Nocturnal Insight
By DragonTeenager
The Slayers Vault- http://www.purple-gizmo.com/zelink14/
Chapter 1
Lina tossed more sticks into the dying fire. As the fire grasped a hold of each stick, the flames danced about, rejoicing over their feast. As they crackled their delight the fire grew larger and more brilliant than before.
Gourry, Zelgadis, and Amelia sat about the fire along with Lina.
Gourry had been staring into the fire as if he were under hypnosis by the flames.
"So, Lina," Gourry began, looking up from the fire. "What's the story on these stones you're searching for, again?" he asked, picking up a nearby pebble.
"Just how many times do I have to tell you, Gourry?!" Lina groaned in annoyance. "Don't you remember anything of what I was talking about earlier?"
Gourry peered up from the pebble in his hand. "I wasn't listening . . ."
Lina buried her forehead in her hand, trying desperately to keep her stress at bay. After she took in a deep breath, she reached over and snatched the pebble from Gourry's hand.
"Well, I might as well go over this again, anyway . . ." she sighed.
"Now," she began once everyone's gaze was fixed on her, "to start out, these stones I'm searching for aren't any ordinary stones that you would find in your own backyard - like this pebble . . . but we'll use it as a reference, anyway."
Lina began picking out three other pebbles from the forest floor. She made sure Gourry was still paying attention before she continued.
"These stones are known as the 'Soul Stones'. There are four of them, with each one possessing the power of a certain element - fire, water, wind, and earth," she said, pointing at each of the four pebbles in her hand. "Many stories surround these Soul Stones. It is said that one who possesses all four stones can become a formidable opponent for even the most skilled of fighters and magic users." A satisfied grin spread across Lina's face. "I also heard that one doesn't even have to be a magic user to use the stones," she said, eyeing Gourry. "Something like that could make you a pretty powerful swordsman! Eh, Gourry?" Lina hinted.
"Hmm . . . Maybe . . ." Gourry replied, taking one of the pebbles out of Lina's hand and eyeing it, "but I don't ever rely on strength -"
Zelgadis flinched in discomfort.
"- I rely more on my skill!" Gourry finished proudly, flicking the pebble behind him.
"Hey . . . ! And just what are you implying, Gourry?" Lina growled with fire burning in her eyes.
"N-nothing!" Gourry burst out with a start. "I didn't mean it like that! I -"
"Oh?" Lina cut in. "So what exactly did you mean, dear Gourry?" she questioned sarcastically.
"Uh . . . What I meant was - well, umm . . you're a very skilled sorceress, Lina! Yeah, that's it! Uh - There's nothing wrong with you wanting to find these rocks!"
"That's 'stones', Gourry-san," Amelia mentioned.
"Yes! Stones - right! Heh heh heh! . . ."
Once Lina sat back down, Gourry let out a sigh of relief.
Zelgadis promptly stood up.
"I'm going out for firewood," he said, and without waiting for a reply, he walked away toward the forest.
Everyone blinked in confusion.
"Hey . . . what's with him?" Gourry questioned Lina. She just shrugged in reply.
Amelia glanced over her shoulder.
". . . Zelgadis-san . . . ?"
**********************************************
The moon shone her gentle light over the forest, which reflected off every leaf as if they were mirrors. A glorious ringlet had formed about her countenance, and the night sky about her appeared as deep shades of purple and blue - so dark that it almost seemed to be black.
The stars began to appear throughout her highness' court, and to her they shone their obedience and respect.
Along the forest floor, Zelgadis loitered, deep in thought . . . maybe a little too deep. The memories of his past were attempting to push his emotions out - to reveal them. He could feel the anger building up inside of him as he attempted to constrain himself.
Calm down! he heard a voice say in his mind. You wouldn't want the others to see you this way!
Zelgadis growled silently, hoping it might relieve a bit of his stress - it just may have, but he hadn't seen that object in his path . . .
