Chapter 9
Wraith Intrusion
Now that Xelloss had disappeared, Lina Inverse found herself facing certain death at the hands of a bunch of wraiths. Faced with seven nightmarish creatures that didn't belong in this mortal plane, she didn't really have a lot of options. Nor did she have a lot of time to think out a plan.
As the seven wraiths loomed above her, Lina's instincts took control.
"FIREBALL!"
Immediately, a ball of flame burst from Lina's hands and immolated the airspace between herself and the wraiths. The spectres all stopped advancing and reeled from the flames. The fireball rose above Lina's head, enlightening the darkened forest as it ascended, before hovering above the startled onlookers. This gave Lina enough time to scamper out of their way.
Quick as a flash, she crawled out of the wraith's grasp and got to her feet.
Then, much to her frustration, she noticed that the her fireball didn't cause much damage upon the wraiths. Instead, they had now recovered from the shock and were now resuming their advance.
All but one. This one wraith did not advance with the others. Instead it reached out a skeletal hand and grabbed out at the fireball. The wraith's hand crushed the fireball and, immediately, the ball of flame was reduced to nothing. The wraith had dispelled Lina's fireball away to nothing - And with a minimal amount of effort too.
Lina gnashed her teeth. Great. This was just marvellous. Here she was, threatened by seven beings of the undeath, seven beings she'd had never encountered before, seven beings of considerable power and seven beings who can stop her spells quite easily.
And what was worse the only one who knew how to stop these tough bastards had just done a disappearing act!
But surely she would've heard of these wraiths before?
Quickly, Lina racked her brains for answers. Calling upon her education as a sorceress, calling upon what she knew about the world and it's inhabitants, calling everything she had been taught before. Surely she must have read somewhere about these wraiths!
Unfortunately for Lina, her mind was blank. Try as she might, she could not recall the answers she sought. The situation was certainly not looking good.....
And what made matters worse was the wraiths were now advancing closer and closer. Immediately, Lina was struck by an urgency that told the sorceress to get moving.
Pursing under her breath, Lina fled from the clutches of the wraiths and their lethal scythes. She needs to find her friends and quickly.....
If Gourry's Sword of Light can't finish off these guys, then nothing will!
Meanwhile Amelia, still with her arms wrapped around Zelgadis, erupted into another coughing fit. The chimera blinked. This was the umpteenth time this evening. What was happening to Amelia? Why was she beset with these horrendous coughing fits?
He knew she was plagued by an evil force but what exactly was this destruction that the evil force was causing?
Amelia, now free from her coughing fit, leant back against the chimera and settled in within his company. Then, in an act of affection, Zel reached out and gently stroked the princess' hair. Yet, what brought the chimera's fingers in contact with, was nothing like he was expecting.
Zelgadis' eyes hardened. The last time he had stroked Amelia's hair was when they had defeated Diol. Yet back then, her hair had seemed quite ridged. Now Amelia's strands of hair had grown even harder. Amelia's raven black hair had now grown from it's gentle softness to a stiffness that was both disturbing and sinister. It was almost like Amelia's strands of hair had now grown into needles.....
Zel's eyes widened with alarm. His brain was directing him to a realisation that was dreadful and alarming.....
Zel reached out and gently stroked the princess' face. Yet it was in this simple gesture of affection that Zel's suspicions were confirmed. Amelia's flesh had curiously hardened.....
Yes, hardened. Amelia's flesh wasn't the soft, gentle, sensation that Zel recalled.
Amelia blinked at this gesture. What was intended as a method of seeking answers was perceived as a token of romantic affection.
The princess looked up at the chimera and smiled sweetly. Zelgadis returned her gaze.
But now that he thought about it, this wasn't the Amelia he recalled. Something was happening to the princess. Something that was changing her. Something sinister. Something abominable. Something that could only be dreamed up in the minds of the most evil force imaginable.
So, Zelgadis returned Amelia's smile. Yet while Zel's lips smile, his eyes didn't. His eyes revealed that the chimera was indeed concerned for the princess.
Suddenly, he was struck by the genius of revelation. In that instant, everything became clear. All the clues, the hardened skin and the needle-like hair, were all pointing to the one conclusion.
Zel's hands began shaking.
No. It can't be.
IT CAN"T BE!!
This isn't happening! Not here! Not now! How could this be?! It was impossible!
Desperately, Zel tried to nullify this conclusion. Dispel this conclusion. Destroy this conclusion. Tried to come to another conclusion, in order to eradicate this monstrosity of a revelation.
But to no avail. No amount of concealment could hide the chimera from the terrible truth. Yeah, the terrible truth. It was like all his nightmares had become flesh.
Amelia noticed Zel's shaking hands and his change in expression. What was once radiating with intimacy was now overcome with an amalgamation of fear, anger, dispair and a thirst for vengeance. Immediately she, using her hard forged skills as a Champion of Justice, sensed danger.
"Zelgadis!" she said with alarm. "What's wrong?!"
