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THE SLAVERS
Chapter Six -Finale
Killing can provide amusing, repulsive joy.
but parting is such a terrible, sweet sorrow
####################################
Speaking for the first time, Zelgadiss muttered, "We observed them in action. At least a couple hundred dragons, black ones I suppose. I'm no expert. One of them executed a spell which created a momentary rift, then collapsed."
"Well, if I can't satisfy my carnal cravings," Xelloss said with a smile, "then killing dragons will just have to do."
"Here's my plan then," Lina carried on, ignoring the deadly glares being passed back and forth from Filia to Xelloss.
Gourry nodded resolutely. He would follow Lina's instructions until the need arose for him to improvise. He knew better than to question her while she was doing all right. Amelia wouldn't either. That was Zel's role, or Xelloss'.
"What if I just hover midair and haul you away after you DragonSlave their hideout, "Zel suggested.
"Thought of that first," she muttered, waving her hand dismissively. "But then I thought. What about the ones on look out some distance away?"
"Well, I know why you chose me as the lure," Filia frowned slightly. "I am the only adult dragon among you, but why put Holly in danger too? And Amelia? She's a princess for Cepheid's sake!"
"Obviously to make the lure appealing to the broadest of tastes," Xelloss answered smoothly. "Dragon males do not limit their appetites to dragon ladies. And some not to ladies at all! I would have added Val to the list of lures."
"What!" both Filia and Val gasped.
"IF.he was a bit older.Still, it would be an enticement few would be able to withstand, as a curiosity, if not for any other." Xelloss smiled meaningfully, which was lost on Val, ".reason. Between fresh blood, and the unidentifiable or confusing auras of both Holly and Val. all dragons within miles of the hideout will be attracted."
"Why aren't they swarmin' us now?" Val asked unhappily thinking his future was being molded by these other adults.
Filia stared hard at Xelloss, believing she knew the answer.
"That's.a secret!" he smiled. "Oof!"
"Damnit, Xelloss! Tell them, or I will!" Zelgadiss growled as he withdrew his fist from Xelloss' stomach area.
Xelloss coughed a few times, then recovering said, "I've put up a screening barrier, actually.it's was activated when we left camp. I am still an accomplished sorcerer, you know."
No one, but Amelia and Holly thought to thank him.
The group argued for a while longer, then exhausted stopped. "Okay," Filia agreed. "Val can join us, but only because I trust Xelloss won't let any harm come to Holly."
And so, with the plan agreed upon, the group downed a quick meal. They parceled out the remaining food and traveling needs of the three girls and Val and redistributed the loads to suitable sizes. They must look as if they had been traveling for some time, alone, and that they were intending to travel further.
"Okay." Lina looked them over once more. "I guess it'll do. Zel, Gourry and I will remain concealed and advance to the hideout. Xelloss will keep an eye on you guys until, if all goes according to plan, the dragon guard drags you up there as well.as hostages or.whatever. Then, Xelloss, you and Zel will."
"Don't worry, Miss Lina," Xelloss smiled. "Zelgadiss and I know the plan. We will let you know when all the strays have returned to their stable."
Zelgadiss nodded his agreement.
"Okay, well...come on," Lina shouted as she grabbed Gourry. "Let's get this over with!"
Zelgadiss grabbed Gourry's other arm and together, they flew up past the tree line and out of sight.
"Worried?" Xelloss asked Holly. He stroked her face with the side of his gloved hand.
"A little." she admitted.
"Don't be. I promise, nothing will harm you. I will be near by at all times. You have my word. Really, this all sounds a great deal more dangerous than it is." He smiled serenely.
Amelia was about to voice her objection to that by pointing out how any number of things might go wrong, when Filia stopped her with a touch to her arm. "Xelloss is very powerful still, Amelia. I'm sure he means what he says. He may not care a twit about my welfare, but he won't let them hurt Holly.or Val for that matter, you can bank on it."
Amelia nodded, "Right! So, let's go then.oh.looks like Mr. Xelloss and Holly want to say good bye in private."
Filia sniffed, "I know this is a tender moment and all, but we shouldn't keep Lina waiting."
Xelloss parted from his love, lips glistening from their brief, but fervent kiss, "Remember.I'm never far away."
