A/N: Thanks to everybody for the reviews. And thanks to shikome kido mi for the wonderful observation concerning Xelloss and lying. I totally agree. Generally, Xelloss doesn't lie; he merely leaves out certain important elements of the truth. However, that's when he's trying to get someone to actually believe something or do something that he wants. I consider this to be something different. He does sometimes tell blatant lies for the purpose of annoying people. And this situation is more like that. He is depending on the transparency of his lies to annoy Dynast. Basically, he isn't really lying in the usual sense, he's just being an asshole. Anyway, there's a little bit of rated stuff in this chapter.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grau, Grou, Sherra, and Norst had all witnessed the little scene by using a similar crystal bauble to the one which Xelloss had brought to an early grave. This one was located in the servants' quarters. It was generally used by Sherra to spy on Grausherra's guests, and it was much less powerful than the other. Still, it served its purpose. Grau sighed and shook his head. "Just what we need," he muttered. "Leave it to Juu-ou to create a troublemaker."

"It seems to me that he's too much of an idiot to make much trouble," Grou said absently.

"You only say that because you've never dealt with Juu-ou in person." Grau retorted.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Silence!" Sherra's voice cut into the argument like a sharpened blade through a human gut. "I am sure Lord Dynast will handle the situation." She was busy polishing her armor and had grown tired of the constant chatter kept up by the two priests. Norst and Rashart, who had accompanied his master, were quietly reclinging on a couch, discussing various methods for keeping humans conscious during torture sessions.

"My, my, that's a fine blade!" A voice behind Sherra commented, startling her and causing her to nearly drop the shoulder guards she was working on. Irritated, she swung around and found the general, Xelloss, staring her right in the face.

"If you'd care for a demonstration of just how fine it is, I'd gladly arrange for one. Just hold still..." Sherra made the implications of her statement obvious through the icy malice in her voice.

"Oh my! No need for violence." Xelloss put his hands up and backed away defensively. "I was just admiring it."

"Well, well. If it isn't the little Beastmaster." Grau sneered. "We don't want any trouble here. Why don't you go keep yourself occupied over in that corner."

"A nice idea, but I'm afraid I don't much enjoy conversing with walls," Xelloss responded, but with such sincerity that Grau could only stare at him. The purple-haired priest approached Norst and Rashart. "What'cha talkin about?" he asked cheerfully.

"Nothing," said Norst coldly. He didn't think much of the idea of holding a conversation with the strange mazoku who claimed to be a general. Personally, Norst didn't think he had any of the qualities a good general should have.

Rashart, however, stood and greeted Xelloss. "They say you're the general of Beastmaster Zelas Metallium. I've been wondering when she would get around to creating a general. What would you say to a duel?"

"Ooh! What sort of duel? Oh, I know! Let's have a cooking contest! I'm an excellent cook!" Xelloss clapped his hands together in excitement.

"Um...I meant more like...with swords...you know," Rashart stuttered, quite taken aback by the unexpected response.

"Swords...?" Xelloss repeated with dismay. "*Real* swords...?"

"No, wooden ones, you idiot. Of course real swords." Rashart was beginning to lose his patience with the odd general.

"Oh, my..." Xelloss backed away from Rashart, glancing around the room nervously at the three generals who were now glaring at him, all of whom sported big, sharp swords.

"I see you're not even armed," Sherra commented dryly.

"Well, I don't really like violence, you see," Xelloss stammered. "Couldn't we resolve this by talking? Heh heh..." The generals began to close in on him. Grau and Grou exchanged glances.

Annoying as the man was, beating him to a pulp would not really improve Dynast's relations with Zelas, and much as Grau liked to think they could simply brush the threat Beastmaster posed aside, it wasn't true. "All right, enough of this," he sighed, holding up his hands to stay Sherra's blade. "Xelloss, if you don't want to get hurt, why don't you just keep to yourself?"

"Yes, why don't you go make a daisy chain for your master," Grou suggested.

"Excellent idea!" Xelloss exclaimed and so saying he teleported himself to the other side of the room and sat down with his back to the others. Sherra shuddered. "And to think," Xelloss began to say to himself outloud, much to the others' dismay, "I only dropped that silly bauble because I saw a piece of Shabranigdo in it and it startled me. One would think that..."

"What did you say?" Rashart rushed over to Xelloss and gripped him by the collar, lifting him several inches off the ground.

"I said I saw a piece of Lord Ruby Eyes in the bauble. It's a funny thing, a marble like that showing me images of things that aren't there..."

"Idiot, that's a Seeing Bauble," Grau explained. "It was created by Kai-ou. It shows the viewer things that are happening in other parts of the world, past, present, or future."

"Amazing..." Xelloss rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I wonder if I was seeing the present or the future..."

"You mean you don't know?" Grau cried with dismay.

