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ZELGADISS TORN
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They hadn't been travelling together for more than a couple of months when Zelgadiss lost his appetite. Of course, he hadn't had much of one to begin with, often refusing to partake in whatever meal was at hand. So, when he merely sipped tea while Lina, Gourry, and Amelia ate tremendous portions of food in a voracious manner, they thought nothing of it; he was a chimera, after all. None of them wished to pry into the shy young man's private affairs for fear of driving him away.
Indeed, this evening he had just rejoined them after experiencing a very disappointing adventure in his relentless search for a cure. Ever since that horrible nightmarish event which changed the boy from a feeble teenager to a powerful Shamanist and sorcerer, Zelgadiss had been seeking for a way to undo the evil spell. Oh, he liked the power part just fine. It had come so easily and so fast. But the spell changed his outward appearance dramatically, so much so that he hardly looked to be human anymore. He was a chimera; one-third human in mind and soul, one third rock golem for a protective skin of bluish rocks and stone and hair of lavender-gray wire, and one third demon for super-human speed, black magical powers, weapon skill, and pointy elf-like ears. He was a masterpiece. His Grandfather, the once respected and famed Rezo the Red Priest, was the man who bound the parts together by an extraordinary spell of unknown origins. The man died taking his secrets with him.
After the destruction of the Demon Dragon King Gaav, he started hearing a voice. Tiny and shrill it whispered long into the night words of hate, instilling fear in a part of him, a mute component that had no answering words. At first Zelgadiss believed he was loosing his mind. He pushed the murmuring back into the hidden recesses of his mind, and for awhile he silenced the madness. With Gaav's influence gone, Zelgadiss hoped could travel further to the remotest parts of the world in search for his cure. And so, he left Lina and her tag-along band of heroes to explore and seek out clues. But, alas, it was another unsuccessful venture. Now what should he try? Where should he go?
He could hear them a mile away. Lina's voice alone was a sure giveaway. Lina and Gourry were pleased to find him in that port town. He was pleased too, to see faces that welcomed him and gave him a sense of belonging which his human soul cherished. Lina pointed out Amelia in the crowd,"Look Zel! It's Amelia too!"
So the group re-formed and he continued to accompany them, instead of striking out on his own in search for the cure again. He couldn't tell them, friends though they were, that he was afraid of the changes in his body, the voice whispering in the back of his mind at night or when he was alone. Fear was weakness, and weakness he abhorred beyond all else, even his own hated visage. So he followed Lina, becoming one of her lackeys for a time. Then came the DARKSTAR battle.
After touching and using those powerful weapons from another world, the brooding demon within him awoke again. For that was what he decided the voice belonged to, the one in his mind, the one in him. The battle was over. Valgaav destroyed. DARKSTAR locked away; two more Mazouku who would no longer threaten their world. The beautiful princess of Seyruun had invited Zelgadiss to accompany her back to her palace. He agreed, as long as she understood that he wouldn't stay. He would return to his search for a cure and that was final. Lina and Gourry had no other plans besides finding the tall man a new sword, and so tottered along as well. It felt good not to be alone, especially now that he was hearing that voice again and feeling poorly. Perhaps he'd be better off crawling into a hole to die, but he was a human at heart, and young and afraid.
"Lina, they rebuilt this inn, remember? You blew it up the last time we passed through," the handsome, tall, blond swordsman reminded her.
"Oh, yeah! That's right. Guess I'll need a disguise to get in now…Come on, I need a change of clothes anyway." Lina drug her faithful friend across the street.
"We'll wait for you inside," sighed Zelgadiss. He opened the door to the inn and waited for Amelia to enter first.
"Thank you, Mr. Zelgadiss," said the petite, dark-haired girl with a smile. "I can use some new clothes too, but right now I need to sit and rest."
"You're welcome," he responded curtly. He could be polite when necessary and Amelia was a princess, annoying sometimes, but due some respect.
The serving girl delivered a pitcher of water, two glasses and a basket of rolls to their table. "Menu's on the wall, I'll be back in a moment."
"Mr. Zelgadiss? You haven't eaten in a long time. Before Lina and Gourry get back, you should have a roll."
He shook his head. He had no appetite any more.
"Please? Just try a bite."
He sighed. "Well, if you'll leave me be after that…one bite couldn't huuuurt…"
But it did. For a second he couldn't breath. It took all his presence of mind to force the swallow down. His stomach recoiled at the intrusion. Zelgadiss flew out of his seat and rushed out the inn door, passing Lina and Gourry in a flash of blue and tan.
