All I Left Behind (Chapter 2)
Written by Crimson Haze
The sun's light seemed to be harsher than usual as it beat down upon the young girl's
back. Yeah, she shouldn't have done it, but it had been her only escape. Not from the group
of renegade mazoku that had wanted to rip her to tiny bits, no. She had to get away from her
past. Being the Enemy of All Living Things for such a long time had left her feeling empty.
Every frightened look she had ever received seemed to have taken a toll on her.
She released a soft sigh to the wind as she brushed her now light brown hair back
from her eyes. Her pale green eyes reflected the vast ocean that lay below her feet. Which,
were dangling freely off the side of the ship she happened to be hitching a ride upon. She didn't
care where she was going or how long it would take for her to get there. All that mattered
was that it was going to lead to change.
As she continued to stare down into the infinite blue that is known as the ocean, she
let her thoughts slip back to what had occurred the week before....
The word on the street was that they were out for blood. Apparently, I'd pissed
them off for the last time. By 'them', I mean the mazoku. Well, a certain group of mazoku
who where just slightly peeved off at me. But, I guess they had a good enough reason to be
slightly pissed. I had single handily taken out half of their little group. Wouldn't that
make you mad as well?
Anyways, this was the third threat of death that I had received from a certain
group of people. The other two I won't name...they're not too important at this time. I was
getting tired of all of the bullshit really. Either it was some macho mazoku who just
wanted to boast that he could beat Lina Inverse or some damned group of idiots wanting
revenge of some sort. The same cycle repeating itself over and over. And the only reason
that it kept happening was because of one damned thing...I was Lina Inverse.
The only way I knew how to break free of something like this was to runaway
and start anew. Sure, you would never think that the great Lina Inverse would run away
from anything. Well, you all thought wrong. Repetition is Inverse enemy #1. My nature
is chaotic...so it is natural for me to despise such a thing. But, the last time I broke free
of such a situation I had simply walked away without even looking back. You can't very
well do that when you have a pack of mazoku tailing you hungry for blood.
If it was a dead Lina Inverse they wanted, that's what they were going to get
damnit. Just my luck that a group of performers just happened to be in town the night
that the attack was supposed to take place. And, ironically enough, the play was about
the grand adventures of yours truly. They even had a girl that looked almost exactly like me...
Catching on yet?
Of course, she would need a few touch-ups before I could pass her off as me but,
nothing that a few illusionary spells couldn't handle. Plus, she wasn't half as cute as the
original!
Well, as the story goes, I approached her earlier on that morning, telling her
exactly who I was. Of course, she was thrilled to have met me and wished to know how
a day in the life of Lina Inverse was truly like. She wanted to get her portrayal of me exactly
correct. So, I agreed to give her exactly what she wished for.
We made a deal to switch places for one day. I could easily improv the entire play...
since the entire thing was based on my own adventures. Simple enough, ne? Her part of the
deal was just as easy. Act as if she were in a huge play and just go with the flow. We were
to switch back places the next morning. She stay in my hotel room and I camp out with the
rest of her acting group.
With the shake of our hands the deal was sealed. We switched each others clothing
and etc. Well, except for the Dragon Blood Talismans. I couldn't dare part with them. Number
one reason, they were quite powerful and I knew that if I parted with them I would never see
them again...just like the girl. Reason number two, he had given them to me. Sentimental
value and pure value all wrapped up into one.
As we parted ways, I had wanted to stop her. Tell her what was really going to happen
to her if she went through with it. But, I didn't obviously. So, as it came to pass, the morning
after brought the expected news. Lina Inverse had been slaughtered as she had been sleeping
in her hotel room. The illusion spells I had placed upon her would eventually fade in a day
or two. But, I highly doubt there was much left of her to even identify.
I do regret it. I happened to send an innocent to their death. But, it seemed like my
only chance to break free. So, I took it without much hesitation. And, yes, if there had been
an easier way to have done this without killing anyone, I'd of done it. But, even if there
hadn't been any fatalities, I still would wind up hurting people.
For example, sweet, little Ameria. I did hear about her breakdown at my funeral. When
I think about how Gourry will take it...I don't even want to hear about it. I miss his damned
goofy smile and even the way he teased me.
Damnit! ...I need to stop crying so much. In the past year, I'd shed more tears than I
had in an entire life time. Oh, that reminds me, I guess Zel won't take the new too well
either, I suppose. I used to have a small crush on the stoney-butted guy, but he was just
too gloomy and too blind to see his real beauty.
But, I let him go... Just like I let go of the illusion that was Lina Inverse. And...
of the illusion that I didn't love a certain purple haired fruitcake of a mazoku. As long
as he never caught onto my little secret...I was safe. Well, since I am now technically
"dead", the chance of him ever finding out are slim to none.
I like those odds. They're nice and secure. Just like my future...I hope.
My main concern now is what to do if Nee-chan finds me. I can see it all now...