Zelgadis desperately attempted to regain his balance, staggering a short distance before it seemed so. His eyes burned with rage.
How humiliating! he thought in contempt with a verbal curse.
". . . Good thing no one was around . . ." he sighed, unaware that he was wrong.
Zelgadis looked downward, at the path. (After all, he really didn't want to accidentally trip again.) Among some grass and fallen leaves there lay assorted rocks and sticks which might have proven just as menacing as whatever he'd tripped on.
Must have been a surfaced root, he thought, kicking aside a stick that lay in his path.
" . . . Zelgadis-san?" a voice broke in behind him.
Zelgadis, who had been caught off guard, jumped at the sudden break in the night's silence. He turned around quickly.
"Amelia?" he exclaimed, trying to sound as normal as possible, "What - Why did you follow me?!"
"'Follow you'?!" she repeated frantically. "Umm . . .
"Well - I, uh . . . wanted to make sure you were ok . . ." she finished shyly, "and besides, you didn't exactly sound as if you were going out for firewood, Zelgadis-san."
Zelgadis' face fell in disappointment. Was it that obvious? he thought curiously.
"I was taking a walk . . . that's all," he said.
"Although," she began, her countenance brightened, "Lina-san really is in need of more fuel for the fire. She wanted me to get some while I was out here."
Zelgadis tensed with dread. That means - Lina and Gourry realized also?!
Amelia smiled.
"Oh, alright," he said, scratching his head.
"That's the spirit!" Amelia joked, kneeling down to reach some nearby sticks.
The leaves quivered on their branches as the breeze continued to rush by, making it's presence known without making a sound.
"Amelia?" Zelgadis paused. "Do you personally know anything about these Soul Stones Lina is bound for?"
Amelia looked up.
"Other than what she explained at the fire - no . . ." she answered while grasping a stick.
She paused and looked over her shoulder curiously. "Why do you ask, Zelgadis-san?"
Zelgadis held his chin in his fingers, thinking. "I've heard many stories about them, including what she explained, but . . . I wonder if she's come across anything concerning . . their origin."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
Zelgadis took a deep breath.
"Many stories surrounding the Soul Stones have been drifting about different villages lately. Many people have been getting very curious because of them, some even to the point that they go out themselves in search of the stones. The other day I overheard a small party of travelers in the inn, telling about how the stones came into being . . .
"As the storyteller explained, it was centuries ago in a kingdom outside of this country's boundaries. An old wizard, whom was greatly skilled in shamanism and the black arts, dwelt in a considerably small tower right outside of the kingdom. Even though he didn't live among the people of the kingdom, they knew well of his skill and power with wizardry, and a majority of the people feared that he was plotting against the king and his kingdom. Rumors were spread about the wizard, which made the situation worse. Over time the king had received several false claims that the wizard had evil intentions against him. Finally, one day, out of great suspicion and fear, the foolish king cast the wizard out of his kingdom.
"On that very day the wizard vowed vengeance. Over time, the wizard conjured up the Soul Stones, each with the power of an element - fire, wind, water, and earth - to be controlled directly by the spirit. Unfortunately for the wizard, something went wrong, and he was never seen after that.
"Several theories surround what happened to him. One says that he pledged his soul to darkness, and died a crazy man. Another declares that the power of the stones was too great for him to handle, and that they utterly destroyed his body and soul. It could've even been a combination of both if this story is true, but either way . . . I believe this whole thing could involve a Mazoku."
"Oh no . . ." Amelia sighed, slightly creeped out by the story. "I really hope that story isn't true!"
"Me, too - and I have a feeling we're going to find out soon enough."
"Hey, weren't you going to bring this up to Lina-san?"
"Well, yes - but I left . . ." he mumbled.
"Then we should probably head back and tell her, now shouldn't we?" she asked in a less solemn tone.
"I suppose," he replied reluctantly.