Lina and Gourry joined a worried looking Amelia. "What's with Zel?" Lina asked carelessly.
"I-I don't know. He took a bite of food and left in a hurry. Lina, I haven't seen him actually eat food in weeks! He must be very ill and hasn't told us!" Amelia said indignantly.
Lina ordered a huge portion of food and said confidently, "He'll be back."
Zelgadiss ran out of town to an isolated spot in the forest. He retched and fell writhing to the ground. "Why? Why? Am I going to die by starvation? Feeble and pathetic?"
"Perhaps, perhaps not…" replied a familiar, but unexpected, voice.
"Gods, Xelloss, go away, leave me alone…" the chimera groaned.
"Tut, tut. You should know better than that! I'm a Mazouku lord now, not one of those disgusting dragon gods! Oh? Surprised? You didn't know? Course not, it just happened. Like the new look?"
Zelgadiss sat up and looked. "I guess congratulations are in order. New tunic?"
"Burgundy and gold. And the cape! I have a hood too," he smiled and swirled around.
"Nice and dark, Xelloss… or do you have a new name to go with the new clothes?" the chimera asked with a smirk. He was feeling better. In fact, he noticed with relief that he was feeling stronger and healthier than anytime he could remember.
"You may address me as… well, 'Xelloss' will do fine for now." The demon smiled. He opened his eyes slowly, examining the young chimera man in front of him from head to foot, then remarked, "Hmmm, you look different." He swept up to the chimera and pulled him to his feet. He clasped the young man by the shoulders and stared. His face became serious, "Your golem part is receding. Your face is becoming stone-free. When did this start?"
"What? I-I don't know…, but I haven't eaten in a month…" then he told Xelloss about the events leading up to the latest development, in particular, he mentioned the voice in his head.
"A voice, you say? I see… that was your demon part terrorizing the golem part. Shouldn't have been too hard, rock golems are lower level beasts than even blau demons. Now it appears the golem piece of your makeup is retreating…absorbed by the demon portion." Xelloss drew a finger over Zel's smooth blue cheek. "How are you feeling now?"
"Actually…better than ever, since…I came out here."
"Since I showed up, you mean. That's the demon part responding to my pure Mazouku power." Xelloss moved away and shadowed his eyes with his bangs.
"W-What's going on? What's going to happen to me?" Zel was becoming panicky. The thought of his humanity losing a battle with a power-hungry demon, which was forever a magically-sealed part of him, was truly a nightmare come to life.
"It's hard to predict. Your human soul is stronger but if the demon bends your mind to its will, I'm not sure what the outcome would be. However…"
"My life sucks…" moaned Zelgadiss.
"However, there is a chance that the human Zelgadiss can win out, with the undying love of his human friends…"
"And if NOT?" Zel gasped. He had a tendency to over-react at times and this news was definitely undermining his confidence.
"Then you are mine. I will promise to preserve the BEST OF ZEL and re-create you as a very powerful Mazouku, my General in fact. Your mind will be at peace in chaos, I can assure you." Xelloss smiled, but it was not reassuring to Zel.
Zel's jaw dropped. That can't be so, he thought logically. Becoming enraged at the smiling demon, he shot out, "Me, be a minion of yours? Over my dead body! …No! Scratch that!" He shook his head and tried to think reasonably, but couldn't. "You've got to be joking! I'd rather be one of Lina's lackeys, than bow to you," Zel sneered.
"Have it your way, Zelgadiss, but do not forget that your current form is highly unstable. As the demon grows stronger, its aura will attract others. You will endanger your friends, the very ones which you must count on to pull your human-self through the turmoil. In the end, they may be required to kill you to save themselves. I, on the other hand, offer you life eternal and power beyond your wildest dreams."
"I would rather die at the hands of my friends than live in obeisance to a Mazouku lord." Suddenly, Zel's angry expression turned into an evil smirk. "Hey, but thanks for the offer anyway. No hard feelings I hope because we may change our mind?"
"Of course not, demon. Now let me speak with the human Zelgadiss again," Xelloss opened both eyes and glared. He watched Zel's eyes crossover from arrogant to frightened to near-calm. "Go back and speak to Lina…to your friends. Explain your dilemma. I sincerely hope they can help, but if not, I'll not be far." Xelloss smiled.
"I will fight this…now leave, please…" Zel choked out. "Good bye, Xelloss." The disturbed chimera hoped it was a final parting because the next time they met might signal his demise as a human for sure.
