CH8 (Information That Comes too Late)
Deepsea stared at Dyast in .. shock. "Dead? What about- Gaav?"
Dynast sighed and shifted in his chair, "Dead as well."
"Who did it?!" she shouted, clenching her fists, the stone beneath her cracking a bit more, some of it turning to powder. "I'll kill them! I'll rip them to pieces! How DARE they kill my brothers!"
Once again Dynast had to remind himself that Mazoku could NOT get headaches simply because they didn't really have physical bodies. "It is in the past. They brought it on themselves by harassing someone powerful."
Deepsea Dolphin ground her teeth together. "FINE! If you won't tell me, I'll ask Zelas!"
"You won't get much from her, but you can try," Dynast commented lazily, resting his chin on his knuckles, elbow on the arm of his stone throne. The Lord of the Demon Sea scowled and disappeared. Though she was getting mad at her siblings, the quest to find out what had been happening in the world the last thousand years as well as the quest to find out why Dynast had moved was turning out to be interesting. She had an excuse to harass Dynast as WELL as Zelas, though Gaav was a lot of fun too, but apparently he was killed by something, as well as Phibrizzo.. how ANYONE had killed THAT little brat was another mystery Deepsea would eventually unravel. And once she found out who it was, she'd go thank the person. That was ONE sibling she could definitely live without!
**
"Oi! Lina!" a familiar voice, that usually meant much frustration was in store, stated loudly in the sorceress's ear.
Lina swirled around and smacked the Mazoku's face with her fist, which caused the floating Xelloss to slam into a nearby tree, then slide down it. "What is it NOW Xelloss!?" she demanded to know, scowling. She was NOT in a good mood after all.
Slowly, Xelloss got to his knees, then to his feet, rubbing at his right eye. "I just wanted to tell you that there was an old forgotten tomb just a little ways back..."
The sorceress stared at Xelloss, remembering how just an hour ago he'd tried to make them turn away from the road to Seyruun by telling her that there was a stream with the biggest salmon ever not that far off the path.. and the hour before that it was something about a bandit's hide-out, and the day before that it was the all you can eat for a silver piece buffet as well as something about a cure for Chimera-ism, which Zelgadis had listened to but otherwise ignored. Her eyes narrowed. "What're you up to?" she asked, aware that Zelgadis had completely ignored the Mazoku and continued walking.
Grabbing hold of Xelloss's shirt, she pulled him along after her as she went to catch up with her moody friend. "I'm not up to anything!" Xelloss exclaimed, attempting to maintain an air of innocence. Alas, he simply couldn't look INNOCENT the way any child could simply because for one, he was too tall, and second, Lina didn't personally think he was that cute. Well, physically, yes, he was handsome, but she really didn't want to think of what her life would be like if she were to date a Mazoku.. Luna would have a fit, that's for sure. Not to forget the part where Xelloss pukes from being loved.
"Yeah right, Xelloss, save it for someone who doesn't know you," Lina stated grouchily, stalking along and still dragging the purple haired priest by the front of his shirt. Rather suddenly though, Lina found that she was holding nothing. She only had time to blink once before Xelloss was in front of her and Zelgadis, his hand holding- a pink cloth-banded bracelet with a large blue gem.
"Ah," the Mazoku said softly, looking at the bracelet, dodging Zelgadis's attempts to snatch it back. "This was Amelia's, correct?" he asked, but didn't wait for an answer.
"Give it BACK!" Zelgadis growled and ran after the gliding Mazoku, leaving Lina by herself.
"Hey!" the sorceress shouted and cast a Rei Wing, following after the two. She was rather amazed at how fast Xelloss could go- and why he was bothering to do it on the physical plane instead of simply teleporting away with his loot.
Zelgadis was keeping up fairly well, and this too surprised Lina, who had never really SEEN Zelgadis move as fast as he could- except when he'd been her enemy, and even then she hadn't seen much. Rather hard to see anything when the whole world is a blur. Now, however, she was watching things as a third party- and starting to sweat simply because she was finding it hard to keep up. Maybe this is what Filia had felt like when they'd tried to catch up with Darkstar.. hadn't it been Zelgadis's idea to go up then dive down? Maybe it would work here too?
