"Valgaav?" she called out last.
Tabby was suddenly more than scared when there was no reply, but then she felt something squirming around beneath where she still lay. Her expression rigid, she looked down and gasped. A blush of deep scarlet spread over her face and she quickly scrambled off of her friend and traveling partner. "I'm... I'm so sorry, Valgaav..." She was red down to the collar of her jumpsuit and she refused to look at him for a while after that.
In fact, despite the grumbling, nothing much was said until Xelloss suddenly floated down beside them.
"Damn you, Xelloss! You could've told us there was a drop!" Lina launched her anger at the Mazoku, even though she knew it only made his smirk grow wider. Growling she backed down when she realized her tirade was futile.
Floating up to head the group once again, Xelloss said, "Right this way, Tabby Inverse, follow me."
Deep into the cave the group traveled. Xelloss had been right; it was dark at first but then here and there small lanterns were hung along the wall. A magical fire that gave off only light and not heat lit them and danced around creating twisted shadows along the walls. In spite of themselves, everyone seemed to cling together. They were a fearless bunch, but in such tight quarters even the strongest of minds can start to play tricks on itself. In some places the rock was covered in water or slime and every so often someone would step on something that crunched. No one dared look down, wondering if they'd led themselves into some sort of trap. Xelloss was the only one who looked merry, but then again he was getting a free buffet of nervousness and anxiety. He continued to float a few inches off of the ground, closer to Tabby at the front of the group.
No one spoke as they walked and the only sounds were the occasional dripping of water and crunching of shoes against loose gravel and who knows what else. It was silent until they finally came upon a huge door, carved with images of the Lord of Nightmares (implied ones, anyhow, for no one knew exactly what the Lord might look like) and her many feats of creating the world and its inhabitants. Guarding the door were two very tall women garbed in pale chartreuse cloaks pinned at the neck with glowing crimson jewels; the hoods were pulled up over their dark hair. In the dim light from the magical fires, their eyes glowed a sea green. "Who goes there?" asked one in a surprisingly petite voice. She moved forward a couple steps and held out her hand, which was covered in a white lacy glove. "What business have you with the great Lady?"
Feeling it her responsibility, Tabby quieted everyone else and began to speak, "We're here to speak with the Lady about-"
"They're here on my accord, Icari," Xelloss interrupted Tabby, brushing past her to speak with the women. "We've come to visit the Lady. She hasn't had tea with me in a long while."
The unnamed one nodded, "This we know, Master Xelloss, but such a large group may not pass. Too many sights live beyond this passage and only few may see them. Only those whom you see fit may pass."
At this Zelgadis groaned and leaned against the wall. Following him, Gourry did the same, sans groaning. Everyone waited tensely as Xelloss contemplated over them. Tabby knew she had to be picked, this was her quest after all, and for her not to enter would be disreputable. She stepped forward even before Xelloss spoke her name. She didn't want to give him the chance to show her any sort of "favor."
"I also would like Lina and Valgaav here to accompany me. Is that in your favor, ladies?"
"It is done, Master Xelloss." Icari motioned her companion to her side and together they opened the massive door. It swung inwards with a moan worthy of a thousand zombies and revealed another long corridor. This was one was brightly lit with the magical fires and it twinkled off of glass statuettes and jewels that encrusted the very walls. Had it not seemed so foreboding to those about to enter it, it might have been breathtaking.
With a heavy breath, Tabby fell into line behind Xelloss, looking back at her other companions with a regretful expression. Those left behind mirrored her feelings, but knew that this was the only way Tabby would be able to see the Lady of Faith, so they tolerated having to stay behind.
The jeweled hallway was long, but because it was not as dark as the previous tunnel it seemed a lot shorter. Beneath the travelers, the marble floor gleamed. Their shoes padded softly against it, creating the only sounds that could be heard. After a while they came to a great marble arch of round, Ionic columns. This too was encrusted with thousands of tiny sapphires, emeralds and rubies. In some places they even formed pictures. Tabby recognized an entire diorama that flowed downwards on the column of a battle between the great Ryuzoku Lord, Ceipheed, and the Mazoku Dark Lord, Shabranigdo. For a few moments the beauty of it stunned Tabby. Every detail was perfect, down to the colors of the Lords' eyes.
However, her attention was drawn away as Xelloss began to speak.
"How fares you, Lady?" he spoke with what seemed like genuine respect.
Lina, Tabby and Valgaav were all surprised at this. How Xelloss could show respect to anyone but himself was beyond them. Even more to their general shock, he bowed deeply before the Lady.
She, too, like her quarters was beautiful. She wore a turban-like headdress in fabrics of rose and violet. A star shaped rope of fabric on the front of it surrounded a little golden and green jewel that sparkled in the light of the fires. Long tresses of cornflower blue hair flowed from under her turban and down her shoulders. The Lady herself was dressed in robes of forest green and sea blue and she looked upon them with a serene expression, as if she already knew what they had come for. Tabby surmised she just might.
"I am well, Xelloss, and I'm happy for your visit this fine day. Who are your companions?" She swept her arm across herself, referring to the three who stood behind the Mazoku.