The dark lord nodded silently and then shimmered out of sight. Zelgadiss returned to town and entered the inn. Lina and Gourry were eating and shouting loudly. Amelia was gobbling up a stack of cookies.
"Yo there, Zel! Over here! Just in time for dessert!" Gourry called.
Zel pulled up the chair he had so recently vacated and pulled back his hood. He waited. Sooner or later someone would notice…
"Mr. Zelgadiss! You...your…face…the pebbles are…fewer! You have found a cure?" Amelia cried.
See? It didn't take long at all.
"What?" shouted Lina after swallowing her roll. "Zel! You look different?"
Good of you to notice, Lina.
Lina crawled across the table to get a better view. Zelgadiss blushed.
"Wow, Zel, Amelia's right! The rocks are almost gone! How about…" Lina began tugging at his tunic trying to expose his chest.
"Lina!" he gasped. "Not here. What are you doing?"
"Getting a look at you, or at least trying to. Gourry, take Zel upstairs to your room. We'll be there in a second…Waiter! If you wanna get paid…get moving you guys!" she shouted.
Zel sighed and stood up, "Come on. We might as well do as she says and make it easier on ourselves."
"It's amazing!" murmured Lina as she circled Zel. He stood, shirt off— and no more, he insisted— to show off his smooth, though still blue-toned skin. "LOOK!" she shouted.
"W-what!" he jumped in surprise.
"I thought your hair looked darker downstairs! Amelia, come here…Zel, bend down some…oh, just get down on your knees…that's right, now we can see…do you see it Amelia?"
"Oh! Mr. Zelgadiss, it's…soft dark hair about 4inches long…it's hard to see with all the wiry…OH!" Amelia cried. A hand-full or silvery-lavender 'hair' fell from her grasp to the floor with a faint tinkling.
Gourry, who had been watching with sympathy from a distance, signaled to Zel, "Ahhh, there's a full-length mirror here, if you want to see. Hey, Lina, Amelia…back off a bit…ahhh…give him a moment."
There was no doubt about it. The golem had lost the battle. Xelloss, damn him anyway, had been right in his assessment. Zel was rapidly changing into a human/demon. One good shake, and the rest of the wiry mess atop his head, fell to a heap at his feet. His ears appeared unchanged, but when he looked closely at his image in the mirror, he gasped, "Gods! My eyes! I am becoming Mazouku!"
The eyes of a blue-eyed demon returned his gaze in the mirror. He couldn't do it alone; now he accepted it. Without their help and support his humanity might be overwhelmed any day! And so, he sat on the bed and told his friends all that he knew and some of what Xelloss had told him.
"You know we will stand by you and preserve your humanity. Justice will prevail!" cried Amelia tearfully.
Gourry put a hand on his blue-tinged shoulder, "No matter what…"
Lina's eyes glowed, "Hey, we won't turn you over to the Mazouku. You were born a human, you will be returned to your full, complete human self, and that is that. First of all we need to feed your human soul with good, happy thoughts and experiences…drive that ole demon away from your head, gotcha?"
Zelgadiss returned to the mirror, in awe of his new look: dark, purple-black hair, pale blue, smooth skin.
"It's okay, Zel. Now you look like a very tall elf. Every girl in town will be batting their eyes at you." Lina chuckled.
Zel blushed furiously and whisked his shirt on. "Just wait until I grow fangs and horns…that'll solve that problem…" he muttered. That was uncalled for and he murmured an apology, "Sorry, I guess I'm not ready to see the humor in all this yet. Also… there's more you should know…" He paused to summon his courage to say the next words, "Xelloss told me that I emit a demon aura that will attract demons to me like moths to a lantern. In fact I felt my body react strangely around him…which brings me to the last bit of information he uncharacteristically gave out… He has been elevated to full demon lord status."
Gasps all around.
"That can't be good," said Lina. She met Zelgadiss' gaze with a concerned one of her own. "I'm sure he had some suggestions of his own."
Zelgadiss nodded. "Oh yes. He offered to make me his general; that is, after guiding the demon part of me into a complete overthrow of the human part. I declined. I told him I preferred to continue as a human of unclear value to the Lina entourage, than to be his vassal. He wasn't pleased, but he let me go." Zel sighed. This talk was exhausting his patience to cope.
