Once Upon a Time
By Hotaru Kimiko Lai
Prologue
The night was clear. Tintillating white stars floated lazily in a dark azure sky, made of satin. It was also a beautiful night. Even more precious, was the moon. Perfect and round... if you looked at it carefully, you saw little craters... or perhaps, it was the man on the moon. What if he wasn't a man? Maybe the elf on the moon. Yeah, that was more like it. The elf on the moon...
In a town named Zephyria, on such a night as this, when the elf on the moon decided to show his face on the surface of the moon if anybody cared to look, there was a house. A very nice house. Avery fine house, made of wood. It had a garden too, and quite cute it was also! Notice that the house has windows... and they are shining even though it's dark outside. And notice the star shining on top of the house? Which? Why the largest one, of course. Yes, that one... the star of hope and redemption, the star of secrets past, present and future... someone very special lives here. Who? Well, let's see....
"Quick! Get the boiling water to the bedroom!"
"Coming!"
"Goodness, he's almost here!"
"Is the doctor here yet?"
"He's in the bedroom! Now, go and boil the good doctor's tools."
"How's she doing?"
"Fine. Perfectly, for her first one."
"And the master of the house?"
"He's in the room also."
"Hurry up!"
"Here are the tools you wanted."
"Hot blankets! What do I do with them!"
"Give them to the mistress of the house!"
"Hurry up!"
Ah... yes, pandemonium ensued in every corner of the house. Servants wearing reds and oranges and white scurried to and fro, fro and to, like marbles rolling across a smooth wooden floor. Feet click sharply on the floor. The lights are on. And finally, a shout is heard... and the servants relax. It has passed. The baby was born.
In yet another part of the town, we see a different scene. This time, there is a small cottage. Not quite as lovely as the other one. No, there was no house as lovely as the other one. But this one... there is something special about it also. How do I know? Why look up at the stars! See that one, the bright fiery red one? That is the star of fire, of passion and danger. And the pale violet beside that one? The star of pain. What, you ask of that third star, so tiny and so small? Well, that is a very special star... the star of promises. Yes, someone very special lives here too. Let's see who?
"Is it done?"
"Yes, you were very fortunate, Mrs. Quertwen."
"Tell me, how is she doing?"
"She's a fine healthy girl. Here she is!"
"So small..."
"Yes, but will grow up and be just as beautiful as her mother."
"Thank you. I don't know what I would have done with out you here."
"Don't worry about it. Now rest."
"I want to call her."
"What will you name her?"
"Merlina... after her daddy's wishes."
"A nice name. Your husband, may he rest in peace, would have been glad."
"Yes."
"Now, rest my dear. I will be back to help you in the morning."
"Thank you Sherri."
"You're welcome. After all, that's what we midwifes are for! Sleep tight, Merlina Quertwen. Sleep tight, Jera Quertwen."
And this is the story of two people, who lived life to the fullest. Of two people who would not allow Fate to dance as she wished. Two people who loved life and each other. But Shhhh.... the don't know that yet. Yes, this is the tale of romance, and separation too great to bear. The tale of adventures and of comedy. And prejudices and their power. But remember, the power of love overcomes all! This is the tale of Xellos and Merlina.
Six Years Later....
Chapter 1
Dear [insert name here], You stink...
Jera Quertwen looked at her little daughter. She had heard some children were born fighters... that was OK with her. Just that, well, most of them had been boys. Never in her wildest imaginations would she have expected her daughter to be one of them. Merlina looked up at her mother with her bronze eyes. Her ruby red hair was put into two braids. Her dress looked spotless. Yellow with red fireball design. Merlina had insisted.
"Now, Merlina... promise me." said Jera.
"Promise what?" asked Merlina. Today was her first day in first grade and she was very excited.
"You won't punch kids in school."
"What if they tease me?" asked Merlina. Jera sighed. Merlina had inherited the fighting spirit of her father.
"OK, give them ten chances. Then you can hit them. But don't break any bones." said Jera.
"Fine, I promise." said Merlina.
"Next, you won't use your magic on people in a harmful way." said Jera.
"But what if they tease me?" asked Merlina once more.
"Same thing as before. Ten chances and no broken bones."
"OK!" said Merlina chirpily.
"That's it. Now behave, OK?" asked Jera as she kissed her forehead.
"No problem!" said Merlina. "Where's my lunch???" Jera handed her a basket. It had a closed lid so that she wouldn't accidentally spill her food. "Yeah!"
"OK, Sherri is taking you to school. Have a fun day, and remember, be nice, and wait for Sherri to take you home!"