"Next time don't touch things you don't understand," Sherra spat at the general/priest. Despite her wariness of him, however, should he be telling the truth, the event was worth mentioning to Ha-ou-sama. If the vision had been real... the implications were incredible. "Grau, wait here with him while I tell Ha-ou-sama."

Grau grumbled about being left behind, but Sherra was gone before he could get out a protest. Anyway, he didn't have to wait long. Within moments the Dark Lords had assembled in the servants' quarters, forgetting their earlier quarrels. Xelloss repeated his story in front of the five.

"Hmm. Did you notice anything in particular about this piece of Shabranigdo?" Dynast queried. He didn't trust the priest, but the claim was too important a one to simply ignore.

"He looked human. And he carried a staff made of bones," Xelloss replied with a shrug. "I don't really remember much."

"Why would Lord Shabranigdo choose to appear to a doddering idiot like this?" Dolphin muttered.

"Hey!" Zelas stepped forward, tired of the verbal bashing her servant was receiving. "Maybe if you didn't treat him like an idiot, he wouldn't act like one. You hear me, Xelloss?" She turned sharply to her priest. "Shape up."

"Yes, Master." His voice was serious, but he still hadn't lost his simpering smile or squinted eyes.

"Instead of arguing, let's act on this information," Phibrizzo spoke up. The thought that the resurrection of Shabranigdo might be close excited him more than he cared to show. Finally his chance to prove himself to the Lord of all Monsters was at hand. When Phibrizzo was finished, Gaav wouldn't be the favorite anymore! "I suggest we search Dynast's records for mention of a staff made out of bones. If we can find something in his library, we might have an idea of what this vision meant."

For once, the five settled quickly on an agreement. After all, despite their differences, they all had a common purpose for existing, and the mere scent of future victory was enough to make them forget their personal grievances. Before long they were all settled in Dynast's musty library surrounded by old, dusty manuscripts and ancient tomes. For a long while silence reigned in the cramped room. Phibrizzo was racing through volume after volume in hopes of finding the answer before anyone else. Dynast was methodically checking each manuscript for the slightest hint or detail which might give something away. But nothing could be found about a staff made of bones.

Suddenly the heavy silence was broken by a startled exclamation from Xelloss, who was floating, cross-legged, near the top of the bookshelves, directly above his master's shoulder. "Oh my heavens!" he exclaimed, nearly dropping his book in excitement.

"You've found something?" Zelas asked quickly. How lucky she would be if Xelloss had found the answer. Then her brothers would have to admit to her servant's usefulness.

"I'll say!" Xelloss replied with a look of pure delight on his face. However, he did not elaborate, choosing to leave the rest of the mazoku waiting in expectant, nervous silence. In the still air, they suddenly became aware that Xelloss was making soft "mmm" noises as his eyes moved over the pages of the book, the contents of which were visible only to him. "Ummm....Lemon creme...." he sighed loudly.

"What?" Zelas glowered at her priest. "Give me that!" She snatched the book roughly from his grasp and scanned the cover. "Xelloss...." she said, her voice tight with barely contolled rage. "I really don't think 101 Scrumptious Recipes for the Aspiring Chef is going to contain the secrets to Lord Ruby Eyes' rebirth...."

Everyone in the room collaspsed. Phibrizzo was twitching. "Well, there was a recipe for boneless chicken...maybe that's where the bones for the staff came from," Xelloss suggested amiably. "I mean, the chicken's bones can't just have disappeared. They must have gone somewhere..." He was cut off by a loud roar.

"Zelas!" Gaav's voice boomed throughout the room, causing several books to rattle out of the shelves and fall on Phibrizzo's head. "Get him out of my sight!" The thought that the insolent twerp could treat a matter as important as the resurrection of their Dark Master so lightly made Gaav fit to set the whole palace on fire.

Even Zelas was annoyed and embarassed. "Xelloss, leave us..." she commanded in a trembling voice. "And don't return for some time. I will think of a fitting punishment for you when we've returned home."

"As you wish, Master." Xelloss bowed to each of the Lords and vanished from sight.

***

Somewhere in the depths of the Demon Ocean, in the finest suite the palace of Kai-ou Deep Sea Dolphin had to offer, Kanbyoo, former servant of Juu-ou Zelas Metallium and current spy for the aquatic mistress of the palace reclined on a bed filled with heated water. The Queen of the Sea had made him into a spy, sending him to mix with the human rabble on the surface where he picked up information on the movements of the other Dark Lords as well as the Ryozoku and any worthwhile human sorcerers living at the time. For his efforts, Dolphin had rewarded him handsomely, although she seemed to take little personal interest in him.

Well, it was better than being a slave to Zelas, so he wasn't complaining. He was just pouring himself a glass of chardonnay when the door to his chambers swung gently open. "Kai-ou-sama?" he called, but there was no answer. Suddenly a gust of wind seemed to sweep in from the doorway, although that was impossible as the palace was underwater, extinguishing all the candles in the room. Peering into the gloom, Kanbyoo made out a dark shape leaning against the doorframe. "Who's there?" he demanded.