~*~
Lina frowned. The Master magician was at it again. Creating microsecond rifts, and then closing them down. The group of eager young apprentices watched intently. Their trials were unsuccessful, so far, but they were improving. Left to develop unimpeded, a dozen or more young magicians would soon master the secret skills necessary to tear through dimensional barriers.
It took all her will power not to just blast the whole place to smithereens. With Lina there wasn't much self-control when it came to her temper, but here Zelgadiss' logical arguments sank in and did the trick of guiding her judgment from the extreme to the patient. Wait until all the dragons were present.get them all.wait.get them all.all.all.
"Um.Lina?" the big swordsman interrupted her musings with some trepidation. "That's Amelia and the others.down there.see?"
Sure enough. The mites weren't insects, but her friends trailing between what looked to be five dragon guards. They were all alive, and if she knew Xelloss, they must have been whole, hearty and hale too. Good.
"Look, one's breaking away." Gourry said.
"Yeah, probably to notify these guys and hopefully others will start detecting the trespassers and flock to the hideout as well," Lina replied.
"Shhhhh." a voice close to her ear whispered.
Xelloss placed a hand over her mouth to silence a possible scream then removed it when she elbowed him in the gut.
"Ahhh.then I won't tell you." he gasped to catch his breath.
Zelgadiss stepped between the two head-strong people and sighed. "What is it? If it's important, we must know."
Xelloss straightened and resumed his smiling countenance, "As I was about to warn you.what amounts to an entire garrison of dragons are headed this way from the surrounds. If you'd like to assist, Mr. Zelgadiss?" Xelloss tilted his head toward Zel to catch his nod, "Then I suggest you follow me and observe. I trust you will ensure our.friends' safety while I'm gone a minute or two?" He stared opened-eyed at Lina awaiting her consent.
She did.
"Very well.this way." Xelloss grasped Zel by the elbow and flew straight up several hundred feet without pausing. At the apex, he allowed the young human to get his bearings a moment then pointed out the dragons on the horizon, or which had once been on the horizon. They were moving very fast.
"Ten minutes you think?" Xelloss asked.
Zel stared, gauging.calculating in his head as they passed from one spot to another demarcation point. "Eleven and one-half for the furthest ones out; that is, unless there are more yet to come. Approximately."
Xelloss smiled. There was much to admire about the young man. Impulsive at times, Zelgadiss was, but he was also able to focus immediately and turn his mind to a task without allowing all that emotional baggage to get in his way. "Close enough for Lina. Shall I report to her, or you?"
"I'll keep watch up here for any late arrivals. You go keep an eye on the others," Zel said. He noted that although Xelloss was now free to make his own decisions, it seemed that he preferred to take orders or allow others to have the final say. He guessed that was a good thing. It wouldn't do to have two leaders locking horns all the time, especially if the other one of them was Lina.
Eight minutes later, Zelgadiss had not detected any new arrivals. Or after nine minutes.or ten. With thirty seconds to go before the last of the strays joined the flock, Zel dipped down to the treetops joining his companions. "This must be it, then," he announced.
"Good, because if that dragon hunk fondles Holly one more time, I don't think Xelloss is going to wait for my attack," Lina muttered.
"Right," Zel muttered. "Here they come. The last few."
"Xelloss? You ready?" Lina's eyes were glittering with excitement. She was not going to blow the place right away. She and Xelloss had come to an agreement. He was going to have a little fun first.
Xelloss hissed his reply through clenched teeth, "Yessssss."
"Okay, then.Zel and Gourry will suddenly go down there and grab Holly and Amelia. Hopefully Val and Filia will transform immediately. If they don't, tell them to. Then get the hell out of there. Xelloss and I will. provide the diversion." Lina met the eyes of her comrades then without a word Zel grabbed hold of Gourry and prepared to levitate to the rock floor.
Xelloss dissipated the aural barrier with a snap that caught the dragons' attention as he floated above their heads. "Greetings! Although I don't know all of you, I am certain that you recognize me." he smiled demonically although his Mazouku aura must have been far too weak for them to detect. "If not, I'm sure you'll find my dear comrade.familiar."
Lina appeared to toss fire at a nearby tree as nonchalantly as possible. As the flames from her enchanted spell encompassed the tree, the colors darkened, turned unnaturally blue, and a split-second later, the tree exploded in a most impressive fireball.