"No problem, mommy!" said Merlina. She grabbed Sherri's hand and dragged her along. "Let's go, Sherri! We're going to school!" The forty year old nurse maid laughed and ran with Merlina. Jera stood up and sighed. She ran her fingers through her bright red hair. Merlina was such a kid. Hopefully, she'd find some friends. It'd be hard though. Known as the witch doctor of the town just because she specialized in black was not the nicest thing to be called. She went up to her room to get ready for the day of chores ahead of her.
Elsewhere...
"Xellos!" cried a lady. No answer. "Xellos!!! You come down right now!"
"I'm coming!" shouted a sullen voice. The owner of said voice soon walked down the stairs. He was wearing black pants and black shirt and black shoes and socks.
"What happened this time?" asked the lady.
"Nothing, mom," he said, his purple eyes staring innocently at his mom. She ruffled his purple hair.
"Goodness, why do you want to wear all black for your first day of school?" she asked.
"Cause I don't want to go to school!" he said. "I want to stay home and learn magic."
"Later, Xellos." said the mother, Mrs. Kyuzan. "Xellos look at me." She got to his level and looked into his eyes.
"What?" he asked.
"Promise me you'll behave." she said. "We can't have the richest kid in town acting like a snob, OK?"
"OK." he said.
"That means that you'll be nice to your classmates." she said.
"As long as they leave me alone."
"And that means not treating any of them like a slave, 'k?" asked Soraya
"But..."
"But nothing... treat them nicely..."
"OK, I'll try," he said sullenly.
"Thank you dear." she said. She kissed him on the forehead. He quickly wiped it off.
"Mom!" he said. "I'm six already! You don't have to kiss me no more..." Soraya smiled.
"Danet!!!" she shouted. Xellos winced. His mom had a very loud voice. A man walked out of the shadows.
"You called, mistress?" he asked.
"Take Xellos to school." she said.
"Yeah, come along." said Xellos as he walked off, not turning back to see if Danet was following or not.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Danet, on letting Xellos go to the public school.
"He has to learn to not be so proud or selfish. I was hoping this would help him. Hopefully, it will. Now, run after Xellos before he gets lost."
"Yes mistress." he said, and ran after Xellos.
Merlina skipped happily, her arm swinging around her basket that happened to contain her lunch. It was such a pretty day! And she had a big lunch! And she would meet new people! And she had a big lunch! Yeah, all that stuff and more! Sherri smiled as she pushed her brown hair behind her ear. Merlina was such a cute little girl, always with a cheery smile on her face. But when she got mad... She had an inane ability to all of a sudden get very quiet, and her eyes would narrow dangerously. Such an old look for one so young! It was that same look that had started the rumors that now surrounded Merlina and her mother. Hopefully, her classmates wouldn't let that get in the way of becoming friends with her. Hopefully...
Looking to the side, she spotted a man walking behind a little boy with purple hair. The man was taller than she was but from his clothes, she recognized him as the valet to the Kyuzan family, one of the top five richest families in Zephyria. Danet steered his little charge in the direction of Sherri. Sherri was a very respected midwife, and was also the nephew of his older brother, so they were related in a way.
"Morning, Sherri!" he said politely as he walked beside her. Xellos walked ahead of them and Merlina, looking proud and important. "Morning, Ms. Merlina."
"Good morning!!!" said Merlina with a huge smile, her ruby eyes glowing. Danet stared at her eyes before he looked questioningly at Sherri. She shook her head. Merlina, meanwhile, hadn't noticed and had skipped ahead to talk with the new kid. She'd show Sherri that she could be very nice to people.
"Hello! My name is Merlina! What's yours?" she asked in a cheerful tone. Xellos kept on walking and didn't even spare her a glance. "Hey! I said Hi!"
"I do not talk with peasants." said Xellos, sticking his nose in the air.
"If you do that or bother me nine more times you're going to get hurt," she warned him, saying it loud and clear, so that in case she had to beat the boy up, Sherri would know she had followed her mom's instructions.
"As if," he snorted. "You are just a lowly servant girl. How can you harm me?" Merlina's eyes flared. "Besides, you're so scrawny. Doesn't your mom give you enough to eat?"
"Don't talk mean about my mom!" said Merlina, indignantly. Sherri whispered something to Danet. Danet nodded.
"Master Xellos." he said. "It would be to your advantage to not criticize Ms. Merlina." Xellos ignored him.
"I'm just trying to be friends!" said Merlina to Sherri. "It's not my fault the idiot can't be civil!"
"Why would I need to be civil to you?" asked Xellos. Merlina glared at him and then looked at Sherri.