**********************************************
The moon and her stars were yet to waver over the forest. Zelgadis and Amelia had begun walking back on the path they had taken.
To Amelia it seemed as if the trip back was taking much longer than that on the way out - and much darker. The trees the two passed by were bathed in moonlight - quite a beautiful sight indeed, but that made all the more shadows that lurked behind.
Amelia made frequent glances over her shoulder at the forest - just to be sure that nothing was trying to reach out and grab her. She kept a firm grip on the sticks she had gathered, and tried to convince herself that she wasn't afraid.
"What's with you?" Zelgadis questioned, having noticed her paranoia. Amelia jumped.
"Are you scared or something?"
Bull's-eye!
"What? Scared?" she exclaimed. " . . . not really."
Amelia looked back into the forest and watched the foliage as it was stirred by the breeze. She shivered involuntarily at the thought of what sorts of creatures could be lurking in the gloom. A dragon? - Nah. Too large. A demon, maybe? Or . . . maybe even a Mazoku.
As she glanced in dread into the forest, she noticed something in the corner of her eye. She turned her eyes about, searching. Then she saw it - well, she at least could make out the dark shape of whatever it was out in the gloom of the trees. It looked as a cloak, swishing in nothingness, but even it's robes could not penetrate the darkness of the night. She stared at it, wide-eyed, and dared not look away.
From within the swishing black, something glinted at her.
Two blood-red glares of evilness stared right back at Amelia.
Amelia let out a shriek.
She lost her grip on the sticks she had gathered, and they scattered on the forest floor.
Amelia jumped backwards to get away from it, accidentally falling into Zelgadis. She crumpled to the ground in sheer horror.
"What's the matter with you?!" Zelgadis cried, shaken up by her sudden outburst and angry because of it.
Amelia didn't reply. Her face was hidden in her hands.
He kneeled down beside her and held her shoulders in his palms. "What's the matter?" he asked in a slightly calmer tone.
She still didn't reply - or couldn't. She was completely frozen with terror.
He shook her slightly as to get her attention. "Amelia, what's wrong?! Speak to me!"
Amelia lowered her hands from her face, but didn't bother to look up. She tried desperately to calm herself down as she attempted to breathe evenly.
"I s-saw," she choked out, "s-something . . . out th-ere."
She pointed out at the forest.
Zelgadis looked out in the direction she motioned, searching for something that might have surprised her. Trees and shrubs were all he could see - no strange figures, no flickering lights - nothing.
Zelgadis grew suspicious.
"Amelia, there's nothing out there, unless it was some nocturnal creature you saw roaming about. If it was, you probably surprised it, too."
"Just a . . . creature? B-but it - big and b-black - and . . . glared - glowing red . . ." Besides the fear she felt, Amelia began feeling tinges of frustration at not being able to speak in anything but choppy sentences.
"Never mind . . ." she finished as she wiped her face.
Zelgadis felt curious as to what she might have actually seen, but he didn't like the idea of waiting for it to find them again.
"We need to be heading back," he reminded her.
". . . Alright. Hold on."
Amelia moved away to pick up the sticks she had dropped. Zelgadis noticed how shaky her hands were as she fumbled clumsily with each piece she gathered.
Will she be able to walk right? he wondered.
. . . What a stupid question.
"Ok," Amelia said as she picked up a last stick. She tried to stand up but was unsuccessful.
"Are you alright?" Zelgadis asked, not quite surprised by her stumble.
"I - I'm fine," she replied fakely, ". . . just a little shaky."
"I see."
" . . . If you can't stand straight, then you definitely won't be up to walking."
"Zelgadis-san . . . ?" she said, confused.
To her surprise, he walked over and picked her up, as to carry her back.
"Let's go, then," he said, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"O-okay . . ." she stammered. She had no complaints, since she was feeling rather exhausted.
Amelia relaxed her eyes as they traveled and kept a firm grip on the bundle of firewood.
