Slayers: The Meaning of Life
Part 19: Doubt Truth to be a Liar
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
N: Joined by the lovely Princess Phoenix Lily, our heroes travel on to see Milgasia on Dragon's Peak.
me: I've been wondering. How do you know Milgasia?
Lily: I studied Dragon Lore when I was fourteen. I've seen the Claire Bible.
me: *nods* I see.
N: Phibrizio, this whole time, is trailing along behind XellAn, a look of deep contemplation on his face. The Demi-Mazoku turns to check on him and notices his serious expression.
me: What's wrong, Phibrizio?
Phibby: I'm worried.
me: *patiently* About what?
Phibby: About what he'll do when he realizes I'm not as strong any more.
me: Oh. Come here. *picks him up* I won't let him hurt you.
Phibby: Promise?
me: *smiling* I promise.
Lily: The two of you have a very interesting relationship. You mother him so, XellAn.
me: *looks at him affectionally* Yes, I suppose I do. He's just a child though and he deserves it.
Lily: *raises an eyebrow* Just a child?
me: When he was...reborn, L-Sama gave him the mentality of a child. He's retained the 1000 year old memories, but physically and mentally he is only ten. The Lord of Nightmares is his "Mama," but -as you know- the Creator has very little time. So I care for him.
Lily: *nods* I understand. He is a charming little boy.
Phibby: *eyes closed, grinning* Arigato, L-Chan. ^_^
me: I've been wondering...
Lily: About what?
me: How are you all of a sudden a princess?
Lily: Heh...My father's brother's uncle's cousin's former roommate died and willed the kingdom to my family. Daddy's king and I'm the crowned princess now.
me: Oh...
N: Some time passes silently as they press on. At last they reach the Kataart Mountains and begin their ascent up to the side of the cliff. Phibrizio, from his place in XellAn's arms, becomes more and more quite as time passes.
me: Phibby, I promise you, it'll be okay.
Phibby: The last time I was up here, I killed Gaav, XellAn. I killed Gaav and kidnapped Gourry.
me: *softly* You're not like that any more. You're different now. Nothing bad will happen, except maybe Milgasia not knowing the secret.
N: Lily leads them up towards the highest peak. She stops abruptly.
me: Why're we stopping?
Lily: He'll come to us. You stay back. I'll talk to him first.
N: A large Golden Dragon swoops down and lands before them.
Lily: *looks up, smiling* Milgasia-San. It's been a while.
Milgasia: *shifts to human form* Phoenix Lily Firestorm...*gaze falls upon the two Mazoku, eyes narrow* Hellmaster! I thought he was dead. He is not welcome here.
Lily: Milgasia, please...He's just a child.
Milgasia: He is hardly a child, Lily. Don't let his looks fool you.
Lily: But he really is...
Milgasia: No! He's not a child and I forbid him from being here. He must leave.
me: *holding Phibby protectively* Wait just a minute!
Milgasia: Who are you, Human?
me: My name is XellAn Metallium. I am servant to General Priest Xellos and Keeper of Lord Hellmaster.
Milgasia: Mazoku! Mazoku are not welcome here! Lily, why did you bring them here?
Lily: *frustrated* Milgasia, just listen! XellAn is my friend. She's been my friend for a long time. And Meiou-Sama is most certainly just a child. The Lord of Nightmares decided it would be best for him to be somewhat innocent when she returned his life. XellAn is looking for the meaning of life. I thought perhaps you could help her.
Milgasia: *looks at XellAn and Phibby once more* Can I trust them?
Lily: Look at them. Meiou-Sama is scared to death of you and XellAn is not a very strong Monster.
N: Milgasia stares at XellAn for a long time. Phibrizio is visibly trembling in her arms. Then the Ryuzoku relaxes slightly.
Milgasia: You wish to know the secret of life?
me: I do.
Milgasia: Follow me...
N: The Dragon leads them the rest of the way up the peak.
Milgasia: This is where the Claire Bible is kept. Unfortunately, I cannot show it to you, for the Elders would have a fit. I can, however tell you what I believe the meaning of life is.
me: That's fine. Do go on, Milgasia-Sama.