"I don't care how many times he's insulted me and mommy. I'm gonna Fireball him! FIREBALL!" she shouted. A flare of burning fire appeared in her hand and it flew directly at Xellos. Xellos just humphed, and moved his hands.
"Shield." he said calmly, and impudently at Merlina. Merlina stared.
"How did you do that?" she asked.
"I know White Magic, idiot. You're stupid attacks can't touch me." Merlina saw red. She ran towards him, her hand forming another fireball.
"Fireball!" she shouted again. Xellos cast the shield calmly, but he didn't see her jump kick at him. It hit him in the face and he fell. "Take that, you idiot!" she said. She banged her lunch basket on his head for a good measure and then left. "Come on Sherri." she said. Sherri smiled apologetically at Danet, who sighed and went to pick Xellos up.
"I hope I never have to see that tomboy again..." he muttered.
Once at school, he saw to his horror that the fiery red-headed girl was there... He went quietly to his desk and sat down. Hopefully, he wouldn't have any classes with her. Too bad for him... all his classes were with her...
Merlina was feeling OK... Sherri hadn't lectured her, and she had found lots of friends! School was so fun! Of course, she could do with out that Xellos kid. Hmph... he couldn't even defend himself against a simple jump kick. What a weakling. But he knew white magic, something her mom had said she'd never be able to learn for some reason... or at least, have lots of difficulty learning.
The next day, she ran to school, so excited was she to see her new friends again.
"Hello Laira!" she said to a certain blond haired girl. The girl looked at her with scared eyes, and answered her meekly.
"Oh... hello, Merlina." she said softly. The others around them stood hushed and waited to see what would happen. Xellos stood off to the side. He had run to school, to be there before her and have time for himself, but she came in three seconds later.
"Um... what's wrong?" asked Merlina, noting the hesitation in her friend. "Is something wrong, Laira?"
"Not really." she said, and with that, she walked away. Merlina stood there, not quite understanding what had just happened. Xellos frowned. He hadn't quite understood what had happened either.
"Hey, Rosa!" said Merlina as she ran to a black haired girl she had befriended. "What's the matter with Laira? She looks sad." Rosa looked at her with unreadable eyes. She sighed.
"You're the problem, Merlina." she said calmly.
"Did I do anything wrong? How can I fix it?" she asked, concerned. Rosa hesitated. This was harder than she had expected.
"Mom said not to talk to you because you're the witch's daughter." she said slowly. Most of the girls nodded their heads. "So that's that." She left, and with her, left a bunch of other girls. Xellos was astonished... no wonder she was so strong... that would explain her weirdness. Well, he was going to stay away from her also, even though,... he really wanted to learn how to that flying kick she did the other time. But anyway, anyone who was related to a witch was to be looked down upon. Now, that, he could do. Merlina's eyes were widened in surprise as she registered the words in her mind.
no...her mommy wasn't a witch... she was nice... they were lying!... but now her friends had left...
Two silver tears dropped from her eyes. Her little fists clenched in despair and anger. It wasn't fair... why did they hate her? How could they speak so meanly of her mommy? She felt anger take control of her. She quickly ran outside to a nearby park. There, with a cry of anguish, she let go of all the anger she felt in her, in the form of a huge blast of black magic. The immediate area around her went up in flames only to be doused seconds later with a water based spell. She looked up and saw her mother flying through the air.
"Mommy..." she whispered silently. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to loose control..." She sniffled.
"Hush, dear..." whispered Jera as she landed in front of Merlina and hugged her. Merlina cried and hugged her back. Jera's presence, and Merlina's explosion, caused many to circle them. Jera looked up, her black eyes flashing.
"What happened here?" she asked guardedly. No one would look her in the eye. Merlina sniffed. Slowly, ever so slowly, the crowd left, until the only one there was Xellos, Merlina and Jera.
"What happened?" asked Jera to the kid.
"She got mad and blew up the park." he said solemnly.
"I know that." sighed Jera. "Could you tell me why she got mad?" Xellos stopped for a moment.
"Her friends left her today, and said that they didn't like her because she was a witches daughter." he looked at her, daring her to say anything different.
"It's true I practice only Black Magic, since I am unable to learn White Magic," she said. "But trust me, I am no witch. Witches are those who poison people's minds caused by the fear of something they don't know or care to understand." She picked up Merlina and teleported them back to their home. Xellos stood there, not quite sure how to take it. His mother was right. Witches were tricky. They would twist your mind and you'd be swayed to their side, if you weren't careful. But something about that woman's eyes. He turned and went back to school.
