Chapter Fourteen – The Desert of Death! Zillas' Trial!
The Desert of Death was exactly as its name implied – dead. It was devoid of any form of life, there weren't even any cacti or other desert plants! Zillas looked around, slightly surprised at the state of the desert.
"This is why they call it the Desert of Death," Gorian said. "It is a dead place, nothing save Mazoku can live here."
Zillas glanced at him. "It's so...desolate," she murmured. "How can Gaav live here?"
"All four of the Mazoku Lords live in seclusion with their followers," Gorian replied. "Dynast lives in the Frozen North, Deep Sea Dolphin lives in the depths of the Demon Sea, Hellmaster Phibrizo lives in Hell, and the Greater Beastmaster Zelas lives on Wolfpack Island. Gaav lives here, in the Desert of Death."
Zillas glanced around again, sighing. "I see," she said. "Will I have to stay here, with Gaav?"
"Only until you have finished your training."
They turned and faced Silvira, who was walking towards them. "Lord Gaav wants Zillas to train, so that she can grow stronger."
Zillas nodded. "When do I begin?" she asked.
"Now."
Zillas nodded again and followed Silvira to a relatively flat area where Gaav himself stood, sword drawn. He looked at her.
"Silvira tells me that you can call on L-Sama's power," he said. "Show me."
Zillas shrugged and summoned the Ragna Claws, holding them up for Gaav to see. "I just…came up with this spell when Xellos attacked me," she said. "I'm lucky that it's powerful enough to hurt him, else I would have died."
Gaav nodded – then attacked, swinging his sword in a hard arc. Zillas yelped and jumped back, the sharp blade of Gaav's sword passing mere centimetres past Zillas' face. She nodded, knowing that this was merely a test of her skills. She ran at him, then at the last second she dodged to the left, teleporting to his right and driving her foot into his rib cage before flying backwards, landing, banishing the Ragna Claws, and throwing a Dark Fireball at him, willing it to circle the Dark Lord.
"What's she doing?" Silvira asked Gorian.
"I have no-" Gorian began, but was cut off when the Dark Fireball self-detonated, creating an explosion not unlike that of a Blast Bomb spell. Gaav came running out of the explosion, his clothing singed but otherwise unharmed. Zillas jumped to the side, a blast of Mazoku Power leaving her outstretched hands. Gaav dodged the blast of energy, allowing the sand behind him becoming glass when the energy struck and exploded in that spot. Zillas dodged his sword, but was caught by surprise when he lashed out with his left fist, the blow sending her flying backwards. She was up in mere seconds, her body in the posture of a cross.
"Lord of Darkness of the Four Worlds! I call upon you! Grant me all the power you possess!"
The talismans she was wearing glowed red, and she couldn't help but smirk as she started the incantation to the follow-up spell.
"Everlasting
flame of blue. Let the power hidden in my soul be called forth here from the
infinite! Ra Tilt!"
The attack hit Gaav head-on, but he was powerful, and the spell only damaged him slightly. He did not even flinch as the blue-white flames enveloped him and his astral form was attacked. He merely teleported behind Zillas and slammed the handle of his sword over her head.
Darkness enveloped her in seconds.
Author's notes: Enjoying it? Well? Are ya?!