--------------------------------------------------Chapter 12----------------------------------------------------
The Black Slayer
The Sickness
----------------------------Part 1---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Even Dragons Fall
Jessica
dilly_freak7_7@hotmail.com
-----------------------------------------


I woke up quite sometime later, sweating and unable to sleep any longer. My first controlled movement instantly brought Dilandau to my bedside, all concern. The sorcerers' medicine had lost its effect and simply turning my head brought on a searing wave of pain as fire burned in my veins again. I cried out involuntarily, going into convulsions. Dilandau held me down while screaming for help. The sorcerers must have been waiting outside the door for their cue because they appeared before Dilandau finished his summons. They took one look at me and huddled into a group, leaving one tall one out to pour an ice cold liquid down my throat. The medicine took effect almost instantly and my entire body went limp though my veins still felt like boiling spaghetti. The six sorcerers broke out of their conference and left the room. Dilandau was pulled very forcefully from the room, protesting violently. When he was gone, a new sorcerer entered and stuck a long needle in my neck. My eyes dilated for an instant before I slipped into unconsciousness once again.

When awareness returned to me, I was in a black nothingness in my mind. As I began to wonder what had happened to me, a thick, gray mist rushed up and hid this new world from me. I felt the presence of another mind, a powerful, yet uncontrolled force as wild as a grass fire. *If this world is in my mind then I can control it.* After a second's concentration the fog disappeared to reveal a figure in a long black cloak, the face hidden by a deep hood, walking towards me. I felt, somehow, that this person was smiling under the shadow of the hood. The figure stopped about ten feet from me. Gloved hands reached up and pulled back the hood. The figure was now Dilandau. He lifted a hand and some strange force pulled me to him. I wasn't in the mood. I battled his mind and stopped three feet from him. He smiled wider.
What's so amusing?' I asked.
You' he answered.
And when did I ever enjoy being joked about?' I retorted.
You don't like it?'
I am always taken seriously' I answered. He smiled again and took a step forward, reaching for my hand. Flames leapt up around me forming a circle that singed his hand. His smile faded.
What happened to me and why are you inside my head?'
He sighed before answering.
You were poisoned. The food had a lethal powder sprinkled on it that we call Dragon's Blood. It gives the victim a soaring fever, convulsions, and fire' in their blood. You were pretty lucky the dosage was small. Most victims die within the hour.'
And why are you in my mind?' I repeated.
Simply because you rejected everyone else'
Who is suspect of the poison?'
Every cook and Slayer' he answered.
As well as Allen' I added, though I don't know how' I added for him.
I hope you like it here' he said.
Why do you say that?' I asked
The sorcerers don't think you'll come out of the coma for another four weeks'
WHAT?!?!' I screamed. Flames roared up again and consumed every bit of nothingness in sight. Dilandau sighed heavily before he slapped me. Hard. I reeled back at the unexpected blow while I carefully fingered the rapidly growing bruise. I glared daggers at Dilandau who, of course, was smiling. I charged forward and tackled him with a flying leap that brought us both to the floor. I quickly sat up on his stomach, so I could pin his arms with my feet. He pushed himself up and I was forced to get up or I would roll over onto the floor. Using his momentum, he kept pushing me back until he was on top of me.
Now this is an interesting position' he smiled. He leaned forward and kissed my open mouth. I tried to push him up, but he had pinned me down. I started protesting, but he only held on tighter. He finally let my mouth free and I could breathe again. He smiled before he kissed me again. I eventually gave up because I knew I couldn't win. I couldn't move. I smiled at myself. With a quick thought, I was smiling at him from ten feet away. He ran forward, intending to have me, but he stopped mid stride, as if he was frozen. I smiled wider. He looked infuriated and fought harder; to no avail.
Leave' I growled.
He disappeared.