The next day, Merlina was back in school. Her eyes were guarded, and she seemed like a different child. Her red eyes didn't look at anyone, not even the teacher. A dramatic change had come over her. Gone was the cheery little girl wearing bright dresses. Her hair was still in it's little braids, but she wore a simple, black dress. Over that, she wore a black cloak. She looked so like Xellos that his friends started to tease him about it. She didn't talk to anybody, but to the teacher. And only in a clipped voice and if she was reciting the lesson.
The years passed, and the children grew. Some left town, but most of them stayed. Merlina and her mom stayed, they had a nice little business, though not many acknowledged to go to the witch for services. As the years passed, Merlina and Xellos grew. Merlina had begun to learn more black magic, though she never tried white. Her mother had had a deep talk with her that one day she had blown up the park. Being a half-mazoku wasn't the easiest thing to understand, but she had her father's intelligence. She quickly leapt to the top of the class, becoming the most advanced, tied in place with Xellos.
One day, during fifth grade, Merlina came in. Her eye was bruised and she was limping. But she looked happy. She and Jera had just had a training session, and well, casualties are to be expected. What surprised the kids was that she handed out notes to almost all the kids there, to be given to their parents. They looked surprised at her, loosing their ability to speak when they noticed a sly smile on her face. Many wondered, but they dutifully took their notes to their parents. Their parents had looked worried. They were ordered to treat Ms. Merlina with respect. Treat the witch's daughter with respect? Whatever for? But the parents didn't explain. So she grew up, un-bothered, given time to learn her black magic and her martial arts.
Xellos, on the other hand, grew to be one of the town's greatest white mages. He knew many white magic healing spells, shields and a wide variety of shamanist magic. He was one of the brightest students in the school. Many came to him when they didn't understand their lessons. He was above everything. He hadn't lost his cool, he hadn't lost his cold attitude toward people. He was a loner by nature, not by circumstance like Merlina was. He was in control. Which was why he was surprised when Merlina came to him, handing him a note.
"What's this?" he asked, not even looking at her or at the note she had left beside his books.
"A note, from my mother to yours." she said softly. He looked up suspiciously. He watched amazed as her smile grew. "Just give it to her. Your mom knows." She turned and left, her black cloak trailing behind her. Xellos looked at the note for his mother. He stuffed into his black pants. He had always liked black, and recently had started to like purple and gold also. His cloak was black also, but it had gold trim. His shirt was purple. He was the only white mage in the town to wear black.
That afternoon, he went to his mother, wanting to confront her with the note. He handed it to her. Her eyes widened in surprise as she snatched the note.
"Where did you get this from?" she asked faintly. She stared at the familiar handwriting.
"Merlina gave it to me." he said coolly. "May I ask why the witch is sending you a note?"
"Did you read it?" she asked suspiciously.
"No," he lied easily. The news on the note had shocked him. He wanted to know from his mother that it wasn't true. Of course, it looked like the note was true...
"I sent her a chicken pie the other day, since it was her birthday. You know, be nice, even to the magical minority." she said. Had it not been for the fact that Xellos had read the note, he would have believed her. Zephilia was a basically white magic city. A small bit of black, totally supplied by Merlina and Jera. Xellos looked at her and nodded.
"Good night." he said. "Do you want to send them a note back?" There might be a chance that he had misread the silly note. Of course, the words, 'Your appointment is set for tomorrow at lunch." where hard to misinterpret. Could his mother really be seeing the witch?
The years passed again. Merlina and Xellos were both sixteen. They were born on the same day, and the school had always had a dilemma in celebrating birthdays. They usually celebrated the student's birthday. But if they set a party for the two, only Xellos would get the gifts, and Merlina would be ignored. They didn't want to seem biased or anything, so they celebrated birthdays in a different way. The birthday girl/boy got an A in that day's homework, although neither Merlina, or Lina as she was sometimes called, nor Xellos needed it. And the years passed.
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Hello! You like it? I hope so! I see so many stories of Lina's past, but not many of Xellos's. Just in case, I'm a Xellos and Lina 2gether 4ever fan. Merlina, is the past version of Lina, if you didn't get that. ^^
Anyway, hope you enjoyed. Comments and Criticism welcome, as usual. Ideas also. Please drop a review. My plan is to explain Xellos's past and why he seems to have an attraction to Lina. I blame it on past life, although... Xellos didn't die. This is the story of how he became a Mazoku. I've heard rumors that Xellos used to be a white mage, or were they just tales invented to increase the irony in him. Whatever... I like it... hope you do too!