In the ensuing panic only Zelgadiss bothered to watch Xelloss as the demon turned and appeared to grin, in a most malevolent way, at the chaos Lina had created. Then the demon indolently turned and shot flames over the entrance to the compound, causing it to vanish in another explosive series of fireballs. This was actually quite useful as the rush of dragon-men and horses attempting to leave the camp would have got quite jammed in the once narrow exit. He didn't want that.and he didn't want any to escape.
Lina was filled with pride as dozens of heads turned her way and the air filled with gasps of 'Lina Inverse!' and 'Xelloss!'
How rewarding! The air was overwhelmingly fecund with negative emotions! Even in his reduced demon state, Xelloss' impoverished aura swelled with the glory of it.
Zel used the distraction wisely and shot to the ground with Gourry. In a heartbeat, Gourry grabbed hold of Amelia and Zelgadiss wrapped an arm around Holly's waist. Filia snapped at her son, "Transform!" as she herself grew into a sizable yellow-colored dragon. "Val!" she shouted again.
Val was slow to respond. A close-by dragon armed with a sword was not. "Attack, and I'll slay this boy!" the dragon-man shouted. Val squirmed in the larger dragon-man's strong arms, sword lying across his throat. A trickle of blood oozed from a deliberate slice.
Zelgadiss caught a knowing look from Xelloss. He and Gourry should stick to the plan. Get out of there. With Gourry and Amelia at one side and Holly at the other, Zelgadiss drew in all his strength and levitated straight away hundreds of feet. Amelia, feeling the rush of air and lightness attributable to the spell, added her own incantation, enhancing Zel's, and propelling them further and faster. Filia understood the plan also, but her concern for her son made it terribly difficult to part. Trust Xelloss?! Dear Cephied help them all!
"Stupid Dragon," she heard Xelloss hiss in her ear. She was not at all sure if he was referring to her, to her son, or to the guard who had captured Val and she had no time to consider the problem.
Disappointed with Val's failure, Xelloss had swept from his lofty perch above the fray, dipping into the depths. And he was just getting some enjoyment out of this adventure too! With a spell, he had disarmed the guard holding Val, beheading him with his own sword. Now with Val in his grasp and Filia at his elbow he ordered, "Get the hell outta here!"
Filia flattened a few oncoming dragons with her tail then lifted off in a steep climb. High above the action, she set course for Xelloss and Val flying at dizzying altitudes beyond her already.
"Transform, damnit! You're heavy!" Xelloss commanded Val.
"Ugh!" Val grunted as he broke free. Xelloss' authority was absolute. The words drove him to action immediately. Unfortunately, he sank like a rock as he darkened and enlarged, until as his wings sprouted from between his shoulder blades and trapped the air like enormous sails.
"DRAGON SLAVE!" Lina cried out from below, her final incantation resonating against the rock walls.
Flapping like crazy, Val out distanced the shock wave from her blast by mere inches. Xelloss remained at his side lending him more push although he was dwarfed by the young ancient dragon.
"Cephied help us!" screeched Filia catching up to Val and Xelloss. Her heart had nearly stopped when she'd seen Val drop hundreds of feet before his wings fully restored his altitude.
"I've been called many names," Xelloss smiled into the wind, ".but that's a new one!"
"What?! Oooh, youuuu!" Filia screamed indignantly.
But, calculating that they were a safe distance from the terrible blast, Xelloss had released Val and shot out of range of her voice (and mace), giggling all the way.
They regrouped to a spot not far from the remaining dimensional rift. Zelgadiss and Amelia had circled back over the dragon outpost, searching for survivors or escapees and found none. Now they were resting and coming to terms with their next duty.
"Those guys were really messed up," Val chuckled as the excitement drained from his body. "You know what they were gonna do ta me? They were all mixed up. I kept telling them I wasn't a girl and they just laughed. Stupid green dragons."
"Yeah," Lina chuckled with the others at the teenager's naiveté. "And here I thought it was the black ones givin' us the problems."
