Disclaimer: We do not own Slayers, and we're not making any money off of this.
SPECIAL NOTES: This fanfic is written by Nathan J. Urbansic, a good friend of mine who does not have an FF.net account of his own and is currently unable to possess one. Hence I am posting this as a proxy with full permission from the true author.
Please still feel free to review, but keep in mind that all compliments go to Nate. Thanks minna. Enjoy!
ALSO: This is set in a universe parallel with the NEXT storyline. However, a few subtle differences occur, and slightly different choices are made. This just goes to show you that it really is the little things in life that create who we are... And what we become.
SLAYERS NiXT:
Nobody's Perfect
Chapter Eight
Zelgadiss now knew what Lina had felt on the day Gourry was stolen from her. He stood and drew his sword. Lina gasped as she saw a single tear roll down her friend's stone cheek.
"Zel…"
Zelgadiss charged, his voice run-through with emotion, "Phibrizzooooo!" Without even blinking, Phibrizzo crushed another golden orb.
Zel made a sound as if having had the wind knocked out of him, and then he stumbled, and fell. His body was laid facedown on the cold, crystalline floor.
The first instinct of both Lina and Sylphiel was to run to the sides of their fallen comrades, but not a motion was made. Fear and shock had seized upon them all, holding them fast to where they stood. Lina cursed under her breath.
"What's wrong, Lina?" said the accursed Hellmaster. "Afraid? Don't worry. You're relatively safe, but as for the rest of your friends…" He chuckled wickedly.
Vruumugun growled under his breath nearby. "All I have is the Dragon Slave, but casting that wouldn't do a thing against him."
Lina turned quickly. "What?!"
"I said--"
"I heard what you said!" snapped Lina. "But since when does everybody around here know the Dragon Slave!?!"
"Lina," whispered Sylphiel. "It didn't work with two, but maybe with three Dragon Slaves…"
Lina calmed. "It's a good thought, Sylphiel, but he'd just escape into subspace again."
Sylphiel visibly saddened.
"But maybe if…" said Lina contemplatively. "Okay, new plan. When I say so, Sylphiel, you and Vruumugun cast the Dragon Slave and hold it for as long as you can."
"But, Lina--"
"Hellmaster!" shouted Zangulus, cutting off Sylphiel. He approached Phibrizzo slowly. "I didn't ever think that I'd see this day, but, I know when I'm outmatched."
"Oh?" said Phibrizzo, curious.
"Even with this enchanted sword, my power is nothing next to yours. Ironic thing of it all, though, is that this isn't even my fight. As such, I humbly request that I be free to go."
"Zangulus!" cried out Martina. "I thought you had a sense of honor! There's no honor in surrendering to a monster like him!"
"Well?" said Zangulus, ignoring her. "What do you say?"
"Hmmmm… How about this, swordsman: you fight Gourry here, and if you win, you go free."
Zangulus stiffened. "Alright. I agree to your ter-YAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Zangulus leapt high into the air, sword raised, at the ready to cleave the monstrous child in two. Before he could, though, yet another golden sphere was crushed. Zangulus' eyes filled with shock as he, too, felt the pain that Amelia and Zelgadiss had felt. Just as his momentum was about to bring him to Hellmaster, Phibrizzo flicked the air in front of him. A mass of energy slammed into Zangulus like some unseen fist, knocking him across the room. Martina ran to him.
"Zangulus!" Tears filled her eyes as she now realized that it was all just a ruse to catch Phibrizzo off guard. "You shouldn't do stuff like that," she said as she began to cry.
Zangulus smiled at Martina's tears. "It was worth a shot," he said, and then fell silent, never to speak again. For the dead cannot speak.
Forcing back the pain, Martina took Zangulus' sword from his hand.
"Martina, no!" screamed Lina. But it was too late.
Martina ran at Phibrizzo, waving the sword around, her emotions driving her on. Once more, a shattering sound was heard from Phibrizzo's hand.
The sword flew from Martina's hands and clattered as it fell to the floor. She managed to take a couple of weak steps before collapsing.
"Martina!" yelled Lina as she ran over to Martina's side. No matter how annoying she may have been, Lina knew that Martina didn't deserve to die like this.
"Lina," she said softly. "Stop…him….."
Lina stood and took a deep breath to hold back her rage. "Alright!" she shouted up to Phibrizzo. "I've got one more attack, and if that doesn't work, I'll cast the Giga Slave. Deal?"
"I must admit," conceded Phibrizzo, "I'm intrigued. Okay, deal."
Lina nodded towards Sylphiel. She nodded back in understanding.
"Darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows," began Sylphiel with Vruumugun repeating the spell along with her.
"Don't tell me," said Phibrizzo, disappointed. "That this is your last great attack."
Lina remained silent as Sylphiel and Vruumugun continued. "Buried in the flow of time; in Thy great name I pledge myself to darkness!" Their voices grew together to a climax. "Let all the fools who stand in our way be destroyed by the power you and I possess! Dragon Slave!"