Hotaru Kimiko Lai
By Hotaru Kimiko Lai
Prologue
The night was clear. Tintillating white stars floated lazily in a dark azure sky, made of satin. It was also a beautiful night. Even more precious, was the moon. Perfect and round... if you looked at it carefully, you saw little craters... or perhaps, it was the man on the moon. What if he wasn't a man? Maybe the elf on the moon. Yeah, that was more like it. The elf on the moon...
In a town named Zephyria, on such a night as this, when the elf on the moon decided to show his face on the surface of the moon if anybody cared to look, there was a house. A very nice house. Avery fine house, made of wood. It had a garden too, and quite cute it was also! Notice that the house has windows... and they are shining even though it's dark outside. And notice the star shining on top of the house? Which? Why the largest one, of course. Yes, that one... the star of hope and redemption, the star of secrets past, present and future... someone very special lives here. Who? Well, let's see....
"Quick! Get the boiling water to the bedroom!"
"Coming!"
"Goodness, he's almost here!"
"Is the doctor here yet?"
"He's in the bedroom! Now, go and boil the good doctor's tools."
"How's she doing?"
"Fine. Perfectly, for her first one."
"And the master of the house?"
"He's in the room also."
"Hurry up!"
"Here are the tools you wanted."
"Hot blankets! What do I do with them!"
"Give them to the mistress of the house!"
"Hurry up!"
Ah... yes, pandemonium ensued in every corner of the house. Servants wearing reds and oranges and white scurried to and fro, fro and to, like marbles rolling across a smooth wooden floor. Feet click sharply on the floor. The lights are on. And finally, a shout is heard... and the servants relax. It has passed. The baby was born.
In yet another part of the town, we see a different scene. This time, there is a small cottage. Not quite as lovely as the other one. No, there was no house as lovely as the other one. But this one... there is something special about it also. How do I know? Why look up at the stars! See that one, the bright fiery red one? That is the star of fire, of passion and danger. And the pale violet beside that one? The star of pain. What, you ask of that third star, so tiny and so small? Well, that is a very special star... the star of promises. Yes, someone very special lives here too. Let's see who?
"Is it done?"
"Yes, you were very fortunate, Mrs. Quertwen."
"Tell me, how is she doing?"
"She's a fine healthy girl. Here she is!"
"So small..."
"Yes, but will grow up and be just as beautiful as her mother."
"Thank you. I don't know what I would have done with out you here."
"Don't worry about it. Now rest."
"I want to call her."
"What will you name her?"
"Merlina... after her daddy's wishes."
"A nice name. Your husband, may he rest in peace, would have been glad."
"Yes."
"Now, rest my dear. I will be back to help you in the morning."
"Thank you Sherri."
"You're welcome. After all, that's what we midwifes are for! Sleep tight, Merlina Quertwen. Sleep tight, Jera Quertwen."
And this is the story of two people, who lived life to the fullest. Of two people who would not allow Fate to dance as she wished. Two people who loved life and each other. But Shhhh.... the don't know that yet. Yes, this is the tale of romance, and separation too great to bear. The tale of adventures and of comedy. And prejudices and their power. But remember, the power of love overcomes all! This is the tale of Xellos and Merlina.
Six Years Later....
Chapter 1
Dear [insert name here], You stink...
Jera Quertwen looked at her little daughter. She had heard some children were born fighters... that was OK with her. Just that, well, most of them had been boys. Never in her wildest imaginations would she have expected her daughter to be one of them. Merlina looked up at her mother with her bronze eyes. Her ruby red hair was put into two braids. Her dress looked spotless. Yellow with red fireball design. Merlina had insisted.
"Now, Merlina... promise me." said Jera.
"Promise what?" asked Merlina. Today was her first day in first grade and she was very excited.
"You won't punch kids in school."
"What if they tease me?" asked Merlina. Jera sighed. Merlina had inherited the fighting spirit of her father.
"OK, give them ten chances. Then you can hit them. But don't break any bones." said Jera.
"Fine, I promise." said Merlina.
"Next, you won't use your magic on people in a harmful way." said Jera.
"But what if they tease me?" asked Merlina once more.
"Same thing as before. Ten chances and no broken bones."
"OK!" said Merlina chirpily.
"That's it. Now behave, OK?" asked Jera as she kissed her forehead.
"No problem!" said Merlina. "Where's my lunch???" Jera handed her a basket. It had a closed lid so that she wouldn't accidentally spill her food. "Yeah!"
"OK, Sherri is taking you to school. Have a fun day, and remember, be nice, and wait for Sherri to take you home!"
