*
*WOLFPACK*
When the two of them appeared again, they were on a long stretch of beach right by a huge body of water. Filia shoved away from Xellos, and looked around. There were large and wild plants growing just a little way inside the beach, while the beach itself was covered in bright white sand, dotted with shells here and there.
"Where are we?" Filia asked, still marveling in her surroundings.
"Wolfpack Island," Xellos said nonchalantly. Moments later, he got the response he wanted.
"We're WHERE??" Filia demanded, glaring at him. "You brought me here?? How dare you!! I insist you take me back at once!"
Xellos shrugged, and said, "I'll take you back right after you've talked with Ju-ou-sama."
Filia crossed her arms, and said, "If that's why I'm here, why didn't you just bring we right into her room, her chamber, whatever?"
"Because only mazoku can teleport in there," Xellos said. "We have to walk a little."
"And if I refuse?" Filia asked snottily.
Coolly, Xellos said, "Then I guess the wolves will have a nice lunch of Fi-chan Soufflé."
Filia visibly paled. "Wolves?" she asked, unconsciously scooting a little closer to Xellos.
"Hai," Xellos said, noticing Filia's apprehension. "They're very wild. Ju-ou-sama doesn't like to tame them. They eat anything they can get their teeth on."
Filia didn't even have a moment's indecision. "I suppose I'll come with you, just to see what Zelas wants to tell me," she said.
"I knew you'd see things my way eventually," Xellos said, grinning. "Now, follow me."
*****
The two of them walked along the beach for about a half hour, Xellos making sure to keep in the sandy area. At one point, they had to climb over a large outcropping to remain on the sandy strip. When Filia asked Xellos why they went through so much trouble to stay on the beach, Xellos just answered, "Sore wa himitsu desu." When they finally reached Zelas's estate, Filia stared. The estate was enormous. Each of the steps on the giant staircase were at least five feet tall and twice as long. The double doors at the top of the staircase were fifty feet high at least, with large brass handles stretching all the way across them horizontally.
"Is Zelas big enough to need all this?" Filia asked, her voice nervous.
To her relief, Xellos shook his head. "Ju-ou-sama just likes things big."
"How long will it take us to get to the top of those stairs?" Filia asked in awe, staring up at the giant staircase.
"About two seconds," Xellos said, right before he took a hold of Filia again, and teleported, appearing at the top of the stairs just in front of the doors.
"I thought you said only mazoku could telepo--"
Xellos interrupted her by saying, "Once we reach the stairs, anyone in the company of a mazoku can be teleported anywhere on the estate."
"Oh," Filia said.
Just then, a booming voice echoed across the estate. It shook the walls, shouting, "Xellos! Did you bring her?"
Xellos winced, and answered, "Hai, Ju-ou-sama!"
The thundering voice replied, "Good. Bring her to the throne room." There was a silence after that that signaled the end to any further conversation with her.
Filia looked scared, Xellos decided. She didn't know why Zelas wanted to see her, and was afraid of what would happen. But she wasn't showing her fear. It was only from the fact that Xellos had lived over a thousand years that he recognized the subconscious signs of fear.
"I suggest we do as Ju-ou-sama asks," Xellos said. Who knew what she'd do if he disobeyed? Xellos still sincerely wished he knew what Zelas wanted with Filia. He wasn't quite sure why he was so concerned about Filia, but he was, and he wanted to know what would happen to her.
"All right," Filia said.
Xellos was a little shocked. Filia had been scared into submission? That was unusual. Normally, Filia would say "What if I don't?" or something along those lines. After hesitating a moment, Xellos took hold of Filia's arm and teleported with her to Zelas's throne room.