Filia nodded, "Actually, most of them were, but the ones that brought us in were green." She glanced around to see where Xelloss and Holly had gone. She could see them sitting apart a short distance away. Filia lowered her voice. "Holly must depart. She is proof that the power and spells exist to break the dimensional barriers. Her damage to the astral bodies of Mazouku would make her the mark of unimaginable retaliation."
Zel nodded. Having only a few months left to wait until he could use the cure Xelloss offered him, meant that he could live with the short term restoration of his chimera form when it happened. And it would. as soon as Holly was gone, Zel would once again become a human wrapped in a chimera shell. Yes, like it or not, he could see the wisdom in and agree with the decision to hasten Holly's departure. With an askance look in Xelloss' direction, he muttered. "He knows.they both do."
The pair of lovers was locked in each other's arms, whispering those final words that only they could understand. How do you say goodbye to your spouse of such a short time? One final word. One final kiss.embrace.
Gourry could stand it and turned away, rubbing at his eyes.
"We are ready," Xelloss said quietly as they joined Lina and the others. Holly and he walked hand-in-hand, delaying their separation for as long as possible.
Amelia and Filia didn't even try to hold back their tears. Amelia wept openly as she gave her friend a final hug, "I won't forget you. Take c- care."
Lina wiped a tear from her eyes covertly when she thought no one was looking, then stepped forward, "I bet there are people who'll be glad to see you back safe and sound."
Holly nodded, "Yes, there will be. Thank you everyone."
Lina nodded to Filia to commence her spell to close the rift, as each of the others said their parting words. "So, um." Gourry scratched his head. "How does Holly get up there and back to the other.side?"
Xelloss clasped Holly to his chest and by way of answer, began a slow ascent into the roiling mass.
"Mr. Xelloss! Won't you get sucked up?" Amelia cried out.
He did not answer. His cloak flapped with the wind of his own making. Zelgadiss stepped beside Amelia and placing a hand on her shoulder said, "He knows what he's doing, Amelia. He can move fast and I assume once Holly's passed into the rift, his connection to the astral plane will return instantly."
Amelia gazed up into the young man's face, and then realized what it would mean to him as well. He would suffer the reinstatement of his complete chimera form again. "Oh, Mr. Zelgadiss.It will be.okay. We'll all be here for you. I'll.care just the same as I did before."
Before he could reply, Filia shouted, "Okay.it's coming together. Stand back!"
She brought her outstretched arms together, slapping her hands hard, transmitting an ear-splitting, shrill screech through the air. As the rent folded in on itself, Xelloss released his burden. Briefly, he could see the barest outline off his wife disappear into the darkness of the opening, and then he himself streaked as far and as fast as possible away from the collapsing fissure.
"Argh!" Zelgadiss groaned and fell to the ground balling up his body.
"Ngh!" Xelloss hit the ground as the outflow of compensating energy from the closing rift sent out shock waves, hitting him and knocking him out of the sky.
Then it was over. The sky shone blue and clear. Like nothing had happened.
Zelgadiss came to his senses moments after Lina, who had also fainted with the forced return of astral energy to her body. Xelloss was standing, staff in hand looking out over the landscape.
"Are you all right?" Filia asked him in a gentle tone.
"Who me?" Xelloss smiled. "Why yes, how kind of you to ask. I'm fit as ever."
"That's not what I meant, and you know it," she huffed.
"Nothing like a bit of chaos and dragon-death to buck up a Mazouku!" he smiled benignly. "Ah.yes.well, I must go now. Duty calls and all."
"B-but Mr. Xelloss!" Amelia snagged him by the arm. "Don't you want to talk about.what happened? About Holly?"
Xelloss shook his head. "You mortals.Always in such a hurry. Why should I want to talk now?" his smile faded to nothing. "When I shall have all eternity to ponder what it was like to have a heart and a free will. and then lose it." He straightened his shoulders. "Val. Go back home with your mother. I'll be by to take you out on another outing soon. Zelgadiss. We will finalize your cure shortly as well.so ." He turned and bowed to Lina. "Until we meet again, fare.well."
Then he disappeared.
.
In a far and distant universe, the fairy-girl known once as Holly reappeared. The rift that once joined two worlds was closed. She saw people of her kind running towards her shouting, happy. She felt disquieted; yet.happy too as she wondered about the new life growing within her. What would it bring to her world?
THE SLAVERS -- end chapter 6-- End of story.