"No problem, mommy!" said Merlina. She grabbed Sherri's hand and dragged her along. "Let's go, Sherri! We're going to school!" The forty year old nurse maid laughed and ran with Merlina. Jera stood up and sighed. She ran her fingers through her bright red hair. Merlina was such a kid. Hopefully, she'd find some friends. It'd be hard though. Known as the witch doctor of the town just because she specialized in black was not the nicest thing to be called. She went up to her room to get ready for the day of chores ahead of her.
Elsewhere...
"Xellos!" cried a lady. No answer. "Xellos!!! You come down right now!"
"I'm coming!" shouted a sullen voice. The owner of said voice soon walked down the stairs. He was wearing black pants and black shirt and black shoes and socks.
"What happened this time?" asked the lady.
"Nothing, mom," he said, his purple eyes staring innocently at his mom. She ruffled his purple hair.
"Goodness, why do you want to wear all black for your first day of school?" she asked.
"Cause I don't want to go to school!" he said. "I want to stay home and learn magic."
"Later, Xellos." said the mother, Mrs. Kyuzan. "Xellos look at me." She got to his level and looked into his eyes.
"What?" he asked.
"Promise me you'll behave." she said. "We can't have the richest kid in town acting like a snob, OK?"
"OK." he said.
"That means that you'll be nice to your classmates." she said.
"As long as they leave me alone."
"And that means not treating any of them like a slave, 'k?" asked Soraya
"But..."
"But nothing... treat them nicely..."
"OK, I'll try," he said sullenly.
"Thank you dear." she said. She kissed him on the forehead. He quickly wiped it off.
"Mom!" he said. "I'm six already! You don't have to kiss me no more..." Soraya smiled.
"Danet!!!" she shouted. Xellos winced. His mom had a very loud voice. A man walked out of the shadows.
"You called, mistress?" he asked.
"Take Xellos to school." she said.
"Yeah, come along." said Xellos as he walked off, not turning back to see if Danet was following or not.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Danet, on letting Xellos go to the public school.
"He has to learn to not be so proud or selfish. I was hoping this would help him. Hopefully, it will. Now, run after Xellos before he gets lost."
"Yes mistress." he said, and ran after Xellos.
Merlina skipped happily, her arm swinging around her basket that happened to contain her lunch. It was such a pretty day! And she had a big lunch! And she would meet new people! And she had a big lunch! Yeah, all that stuff and more! Sherri smiled as she pushed her brown hair behind her ear. Merlina was such a cute little girl, always with a cheery smile on her face. But when she got mad... She had an inane ability to all of a sudden get very quiet, and her eyes would narrow dangerously. Such an old look for one so young! It was that same look that had started the rumors that now surrounded Merlina and her mother. Hopefully, her classmates wouldn't let that get in the way of becoming friends with her. Hopefully...
Looking to the side, she spotted a man walking behind a little boy with purple hair. The man was taller than she was but from his clothes, she recognized him as the valet to the Kyuzan family, one of the top five richest families in Zephyria. Danet steered his little charge in the direction of Sherri. Sherri was a very respected midwife, and was also the nephew of his older brother, so they were related in a way.
"Morning, Sherri!" he said politely as he walked beside her. Xellos walked ahead of them and Merlina, looking proud and important. "Morning, Ms. Merlina."
"Good morning!!!" said Merlina with a huge smile, her ruby eyes glowing. Danet stared at her eyes before he looked questioningly at Sherri. She shook her head. Merlina, meanwhile, hadn't noticed and had skipped ahead to talk with the new kid. She'd show Sherri that she could be very nice to people.
"Hello! My name is Merlina! What's yours?" she asked in a cheerful tone. Xellos kept on walking and didn't even spare her a glance. "Hey! I said Hi!"
"I do not talk with peasants." said Xellos, sticking his nose in the air.
"If you do that or bother me nine more times you're going to get hurt," she warned him, saying it loud and clear, so that in case she had to beat the boy up, Sherri would know she had followed her mom's instructions.
"As if," he snorted. "You are just a lowly servant girl. How can you harm me?" Merlina's eyes flared. "Besides, you're so scrawny. Doesn't your mom give you enough to eat?"
"Don't talk mean about my mom!" said Merlina, indignantly. Sherri whispered something to Danet. Danet nodded.
"Master Xellos." he said. "It would be to your advantage to not criticize Ms. Merlina." Xellos ignored him.
"I'm just trying to be friends!" said Merlina to Sherri. "It's not my fault the idiot can't be civil!"
"Why would I need to be civil to you?" asked Xellos. Merlina glared at him and then looked at Sherri.