**
He didn't even realize what was going on, simply that Xelloss had stolen the one thing that Zelgadis cherished above any of his other possessions. Even his sword paled in comparison to how much that bracelet meant to him. Maybe Lina was right. Maybe he was fretting over Amelia because his subconscious was trying to tell him he was in love with her.. But why the weird dreams? Surely this wasn't normal!
Zelgadis blinked, realizing that Xelloss was gaining speed, and he shoved his thoughts aside in preference of closing the distance between them. Rather suddenly, they burst into a clearing in which a lone figure stood- but both the Mazoku and the Chimera ignored him. Xelloss turned his path, leading Zelgadis in a circle around the lithe man, then Zelgadis changed directions to try and cut the Mazoku off. Instead Xelloss disappeared and the Chimera came to a sliding halt, panting heavily. From the direction he'd come, there was a crash though the leaves and Lina landed, falling to her knees in fatigue.
"Ah, even more witnesses," Xelloss stated casually and Zelgadis turned to face the Mazoku- who's hands were empty.
Snapping forward suddenly, the Chimera grabbed hold of Xelloss's throat, "Give it BACK!" he growled, "You filthy piece of shit- before I rip every last bit of you to pieces!"
The Mazoku smirked. "You'll have to ask HIM." With that, Xelloss disappeared, leaving Zelgadis face to face --
With himself.
The young man's eyes were wide, one hand holding his practice sword, the other clutching the bracelet the Mazoku has rather suddenly given him. "What.. are you?" he asked finally, his voice.. exactly that of the Chimera's.
Zelgadis staggered back, staring in horror at his double.. Non-Chimera double. Behind him, Lina came forward. "Zel-" she said, grabbing hold of his arm, "Zel!" she looked towards the young man, scowling a bit before stomping forward and snatching the bracelet from his grip. "I'm going to hurt Xelloss for this.. involving innocents in his games," she muttered, turning her back on the strange young man that looked so familiar.
She stared at Zelgadis, then blinked, looking back towards the young man. The crunch of leaves brought her attention back towards her friend. He had fallen to his knees, staring at his hands. Lina turned back toward the young man, forcing herself to take a breath and think of this logically.. SHE had to sort it out. Zelgadis had already fallen into a stupor, so it was up to her to see if he really SHOULD be upset. "Who are you?" she asked.
The young man shook his head, "I- I'm Zelgadis Graywords," he stammered slightly, blinking at her a few times. "Who are you two?"
Lina pursed her lips some, thinking of her next question, "Are you related to Rezo?" she asked.
He furrowed his brow, "I asked you something," he almost snapped, "It'd be polite of you to answer."
Immediately, the sorceress glowered, "I'm Lina Inverse, now answer my question! Are you related to Rezo the Red Priest?!" She watched his eyes widen, his involuntary step back, and his slight nod. "Was there any time in your life that you were offered the chance to become .. strong?"
"Lina- that's enough," the voice came from behind her, Zelgadis's. He sounded slightly dazed. "It's obvious what happened.." he gave a bit of a snort, then burst into maniacal laughing. "He copied me- him.. the bastard! I should have killed him when I got the chance! So many chances and yet I didn't do it! The bastard!" the Chimera staggered to his feet, staring at his double.. no, his original. "Never trust family.. they'll screw you over." With that, he turned and stalked away, leaving Lina to stare at his back a moment before she dashed off after him.
He stared.. in shock. That was the infamous Lina Inverse. He'd been expecting someone a bit taller- with larger breasts. And that creature with her? Was what he'd said true? Had Rezo- COPIED him?! Never trust family indeed. His hand clenched on the hilt of his sword. He couldn't go back to Rivindal now. Not when he knew this.. not when he was technically friends with Lina Inverse. And despite the fact that the one who was with her was also a Chimera, it proved that he COULD survive outside of Rivindal. Setting his shoulders, he turned back towards town, intent on getting supplies to head out on his own.
