, swallowing.

Gourry paused for a moment. Should he tell him? "Wellll... I'm just a bit worried about how you've been taking care of Sylphiel is all."

"Mmf."

"So, now that you guys are getting married--and I know it's fake--I guess I'm a little worried about how you guys are getting along," Gourry attempted to explain. "'Cuz, and I told Lina this, Sylphiel's like... a little sister and stuff. Does that make sense?"

Zangulus shrugged a little. "I guess."

"Anyway, how have you guys been doing?"

Zangulus frowned. "Quiet. I've been avoiding her since this whole marriage thing jumped on us."

"Funny; I don't remember anything jumping..."

The dark swordsman ignored that. "I just don't feel comfortable about it, and it's not just because I'm already married. Something just feels like it's eating at me and telling me it's all wrong."

Gourry scratched his head a little. "Well, how do you feel about her?"

"She's all right. Sickeningly sweet," Zangulus described. "But... I guess the same. I feel like I'm her protector, maybe more than a friend."

"Why doesn't it feel right?"

Zangulus sighed angrily. "That's the point. I don't know why! It's a fake ceremony and all, but thinking about doing it somehow makes me want to throw up."

"I dunno what I can do to help, but I guess you should talk to Sylphiel 'bout it," Gourry suggested. "I don't think she seems very happy, either. I don't think it's good to be in love with her right now, especially since you got Martina and all, but there's somethin' goin' on. I dunno what, but that's why you gotta talk to Sylphiel, right?"

Zangulus paused, letting his half-awake mind process all that. "...That makes sense," he concluded. "Guess I'll go talk to her." He stood up, rubbing an eye to make sure he could stay awake enough to walk straight.

"Hey, Zangulus?"

The raven haired swordsman glanced to the blond.

"Are you..." Gourry began, "...going to finish that sherbert?"

Zangulus shook his head. "You can have it if you want." With that cleared up, he left after accidently bumping into a chair and apologizing to it.


Sylphiel stood at the bridge, looking at the stream quietly. She had forced herself awake unhappily, and just felt that she couldn't sleep anymore.

She looked up quietly as someone approached her. Her face fell a little, despite the surprise. "Mr. Zangulus..."

He stood next to her, scratching the back of his head a bit. "Can't sleep?"

"No. Nor you?"

"Nope."

There was some silence between them as they looked out at the stream. Zangulus cleared his throat. Sylphiel hummed a little.

Zangulus decided to start. "Um... look, I'm sorry for avoiding you... I just don't know what's going on with me. This whole marriage thing is really getting to me."

"It's all right," Sylphiel replied softly. "I don't expect you to like it. You're already married."

"That's not just it. It's a fake thing, so I kept wondering why it bothered me. I still don't really know, but it's not because of you or anything. I don't think. I really don't know; it just really got to me."

Sylphiel smiled a little. "It's strange, but I feel the same way. I just... don't like it. I care for you, Mr. Zangulus, but it's not like that. I don't know if I can go through with it."

"Neither do I, and if I do I'll never forgive Lina," Zangulus muttered. "Well, there are guards in front of the way to Sai Sanctuary, right? I don't think security will be too tight during the four ceremonies."

"What do you think we should do exactly?" Sylphiel asked curiously.

"Well, let's see..."


"Okay, first of all," Lina began, "STOP KISSING!"

Xel-chan sniffed a little. "Sorry, Ms. Lina!"

"A man's gotta go what a man's gotta do," Xel-kun supplied his reasons.

Lina growled a little. "Second of all, Gourry... don't kiss me when we're wed. I'm warning you."

"I won't, I won't!" Gourry agreed.

"Okay. Then, we're settled? Good! Have fun!" Somehow, Sylphiel and Zangulus felt that comment was to them directly.

Amelia was speaking to the high priest. "Are you sure that this won't be much trouble?" she asked him.

"Of course not! Four in a row is nothing. I've done seventeen in one day, young lady," he chuckled. "My, what a day that was! I'll never forget it."

So the ceremonies began. Nartually, Lina and Gourry went first. No kissing involved, which left both very pleased, especially at the free food.

Amelia and Zelgadis were next, both very fidgetity.

"Do you, Zelgadis Greywords, take Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun as your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do," he squeaked, then cleared his throat. "...I do."

"Do you, Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun, take Zelgadis Greywords as your lawfully wedded husband?"

Amelia spoke quietly, "I do."

The high priest smiled. "Then, you may..."

Here it comes, both Amelia and Zelgadis thought as their faces grew as red as beets.

"Mutually respect the bride!" the high priest concluded.

A pause. Then Zelgadis sighed in relief, "THANK GOD!"

When the two exited the chapel, Amelia looked to Lina, still blushing. "You didn't tell us that he'd say that!"

Lina laughed. "It was worth seeing you guys looking like tomatoes! That was hilarious!"

Xel-chan and Xel-kun went for the marriage. Rather than mutual respect, they went for the all-out kissing session. Sweatdrops followed after.

"Ready?" Zangulus asked the priestess warily. She nodded. "All right. If you have trouble, let me know."

The wedding began.

It seemed too tense. Amelia didn't like it at all. She knew that they wouldn't like it, but even in a fake marriage, couldn't they at least have fun?