"I don't care how many times he's insulted me and mommy. I'm gonna Fireball him! FIREBALL!" she shouted. A flare of burning fire appeared in her hand and it flew directly at Xellos. Xellos just humphed, and moved his hands.
"Shield." he said calmly, and impudently at Merlina. Merlina stared.
"How did you do that?" she asked.
"I know White Magic, idiot. You're stupid attacks can't touch me." Merlina saw red. She ran towards him, her hand forming another fireball.
"Fireball!" she shouted again. Xellos cast the shield calmly, but he didn't see her jump kick at him. It hit him in the face and he fell. "Take that, you idiot!" she said. She banged her lunch basket on his head for a good measure and then left. "Come on Sherri." she said. Sherri smiled apologetically at Danet, who sighed and went to pick Xellos up.
"I hope I never have to see that tomboy again..." he muttered.
Once at school, he saw to his horror that the fiery red-headed girl was there... He went quietly to his desk and sat down. Hopefully, he wouldn't have any classes with her. Too bad for him... all his classes were with her...
Merlina was feeling OK... Sherri hadn't lectured her, and she had found lots of friends! School was so fun! Of course, she could do with out that Xellos kid. Hmph... he couldn't even defend himself against a simple jump kick. What a weakling. But he knew white magic, something her mom had said she'd never be able to learn for some reason... or at least, have lots of difficulty learning.
The next day, she ran to school, so excited was she to see her new friends again.
"Hello Laira!" she said to a certain blond haired girl. The girl looked at her with scared eyes, and answered her meekly.
"Oh... hello, Merlina." she said softly. The others around them stood hushed and waited to see what would happen. Xellos stood off to the side. He had run to school, to be there before her and have time for himself, but she came in three seconds later.
"Um... what's wrong?" asked Merlina, noting the hesitation in her friend. "Is something wrong, Laira?"
"Not really." she said, and with that, she walked away. Merlina stood there, not quite understanding what had just happened. Xellos frowned. He hadn't quite understood what had happened either.
"Hey, Rosa!" said Merlina as she ran to a black haired girl she had befriended. "What's the matter with Laira? She looks sad." Rosa looked at her with unreadable eyes. She sighed.
"You're the problem, Merlina." she said calmly.
"Did I do anything wrong? How can I fix it?" she asked, concerned. Rosa hesitated. This was harder than she had expected.
"Mom said not to talk to you because you're the witch's daughter." she said slowly. Most of the girls nodded their heads. "So that's that." She left, and with her, left a bunch of other girls. Xellos was astonished... no wonder she was so strong... that would explain her weirdness. Well, he was going to stay away from her also, even though,... he really wanted to learn how to that flying kick she did the other time. But anyway, anyone who was related to a witch was to be looked down upon. Now, that, he could do. Merlina's eyes were widened in surprise as she registered the words in her mind.
no...her mommy wasn't a witch... she was nice... they were lying!... but now her friends had left...
Two silver tears dropped from her eyes. Her little fists clenched in despair and anger. It wasn't fair... why did they hate her? How could they speak so meanly of her mommy? She felt anger take control of her. She quickly ran outside to a nearby park. There, with a cry of anguish, she let go of all the anger she felt in her, in the form of a huge blast of black magic. The immediate area around her went up in flames only to be doused seconds later with a water based spell. She looked up and saw her mother flying through the air.
"Mommy..." she whispered silently. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to loose control..." She sniffled.
"Hush, dear..." whispered Jera as she landed in front of Merlina and hugged her. Merlina cried and hugged her back. Jera's presence, and Merlina's explosion, caused many to circle them. Jera looked up, her black eyes flashing.
"What happened here?" she asked guardedly. No one would look her in the eye. Merlina sniffed. Slowly, ever so slowly, the crowd left, until the only one there was Xellos, Merlina and Jera.
"What happened?" asked Jera to the kid.
"She got mad and blew up the park." he said solemnly.
"I know that." sighed Jera. "Could you tell me why she got mad?" Xellos stopped for a moment.
"Her friends left her today, and said that they didn't like her because she was a witches daughter." he looked at her, daring her to say anything different.
"It's true I practice only Black Magic, since I am unable to learn White Magic," she said. "But trust me, I am no witch. Witches are those who poison people's minds caused by the fear of something they don't know or care to understand." She picked up Merlina and teleported them back to their home. Xellos stood there, not quite sure how to take it. His mother was right. Witches were tricky. They would twist your mind and you'd be swayed to their side, if you weren't careful. But something about that woman's eyes. He turned and went back to school.