"Oh, no one," the figure responded. It had a man's voice, soft and high. The figure swept into the room and the door blew shut behind him. The resulting 'bang' made Kanbyoo start, but he managed to retain his composure. The strange man seated himself on the edge of the bed and laid the staff he had been carrying across his lap.

"I demanded that you explain your presence," Kanbyoo insisted. "You can't simply waltz in here..."

"Oh, can't I?" the man chuckled. "Who's going to stop me? You?"

"Kai-ou-sama..."

"Kai-ou-sama," the man repeated with a sneer, "isn't here at the moment. In fact, I've ensured that she will be busy for quite some time. I afraid it's just you and me."

"Who are you?" Kanbyoo's confidence was fading fast and his alarm was beginning to show in his voice. The strange man breathed in deeply, as though trying to catch a certain scent on the air.

"Your fear is delicious," he commented. "But such delicate appetizers only make my mouth water for the main course."

The man was a mazoku then, from his speech. Kanbyoo, scooted nervously away from him. He reached for any sort of weapon, but only a candlestick came to his desperate grasp and Kanbyoo was well aware that such an object would have no effect on a mazoku. The man turned and climbed onto the bed, following Kanbyoo slowly as he made his retreat.

"Don't worry so much. I heard you used to be the servant of Juu-ou Zelas Metallium. Isn't this so?" He didn't wait for confirmation. "I also heard that you were an excellent lover. I only want to see if the rumors are true."

"Hey, I don't go for that," Kanbyoo held out the candlestick in front of him as though it were a holy relic with the power to repel the being of darkness advancing on him.

"Oh, you mean that my current form is unacceptable. If I grew a pair of breasts, would that make it better?" the mazoku laughed. "You humans are all so alike. Come here, mortal." Suddenly the mazoku lunged forward and grabbed Kanbyoo's head, but all he did was draw Kanbyoo's face near to his own and bring their mouths together in a kiss. Kanbyoo's muscles relaxed with relief. This wasn't so bad, really. The mazoku was a good kisser.

Suddenly Kanbyoo felt a jolt of pain shoot through his side. For a moment he felt blinded as the pain made its way up to his arm, paralyzing him. The mazoku broke the contact of their mouths and laughed again. Only this time it was a cold, vicious laugh. "Oh, look," He snickered. "Somebody's run you through with a staff. How unfortunate."

Kanbyoo looked down to see that the base of the man's staff had been rammed into his midsection. He could feel the warmth of his own blood on his legs. He was almost too shocked to be afraid. The mazoku lifted his free arm and brought his fingers to Kanbyoo's face. Lightly, he drew them across his dark skin, along the smooth contours of his cheeks and chin. And then, without warning, the man's fingers sprouted long, razor-sharp claws, like those of a wolf. The edges cut into Kanbyoo's skin, tracing fine bloody lines down his face and neck.

"Who are you?" Kanbyoo stammered. He was beginning to feel very weak and light-headed.

The mazoku leaned close to Kanbyoo and whispered conspiratorially in his ear, "Now that, my friend, is a secret."

"That phrase!" Kanbyoo recognized it. Zelas had used to say it when she didn't feel like answering questions. "You... You're..."

"That's right. The champion of Juu-ou-sama. And now that you know my identity, it's time to finish this little game. Can't have you tattling after all. Don't worry." Even in the darkness Kanbyoo could make out the maniacal grin set beneath slit, purple eyes. "I'll put in a good word for you with Hellmaster Phibrizzo!"

Kanbyoo did not feel how Xelloss cut through his flesh with his clawed hands. He didn't feel it when the servant of Beastmaster ripped out his heart. He didn't even have time to wonder why Dolphin's spell of protection had worn off, or why Zelas' promise of eternal life was denied. He was dead long before that.

***

Deep Sea Dolphin was still rummaging through useless scrolls and papers when the messenger came from the palace. Hesitantly he leaned close to her and whispered something in her ear before making his exit. Eyes flashing, Dolphin stood, letting the scroll on her lap fall to the floor. She looked directly at Zelas as she announced, "Kanbyoo has been brutally murdered."

"Well, don't look at me," Zelas exclaimed, annoyed. "I've been here the whole time. And I have plenty of witnesses." She gestured to the room full of mazoku.

"Who's been murdered?" Gaav knit his eyebrows together and gave Dolphin an odd look.

"It's none of your business," Dolphin answered haughitly. "Where is your priest, Zelas?"

Zelas snorted and sent an inquiry through the Astral Plane. "In the servants' quarters," she replied.

Pushing past Zelas roughly, Dolphin stalked from the room with Zelas on her tail. Phibrizzo and his brothers exchanged curious glances and followed suit.

Upon entering the sevants' quarters, the whole group spotted Xelloss sitting peacefully where he had been earlier, back to the doorway, humming softly. Sensing their presences, he turned around cheerfully and held up something. "Look, Master! I've made you a daisy chain!"