Chapter 3 : "The Long Goodbye" I know that I said the next chapter would be "A timely Reunion", but I felt that that chapter didn't have a place until after this one. I'm so sorry this took so long, but I have been the most busy person in the world. It won't take me nearly as long to write chapter 4. I promise.
Lina went to her room, regretting what she was about to tell Gourry. How could she possibly word it to make it seem like she's not blaming him for this whole scandal? As she entered the room, she was surprised to find a note attached to the bed-post that read:
"Lina, I have gone for a walk to think about things. I'll be back before sunrise."
Well, that was a shocker. Gourry didn't usually go off on his own like this. Upon entering the palace, Lina had noticed a beautiful white Gazebo. It was decorated with orange, purple, yellow, red and any other color flower you could imagine. Beside it was a big pond filled with coi and goldfish. Surrounding the whole area was a woodland type place with squirrels and chipmunks running all around. Lina decided that if Gourry was anywhere, he was there, and she was gonna go have a chat with him. As soon as she turned to walk out the door, she ran into Amelia. Great, that's the last person she wanted to see right now. What was she doing?
"Amelia, where were you? Why are you wandering the halls instead of sleeping? Were you trying to get into Zel's room again? Is that your little game, you little slut? I can't believe you. You are the most vendictive person I know."
"I really wasn't even near his room. I was in the library reading up on the monsters that are in the area we are going to be in tomorrow. I wanted to make sure that we could handle it. Anyway, why are you coming out of YOUR room? You're the one that should be asleep. You don't know what any of the rooms are besides yours and Zel's anyway. So you have no excuse to be out here." Replied Amelia.
"I w..was j..just going out to the ga..gazebo. There really was no reason for me to be out here. Okay, well see you tomorrow. "
Lina slammed the door in Amelia's face, and she started hyper ventilating. Why? It's not like she was doing anything wrong by going to see Gourry. Maybe it was just because she thought Amelia would try to steal Gourry too if she told Amelia where he was. She waited 15 minutes until she was sure that there was nobody in the hall, and then walked out. The halls were dcorated with great amounts of gold and silver. There were tall pilars, and family paintings all over the walls. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, and that was just a hallway. She made her way out to the Gazebo. She was right. There was Gourry, but he didn't seem like his normal self. It appeared as though he was hanging his head in shame, and just as she was about to walk closer, she saw a tear drop from the side of his face. The moonlight made it glisten as it went on its journey to the ground. It made Lina's heart ache to see Gourry in such pain. She didn't know what to do. She slowly walked up to him, and just as he was about to speak, she just put her arms around him. They stood in that eternal embrace for nearly an hour. There was an unspoken bond between them. It was the noisiest conversation, yet there was no sound. There was no need for sound, because any words they could say, were being said without speaking. They felt each other's fears, worries, and any thought. It's like they were magically linked. They finally sat down together, and Gourry spoke first.
" Lina, did we do the right thing at all? Are we just kidding ourselves? I love you, but what does love even mean? I don't know. I have so many thoughts just swirling around my head, but all of them are just partially there, they just buzz around. Please help me. I need you right now."
"As much as I hate to say it, there isn't much time left for us. Me and Zel have decided that the best thing for everyone is to split up after we help Amelia. We don't think that anything good can come of staying together. Please understand. I do love you, more than anything, but I also feel that way about Zel. I am just as confused as you are. So in order to take the full pain of this, we need to split up."
"Fine, as much as I hate to admit it, and as much as it pains me to say, I really don't want to see you anymore. You have caused me enough pain in my heart. Please, go to the room and go to sleep. I want to be alone."
Those were the last words that were exchanged that night. Lina went to the room, but instead of going to sleep, she just layed with her eyes closed going over the nights events in her head. She can't grasp the fact that they are really about to go their separate ways. Why did things have to turn out this way. She wished she were never born, that way no pain would have been inflicted on the two loves of her life. But in another light, she was glad that they were going to split up. That way nobody would ever feel the pain again, and gourry could find somebody he deserves--whether it be man, woman, or animal.
The next day was finally around, and Gourry still hadn't come back to the room. Lina got ready to go, and sneaked back out to the gazebo. Gourry was passed out, all his clothes were off except for his underwear, and there were many soaked tissues. Lina felt a tear form in the corner of her eye. She hated seeing Gourry in such pain. Why must she be the cause of so much turmoil. She started to walk away when she heard a rustling behind her. Gourry had gotten up and was staring at her. It looked like he wanted to say something, but he restrained himself. Instead he just turned his head to look for his clothes. Without saying a word, Lina went to go eat breakfast. She walked through the kitchen, which to her, was the size of an entire house. She ran into Amelia who looked like she was about to be sick
"What's wrong Amelia, morning sickness? That would make sense after what you made Zel do to you last night."