Dual columns of deep red shot towards Phibrizzo, only to burn through crystal, as Hellmaster had escaped into subspace as expected. Even beyond the veil of space and subspace, though, his evil laughter could be heard.
"Haven't you learned at all?" he cackled.
"Just wait," said Lina calmly as she pulled the Sword of Light from her belt. Slowly she put the sword in front of her and gripped it with both hands. "Light come forth," she said quietly.
Instantly the legendary blade that slew the demon-beast Zanaffar appeared. She swallowed uneasily then spoke. "Lord of the dreams that terrify, Sword of cold and darkness, free yourself from the heavens' bonds!" As she spoke, the power of the Lord of Nightmares gathered within her hands, flowing into the Sword of Light. "Become one with my power, one with my body, and let us walk the path of destruction together!" Lina's voice rose, as blackness streamed along the glowing blade, corrupting its very core. "Power that can smash even the souls of the gods! Ragna Blade!"
The energy around Lina surged as the powers of darkness and light fought for dominance along the length of the mythical weapon. It crackled with a power never before seen.
Sylphiel sensed what was happening and knew all too well what Lin had planned. "Lina, you can't!" she cried at Lina over the roar of the magics being cast.
"Sylphiel, just concentrate on holding that Dragon Slave!"
Sylphiel hesitated a moment. Then nodded her head in understanding and returned her attention to her spell.
"Now for you, Hellmaster," said Lina darkly. She ran towards where Phibrizzo had disappeared with the sword held high, but stopped short. Before her stood Gourry, or the shadow of Gourry, created through Phibrizzo's power. But even then, for a shadow, it's eyes now held all the life and vitality of the man she loved.
"Gourry, move," she said threateningly.
"I can't," said the shadow.
It was now that Lina realized that this was no mere re-creation of Gourry, this was Gourry. In his voice, it was there, the unmistakable sound of Gourry Gabriev. Also there was pain. Lina saw it in his eyes now, too. She knew this to be the true soul of Gourry, trapped by Phibrizzo. Lina struggled to hold back her tears.
"Please, Lina," pleaded Gourry. "Do it."
Lina's will broke as she began to sob, but she quickly stopped herself. She knew what she had to do. With still wet eyes, she nodded resolutely to Gourry. He smiled in return.Lina pulled back the blade of light and darkness and with a fierce yell charged. The chaotic energy swept through Gourry without mercy. Lina didn't stop, though. She pushed on, and slashed through the air as she disappeared into the heart of the dual Dragon Slaves, piercing through the barrier of subspace. Through the tear in space the great power of Shabrinigdo flooded through to the unprotected Hellmaster inside. All that was heard was a horrendous cry as the spells exploded on both sides of the rift. Unseen to the rest of existence, Phibrizzo's body wasted away under the energy assaulting him. For he was, after all, but a creation of Shabrinigdo.
Seen to the world, though, was the second blast of twin Dragon Slaves, equally powerful as the first. But this time, it had been Lina who wasn't protected from the spells, and she had been at the very focus of the destructive power. Sylphiel knew this. Even before the dust had cleared, she began to cry.
"Oh, Lina…" she whimpered, "first everyone else, and now you."
"Who's the everyone else?" asked a familiar voice behind her. She didn't even need to see him to know who it was.
"Mr. Zelgadiss!" she cried.
"Miss Sylphiel, where's Lina?" asked a short girl beside him.
"Miss Amelia!" Sylphiel noticed another. "Mr. Zangulus!" and, noticing Martina, "…you!" Martina growled indignantly. "But how…" Sylphiel asked.
"It seems that with the death of Phibrizzo that his power over our lives lost its effect."
Again, Amelia asked, "Miss Sylphiel, where's Lina?"
"Well, she went in the path of my Dragon Slave to cut through Phibrizzo's barrier, but, beyond that…" She trailed off.
"Umm," intruded Vruumugun, "I think there's something you all may be interested in."
"What's that?" asked Zel. Vruumugun simply pointed to an opposite corner of the room.
"Miss Lina!" called out Amelia as she noticed the crumpled body of Lina Inverse.
"Lina!" cried Sylphiel as she knelt next to Lina, joined shortly by Amelia. "Amelia, do you know Resurrection?"
"Yes, but I've never--"
"Try!"
Amelia hesitantly put out her hands to join Sylphiel in casting the strongest healing spell. "Resurrection!" they shouted in unison. Immediately white magic began to flow through the young sorceress on the floor. After a while, Amelia broke her concentration.
"I-I don't think it's working," she said.
"Focus!" snapped Sylphiel. Amelia quickly put her attention to the spell once more.
Time slowly passed.
"It's not working," said Sylphiel distantly, keeping her mind on the task at hand.
"What do you mean?" asked Zel. "Her body's healing exactly as it should." Indeed, Lina's body was being healed. The wounds had all but disappeared.
"That's not it," spoke Sylphiel. "She doesn't want to come back."
All around were visibly shaken by this. A heavy silence prevailed.
***
Darkness filled everything, and Lina savored it.
In life, she had slain countless people and destroyed monster after monster. Here, though, there was no more fighting to be done. Here was rest, peace.