N: The small group seats themselves here and there upon the rocks on the ledge. XellAn still has Phibrizio in her arms and the Hellmaster still seems to be edgy around Milgasia.
Milgasia: I believe the meaning of life is truth. Without the truth, it is all an illusion. And truth is too often obstructed.
me: *nods* I agree, to some extent. I believe the truth is most definitely obscured on a daily basis. After all, in a moment of truth there are lies...But truth always brings falsehood. You hardly have one without the other.
Milgasia: *smiles* You are so like your mother, Child.
me: *shocked* You knew my mother?
Milgasia: Of course. She was quite knowledgeable about the Claire Bible. She brought you here once, but -I do believe- she referred to you as "Mia."
me: That is the name she called me by... You didn't know then that I am a Demi-Mazoku, did you?
Milgasia: No. Your mother told no one. I would not have known, were it not for the name of "Metallium," I probably still wouldn't know. She was a proud woman, your mother. Wouldn't let any one help raise you.
me: My mother denied the truth herself all her life. Yet her life still had meaning. I do not mean to be rude, Milgasia-Sama, but I think you are wrong.
Milgasia: Perhaps I am. I don't suppose it matters much to the world what I think any way.
Lily: Don't be so hard on yourself, Milgasia. It may not matter to the world, but it always matters to some one.
Milgasia: *smiles* Princess, you are too kind.
me: Do you have any suggestions where we might go next? I still wish to find some form of meaning for life.
Lily: You've spoken with Kaiou-Sama, Meiou-Sama, and Juuou-Sama...why not try going to Haou-Sama? I know Maryuou-Sama is out of question since Hellmaster killed him.
me: Speak to Dynast Grausherra...now there's an idea. But I don't know if he'd be pleased to see me either...he's not too fond of visitors.
Phibby: I haven't seen Dynast in so long! Not since the war! Can we please see him???
me: *sighs* All right. But I'm not sure what will come of this...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
AN: any suggestions for Dynast? i have an inkling, but nothing solid...if any one can help, i'll be grateful!! ^_^
Part 19: Doubt Truth to be a Liar
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
N: Joined by the lovely Princess Phoenix Lily, our heroes travel on to see Milgasia on Dragon's Peak.
me: I've been wondering. How do you know Milgasia?
Lily: I studied Dragon Lore when I was fourteen. I've seen the Claire Bible.
me: *nods* I see.
N: Phibrizio, this whole time, is trailing along behind XellAn, a look of deep contemplation on his face. The Demi-Mazoku turns to check on him and notices his serious expression.
me: What's wrong, Phibrizio?
Phibby: I'm worried.
me: *patiently* About what?
Phibby: About what he'll do when he realizes I'm not as strong any more.
me: Oh. Come here. *picks him up* I won't let him hurt you.
Phibby: Promise?
me: *smiling* I promise.
Lily: The two of you have a very interesting relationship. You mother him so, XellAn.
me: *looks at him affectionally* Yes, I suppose I do. He's just a child though and he deserves it.
Lily: *raises an eyebrow* Just a child?
me: When he was...reborn, L-Sama gave him the mentality of a child. He's retained the 1000 year old memories, but physically and mentally he is only ten. The Lord of Nightmares is his "Mama," but -as you know- the Creator has very little time. So I care for him.
Lily: *nods* I understand. He is a charming little boy.
Phibby: *eyes closed, grinning* Arigato, L-Chan. ^_^
me: I've been wondering...
Lily: About what?
me: How are you all of a sudden a princess?
Lily: Heh...My father's brother's uncle's cousin's former roommate died and willed the kingdom to my family. Daddy's king and I'm the crowned princess now.
me: Oh...
N: Some time passes silently as they press on. At last they reach the Kataart Mountains and begin their ascent up to the side of the cliff. Phibrizio, from his place in XellAn's arms, becomes more and more quite as time passes.
me: Phibby, I promise you, it'll be okay.
Phibby: The last time I was up here, I killed Gaav, XellAn. I killed Gaav and kidnapped Gourry.
me: *softly* You're not like that any more. You're different now. Nothing bad will happen, except maybe Milgasia not knowing the secret.