Mean, ol' Luna - "Ah, so you're not dead, Lina. You know, it was not a good thing to
make your own sister worry about you. I was so worried I dropped scalding hot soup on twenty
different customers! So, my boss wasn't quite pleased with that. And, he happened to lower
my salary and buy the people their lunches. So, when he's not happy...I am not happy Lina."
Very frightened me - "Onegai, Nee-chan! I didn't mean to worry you! Gomen ne!"
Mean, ol Luna - "Oh, of course you're sorry, Lina. But, sorry won't help your dear
Nee-chan buy those pretty shoes she happened to be saving up for... Gomen, Lina, but you're
gonna have to be punished!"
Very frightened me - "...save me, L-sama.."
And...*BOOM*! That would be lights out for your kawaii Lina!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Suddenly, she was jolted out of her thoughts by sharp feeling upon her shoulder. Out of
reflex she jerked her body forward, sending her falling over the edge of the ship. Casting a
hasty Levitation spell, she avoided falling into the ocean by a mere inch. Letting out a soft
sigh of relief as she flew back over and onto the boat.
"Ara...that was a close one...", she muttered under her breath as she lightly dusted off
the light blue dress that she had decided to wear. Oddly enough, she liked the feeling of the
wind lightly tickling the back of her knees as the folds of her dress sway along with the gentle
breeze. It was almost comforting...
As she slightly smiled to herself, she let the memory of nearly being shoved into the
water bring her back to reality. She quickly spun around on her heels, her anger rising with
every passing second. "Who's idea what it to almost knock me off of the damned boat?!", she
growled angrily as she searched the deck of the ship for the culprit.
She was taken back by the fact that there was no one upon the ship. Nothing but silence
greeted her ears. "Eh?! What is going on here?!"
Her head jerked to the right as she suddenly became aware of someone's soft clapping.
The sound seemed to jump about in every direction until the noise abruptly ceased. Ending
as quickly as it had began. "Who in the hell is there? Show yourselves...!"
She took a step backwards, placing herself into a fighting stance. She immediately
froze as she felt her body come into contact with another. Gulping quietly as she turned her
head to catch a glimpse of who...or whatever she might be touching. And..she was greeted by
a pair of slitted, amethyst eyes.
"Hello Lina-chan! Yare yare, that was a wonderful trick you played on all of us! But,
the games over...", he said in that always too cheerful tone of voice.
"..X-Xellos..?!" That was the only word that slipped past her lips before the world
faded into darkness...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
:D The end of Chp 2!! Ohh...thrilling, eh?
Hope you liked it! Please R&R!!
Chp. 3 is on its way!
Written by Crimson Haze
The sun's light seemed to be harsher than usual as it beat down upon the young girl's
back. Yeah, she shouldn't have done it, but it had been her only escape. Not from the group
of renegade mazoku that had wanted to rip her to tiny bits, no. She had to get away from her
past. Being the Enemy of All Living Things for such a long time had left her feeling empty.
Every frightened look she had ever received seemed to have taken a toll on her.
She released a soft sigh to the wind as she brushed her now light brown hair back
from her eyes. Her pale green eyes reflected the vast ocean that lay below her feet. Which,
were dangling freely off the side of the ship she happened to be hitching a ride upon. She didn't
care where she was going or how long it would take for her to get there. All that mattered
was that it was going to lead to change.
As she continued to stare down into the infinite blue that is known as the ocean, she
let her thoughts slip back to what had occurred the week before....
The word on the street was that they were out for blood. Apparently, I'd pissed
them off for the last time. By 'them', I mean the mazoku. Well, a certain group of mazoku
who where just slightly peeved off at me. But, I guess they had a good enough reason to be
slightly pissed. I had single handily taken out half of their little group. Wouldn't that
make you mad as well?
Anyways, this was the third threat of death that I had received from a certain
group of people. The other two I won't name...they're not too important at this time. I was
getting tired of all of the bullshit really. Either it was some macho mazoku who just
wanted to boast that he could beat Lina Inverse or some damned group of idiots wanting
revenge of some sort. The same cycle repeating itself over and over. And the only reason
that it kept happening was because of one damned thing...I was Lina Inverse.
The only way I knew how to break free of something like this was to runaway
and start anew. Sure, you would never think that the great Lina Inverse would run away
from anything. Well, you all thought wrong. Repetition is Inverse enemy #1. My nature
is chaotic...so it is natural for me to despise such a thing. But, the last time I broke free
of such a situation I had simply walked away without even looking back. You can't very
well do that when you have a pack of mazoku tailing you hungry for blood.
If it was a dead Lina Inverse they wanted, that's what they were going to get
damnit. Just my luck that a group of performers just happened to be in town the night
that the attack was supposed to take place. And, ironically enough, the play was about
the grand adventures of yours truly. They even had a girl that looked almost exactly like me...
Catching on yet?
Of course, she would need a few touch-ups before I could pass her off as me but,
nothing that a few illusionary spells couldn't handle. Plus, she wasn't half as cute as the
original!