By DragonTeenager
The Slayers Vault- http://www.purple-gizmo.com/zelink14/
Chapter 1
Lina tossed more sticks into the dying fire. As the fire grasped a hold of each stick, the flames danced about, rejoicing over their feast. As they crackled their delight the fire grew larger and more brilliant than before.
Gourry, Zelgadis, and Amelia sat about the fire along with Lina.
Gourry had been staring into the fire as if he were under hypnosis by the flames.
"So, Lina," Gourry began, looking up from the fire. "What's the story on these stones you're searching for, again?" he asked, picking up a nearby pebble.
"Just how many times do I have to tell you, Gourry?!" Lina groaned in annoyance. "Don't you remember anything of what I was talking about earlier?"
Gourry peered up from the pebble in his hand. "I wasn't listening . . ."
Lina buried her forehead in her hand, trying desperately to keep her stress at bay. After she took in a deep breath, she reached over and snatched the pebble from Gourry's hand.
"Well, I might as well go over this again, anyway . . ." she sighed.
"Now," she began once everyone's gaze was fixed on her, "to start out, these stones I'm searching for aren't any ordinary stones that you would find in your own backyard - like this pebble . . . but we'll use it as a reference, anyway."
Lina began picking out three other pebbles from the forest floor. She made sure Gourry was still paying attention before she continued.
"These stones are known as the 'Soul Stones'. There are four of them, with each one possessing the power of a certain element - fire, water, wind, and earth," she said, pointing at each of the four pebbles in her hand. "Many stories surround these Soul Stones. It is said that one who possesses all four stones can become a formidable opponent for even the most skilled of fighters and magic users." A satisfied grin spread across Lina's face. "I also heard that one doesn't even have to be a magic user to use the stones," she said, eyeing Gourry. "Something like that could make you a pretty powerful swordsman! Eh, Gourry?" Lina hinted.
"Hmm . . . Maybe . . ." Gourry replied, taking one of the pebbles out of Lina's hand and eyeing it, "but I don't ever rely on strength -"
Zelgadis flinched in discomfort.
"- I rely more on my skill!" Gourry finished proudly, flicking the pebble behind him.
"Hey . . . ! And just what are you implying, Gourry?" Lina growled with fire burning in her eyes.
"N-nothing!" Gourry burst out with a start. "I didn't mean it like that! I -"
"Oh?" Lina cut in. "So what exactly did you mean, dear Gourry?" she questioned sarcastically.
"Uh . . . What I meant was - well, umm . . you're a very skilled sorceress, Lina! Yeah, that's it! Uh - There's nothing wrong with you wanting to find these rocks!"
"That's 'stones', Gourry-san," Amelia mentioned.
"Yes! Stones - right! Heh heh heh! . . ."
Once Lina sat back down, Gourry let out a sigh of relief.
Zelgadis promptly stood up.
"I'm going out for firewood," he said, and without waiting for a reply, he walked away toward the forest.
Everyone blinked in confusion.
"Hey . . . what's with him?" Gourry questioned Lina. She just shrugged in reply.
Amelia glanced over her shoulder.
". . . Zelgadis-san . . . ?"
**********************************************
The moon shone her gentle light over the forest, which reflected off every leaf as if they were mirrors. A glorious ringlet had formed about her countenance, and the night sky about her appeared as deep shades of purple and blue - so dark that it almost seemed to be black.
The stars began to appear throughout her highness' court, and to her they shone their obedience and respect.
Along the forest floor, Zelgadis loitered, deep in thought . . . maybe a little too deep. The memories of his past were attempting to push his emotions out - to reveal them. He could feel the anger building up inside of him as he attempted to constrain himself.
Calm down! he heard a voice say in his mind. You wouldn't want the others to see you this way!
Zelgadis growled silently, hoping it might relieve a bit of his stress - it just may have, but he hadn't seen that object in his path . . .