THE SLAVERS
Chapter Six -Finale
Killing can provide amusing, repulsive joy.
but parting is such a terrible, sweet sorrow
####################################
Speaking for the first time, Zelgadiss muttered, "We observed them in action. At least a couple hundred dragons, black ones I suppose. I'm no expert. One of them executed a spell which created a momentary rift, then collapsed."
"Well, if I can't satisfy my carnal cravings," Xelloss said with a smile, "then killing dragons will just have to do."
"Here's my plan then," Lina carried on, ignoring the deadly glares being passed back and forth from Filia to Xelloss.
Gourry nodded resolutely. He would follow Lina's instructions until the need arose for him to improvise. He knew better than to question her while she was doing all right. Amelia wouldn't either. That was Zel's role, or Xelloss'.
"What if I just hover midair and haul you away after you DragonSlave their hideout, "Zel suggested.
"Thought of that first," she muttered, waving her hand dismissively. "But then I thought. What about the ones on look out some distance away?"
"Well, I know why you chose me as the lure," Filia frowned slightly. "I am the only adult dragon among you, but why put Holly in danger too? And Amelia? She's a princess for Cepheid's sake!"
"Obviously to make the lure appealing to the broadest of tastes," Xelloss answered smoothly. "Dragon males do not limit their appetites to dragon ladies. And some not to ladies at all! I would have added Val to the list of lures."
"What!" both Filia and Val gasped.
"IF.he was a bit older.Still, it would be an enticement few would be able to withstand, as a curiosity, if not for any other." Xelloss smiled meaningfully, which was lost on Val, ".reason. Between fresh blood, and the unidentifiable or confusing auras of both Holly and Val. all dragons within miles of the hideout will be attracted."
"Why aren't they swarmin' us now?" Val asked unhappily thinking his future was being molded by these other adults.
Filia stared hard at Xelloss, believing she knew the answer.
"That's.a secret!" he smiled. "Oof!"
"Damnit, Xelloss! Tell them, or I will!" Zelgadiss growled as he withdrew his fist from Xelloss' stomach area.
Xelloss coughed a few times, then recovering said, "I've put up a screening barrier, actually.it's was activated when we left camp. I am still an accomplished sorcerer, you know."
No one, but Amelia and Holly thought to thank him.
The group argued for a while longer, then exhausted stopped. "Okay," Filia agreed. "Val can join us, but only because I trust Xelloss won't let any harm come to Holly."
And so, with the plan agreed upon, the group downed a quick meal. They parceled out the remaining food and traveling needs of the three girls and Val and redistributed the loads to suitable sizes. They must look as if they had been traveling for some time, alone, and that they were intending to travel further.
"Okay." Lina looked them over once more. "I guess it'll do. Zel, Gourry and I will remain concealed and advance to the hideout. Xelloss will keep an eye on you guys until, if all goes according to plan, the dragon guard drags you up there as well.as hostages or.whatever. Then, Xelloss, you and Zel will."
"Don't worry, Miss Lina," Xelloss smiled. "Zelgadiss and I know the plan. We will let you know when all the strays have returned to their stable."
Zelgadiss nodded his agreement.
"Okay, well...come on," Lina shouted as she grabbed Gourry. "Let's get this over with!"
Zelgadiss grabbed Gourry's other arm and together, they flew up past the tree line and out of sight.
"Worried?" Xelloss asked Holly. He stroked her face with the side of his gloved hand.
"A little." she admitted.
"Don't be. I promise, nothing will harm you. I will be near by at all times. You have my word. Really, this all sounds a great deal more dangerous than it is." He smiled serenely.
Amelia was about to voice her objection to that by pointing out how any number of things might go wrong, when Filia stopped her with a touch to her arm. "Xelloss is very powerful still, Amelia. I'm sure he means what he says. He may not care a twit about my welfare, but he won't let them hurt Holly.or Val for that matter, you can bank on it."
Amelia nodded, "Right! So, let's go then.oh.looks like Mr. Xelloss and Holly want to say good bye in private."
Filia sniffed, "I know this is a tender moment and all, but we shouldn't keep Lina waiting."
Xelloss parted from his love, lips glistening from their brief, but fervent kiss, "Remember.I'm never far away."