But Zelgadis didn't answer straight away. Instead, he paused, trying to come to grips with the terrible disaster that was plaguing his companion.
"It seems" he answered, softly. "That my worst nightmares have come true."
Amelia blinked in horror. If Zel was using such a choice of words then this can't be good!
She opened her mouth to speak.......
And she would've asked Zel about his fear had she not been interrupted.
The interruption came in the form of Gourry, emerging into the warm glow of the campfire, after spending so much time trying to utilise the brain power necessary to light a fire. He had spent ages trying. He tried everything. But no amount of effort or methods (that Gourry knew of) seemed to work. In fact the reason why he kept trying was his determination to triumph. But even one's determination can fail.....
Eventually he gave up and went to find his friends.
Only to find that Zel had already succeeded where the swordsman had failed.
But if Gourry was frustared after all his failed efforts, he certainly didn't show it. Instead, he caught sight of Amelia and Zel together. And it didn't take him long for Gourry to grin an enormous grin.
"Hey there!" Gourry said. "Zel! Amelia! What's up?"
Both the chimera and the princess looked up. If they were annoyed at Gourry barging in and ruining their intimate moment, they certainly didn't show it.
"So..." Gourry went on. "Have you both seen Lina around somewhere?"
Just then, Gourry got the answers to his question much quicker then expected. For at that moment, Lina came charging in, her face revealing stress from panic and too much running.
Speak of the Devil.....
"Ah! Lina!" Gourry beamed. "There you are! Where've you been?"
"GOURRY, WE'VE GOT NO TIME FOR THAT!!!!" Lina shouted. "Get off your arse!"
"Why?" Gourry blinked.
It didn't take him long to find out.
For at that moment, the seven wraiths burst onto the scene, each waving their scythes in a deadly arc, looking for the four souls that they had been sent to eradicate. Looking for the four intruders. Looking for the four interlopers.....
.....And one of those four in particular....
Lina took several steps backward away from the wraiths and towards Gourry. The closer she was to his Sword of Light, the better. If that can't stop these bastards then nothing will! Amelia and Zel were also taking action. They broke out of their romantic bond and both got to their feet.
"So...." Gourry began "Is this where you'd disappeared to?"
"Uh....yeah....." Lina answered.
"Are these guys friends of yours?"
Lina slapped her forehead, in disbelief. Yet in spite of Gourry's stupidity, she still remained in control of the situation. There is little point in fighting amongst each other when a greater danger is making it's way towards you....
"Just get your sword out Gourry...." Lina growled through clenched teeth.
"But Lina! I don't know these guys!"
It was true. Judging by his expression, Gourry had never seen a wraith before let alone a whole bunch of them! Consequently he had no idea what to make of these newcomers. .
"Come on!" Zel snapped. "We don't have time for this!"
That was true. The wraiths were circling the foursome, scythes at the ready. They were moving in a position to attack.
Lina, now twitching with rage, was also apprehensive. If she didn't act quickly, there would be no spells in her knowledge (or even no Sword of Light) that she could utilise to her defence. Thus, she better bring the swordsman up to speed.
Lina grabbed Gourry by the hair and dragged his face down to her level.
"Look Gourry" she snarled, directing his face in the direction of the wraiths, and pointing with her finger, "They are bad!"
Gourry blinked, as Lina's evaluation of the situation entered his thick skull. An evaluation that only he could understand. Seconds later, his face grew with enlightenment.
If these strange people were as bad as Lina said, this could only mean one thing.
A GOOD FIGHT!
Immediately, Gourry's definition of heroism ignited! It did not matter whether or nor he had seen cretins like these before. It didn't matter if he was perplexed by their appearance. It didn't even matter what side of the grave they came from.
What mattered was that they were bad.
Yes, that was all that mattered.
With a cry of "Light come Forth!", Gourry produced his empty sword hilt with dramatic flourish. Instantaneously, an enormous blade of light shot from the hilt and penetrated the airspace between the swordsman and the wraiths.
The swordsman grinned. Yes, it's certainly been a while since he's weld his sword! Thus, an opportunity like this is too good to pass up!
He just hoped his skills haven't diminished over the past few days....
Lina breathed a huge sigh of relief. Well, at least Jellyfish Brains has finally got his act together. Now, about these wraiths.
Suddenly she looked up and blinked. Something wasn't quite right here.....
"All right!" Gourry grinned. "Which one of you would like to be first?"
"Umm.... Gourry?" Lina said. "They're not listening to you..."
"Huh?" Gourry blinked,
If the swordsman wasn't too busy being blinded by battle fervour and quoting lines that could only come from the heroes of some second-rate theatrical play, he would've noticed that the wraiths weren't interested in him or Lina.
No, the undead monstrosities were turning their backs completely and moving elsewhere.
That elsewhere being Amelia and Zelgadis.
The two friends stood back to back as the wraiths closed in around them.
"What.... ARE these things?" Amelia inquired, her voice radiant in both curiosity and fear. Obviously she, like Lina and Gourry, had never seen one of these wraiths before.