The next day, Merlina was back in school. Her eyes were guarded, and she seemed like a different child. Her red eyes didn't look at anyone, not even the teacher. A dramatic change had come over her. Gone was the cheery little girl wearing bright dresses. Her hair was still in it's little braids, but she wore a simple, black dress. Over that, she wore a black cloak. She looked so like Xellos that his friends started to tease him about it. She didn't talk to anybody, but to the teacher. And only in a clipped voice and if she was reciting the lesson.
The years passed, and the children grew. Some left town, but most of them stayed. Merlina and her mom stayed, they had a nice little business, though not many acknowledged to go to the witch for services. As the years passed, Merlina and Xellos grew. Merlina had begun to learn more black magic, though she never tried white. Her mother had had a deep talk with her that one day she had blown up the park. Being a half-mazoku wasn't the easiest thing to understand, but she had her father's intelligence. She quickly leapt to the top of the class, becoming the most advanced, tied in place with Xellos.
One day, during fifth grade, Merlina came in. Her eye was bruised and she was limping. But she looked happy. She and Jera had just had a training session, and well, casualties are to be expected. What surprised the kids was that she handed out notes to almost all the kids there, to be given to their parents. They looked surprised at her, loosing their ability to speak when they noticed a sly smile on her face. Many wondered, but they dutifully took their notes to their parents. Their parents had looked worried. They were ordered to treat Ms. Merlina with respect. Treat the witch's daughter with respect? Whatever for? But the parents didn't explain. So she grew up, un-bothered, given time to learn her black magic and her martial arts.
Xellos, on the other hand, grew to be one of the town's greatest white mages. He knew many white magic healing spells, shields and a wide variety of shamanist magic. He was one of the brightest students in the school. Many came to him when they didn't understand their lessons. He was above everything. He hadn't lost his cool, he hadn't lost his cold attitude toward people. He was a loner by nature, not by circumstance like Merlina was. He was in control. Which was why he was surprised when Merlina came to him, handing him a note.
"What's this?" he asked, not even looking at her or at the note she had left beside his books.
"A note, from my mother to yours." she said softly. He looked up suspiciously. He watched amazed as her smile grew. "Just give it to her. Your mom knows." She turned and left, her black cloak trailing behind her. Xellos looked at the note for his mother. He stuffed into his black pants. He had always liked black, and recently had started to like purple and gold also. His cloak was black also, but it had gold trim. His shirt was purple. He was the only white mage in the town to wear black.
That afternoon, he went to his mother, wanting to confront her with the note. He handed it to her. Her eyes widened in surprise as she snatched the note.
"Where did you get this from?" she asked faintly. She stared at the familiar handwriting.
"Merlina gave it to me." he said coolly. "May I ask why the witch is sending you a note?"
"Did you read it?" she asked suspiciously.
"No," he lied easily. The news on the note had shocked him. He wanted to know from his mother that it wasn't true. Of course, it looked like the note was true...
"I sent her a chicken pie the other day, since it was her birthday. You know, be nice, even to the magical minority." she said. Had it not been for the fact that Xellos had read the note, he would have believed her. Zephilia was a basically white magic city. A small bit of black, totally supplied by Merlina and Jera. Xellos looked at her and nodded.
"Good night." he said. "Do you want to send them a note back?" There might be a chance that he had misread the silly note. Of course, the words, 'Your appointment is set for tomorrow at lunch." where hard to misinterpret. Could his mother really be seeing the witch?
The years passed again. Merlina and Xellos were both sixteen. They were born on the same day, and the school had always had a dilemma in celebrating birthdays. They usually celebrated the student's birthday. But if they set a party for the two, only Xellos would get the gifts, and Merlina would be ignored. They didn't want to seem biased or anything, so they celebrated birthdays in a different way. The birthday girl/boy got an A in that day's homework, although neither Merlina, or Lina as she was sometimes called, nor Xellos needed it. And the years passed.
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Hello! You like it? I hope so! I see so many stories of Lina's past, but not many of Xellos's. Just in case, I'm a Xellos and Lina 2gether 4ever fan. Merlina, is the past version of Lina, if you didn't get that. ^^
Anyway, hope you enjoyed. Comments and Criticism welcome, as usual. Ideas also. Please drop a review. My plan is to explain Xellos's past and why he seems to have an attraction to Lina. I blame it on past life, although... Xellos didn't die. This is the story of how he became a Mazoku. I've heard rumors that Xellos used to be a white mage, or were they just tales invented to increase the irony in him. Whatever... I like it... hope you do too!
Hotaru Kimiko Lai