~*~
Lina frowned. The Master magician was at it again. Creating microsecond rifts, and then closing them down. The group of eager young apprentices watched intently. Their trials were unsuccessful, so far, but they were improving. Left to develop unimpeded, a dozen or more young magicians would soon master the secret skills necessary to tear through dimensional barriers.
It took all her will power not to just blast the whole place to smithereens. With Lina there wasn't much self-control when it came to her temper, but here Zelgadiss' logical arguments sank in and did the trick of guiding her judgment from the extreme to the patient. Wait until all the dragons were present.get them all.wait.get them all.all.all.
"Um.Lina?" the big swordsman interrupted her musings with some trepidation. "That's Amelia and the others.down there.see?"
Sure enough. The mites weren't insects, but her friends trailing between what looked to be five dragon guards. They were all alive, and if she knew Xelloss, they must have been whole, hearty and hale too. Good.
"Look, one's breaking away." Gourry said.
"Yeah, probably to notify these guys and hopefully others will start detecting the trespassers and flock to the hideout as well," Lina replied.
"Shhhhh." a voice close to her ear whispered.
Xelloss placed a hand over her mouth to silence a possible scream then removed it when she elbowed him in the gut.
"Ahhh.then I won't tell you." he gasped to catch his breath.
Zelgadiss stepped between the two head-strong people and sighed. "What is it? If it's important, we must know."
Xelloss straightened and resumed his smiling countenance, "As I was about to warn you.what amounts to an entire garrison of dragons are headed this way from the surrounds. If you'd like to assist, Mr. Zelgadiss?" Xelloss tilted his head toward Zel to catch his nod, "Then I suggest you follow me and observe. I trust you will ensure our.friends' safety while I'm gone a minute or two?" He stared opened-eyed at Lina awaiting her consent.
She did.
"Very well.this way." Xelloss grasped Zel by the elbow and flew straight up several hundred feet without pausing. At the apex, he allowed the young human to get his bearings a moment then pointed out the dragons on the horizon, or which had once been on the horizon. They were moving very fast.
"Ten minutes you think?" Xelloss asked.
Zel stared, gauging.calculating in his head as they passed from one spot to another demarcation point. "Eleven and one-half for the furthest ones out; that is, unless there are more yet to come. Approximately."
Xelloss smiled. There was much to admire about the young man. Impulsive at times, Zelgadiss was, but he was also able to focus immediately and turn his mind to a task without allowing all that emotional baggage to get in his way. "Close enough for Lina. Shall I report to her, or you?"
"I'll keep watch up here for any late arrivals. You go keep an eye on the others," Zel said. He noted that although Xelloss was now free to make his own decisions, it seemed that he preferred to take orders or allow others to have the final say. He guessed that was a good thing. It wouldn't do to have two leaders locking horns all the time, especially if the other one of them was Lina.
Eight minutes later, Zelgadiss had not detected any new arrivals. Or after nine minutes.or ten. With thirty seconds to go before the last of the strays joined the flock, Zel dipped down to the treetops joining his companions. "This must be it, then," he announced.
"Good, because if that dragon hunk fondles Holly one more time, I don't think Xelloss is going to wait for my attack," Lina muttered.
"Right," Zel muttered. "Here they come. The last few."
"Xelloss? You ready?" Lina's eyes were glittering with excitement. She was not going to blow the place right away. She and Xelloss had come to an agreement. He was going to have a little fun first.
Xelloss hissed his reply through clenched teeth, "Yessssss."
"Okay, then.Zel and Gourry will suddenly go down there and grab Holly and Amelia. Hopefully Val and Filia will transform immediately. If they don't, tell them to. Then get the hell out of there. Xelloss and I will. provide the diversion." Lina met the eyes of her comrades then without a word Zel grabbed hold of Gourry and prepared to levitate to the rock floor.
Xelloss dissipated the aural barrier with a snap that caught the dragons' attention as he floated above their heads. "Greetings! Although I don't know all of you, I am certain that you recognize me." he smiled demonically although his Mazouku aura must have been far too weak for them to detect. "If not, I'm sure you'll find my dear comrade.familiar."
Lina appeared to toss fire at a nearby tree as nonchalantly as possible. As the flames from her enchanted spell encompassed the tree, the colors darkened, turned unnaturally blue, and a split-second later, the tree exploded in a most impressive fireball.