N: Lily leads them up towards the highest peak. She stops abruptly.
me: Why're we stopping?
Lily: He'll come to us. You stay back. I'll talk to him first.
N: A large Golden Dragon swoops down and lands before them.
Lily: *looks up, smiling* Milgasia-San. It's been a while.
Milgasia: *shifts to human form* Phoenix Lily Firestorm...*gaze falls upon the two Mazoku, eyes narrow* Hellmaster! I thought he was dead. He is not welcome here.
Lily: Milgasia, please...He's just a child.
Milgasia: He is hardly a child, Lily. Don't let his looks fool you.
Lily: But he really is...
Milgasia: No! He's not a child and I forbid him from being here. He must leave.
me: *holding Phibby protectively* Wait just a minute!
Milgasia: Who are you, Human?
me: My name is XellAn Metallium. I am servant to General Priest Xellos and Keeper of Lord Hellmaster.
Milgasia: Mazoku! Mazoku are not welcome here! Lily, why did you bring them here?
Lily: *frustrated* Milgasia, just listen! XellAn is my friend. She's been my friend for a long time. And Meiou-Sama is most certainly just a child. The Lord of Nightmares decided it would be best for him to be somewhat innocent when she returned his life. XellAn is looking for the meaning of life. I thought perhaps you could help her.
Milgasia: *looks at XellAn and Phibby once more* Can I trust them?
Lily: Look at them. Meiou-Sama is scared to death of you and XellAn is not a very strong Monster.
N: Milgasia stares at XellAn for a long time. Phibrizio is visibly trembling in her arms. Then the Ryuzoku relaxes slightly.
Milgasia: You wish to know the secret of life?
me: I do.
Milgasia: Follow me...
N: The Dragon leads them the rest of the way up the peak.
Milgasia: This is where the Claire Bible is kept. Unfortunately, I cannot show it to you, for the Elders would have a fit. I can, however tell you what I believe the meaning of life is.
me: That's fine. Do go on, Milgasia-Sama.
N: The small group seats themselves here and there upon the rocks on the ledge. XellAn still has Phibrizio in her arms and the Hellmaster still seems to be edgy around Milgasia.
Milgasia: I believe the meaning of life is truth. Without the truth, it is all an illusion. And truth is too often obstructed.
me: *nods* I agree, to some extent. I believe the truth is most definitely obscured on a daily basis. After all, in a moment of truth there are lies...But truth always brings falsehood. You hardly have one without the other.
Milgasia: *smiles* You are so like your mother, Child.
me: *shocked* You knew my mother?
Milgasia: Of course. She was quite knowledgeable about the Claire Bible. She brought you here once, but -I do believe- she referred to you as "Mia."
me: That is the name she called me by... You didn't know then that I am a Demi-Mazoku, did you?
Milgasia: No. Your mother told no one. I would not have known, were it not for the name of "Metallium," I probably still wouldn't know. She was a proud woman, your mother. Wouldn't let any one help raise you.
me: My mother denied the truth herself all her life. Yet her life still had meaning. I do not mean to be rude, Milgasia-Sama, but I think you are wrong.
Milgasia: Perhaps I am. I don't suppose it matters much to the world what I think any way.
Lily: Don't be so hard on yourself, Milgasia. It may not matter to the world, but it always matters to some one.
Milgasia: *smiles* Princess, you are too kind.
me: Do you have any suggestions where we might go next? I still wish to find some form of meaning for life.
Lily: You've spoken with Kaiou-Sama, Meiou-Sama, and Juuou-Sama...why not try going to Haou-Sama? I know Maryuou-Sama is out of question since Hellmaster killed him.
me: Speak to Dynast Grausherra...now there's an idea. But I don't know if he'd be pleased to see me either...he's not too fond of visitors.
Phibby: I haven't seen Dynast in so long! Not since the war! Can we please see him???
me: *sighs* All right. But I'm not sure what will come of this...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
AN: any suggestions for Dynast? i have an inkling, but nothing solid...if any one can help, i'll be grateful!! ^_^