Well, as the story goes, I approached her earlier on that morning, telling her
exactly who I was. Of course, she was thrilled to have met me and wished to know how
a day in the life of Lina Inverse was truly like. She wanted to get her portrayal of me exactly
correct. So, I agreed to give her exactly what she wished for.
We made a deal to switch places for one day. I could easily improv the entire play...
since the entire thing was based on my own adventures. Simple enough, ne? Her part of the
deal was just as easy. Act as if she were in a huge play and just go with the flow. We were
to switch back places the next morning. She stay in my hotel room and I camp out with the
rest of her acting group.
With the shake of our hands the deal was sealed. We switched each others clothing
and etc. Well, except for the Dragon Blood Talismans. I couldn't dare part with them. Number
one reason, they were quite powerful and I knew that if I parted with them I would never see
them again...just like the girl. Reason number two, he had given them to me. Sentimental
value and pure value all wrapped up into one.
As we parted ways, I had wanted to stop her. Tell her what was really going to happen
to her if she went through with it. But, I didn't obviously. So, as it came to pass, the morning
after brought the expected news. Lina Inverse had been slaughtered as she had been sleeping
in her hotel room. The illusion spells I had placed upon her would eventually fade in a day
or two. But, I highly doubt there was much left of her to even identify.
I do regret it. I happened to send an innocent to their death. But, it seemed like my
only chance to break free. So, I took it without much hesitation. And, yes, if there had been
an easier way to have done this without killing anyone, I'd of done it. But, even if there
hadn't been any fatalities, I still would wind up hurting people.
For example, sweet, little Ameria. I did hear about her breakdown at my funeral. When
I think about how Gourry will take it...I don't even want to hear about it. I miss his damned
goofy smile and even the way he teased me.
Damnit! ...I need to stop crying so much. In the past year, I'd shed more tears than I
had in an entire life time. Oh, that reminds me, I guess Zel won't take the new too well
either, I suppose. I used to have a small crush on the stoney-butted guy, but he was just
too gloomy and too blind to see his real beauty.
But, I let him go... Just like I let go of the illusion that was Lina Inverse. And...
of the illusion that I didn't love a certain purple haired fruitcake of a mazoku. As long
as he never caught onto my little secret...I was safe. Well, since I am now technically
"dead", the chance of him ever finding out are slim to none.
I like those odds. They're nice and secure. Just like my future...I hope.
My main concern now is what to do if Nee-chan finds me. I can see it all now...
Mean, ol' Luna - "Ah, so you're not dead, Lina. You know, it was not a good thing to
make your own sister worry about you. I was so worried I dropped scalding hot soup on twenty
different customers! So, my boss wasn't quite pleased with that. And, he happened to lower
my salary and buy the people their lunches. So, when he's not happy...I am not happy Lina."
Very frightened me - "Onegai, Nee-chan! I didn't mean to worry you! Gomen ne!"
Mean, ol Luna - "Oh, of course you're sorry, Lina. But, sorry won't help your dear
Nee-chan buy those pretty shoes she happened to be saving up for... Gomen, Lina, but you're
gonna have to be punished!"
Very frightened me - "...save me, L-sama.."
And...*BOOM*! That would be lights out for your kawaii Lina!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Suddenly, she was jolted out of her thoughts by sharp feeling upon her shoulder. Out of
reflex she jerked her body forward, sending her falling over the edge of the ship. Casting a
hasty Levitation spell, she avoided falling into the ocean by a mere inch. Letting out a soft
sigh of relief as she flew back over and onto the boat.
"Ara...that was a close one...", she muttered under her breath as she lightly dusted off
the light blue dress that she had decided to wear. Oddly enough, she liked the feeling of the
wind lightly tickling the back of her knees as the folds of her dress sway along with the gentle
breeze. It was almost comforting...
As she slightly smiled to herself, she let the memory of nearly being shoved into the
water bring her back to reality. She quickly spun around on her heels, her anger rising with
every passing second. "Who's idea what it to almost knock me off of the damned boat?!", she
growled angrily as she searched the deck of the ship for the culprit.
She was taken back by the fact that there was no one upon the ship. Nothing but silence
greeted her ears. "Eh?! What is going on here?!"
Her head jerked to the right as she suddenly became aware of someone's soft clapping.
The sound seemed to jump about in every direction until the noise abruptly ceased. Ending
as quickly as it had began. "Who in the hell is there? Show yourselves...!"
She took a step backwards, placing herself into a fighting stance. She immediately
froze as she felt her body come into contact with another. Gulping quietly as she turned her
head to catch a glimpse of who...or whatever she might be touching. And..she was greeted by
a pair of slitted, amethyst eyes.
"Hello Lina-chan! Yare yare, that was a wonderful trick you played on all of us! But,
the games over...", he said in that always too cheerful tone of voice.
"..X-Xellos..?!" That was the only word that slipped past her lips before the world
faded into darkness...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
:D The end of Chp 2!! Ohh...thrilling, eh?
Hope you liked it! Please R&R!!
Chp. 3 is on its way!