In the ensuing panic only Zelgadiss bothered to watch Xelloss as the demon turned and appeared to grin, in a most malevolent way, at the chaos Lina had created. Then the demon indolently turned and shot flames over the entrance to the compound, causing it to vanish in another explosive series of fireballs. This was actually quite useful as the rush of dragon-men and horses attempting to leave the camp would have got quite jammed in the once narrow exit. He didn't want that.and he didn't want any to escape.
Lina was filled with pride as dozens of heads turned her way and the air filled with gasps of 'Lina Inverse!' and 'Xelloss!'
How rewarding! The air was overwhelmingly fecund with negative emotions! Even in his reduced demon state, Xelloss' impoverished aura swelled with the glory of it.
Zel used the distraction wisely and shot to the ground with Gourry. In a heartbeat, Gourry grabbed hold of Amelia and Zelgadiss wrapped an arm around Holly's waist. Filia snapped at her son, "Transform!" as she herself grew into a sizable yellow-colored dragon. "Val!" she shouted again.
Val was slow to respond. A close-by dragon armed with a sword was not. "Attack, and I'll slay this boy!" the dragon-man shouted. Val squirmed in the larger dragon-man's strong arms, sword lying across his throat. A trickle of blood oozed from a deliberate slice.
Zelgadiss caught a knowing look from Xelloss. He and Gourry should stick to the plan. Get out of there. With Gourry and Amelia at one side and Holly at the other, Zelgadiss drew in all his strength and levitated straight away hundreds of feet. Amelia, feeling the rush of air and lightness attributable to the spell, added her own incantation, enhancing Zel's, and propelling them further and faster. Filia understood the plan also, but her concern for her son made it terribly difficult to part. Trust Xelloss?! Dear Cephied help them all!
"Stupid Dragon," she heard Xelloss hiss in her ear. She was not at all sure if he was referring to her, to her son, or to the guard who had captured Val and she had no time to consider the problem.
Disappointed with Val's failure, Xelloss had swept from his lofty perch above the fray, dipping into the depths. And he was just getting some enjoyment out of this adventure too! With a spell, he had disarmed the guard holding Val, beheading him with his own sword. Now with Val in his grasp and Filia at his elbow he ordered, "Get the hell outta here!"
Filia flattened a few oncoming dragons with her tail then lifted off in a steep climb. High above the action, she set course for Xelloss and Val flying at dizzying altitudes beyond her already.
"Transform, damnit! You're heavy!" Xelloss commanded Val.
"Ugh!" Val grunted as he broke free. Xelloss' authority was absolute. The words drove him to action immediately. Unfortunately, he sank like a rock as he darkened and enlarged, until as his wings sprouted from between his shoulder blades and trapped the air like enormous sails.
"DRAGON SLAVE!" Lina cried out from below, her final incantation resonating against the rock walls.
Flapping like crazy, Val out distanced the shock wave from her blast by mere inches. Xelloss remained at his side lending him more push although he was dwarfed by the young ancient dragon.
"Cephied help us!" screeched Filia catching up to Val and Xelloss. Her heart had nearly stopped when she'd seen Val drop hundreds of feet before his wings fully restored his altitude.
"I've been called many names," Xelloss smiled into the wind, ".but that's a new one!"
"What?! Oooh, youuuu!" Filia screamed indignantly.
But, calculating that they were a safe distance from the terrible blast, Xelloss had released Val and shot out of range of her voice (and mace), giggling all the way.
They regrouped to a spot not far from the remaining dimensional rift. Zelgadiss and Amelia had circled back over the dragon outpost, searching for survivors or escapees and found none. Now they were resting and coming to terms with their next duty.
"Those guys were really messed up," Val chuckled as the excitement drained from his body. "You know what they were gonna do ta me? They were all mixed up. I kept telling them I wasn't a girl and they just laughed. Stupid green dragons."
"Yeah," Lina chuckled with the others at the teenager's naiveté. "And here I thought it was the black ones givin' us the problems."