"Why are you such a cold-hearted bitch? Nothing you ever say is productive or positive in anyway. You make me so angry. Next time you say something I will kill you. Don't think I'm completely nice."
"Oh, I don't. There's no way I could since you are the one who is taking my man. I need him and you are keeping him from me. Because of you, my life is in despair. I hate you more than life itself."
"II'm so sorry Lina. I can't believe you feel that way. I never meant to take what's rightfully yours. Who am I to infringe upon your territory. He was your friend first, I should have never set up that rape to get you and your friends to help me. I'm so sorry, I don't know what I was thinking. Please forgive me. Don't do anything drastic."
"How did you even know we were coming Amelia? We didn't send a letter or anything, you would have had to been stalking us. What kind of twisted person are you anyway. I burned off a mans dick for goddsake, and he wasn't even gonna hurt you. That's lower than low, that's pathetic. That only strengthens my fury towards you."
"I was spying on you in the woods. It looked like you and Zel were both very powerful sorcerers. I just wanted to catch you at the right moment, just so I could get some help. I am not nearly strong enough to face this by myself. Please, if you want to hit me go right ahead. I would completely understand."
And with that, Lina drew her hand back as high as she could, and dropped it at the speed of light towards Amelia's face. But something was amiss, and just as the hand was about to strike, Lina stopped. Why? she wondered. What possible reason did she have to stop herself? Maybe she felt pity for Amelia. She was so desperate that she was willing to be raped to get help. Maybe Lina saw that in her, and took pity on her. No matter what reason there was, Lina stepped back, turned around, and walked out of the kitchen.
While that was going on, Gourry went upstairs to have a talk with Zel. There were many things that needed to be said, and Gourry wasn't afraid to say them. Well, now was the time, and he went upstairs to Zel's room. When he walked in, Zel was walking around naked because he just got out of the shower. Gourry cleared his throat to let Zel know that he was there. Zel didn't even bother to cover himself up because he couldn't care less if Gourry saw him. Gourry has seen his own, what's so different about seeing someone elses? Anyway, Gourry walked in and sat down on the chair. Zel moped around the room picking up his clothes and laying them on the bed.
"So, what's up Gourry? You seem like there is something on your mind. Is there something wrong?"
"Yes Zel. Lina has confessed her love to both of us, yet neither of us get to be with her. I know you love her, and I'm sure you know I love her. There is nothing we can do about the split, she already made up her mind. But I don't want to break off on ugly terms. I want it to be more like a seperation that may not be permanent. I would like to leave it so that if anyone of us ever decides to hunt the others down, it won't be for the wrong reasons."
"I understand what you are saying Gourry. I don't want to leave on bad terms either. I love Lina, there is no doubt about that, but I really do think it's best we take a break. Maybe it could be just like you said. Someday we will re-conviene. It's not entirely impossible. I want to thank you for coming up here to clear that up. I appreciate it. Maybe this won't be the end."
With that, Gourry got up to shake Zel's hand, but was nervous to do so, because in the heat of the conversation, Zel never got dressed.
"Zel, can you please cover up youryou knowpenis? I would like to give you a handshake, or even a hug, but I don't want that to be so close to me."
"Sure, I'm sorry."
The two of them gave each other a quick hug and pat on the back, and then Gourry turned and left the room.
Gourry passed Lina in the hall on his way to the kitchen, but neither said a word, or ever glanced at each other. Gourry was filled with mixed emotions, and just wanted to pig out. But as soon as he got to the kitchen door, Amelia popped out and announced that it was time to leave. She told Gourry to go round everybody up because they were moving out in 15 minutes. Gourry went upstairs to gather them, and they were all standing by the main gate when Amelia arrived 15 minutes later.
"Ok guys. It's finally time to face our fate. We are going to have an extremely tough day, but it will be worth it for all of you. When we get there, we will have to split up into two groups. I know this will be tough to do, but it's inevitable. Please choose now."
Well, it looked like it would be Lina and Gourry. They started this epic journey together long ago, and now it was time to end it together too. They all walked off towards the woods at the base of the hill that the cave was at the top of. Through the woods, they encountered many animals, and other people just out for a stroll, but there was nothing really exciting.
When they got to the cave, the mood changed. It went from sad to nervous. There was an air of tension over the whole party, and no one knew what to do. Lina started to walk in, even though she didn't know what lies ahead. Gourry followed her in, and then Zel and Amelia went too. Once they were inside, they chose paths, and Gourry and Lina got the left path.
On the path, after about an hour of walking, Gourry had to use the restroom. Well, obviously there was no indoor plumbing, and this time, it wasn't just a need to piss. Anyway, that took a big chunk out of their time, but when he came back they started to talk.
"Lina, where exactly are we going? Amelia never told us what to look for. Does that seem anyway suspicious to you? Did you ever think that maybe it's just because she wanted to get Zel alone to have sex?"