Zelgadis desperately attempted to regain his balance, staggering a short distance before it seemed so. His eyes burned with rage.
How humiliating! he thought in contempt with a verbal curse.
". . . Good thing no one was around . . ." he sighed, unaware that he was wrong.
Zelgadis looked downward, at the path. (After all, he really didn't want to accidentally trip again.) Among some grass and fallen leaves there lay assorted rocks and sticks which might have proven just as menacing as whatever he'd tripped on.
Must have been a surfaced root, he thought, kicking aside a stick that lay in his path.
" . . . Zelgadis-san?" a voice broke in behind him.
Zelgadis, who had been caught off guard, jumped at the sudden break in the night's silence. He turned around quickly.
"Amelia?" he exclaimed, trying to sound as normal as possible, "What - Why did you follow me?!"
"'Follow you'?!" she repeated frantically. "Umm . . .
"Well - I, uh . . . wanted to make sure you were ok . . ." she finished shyly, "and besides, you didn't exactly sound as if you were going out for firewood, Zelgadis-san."
Zelgadis' face fell in disappointment. Was it that obvious? he thought curiously.
"I was taking a walk . . . that's all," he said.
"Although," she began, her countenance brightened, "Lina-san really is in need of more fuel for the fire. She wanted me to get some while I was out here."
Zelgadis tensed with dread. That means - Lina and Gourry realized also?!
Amelia smiled.
"Oh, alright," he said, scratching his head.
"That's the spirit!" Amelia joked, kneeling down to reach some nearby sticks.
The leaves quivered on their branches as the breeze continued to rush by, making it's presence known without making a sound.
"Amelia?" Zelgadis paused. "Do you personally know anything about these Soul Stones Lina is bound for?"
Amelia looked up.
"Other than what she explained at the fire - no . . ." she answered while grasping a stick.
She paused and looked over her shoulder curiously. "Why do you ask, Zelgadis-san?"
Zelgadis held his chin in his fingers, thinking. "I've heard many stories about them, including what she explained, but . . . I wonder if she's come across anything concerning . . their origin."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
Zelgadis took a deep breath.
"Many stories surrounding the Soul Stones have been drifting about different villages lately. Many people have been getting very curious because of them, some even to the point that they go out themselves in search of the stones. The other day I overheard a small party of travelers in the inn, telling about how the stones came into being . . .
"As the storyteller explained, it was centuries ago in a kingdom outside of this country's boundaries. An old wizard, whom was greatly skilled in shamanism and the black arts, dwelt in a considerably small tower right outside of the kingdom. Even though he didn't live among the people of the kingdom, they knew well of his skill and power with wizardry, and a majority of the people feared that he was plotting against the king and his kingdom. Rumors were spread about the wizard, which made the situation worse. Over time the king had received several false claims that the wizard had evil intentions against him. Finally, one day, out of great suspicion and fear, the foolish king cast the wizard out of his kingdom.
"On that very day the wizard vowed vengeance. Over time, the wizard conjured up the Soul Stones, each with the power of an element - fire, wind, water, and earth - to be controlled directly by the spirit. Unfortunately for the wizard, something went wrong, and he was never seen after that.
"Several theories surround what happened to him. One says that he pledged his soul to darkness, and died a crazy man. Another declares that the power of the stones was too great for him to handle, and that they utterly destroyed his body and soul. It could've even been a combination of both if this story is true, but either way . . . I believe this whole thing could involve a Mazoku."
"Oh no . . ." Amelia sighed, slightly creeped out by the story. "I really hope that story isn't true!"
"Me, too - and I have a feeling we're going to find out soon enough."
"Hey, weren't you going to bring this up to Lina-san?"
"Well, yes - but I left . . ." he mumbled.
"Then we should probably head back and tell her, now shouldn't we?" she asked in a less solemn tone.
"I suppose," he replied reluctantly.