"Curious," Lina mused. "Xelloss didn't have to do that. He could have taken advantage of your weakness and over-powered you right then. I wonder if resurrection requires a willing spirit to be of use to him? Well, it doesn't matter. Admirers, demons or otherwise, can all be dealt with, neh?" Lina chuckled.
Zelgadiss looked at his friends. He'd never valued these people justly. Now was the time to start, he thought. "Thank you. Thank you all for not running away. I find this very… frightening, myself." He collected his wits and in an unusual out-pouring of emotion, said, "Will you all promise me one thing? Kill me before… Please, don't let the Mazouku take me… If Xelloss tries…" but he couldn't finish any sentence.
Gourry nodded, "I understand. You wish to die a man of honor. I shall see to it."
"Not right away, I hope! But, that's the idea…thanks Gourry," Zel smiled slightly.
"Mr. Zelgadiss? I was wondering how your shaman spells will work...and your white magic?" asked Amelia her eyes big, eyeing him with awe. He was so good looking this way and she wanted more than anything to touch his arm and know what his skin felt like. That would take much more courage than she felt, so she asked him a question instead.
"Good question! I should try something…I'm going back to the forest," said Zel buckling his belt and picking up his sword.
"Come on, everybody. Let's see what he can do," agreed Lina.
Zelgadiss stood at one end of the clearing with Gourry, while Lina and Amelia were setting up a few rock targets at the other.
"Okay, Mr. Zelgadiss!" cried Amelia.
Zel sent up a 'lighting' spell, then progressed through various wind, water, and ice spells. So far so good. He found his control of and the strength of the earth and rock spells to be somewhat reduced. Apparently the rock golem and lent him more power than he had thought.
Zel called back Lina and Amelia to safety. "I'm going to try some astral chants, but without actual targets, it'll be hard to judge…"
As if on cue, five or six low level demons materialized in the clearing simultaneously. "Who is this new life form? Whose minion are you? Is it weak?" asked the demons.
In answer, Zelgadiss intoned the last word of a spell as he drew his sword, enchanting it with the magicalpower, then screamed, "ASTRAL VINE!"
Flames leaped from his hands and ran up his sword from hilt to tip. He raised the hugely powerful weapon and sliced through four of the demons in a single stroke. As if merely an after-thought, Zel cut through the last on the backstroke. "Yes!" he cried out in obvious glee.
Amelia gasped, "L-Lina do you see? He has a faint aura… like smoke."
"Yes," was all Lina said, then seeing what Zel could not, yelled out, "Watch your back!"
Zel whirled with amazing speed to face a new, larger foe. This tentacled monster slathered poison drool from foot-long fangs. The creature lunged at Zel while he prepared another incantation. Zel leaped aside but his shoulder was ripped open by a passing saber-sharp tooth.
"GAAAAAAAH!" he cried out. He was angry to have forgotten that his skin was no longer protected by the golem surface.
The pain clouded his brain and for a fateful instant it appeared Lina would have to step in, but then Zel completed his spell and let loose at point-blank range, "RAW TILT!"
The horrible monster glowed, then disappeared into astral smoke.
"Way to go, Zel!" Lina shouted.
"Oh, Mr. Zelgadiss! Are you all right?" Amelia asked as she ran to his side.
"My shoulder… I think those fangs were poisoned and one sliced here," he held his throbbing arm close to his side.
Amelia began a healing spell, but the flesh continued to fizz and ooze a sickening, colorless slime. "My white magic isn't helping much…Lina maybe if you add yours too…"
"We're not making much progress here…Gourry, can you carry Zel back to the inn. We need hot water and a clean place to work…I don't move, Zel. Conserve your strength, we may need your healing spell as well," advised Lina.
Hours later, the monster's venom continued to work through the young man's system. The best they could do was to make him comfortable and slow the action of the poison.
"Oh, Lina! What can we do next?" Amelia wondered, looking distraught and tired. "If only Sylphiel was near, maybe she would know what to do."
Suddenly, Zel's eyes flew open and he struggled to a sitting position whispering, "Xellosssss."
Whether his call was answered or he had simply anticipated the arrival of the Mazouku lord, the others did not know, but instantly, Xelloss materialized in the room.
"My, my, Zelgadiss! Already missing that golem protection I see. Well, I can help you, if your friends will permit me?" Xelloss smiled, one purple eye glittering.
"Help? What do you have in mind?" asked Lina warily.
"Stop the poison from killing him, for one. Teaching him some protection spells for another. Satisfied?" he smiled patiently.