At last, thought Lina, it's over. It's finally over.
She sighed as she allowed herself to drift amidst the void. The fact that she was enveloped by blackness didn't wholly surprise Lina. After all, the only real power she had known was that she received from the dark lord of this world and the Lord of Nightmares, herself. Even though her ends were (sometimes) just, her means were that of darkness and destruction.
Fitting. Isn't it, Gourry?
Just as Lina Inverse was about to consign her soul to oblivion forever, a light sparked in front of her. The light grew and grew until it shone above that of the noonday sun. A hand reached out from the light and took hold of Lina's. "Lina…"
"G-Gourry?" Lina said in disbelief.
"Lina," said the voice again as the form of a man emerged from the light, the form of Gourry. His arms reached out to hold the young girl close to him.
"Gourry," said Lina weakly. "I-I didn't know it was you."
"I know," he comforted. "It's okay, Lina."
"But, I got him. Phibrizzo's dead, and, now that you're here, I can rest."
Gourry pulled back from the sorceress and looked sternly into her eyes. He shook his head. "No, Lina. You can't."
"What do you mean?"
"Now isn't your time. There are others who need you, others who still count on you." Lina's eyes lightened with realization of those she left behind.
Zel, Amelia,…Sylphiel.
Gourry nodded.
"Will I ever see you again?"
"I don't know," he replied with sad uncertainty. Even with that answer, though, Lina understood now.
She smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek. Slowly she leaned up to him and kissed him quickly and gently on the lips.
The rest was a blur.
***
"Ungh," moaned the girl under their caring hands.
Amelia immediately lost her focus. "Miss Lina!?" Sylphiel would have snapped at her, but at this point, only one was needed to finish healing their friend.
"A-Amelia?"
"Miss Lina! You've come back!" Amelia tackled the redhead in a big hug. "You're okay!"
Sylphiel withdrew her hands, slightly offended by Amelia's interference in her spell.
"I knew you wouldn't die that easily," said Zel with a grin.
Lina finally broke free from the death grip around her neck. "Yeah, yeah, I'm alright now, Amelia. Sheesh, you don't have to get so emotional." Lina turned her attention to the quiet shrine maiden beside her. "Sylphiel, thanks."
Quite unexpectedly, Sylphiel flung her arms around Lina with tears in her eyes. "Oh, Lina! Don't scare me like that! Don't…don't leave me!"
Lina put her own arm around Sylphiel's shoulders…and smiled.
* * *
"Come on, Lina. Tell us what happened. For a while there, Sylphiel made it sound like you wanted to die."
"Mr. Zelgadiss, you should quit asking Miss Lina about that. She's already told us she doesn't want to discuss it."
"Well, I figured that it was worth another shot."
"Mr. Zelgadiss!"
Both Lina and Sylphiel smiled at the Zel's purposeful prodding of Amelia. For the past hour or so they had all just been sitting around and talking. It was a good day talking, and the simple table in the quiet room of a nearby inn proved to be a good place to do so, as well.
Out of nowhere the door to the room burst open, annoying high-pitched laughter filled the room.
"What is it Martina?" said Lina, irritably.
"Well, I just thought that I would inform you all that Zangulus, here, and I are now married!"
Lina nearly fell out of her chair. "What!?!"
"Married?!" blurted out Amelia.
Again Martina laughed her maddening laugh. "And now that he's the prince of Xoana, I can go out and rebuild my kingdom to its former glory! Ha Ha Ha HA HA HA HAHAHAHAHA!!!"
"Ummm…" said Zangulus flatly beside her.
Martina spun around and barked angrily, "Quiet you!"
Zangulus abruptly shut up and adopted the expression of a retreating puppy with its tail between its legs.
"Vruumugun, is it true?" asked Zel of the robed figure behind the two in the doorway.
"Strangely enough, yes," he replied.
"Anyways, I know what I'm doing for the next while," said Martina with a wicked grin. "What great thing are you guys going to occupy yourselves with?"
"Well," said Zel calmly, "I'm going to go back searching for a cure. It has to be out there somewhere."
"I'd help you out in your search, Mr. Zelgadiss, but my royal duty is calling me back to Seiruun."
Zel shot a quizzical glance towards Amelia who blushed before he shifted his attention. "So, what about you two?"
"Well," began Sylphiel. "There's nothing left for me here."
Indeed, there was nothing left for Sylphiel. For just as Phibrizzo's had lost his hold on the lives of Lina's friends when he died, so too was his hold on the souls of all those of Sairaag. Also, his power of creation, which held the false Sairaag together, disappeared along with the city. Now…….Sairaag could finally be laid to rest.
"I was thinking of traveling with Lina for a while," said Sylphiel. "That is, if she doesn't mind." She looked furtively at the girl next to her.
Lina feigned contemplation for a bit and then, "Eh, sure, whatever. Besides, I could use the companionship." Lina smirked.
"So then it's settled," said Zel. "I guess that for now, this is goodb--"
Lina's growling stomach cut him off. She turned a shade of red. "Let's eat?" she asked, embarrassed.
Zel smiled. "Let's eat."