**
Deepsea stared at Dyast in .. shock. "Dead? What about- Gaav?"
Dynast sighed and shifted in his chair, "Dead as well."
"Who did it?!" she shouted, clenching her fists, the stone beneath her cracking a bit more, some of it turning to powder. "I'll kill them! I'll rip them to pieces! How DARE they kill my brothers!"
Once again Dynast had to remind himself that Mazoku could NOT get headaches simply because they didn't really have physical bodies. "It is in the past. They brought it on themselves by harassing someone powerful."
Deepsea Dolphin ground her teeth together. "FINE! If you won't tell me, I'll ask Zelas!"
"You won't get much from her, but you can try," Dynast commented lazily, resting his chin on his knuckles, elbow on the arm of his stone throne. The Lord of the Demon Sea scowled and disappeared. Though she was getting mad at her siblings, the quest to find out what had been happening in the world the last thousand years as well as the quest to find out why Dynast had moved was turning out to be interesting. She had an excuse to harass Dynast as WELL as Zelas, though Gaav was a lot of fun too, but apparently he was killed by something, as well as Phibrizzo.. how ANYONE had killed THAT little brat was another mystery Deepsea would eventually unravel. And once she found out who it was, she'd go thank the person. That was ONE sibling she could definitely live without!
**
"Oi! Lina!" a familiar voice, that usually meant much frustration was in store, stated loudly in the sorceress's ear.
Lina swirled around and smacked the Mazoku's face with her fist, which caused the floating Xelloss to slam into a nearby tree, then slide down it. "What is it NOW Xelloss!?" she demanded to know, scowling. She was NOT in a good mood after all.
Slowly, Xelloss got to his knees, then to his feet, rubbing at his right eye. "I just wanted to tell you that there was an old forgotten tomb just a little ways back..."
The sorceress stared at Xelloss, remembering how just an hour ago he'd tried to make them turn away from the road to Seyruun by telling her that there was a stream with the biggest salmon ever not that far off the path.. and the hour before that it was something about a bandit's hide-out, and the day before that it was the all you can eat for a silver piece buffet as well as something about a cure for Chimera-ism, which Zelgadis had listened to but otherwise ignored. Her eyes narrowed. "What're you up to?" she asked, aware that Zelgadis had completely ignored the Mazoku and continued walking.
Grabbing hold of Xelloss's shirt, she pulled him along after her as she went to catch up with her moody friend. "I'm not up to anything!" Xelloss exclaimed, attempting to maintain an air of innocence. Alas, he simply couldn't look INNOCENT the way any child could simply because for one, he was too tall, and second, Lina didn't personally think he was that cute. Well, physically, yes, he was handsome, but she really didn't want to think of what her life would be like if she were to date a Mazoku.. Luna would have a fit, that's for sure. Not to forget the part where Xelloss pukes from being loved.
"Yeah right, Xelloss, save it for someone who doesn't know you," Lina stated grouchily, stalking along and still dragging the purple haired priest by the front of his shirt. Rather suddenly though, Lina found that she was holding nothing. She only had time to blink once before Xelloss was in front of her and Zelgadis, his hand holding- a pink cloth-banded bracelet with a large blue gem.
"Ah," the Mazoku said softly, looking at the bracelet, dodging Zelgadis's attempts to snatch it back. "This was Amelia's, correct?" he asked, but didn't wait for an answer.
"Give it BACK!" Zelgadis growled and ran after the gliding Mazoku, leaving Lina by herself.
"Hey!" the sorceress shouted and cast a Rei Wing, following after the two. She was rather amazed at how fast Xelloss could go- and why he was bothering to do it on the physical plane instead of simply teleporting away with his loot.
Zelgadis was keeping up fairly well, and this too surprised Lina, who had never really SEEN Zelgadis move as fast as he could- except when he'd been her enemy, and even then she hadn't seen much. Rather hard to see anything when the whole world is a blur. Now, however, she was watching things as a third party- and starting to sweat simply because she was finding it hard to keep up. Maybe this is what Filia had felt like when they'd tried to catch up with Darkstar.. hadn't it been Zelgadis's idea to go up then dive down? Maybe it would work here too?
