Part 2

Lina awoke early: her stiff limbs still coated with early morning dew as she struggled to a sitting position. At first, she was disorientated, but as she looked down at the city that lay below them, she remembered exactly what had happened.

They had arrived in this alternate world only to find that it was night here while in their world it had been morning. Arcai had suggested getting some sleep since they had traveled all night and everyone agreed. However, Lina would have preferred a nice inn to just sleeping outdoors, but no one, not even Arcai, knew what kind of currency this world used. Some guide he was, Lina thought bitterly. Yawning, she got to her feet and she studied that city that lay below her.

Last night, she had been amazed when she had gazed down upon the city. She had never seen any place so brightly lit before. Arcai had said that this world was far advanced technologically and Lina had begun to wonder just exactly what that meant. In some ways, the city wasn't as nearly as impressive in the light of day. It wasn't exactly small, but Amelia's home of Saiyruun was much bigger. Still, the construction of the buildings was unlike anything she had ever seen and what were those things that seem to be flying about. Could it be that those flying devices were used for transportation? She couldn't help but feel both uneasy and excited as she turned around to look at her friends.

Amelia and Gourry were still sleeping soundly, Gourry snoring lightly as usual. However, Arcai and Zelgadis were no where in sight. She wasn't particularly surprised to find that Zel was missing – he usually took off on his own for at least a little while but Arcai's disappearance was more disturbing. They knew nothing of this world and they still needed a guide.

Lina made her way over to Gourry so that she could wake him when she did spot Arcai hiding behind a large boulder just down the slope a bit. Zelgadis was standing several feet in front of Arcai's hiding spot, looking silently into the sky. Letting Gourry sleep, Lina started towards Zelgadis as she lifted her eyes upward until she saw was had transfixed her friend so.

A figure was floating in the sky, watching them and he was unlike any creature that Lina had ever seen. He was tall with dark green skin that contrasted greatly with the faultless blue of the sky. His dark eyes watched them closely but he had yet to move a muscle. The only thing that was moving was his white cape that floated casually in the morning breeze.

"Who are you?" Lina asked as she walked up beside of Zelgadis.

At first, the stranger didn't answer, but only continued to study them silently. Finally, he crossed his arms over his chest and spoke. "Why have you come here?" he demanded, his fangs sparkling in the sun.

"I asked first," Lina responded. Although her tone was light, the look on her face was dead serious.

"You could say I am a protector of this world," he responded, "and I know that you are not of this world, although I don't know how you came here."

Lina risked a glance over her shoulder. The gateway was still there, still burning brightly despite the day, but for some reason their new 'friend' couldn't see it.

"So, why did you come here?" he asked again.

"Our business here is personal," Zelgadis replied.

The stranger narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Zelgadis. Despite the gravity of the situation, Lina felt a certain respect for their visitor. He had a good voice – deep and authoritative and it was obvious he was far from stupid.

"Personal?" the stranger repeated, "Well, know this: if your intention is to harm this world in any way then you'll have to deal with me." Without another word, he turned and flew effortlessly away and within seconds was gone from their sight.

Amelia had awakened and had been watching the confrontation. "Who was that?" she asked.

"I'm not sure," Lina answered, "I wonder if all the inhabitants of this world look like him."

"Oh, they don't! They don't!" Arcai cried as he scrambled from his hiding place, "That's one thing I know for sure."

"At least you know one thing about this world," Lina retorted.

"Still," Amelia said, "Maybe you should have been nicer to him. It wouldn't be good to start making enemies right away here."

"If that guy was going to be our enemy," Zelgadis stated, "Then he already would be. He didn't strike me as the kind to hide his feelings."

"Me neither," Lina agreed.

(())(())(())(())(())(())(())(())(())

Dende was waiting for Piccolo impatiently until he finally arrived. "So," Dende began, "Who do you think they are?"

Piccolo walked over to the edge of the lookout and gazed down through the clouds. "I don't know," he answered.

"Should we tell the others?"

"Not yet," Piccolo said, "Let's just watch for now until we can find out what they are really up to."