And thus went my life for the next four weeks; he would appear almost everyday, do something to piss me off, and get himself kicked out. When he wasn't around, I trained to better my abilities. If he appeared in the middle of one of these sessions, I would simply ignore him until I was done. Occasionally, more often than not, he would show up in a burst of flames, obviously fresh from some idiotic and boring military meeting. Sometimes, we would sit quietly and watch the stars I conjured from my memory. Everything depended on the mood we were in. I knew the only thing I was going to regret was my weakness when I woke up. My guess was I would be about as strong as I was just before I came to Gaea.

The day came out of the come started out calm but changed as quickly as a summer storm. I had just finished a couple of hours of training when Dilandau appeared in his normal' mood. He probably got to burn something or slap a Slayer for no good reason. Knowing this mood didn't last, I let him conjure the memory of Fanelia burning as we sat on a hill with our backs to a very large tree.
It's the last day' he said, not taking his eyes off the destruction.
I know' I replied, not looking away either. For some reason, I was uneasy. Something was sharpening my senses. I kept shifting on the spot and running my had over Iansha's hilt, as if I couldn't remember it was there. Finally. I couldn't take it any longer. I canceled Dilandau's memory, much to his dismay.
Hey! What was that for?!?' he protested.
I'm getting out of this right now!!' I said as I stood. I pushed him out of my mind and concentrated on getting back to the real world, on leaving this place of wishes. I closed my eyes, and I felt a pillar of light lift me up, bringing my conscious mind back to my body.

When I opened my eyes again, I was laying in my bed looking at a particularly large crack in the ceiling. The first thing I discovered different was a strange feeling of power. Like some creature had woken up inside me and was sitting quietly, crouched, ready to pounce. What it was, I do not know. What it was waiting for, I do not know. It was accompanied by the feeling of confidence, and assurance that questions will be answered. I noticed a wire of some sort was stuck in my neck and, of course, I pulled it out. I followed it with my eyes and found that it led out to the hall and down to the right. About four doors down, I could hear muffled cursing. I smiled as a very familiar voice, swearing of course, grew louder along with the angry footsteps approaching my door. Dilandau reached the door and, instead of turning a handle , punched a code in a small keypad that must have been installed while I was out. The metal doors slid open silently as Dilandau continued his argument with the unknown person down the hall. He promptly told the person to fuck off as he shut the door again and locked it. He leaned against the door and sighed before asking the ceiling,
Why me?' I tried to suppress my laughter, but had a hard time and it came out as a cough. As soon as the slight sound reached his ears, his head snapped down to find it's source. His eyes widened when he saw me in the darkness of the unlit room.
Hello' he said.
Hello' I replied.
Now I know why' he smiled.
What time is it?' I asked.
Mid-morning, Red, 2nd moon'
Exactly four weeks'
Yup'
Enough to leave me as weak as a hand maiden' I growled as I pushed myself up. I stretched to try to wake up long unused muscles from their dormant sleep. I had been dressed in a short, clingy, sleeveless black night gown that didn't cover too much.
I bet you just couldn't wait to see me huh? Assuming you had me dressed in this little piece. Emphasis on little' I jeered. He smiled.
I want leather pants for a 28'' inch waist, 40 leg, knee high boots, size seven, long-sleeved shirt, 28'' long arm, tight' I listed. Gloves too, everything black. Get some pest to get it' I finished. He smiled and stuck his head out the door and called for the closest Slayer. Randy was two doors down, so he told him what to get and sent him off.
That friend of yours has become one of the better Slayers' he commented. He put Guimel out of action for a week. He's learning his place' he said.
Any other trouble?' I asked as I searched for my sword.
Not much. Folken's away on a visit to Adelfus on another vione. Van hasn't tried anything though we still have Allen. He must be planning some big move with Austoria' he answered. I found my sword under Dilandau's mattress, wrapped in a black cloth. I could fell the blade's power even through the sheath and wrappings. I carefully pulled away the cover and was puzzled at what I saw. The leather of the scabbard was rotten, the gold dull. The gems in the hilt were dull and cracked. The Dragon's Sword looked like it was hundreds of years old.
It did that as soon as you were out' Dilandau told me. Burned anyone who touched it bare skinned' he informed me. I ran my hand over the hilt and instantly the whole thing began to glow red.

-Lil Pyro