But Zel had. Ever since he laid his gaze on these monstrosities, his face had grown nervous. His eyes ignited with panic. His fingers started twitching. His joints adjusted to, and prepared for, the order to run.
Yes, he certainly knew of these type of bastards....
And he also knew all about exactly what they were capable of.
With an expression that described fear at it's greatest, Zel quickly grabbed Amelia around the waist. Needless to say the princess was at once both shocked.... and thrilled by his touch.
"Zelgadis?!" Amelia cried.
The chimera didn't answer. Instead, he leapt into the air, allowing his demon powers to carry him through the cold night air and over the heads of the wraiths.
Yet even as the wraiths had no faces, they were certainly astonished by this quick move. Immediately, their long-dead throats let out a shrill rasp of dry air. Long unused vocal chords let out a ghastly shriek. A shriek that could only come from a beast furious at being cheated out of it's trophy of victory.
It didn't take long for Zel's feet to return to the ground. Immediately after, he set Amelia back on her feet. Immediately, Lina and Gourry came running over.
"Amelia! Zel!" Gourry grinned. "You're all right!"
"Yeah" Lina added. "But we gotta move fast! We don't know what we're dealing with here!"
"You don't" Zel snorted.
In an instant, Lina forgot all about the danger she was in. In an instant she forgot all about the threat that the seven wraiths possessed. In an instant she forgot all about the urgency about the situation. Instead, she turned to face the chimera, with an aggressive expression.
"Oh yeah?!?" she snapped. "And I suppose you do?!?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do!" Zel retorted.
"And how would you know?" Lina snapped.
Yet if the sorceress and the chimera turned away from their argument for one second, they would've realised the wraiths were advancing, with scythes at the ready.
But even as Lina and Zel didn't notice, Gourry and Amelia did.
"Uh.... Lina?" Gourry said.
"Lina? Zel? We don't have time for this....!" Amelia added.
But Lina was completely oblivious to the mayhem around her. What mattered was beating the chimera at the argument.
"I know" Zel explained, who was just as oblivious. "Because I read a book in Rezo's library. I know because that library contained everything I need to know in this world!"
Lina snorted. She wasn't convinced.
"Uhhh..... Lina?" Gourry said, his voice growing with urgency.
"ZEL!!!" Amelia yelled.
"These guys are wraiths." Zel went on. "They are soulless husks who have been destroyed by the constant use of magic. As a consequence they are doomed to wander this earth with a touch that brings instant death!"
By now, the seven wraiths were well and truly upon them. And still Lina and Zel refused to break out of the parallel universe that was their, rather heated, argument.
No matter how much Amelia and Gourry tried to get their attention.
By now, it seemed even to Gourry that he was on his own. If he was to survive this battle, it was without the help of Lina and Zelgadis.
Cursing, he gripped his Sword of Light with both hands and brought it down on the nearest wraith. And not even could such a monstrosity could withstand the mighty power of Gourry's blade. In seconds, the wraith disintegrated into nothingness with a shrill howl. Pleased with this victory, Gourry set to work on the remaining wraiths. With quick movements and the most fluid of swordplay, Gourry dodged the deadly blows of the wraiths' scythes and their deadly touch. In time he soon brought down one after another.
And all the while, Lina and Zelgadis argued, oblivious to all that was happening around them. And Amelia sat down and rested her chin on her hands in defeat - her efforts to bring them back to earth failing completely.
"Really?" Lina snarled. "If you were so smart in getting this information from Rezo's library then why didn't you find a book that would give you this cure you've been searching for so long?!"
"This is before he transformed me!!!" Zel growled, the intensity of the conversation making him speak without thinking. "This was when I was a child! This was when...."
Amelia sighed. The annoyance of the argument was growing to be a real irratation on her eardrums. Jeez, didn't they realise the danger they were both in....?
Suddenly she looked up. Where did the wraiths go? Shouldn't they have already dealt the killing blow by now?!
Needless to say, when she saw Gourry, standing triumphantly in the middle of an empty battlefield, her eyes nearly popped out of her head!
Gourry, breathing heavily but still quite pleased with himself, withdrew his powerful Sword of Light. Then he looked up and, catching Amelia's gaze, smiled at the princess.
Amelia smiled back. Then she turned to the chimera and the sorceress, who had still no idea as to the developments to the situation around them. Amelia adopted an evil grin and strode up to the squabbling pair. She drew a deep breath.....
"LINA! ZELGADIS!!!"
Faced with the oppression of the power of Amelia's vocal chords, the argument came to a standstill. Both Lina and Zel stopped and stared at the princess in stunned silence.
The chimera was the first to speak.
"Amelia?"
"Forgetting something?" Amelia snapped.
Lina blinked before being struck by the genius of revelation.
"Oh yeah! Those wraiths!"
"What wraiths?" Amelia retorted, waving her hands in Gourry's direction.
Greeted with the sight of the swordsmen breathing heavily whilst standing in an empty battlefield, Lina blinked in astonishment.
"Oh....."
Chapter 10
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