Chapter 10: The Center


"Haven't we been here?" Amelia asked as they came to an intersection.

"Yeah, twice" Zelgadis replied.

"Well now we know to go left" Sylphiel said. The Slayers nodded and followed her and Lina down the glass corridor.

"How much longer Lina?" Gourry asked.

"We've been walking for hours" she said, "The center shouldn't be far"

"Miss. Lina" Filia exclaimed, "There it is!" She pointed straight ahead where a large, bright light shone.

"We're finally there!" Lina yelled. She set off in a run, the others following close behind.

"I'm coming sis" she said to herself. Lina stopped in the middle of a large room. In front of her was the final star. She walked up and saw that the glass star was as big as her hand and was implanted into a large podium.

"How am I supposed to pick that up?"

Xelloss joined Lina. "You're not", he said plainly.

"Then how am I going to get to Luna?"

"See these imprints? Put the stars here. We will then be teleported to Ayana"

"Alright" Lina placed the six stars in the imprints. As soon as she did a bright light cast around the group and Lina went unconscious.

~*~*~*~

Lina opened her eyes to find herself in a room made entirely of marble. In front of her was Luna.

Lina ran up to her sister. She was chained to the wall in a deep sleep.

"Luna..." Lina had never seen her sister so helpless. "Wake up!"

"She won't wake up" said a voice, "At least not right now"

Lina twirled around. There she saw Ayana, dressed in a white dress, her blue hair delicately arranged at the top of her head.

"What have you done to my friends?"

"Oh silly me" With a wave of her hand Gourry, Amelia, Zelgadis, Slyphiel and Xelloss appeared, also chained to the wall.

"Let them go!" Lina exclaimed.

"Why?" asked Ayana, "For centuries humans and monsters have been slaughtering dragons for no reason, leaving many breeds dying or extinct! Filia and I have had enough of this!" Filia appeared at Ayana's side.

"Filia?"

"Oh yes! Thanks to you humans and monsters she is the last of the golden dragons!"

"And what do you plan to do Ayana?"

"It's quite simple" Ayana said, "I plan to retrieve your magic so that I may use the Giga Slave to destroy the monsters and humans. Dragons will rule this world in peace"

"And what makes you think I'm going to give you my power?"

Ayana laughed, "Do you have to ask? You will have six chances. Each time you refuse, I will kill one of your friends"

"No!"

"Lina!"

Lina turned around. Gourry looked up at her with pleading eyes.

"Don't give Ayana your power" he said.

"Just don't worry about us!" said Sylphiel.

"Perhaps I should demonstrate my power" Ayana replied, "Give me Xelloss' star"

Filia passed Ayana the diamond star and Ayana held it in her hand.

"If it breaks, the monster will die. What do you say now Lina Inverse?"

Ayana closed her palm and squeezed the star. Lina heard a crunching noise.

Ayana opened her fist and a million pieces that once made up the diamond star and the pieces fell to the ground...


~-~ Okey, chapter 11 coming soon ~-~