Filia nodded, "Actually, most of them were, but the ones that brought us in were green." She glanced around to see where Xelloss and Holly had gone. She could see them sitting apart a short distance away. Filia lowered her voice. "Holly must depart. She is proof that the power and spells exist to break the dimensional barriers. Her damage to the astral bodies of Mazouku would make her the mark of unimaginable retaliation."
Zel nodded. Having only a few months left to wait until he could use the cure Xelloss offered him, meant that he could live with the short term restoration of his chimera form when it happened. And it would. as soon as Holly was gone, Zel would once again become a human wrapped in a chimera shell. Yes, like it or not, he could see the wisdom in and agree with the decision to hasten Holly's departure. With an askance look in Xelloss' direction, he muttered. "He knows.they both do."
The pair of lovers was locked in each other's arms, whispering those final words that only they could understand. How do you say goodbye to your spouse of such a short time? One final word. One final kiss.embrace.
Gourry could stand it and turned away, rubbing at his eyes.
"We are ready," Xelloss said quietly as they joined Lina and the others. Holly and he walked hand-in-hand, delaying their separation for as long as possible.
Amelia and Filia didn't even try to hold back their tears. Amelia wept openly as she gave her friend a final hug, "I won't forget you. Take c- care."
Lina wiped a tear from her eyes covertly when she thought no one was looking, then stepped forward, "I bet there are people who'll be glad to see you back safe and sound."
Holly nodded, "Yes, there will be. Thank you everyone."
Lina nodded to Filia to commence her spell to close the rift, as each of the others said their parting words. "So, um." Gourry scratched his head. "How does Holly get up there and back to the other.side?"
Xelloss clasped Holly to his chest and by way of answer, began a slow ascent into the roiling mass.
"Mr. Xelloss! Won't you get sucked up?" Amelia cried out.
He did not answer. His cloak flapped with the wind of his own making. Zelgadiss stepped beside Amelia and placing a hand on her shoulder said, "He knows what he's doing, Amelia. He can move fast and I assume once Holly's passed into the rift, his connection to the astral plane will return instantly."
Amelia gazed up into the young man's face, and then realized what it would mean to him as well. He would suffer the reinstatement of his complete chimera form again. "Oh, Mr. Zelgadiss.It will be.okay. We'll all be here for you. I'll.care just the same as I did before."
Before he could reply, Filia shouted, "Okay.it's coming together. Stand back!"
She brought her outstretched arms together, slapping her hands hard, transmitting an ear-splitting, shrill screech through the air. As the rent folded in on itself, Xelloss released his burden. Briefly, he could see the barest outline off his wife disappear into the darkness of the opening, and then he himself streaked as far and as fast as possible away from the collapsing fissure.
"Argh!" Zelgadiss groaned and fell to the ground balling up his body.
"Ngh!" Xelloss hit the ground as the outflow of compensating energy from the closing rift sent out shock waves, hitting him and knocking him out of the sky.
Then it was over. The sky shone blue and clear. Like nothing had happened.
Zelgadiss came to his senses moments after Lina, who had also fainted with the forced return of astral energy to her body. Xelloss was standing, staff in hand looking out over the landscape.
"Are you all right?" Filia asked him in a gentle tone.
"Who me?" Xelloss smiled. "Why yes, how kind of you to ask. I'm fit as ever."
"That's not what I meant, and you know it," she huffed.
"Nothing like a bit of chaos and dragon-death to buck up a Mazouku!" he smiled benignly. "Ah.yes.well, I must go now. Duty calls and all."
"B-but Mr. Xelloss!" Amelia snagged him by the arm. "Don't you want to talk about.what happened? About Holly?"
Xelloss shook his head. "You mortals.Always in such a hurry. Why should I want to talk now?" his smile faded to nothing. "When I shall have all eternity to ponder what it was like to have a heart and a free will. and then lose it." He straightened his shoulders. "Val. Go back home with your mother. I'll be by to take you out on another outing soon. Zelgadiss. We will finalize your cure shortly as well.so ." He turned and bowed to Lina. "Until we meet again, fare.well."
Then he disappeared.
.
In a far and distant universe, the fairy-girl known once as Holly reappeared. The rift that once joined two worlds was closed. She saw people of her kind running towards her shouting, happy. She felt disquieted; yet.happy too as she wondered about the new life growing within her. What would it bring to her world?
THE SLAVERS -- end chapter 6-- End of story.