"Geez Gourry, could you be anymore nosy. They already had sex last night, and Zel would never touch her like that again."
"Just checking to see if it crossed your mind."
"well, if you must know, it did cross my mind, but we need to get focused on our mission."
"ok Lina."
After wandering aimlessly around the cave for at least another hour, they heard a strange noise around the corner. Gourry immediately turned his ear to hear better. He heard faint remnances of voices, but he couldn't make them out. Then all of a sudden he heard a door open, and saw the glow of a dim light. He drew his sword and got into attack mode, and proceeded to turn the corner.
As all the aforementioned was happening, Zel and Amelia weren't exactly having a great time either.
Zel had been pre-occupied all day by what Gourry had said. He knew that they could not split up for ever, that would be too unjust to them. He was withdrawn from what he was doing. Amelia picked up on that and decided to say something.
"Zel, is something bothering you? You seem so distant. It feels like you are standing right next to me, but are actually somewhere very far away."
"Amelia, I am just thinking about all that has happened. I am here to help you, not to talk to you, get advice from you, or anything else. As soon as we're done here, all four of us are breaking away, so I just want to keep to myselfok?"
"I guess so. But I just want you to know that I apologize for what I did last night, and I don't want all of this turmoil to hurt our chances of being friends in the future."
Well, Zel didn't say anything else, and that was that. As they continued through the cave, Amelia saw a door. She noticed that there were faint voices on the other side, but she couldn't make out what they were saying. She told Zel to prepare a spell and then as soon as she opened the door to use the spell. She wanted it to be a surprise attack.
But much to their chagrin, they opened the door, and there was Gourry with his light-sword waiting to kill whomever opened the door.
Great, they've been searching all day, and all they could find was each other. That was the perfect ending, but then out of no-where, a fireball struck. When they looked up, they discovered that there was another level to the cave!!!! No wonder they couldn't find out where the bad guys were hiding. So Lina and Zel used levitation spells to get everyone up there, but when they reached the top, the thing that fired the fireball was gone.
"Where did he go?", enquired Lina.
They walked along until they got to a large palace looking place. They opened the door, and there were the people they had been looking for all along. Amelia bursted in and demanded that they give back what they had taken, or else they would be severely punished.
"What are you going to do Amelia? I have the broach of immortality. There is no person, or thing that can destroy me. You're helpless. So you have a couple of sorcerers. Big deal. Magic cannot defeat immortality. I have won. The palace will soon be mine. I shall become the great ruler of Seyruun!!!!! ME!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
And with that, Amelia rushed the throne and hit her uncle off guard. The broach flew out of his hand and landed right next to Lina. Lina immediately picked it up. You would think that was the end, but nothere was so much left.
Lina's hand started to burn. What was going on? Is it supposed to do that? Lina was so confused. Then Amelia told Lina that only the royal blood of Seyruun can hold that, and if it was to be put in someone elses hand, the curse of eternal petrification would soon be in force. But maybe there's a way around it. Lina threw the broach in the air, and then caught it again. Then she told Amelia to get to her. They both put their hand on it, and a massive ray of light shot towards the sky. With the mix between Royal blood and friendship, the spell was broken, and so was the broach. That pissed Amelia off so much. That was a family heirloom, and instead of wanting Lina to die, she turned to her uncle. But she knew that if she tried to fight her uncle, he would surely kill her.
Amelia's uncle sat on his throne laughing while all of this was going on. He couldn't help it. The mortals destroyed their only chance of eternity. But, oh well. There was nothing he could do. He lifted up his hand as if to signal them to stop. But he acutally was summoning his strongest power. The Dragon Slave. The dragon slave exploded the cave apart. But Lina was fine, and now it was time for revenge. She started to summon the most powerful magic in all of the world. She knew that this would destroy him. She sent it to him, and he was evaporated, but in all the heat of the fight.Seyruun was leveled to the ground. How could she ever make it up to Amelia. Her whole town had been destroyed. Everything. Her people, her palace, even her father. But it had to be done.
Amelia understood that that was what Lina needed to do. But Amelia vowed never to speak to Lina, or any of the gang again. With that, Amelia walked off into the horizon.never once looking back.
That was the last that they would ever see of her.
But, now the hard part. The trio had won, and now it was time to go their separate ways.
Lina started this painful ceremony. "Zel, Gourry, you guys have been such great friends and such great partners. I love you both too much to risk your lives and happiness anymore. It's with this sad note that I retreat into my own little world again. Neither of you may understand this, but I once was by myself. And now, I must be by myself again. It has been an amazing journey, we have grown so much together. But I must go now. I need to get the weight lifted. There's just too much drama between us. Goodbye you two. Though we may not be together in person, we will always have the memories. Goodbye."
After Lina walked away, Gourry and Zel both began to feel tears running down their faces. They looked at each other, turned in opposite directions, and walked away.