Lina didn't like it. Why wouldn't either enjoy it? In her eyes, they were more than friends. Sure, cheating on Martina and having to face her wrath was a downfall, but if they were more than just companions, then why not? A bride and a groom were supposed to look happy; they looked like they were at a funeral.

The high priest began. "Zangulus Montoya, do you--"

"YOINK!" Zangulus exclaimed, both he and Sylphiel running out of the chapel as if the Devil himself was after them.

"--take... ah... hm," the high priest slowed down. "Nevermind..."

The others were gaping.

"Wait for me!" Lina shrieked after her friends, struggling with her cursed dress as she ran after the dark haired travelers.


Zangulus dusted off his hat before placing it back onto his head, then adjusted his cape. Lina looked furious. He smiled at that. No blackmail for him.

"I can't believe you did that!" Lina groaned. "And you, too, Sylphiel!"

"We planned it just last night," Sylphiel added with a smile.

Everyone was back into their regular traveling clothes, heading up the path for Sai Sanctuary. The wedding clothes were generally abandoned if not picked up by either Amelia and Sylphiel. As much as they didn't plan to get married anytime soon, they liked the outfits.

Xel-chan popped up beside Xel-kun. "Look, everybody! I made fluffernutter sandwiches!"

Xel-kun put his arm around Xel-chan's shoulders, smiling. "Honey, ya know what I like!"

"Would you just go back together, PLEASE?!" Zelgadis demanded.

Xel-kun shrugged. "Well, okay. Honey, ya know what to do!"

The two stood facing each other, about ten feet apart. The Xels snorted and prepared to charge like mad bulls, even using their index fingers on their heads like bull horns. They charged at each other.

SPLAT!

"That was the weirdest game of Bonkers I've ever seen," Gourry commented, mesmerized. Lina scooted away from him.

"Now that that has been settled, I am at least glad that you have all made it here finally," Vrumugun said, having appeared just a few feet ahead of the others.

Lina grinned. "All right! Let's go to Sai Sanctuary!"

"There is something you should know about Sai Sanctuary," Vrumugun began. "There is something holy there. Unfortunately, I do not know exactly what it is myself. All I can tell you that it is a spell. I was incapable of learning it; I did not know the written language."

The sorcery genius grew big shining eyes, almost making a new lake on the path with her drool. "A spell?! Terrific!"

"It is a white magic spell," Vrumugun told her. Lina fell over.

"White magic?!" Lina demanded, standing back up. "It figures! I don't know much white magic beyond a Recovery and protection spells!"

"Um... I may have no problem learning it," Sylphiel suggested. "It may help us."

Lina grinned a little. "Of course! Sylphiel can learn it. Good; still got a trump card up my sleeve!"

"Really? What's it look like?" Gourry wondered.

Zelgadis spoke over Lina giving Gourry a hard noogie, "I could try reading the spell. I've studied quite a bit when it comes to ancient languages."

"All righty, then let's go!" Lina shouted. Much gusto was about! No more bad feelings!

The group went up to Sai Sanctuary, which happened to be a very beautiful place. It was like a large white and clean temple on a lake, water pouring like fountains out some windows. A perfectly made bridge lead to the sanctuary. It strangely felt nice to be nearby the temple as if white magic just poured out from it on its own. Even the non-magic users could feel it.

"I will wait outside. I am not much of use in there," Vrumugun spoke.

"All righty. Catch ya later, Vrummy!" Lina agreed, running off with most of the group into the temple. Xellos stayed behind, as good feelings tended to make him ill.

The mazoku smiled slightly. "Did it hurt?" he asked curiously as he gestured to the temple.

Vrumugun was quiet for a moment before nodding slightly. "Yes."

"Then so will this," Xellos said quietly. "He's coming."

The mage was silent. It wasn't silence out of his usual self; silence in fear.

The lake began to freeze slowly and the plants and road were frosted. A man with short but perfect white hair, who also wore typical war armor with a dark blue cape, made himself present. Xellos's words seemed to have perfect timing, as per usual.

The man was almost as monotone as Vrumugun. His stare was even colder. His ice-blue slitted eyes looked at Vrumugun.

The mage looked on for a moment, having stopped breathing. He was almost too afraid to move. Slowly, he went to his knees as if he was bowing to a king. He said nothing.

Xellos's eyes were open as he looked at the man. He had no smile. The Trickster Priest wasn't mad, surprised, or happy. He just was.

"Vrumugun. Xellos," the man spoke simply and very directly.

The mage closed his eyes, his head bowed. Softly, he uttered out the man's name,

"...Dynast Grausherra..."

---

As any good hearted series, this is to be continued in...

"Immortal Ice! The Gift That Was Bestowed on Him."
...where some memories are just so painful. Vrumugun remembers the mazoku lord Dynast and speaks of him to his companions and Xellos, yet so much more than just that.

Credit is due to Twoflower for the creation of the splended game of Bonkers. Read his stories and Gourry will mention this lovely game:
http://pixelscapes.com/slayers/trilogy.html

The scene with Zelgadis and Amelia talking about Alfred was written for Tasuki-niichan. Check her site out NOW. Please?
http://www.genrou.com/

---
Alba Aulbath
berry@adelphia.net