**********************************************
The moon and her stars were yet to waver over the forest. Zelgadis and Amelia had begun walking back on the path they had taken.
To Amelia it seemed as if the trip back was taking much longer than that on the way out - and much darker. The trees the two passed by were bathed in moonlight - quite a beautiful sight indeed, but that made all the more shadows that lurked behind.
Amelia made frequent glances over her shoulder at the forest - just to be sure that nothing was trying to reach out and grab her. She kept a firm grip on the sticks she had gathered, and tried to convince herself that she wasn't afraid.
"What's with you?" Zelgadis questioned, having noticed her paranoia. Amelia jumped.
"Are you scared or something?"
Bull's-eye!
"What? Scared?" she exclaimed. " . . . not really."
Amelia looked back into the forest and watched the foliage as it was stirred by the breeze. She shivered involuntarily at the thought of what sorts of creatures could be lurking in the gloom. A dragon? - Nah. Too large. A demon, maybe? Or . . . maybe even a Mazoku.
As she glanced in dread into the forest, she noticed something in the corner of her eye. She turned her eyes about, searching. Then she saw it - well, she at least could make out the dark shape of whatever it was out in the gloom of the trees. It looked as a cloak, swishing in nothingness, but even it's robes could not penetrate the darkness of the night. She stared at it, wide-eyed, and dared not look away.
From within the swishing black, something glinted at her.
Two blood-red glares of evilness stared right back at Amelia.
Amelia let out a shriek.
She lost her grip on the sticks she had gathered, and they scattered on the forest floor.
Amelia jumped backwards to get away from it, accidentally falling into Zelgadis. She crumpled to the ground in sheer horror.
"What's the matter with you?!" Zelgadis cried, shaken up by her sudden outburst and angry because of it.
Amelia didn't reply. Her face was hidden in her hands.
He kneeled down beside her and held her shoulders in his palms. "What's the matter?" he asked in a slightly calmer tone.
She still didn't reply - or couldn't. She was completely frozen with terror.
He shook her slightly as to get her attention. "Amelia, what's wrong?! Speak to me!"
Amelia lowered her hands from her face, but didn't bother to look up. She tried desperately to calm herself down as she attempted to breathe evenly.
"I s-saw," she choked out, "s-something . . . out th-ere."
She pointed out at the forest.
Zelgadis looked out in the direction she motioned, searching for something that might have surprised her. Trees and shrubs were all he could see - no strange figures, no flickering lights - nothing.
Zelgadis grew suspicious.
"Amelia, there's nothing out there, unless it was some nocturnal creature you saw roaming about. If it was, you probably surprised it, too."
"Just a . . . creature? B-but it - big and b-black - and . . . glared - glowing red . . ." Besides the fear she felt, Amelia began feeling tinges of frustration at not being able to speak in anything but choppy sentences.
"Never mind . . ." she finished as she wiped her face.
Zelgadis felt curious as to what she might have actually seen, but he didn't like the idea of waiting for it to find them again.
"We need to be heading back," he reminded her.
". . . Alright. Hold on."
Amelia moved away to pick up the sticks she had dropped. Zelgadis noticed how shaky her hands were as she fumbled clumsily with each piece she gathered.
Will she be able to walk right? he wondered.
. . . What a stupid question.
"Ok," Amelia said as she picked up a last stick. She tried to stand up but was unsuccessful.
"Are you alright?" Zelgadis asked, not quite surprised by her stumble.
"I - I'm fine," she replied fakely, ". . . just a little shaky."
"I see."
" . . . If you can't stand straight, then you definitely won't be up to walking."
"Zelgadis-san . . . ?" she said, confused.
To her surprise, he walked over and picked her up, as to carry her back.
"Let's go, then," he said, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"O-okay . . ." she stammered. She had no complaints, since she was feeling rather exhausted.
Amelia relaxed her eyes as they traveled and kept a firm grip on the bundle of firewood.