**
He didn't even realize what was going on, simply that Xelloss had stolen the one thing that Zelgadis cherished above any of his other possessions. Even his sword paled in comparison to how much that bracelet meant to him. Maybe Lina was right. Maybe he was fretting over Amelia because his subconscious was trying to tell him he was in love with her.. But why the weird dreams? Surely this wasn't normal!
Zelgadis blinked, realizing that Xelloss was gaining speed, and he shoved his thoughts aside in preference of closing the distance between them. Rather suddenly, they burst into a clearing in which a lone figure stood- but both the Mazoku and the Chimera ignored him. Xelloss turned his path, leading Zelgadis in a circle around the lithe man, then Zelgadis changed directions to try and cut the Mazoku off. Instead Xelloss disappeared and the Chimera came to a sliding halt, panting heavily. From the direction he'd come, there was a crash though the leaves and Lina landed, falling to her knees in fatigue.
"Ah, even more witnesses," Xelloss stated casually and Zelgadis turned to face the Mazoku- who's hands were empty.
Snapping forward suddenly, the Chimera grabbed hold of Xelloss's throat, "Give it BACK!" he growled, "You filthy piece of shit- before I rip every last bit of you to pieces!"
The Mazoku smirked. "You'll have to ask HIM." With that, Xelloss disappeared, leaving Zelgadis face to face --
With himself.
The young man's eyes were wide, one hand holding his practice sword, the other clutching the bracelet the Mazoku has rather suddenly given him. "What.. are you?" he asked finally, his voice.. exactly that of the Chimera's.
Zelgadis staggered back, staring in horror at his double.. Non-Chimera double. Behind him, Lina came forward. "Zel-" she said, grabbing hold of his arm, "Zel!" she looked towards the young man, scowling a bit before stomping forward and snatching the bracelet from his grip. "I'm going to hurt Xelloss for this.. involving innocents in his games," she muttered, turning her back on the strange young man that looked so familiar.
She stared at Zelgadis, then blinked, looking back towards the young man. The crunch of leaves brought her attention back towards her friend. He had fallen to his knees, staring at his hands. Lina turned back toward the young man, forcing herself to take a breath and think of this logically.. SHE had to sort it out. Zelgadis had already fallen into a stupor, so it was up to her to see if he really SHOULD be upset. "Who are you?" she asked.
The young man shook his head, "I- I'm Zelgadis Graywords," he stammered slightly, blinking at her a few times. "Who are you two?"
Lina pursed her lips some, thinking of her next question, "Are you related to Rezo?" she asked.
He furrowed his brow, "I asked you something," he almost snapped, "It'd be polite of you to answer."
Immediately, the sorceress glowered, "I'm Lina Inverse, now answer my question! Are you related to Rezo the Red Priest?!" She watched his eyes widen, his involuntary step back, and his slight nod. "Was there any time in your life that you were offered the chance to become .. strong?"
"Lina- that's enough," the voice came from behind her, Zelgadis's. He sounded slightly dazed. "It's obvious what happened.." he gave a bit of a snort, then burst into maniacal laughing. "He copied me- him.. the bastard! I should have killed him when I got the chance! So many chances and yet I didn't do it! The bastard!" the Chimera staggered to his feet, staring at his double.. no, his original. "Never trust family.. they'll screw you over." With that, he turned and stalked away, leaving Lina to stare at his back a moment before she dashed off after him.
He stared.. in shock. That was the infamous Lina Inverse. He'd been expecting someone a bit taller- with larger breasts. And that creature with her? Was what he'd said true? Had Rezo- COPIED him?! Never trust family indeed. His hand clenched on the hilt of his sword. He couldn't go back to Rivindal now. Not when he knew this.. not when he was technically friends with Lina Inverse. And despite the fact that the one who was with her was also a Chimera, it proved that he COULD survive outside of Rivindal. Setting his shoulders, he turned back towards town, intent on getting supplies to head out on his own.
**