Again, Xelloss bowed and pointed to Tabby, Lina and Valgaav, saying their names as he did so. He pointed to Tabby last and then explained that it was for her that they were here. She had an important question for the Lady.
The Lady of Faith smiled a very tranquil smile before speaking, "I see, Miss Tabby. Before you address me with your questions, do feel free to call me Lady Oceania. Perhaps you'd like some tea also? And your friends?"
Such generous behavior nearly made Tabby suspicious, but she nodded anyway. Politely she declined the tea, as did Lina and Valgaav. Clearing her throat then, Tabby said, "Lady Oceania, I've come to inquire where the Sword of Ruin is located. I have been on an extensive quest to find it for a long time now. At last I have come before you and seek the whereabouts of my desire."
Lady Oceania had smiled throughout all of this and her face remained unchanged. Simply she nodded and slid her fingers together in her lap. For a long while she sat quietly on her throne of silver and marble with royal blue upholstering. Eventually, she came to rest her chin against one hand as she placed her elbow on the throne's arm. Lady Oceania said, "The instrument which you seek lies in a temple on the isle of Gryphonsharp in a demon's sea."
Such a blunt answer was dumbfounding, but Tabby was thankful for it. Overwhelming joy seemed to bubble up within her, replacing even her feelings about following Xelloss. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath trying to resist the urge to cry out and jump up and down. Instead she bowed to the Lady and replied, "Thank you so much for this. I don't know how I shall repay you."
"Do not think on it, Miss Tabby Inverse. Only go now, and retrieve that which you seek." She waved her hand almost prissily towards the door. Then to Xelloss she said, "I look forward to another of your visits."
"As do I, Lady," he replied with another bow. He opened one eye at her in his winking sort of way and then turned to the others. "Let us go now."
Later, beneath a blazing yellow sun, Tabby related the events that had taken place in the jeweled corridor. It didn't take too long but everyone was surprised that the Lady had been so direct with her answer. However, there was general agreement that such a figure as the Lady of Faith would not be inclined to underhand someone.
"So, I guess we're headed off to the Demon Sea," Amelia said as the traveling group made its way towards one of Rorfinia's portside restaurants. Her eyes began to sparkle. "Maybe we could talk Daddy into letting us borrow a ship from the Justice Fleet!"
The entire lot sweatdropped, but Tabby nodded in agreement. A ship would be the most ideal way to reach an island in the Demon Sea. She smiled, "That sounds like an awesome idea, Amelia. We should get to Saillune as soon as possible."
However, Xelloss interrupted their merriment, saying, "I don't think so, Miss Inverse."
All eyes were now trained on the Mazoku as he floated along beside the group.
"Why do you say that?" Zelgadis asked before Tabby could say anything. His brow knitted together and his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
Both eyes open now, Xelloss ignored Zelgadis's remark and said to Tabby directly, "You see, I believe that the Lady has misguided you with her words."
"Misguided us? What's that supposed to mean, Xelloss?" Lina sidled up to Xelloss and poked her finger into his chest. "Well?" she demanded when he didn't answer right away.
Xelloss merely chuckled, obviously amused at Lina's vexment. Shaking his head slowly, he answered, "You see, again; that although the Sword of Ruin is indeed in a sea, it is not a sea of water, but one of sand." Then he closed one eye to wink at them.
"A sea of sand?" Lina said. An expression of perplexity crossed her features. "What do you mean a sea of sand?"
The Mazoku laughed again and waggled his finger at her. "That, I'm afraid, is a secret!"
"Xelloss!"
But he was already gone having phased out of sight.
"Stupid fruitcake," Valgaav muttered darkly. He folded his arms against his chest and hung his head; his aqua colored hair fluttered down over his eyes. When he looked up, he saw Tabby deep in thought. She shielded her eyes from the sun and then looked at him.
"I think I've got it," she said softly. When she had everyone's attention, she continued, "A sea of sand, right? Well... that would have to be the Desert of Destruction!"
Lina smacked her forehead. "Dah! Why didn't I think of that?"
"I don't know, Lina," Zelgadis began, "why didn't you?"
"Oh shut up, Zel!" Lina sighed with irritation.
Tabby took this time to wrangle them all together and explain what she wanted to do then. "I think, if you think it might be okay, Amelia, that I want to go to Saillune first. There we can rest for a longer period of time before we head to the desert. After that, we'll head for this temple. Do any of y'all know how an isle could be in the desert?"
No one had an answer for that. There were several moments of quiet while everyone pondered. A gust of wind, accompanied by the smell of salty sea air, assaulted them before one finally spoke up.
"Maybe it's an oasis!" Gourry exclaimed, rubbing his chin with his fingers. "Ya know, one of those places where there's actually trees and water...?"
However, there was no confirmation to his statement. Instead everyone was looking at him, jaws hanging wide open. It was obvious that each was thinking "How does he do it!?" Lina's eyes looked as if they were going to pop out of her head.
"Ya know," she began, "Gourry, sometimes I wonder if - if... nevermind." Lina shook her head and grabbed him by the shoulder. "Let's go eat."