"Okay, but one false move…"Lina began, but didn't finish. She really wasn't sure what she could do against so powerful a Mazouku, but she'd do some damage, that was certain.
Xelloss spoke to Zel directing him to follow his instructions. "Yes, like that…see you can use astral magic to mend astral wounds now, right? Better? Now listen carefully, next time you fight, use demon shielding like this…"
Xelloss demonstrated, forcing his own dark astral aura to close in on his form; a dark resonating fuzziness. Zel shook his head.
"Zel, you had something like that after you used the Astral Vine spell, but it was larger and fainter," Amelia said.
Zel concentrated. Once again a weak field formed around him.
"Now, use this," and Xelloss whispered some words into the slender pointed ear of the chimera, "then focus the aura inwards along your skin…that's right! Good! With practice you'll use it without thinking and it will get stronger. Not as good as that golem rock skin you once had, but nearly. How were your astral spells?"
Zelgadiss turned away. He was indebted to this man for saving his life, but loathe to admit how close an association theirs was becoming. "Everything works. Some better, some worse."
"Well, Xelloss!" began Lina, "Now that Zel's better…and I guess we have you to thank for that," she grinned knowing that he knew she'd admitted that with difficulty. "I hear that you are now a Mazouku Lord! Did you take over Hell or the demon dragon vacancies? Oh, and nice rags, wine red is your color."
"Why thank you, Lina." Xelloss bowed his head slightly. He always treated Lina with a certain amount of courtesy. She had, in fact, been possessed and released by the Lord of Nightmares herself! "For your information, I came up with a job of my own. And…that's a seeee…oh, I might as well tell you. You're practically family…I am Xelloss Lord of Dreams." He made a grand gesture toward the group. "I can use the astral plain to travel into your dreams, Lina. I can live out any fantasies, if I choose to be childish, or yours, if you wish. I can communicate or control. It has soooo much potential. But…Zelas has to replace me. Her first choice was you, Lina, but I told her that you wouldn't be interested and that I was protecting all of you, including … well that's a secret. I need a general and priest also….but no hurry, I'll wait."
"You are PROTECTING us? From one of your own? Is that…possible? Won't that make you some powerful enemies?" Lina was hoping to get more information out of him, not that she trusted much of what he had to say. With Xelloss you never knew what he was hiding the more he appeared to reveal.
"Yes, yes, yes, and possibly. I've always had enemies, Lina. You've often helped me eliminate them, so I owe you protection. I am an honorable Mazouku, according to our honor code of course. I make no secret of my intentions toward Zelgadiss. I want him, but I shall give you the chance to save his human soul first. If he chooses to join me, however, I ask that you honor his wishes."
Gourry stepped forward, "I will do whatever Zelgadiss asks of me, and no less." The tall swordsman put his hand to his empty scabbard.
"Hmmm, looks like you'll be needing a sword then, won't you?" Xelloss asked with an evil smile.
"Lina and I have been looking, but I break every one we've found. There's no replacing the Sword of Light I guess," Gourry said sadly.
Xelloss turned toward Zelgadiss and approached him quickly. "Look at me!" he commanded.
Zelgadiss faced the Mazouku, looking more like a demon than the demon lord himself. Fangs shown from his mouth and his eyes glowed with excitement. The chimera fell to his knees clasping the demon lord's cape and cried, "Direct me, my Lord. I am yours to command!"
With one hand, Xelloss grabbed the young man by the neck and pulled him to his feet. He closed his eyes and his lips moved silently. Then, Xelloss commanded, "Begone!"
"What's happening to him?" Amelia cried out. It was horrible! Her Zelgadiss was a creature subservient to Xelloss! He was lost already!
Lina stomped over to Xelloss, demanding his attention by pounding him on the back. "She asked you a question." She was worried sick about Zelgadiss as well, but would never let on. She wished to show no weakness in front of Xelloss.
Xelloss released Zelgadiss, who collapsed to the floor. "It appears my presence stimulates the demonic part. I have directed it to retreat into a suspended mode temporarily in order to give our human Zelgadiss a fighting chance. Ah, here he is now. Feeling in control?"
Zelgadiss stood, shaking his head.
"Mr. Zelgadiss! Your skin is…flesh-toned! And your eyes…are back to normal too. You are looking all normal!" Amelia gushed while holding onto one of his hands.
Zel noticed the unexpected intimate contact from Amelia, and blushed.
"Stop gaping and let the poor guy say something," growled Lina pulling her friend away.
"That was horrible. I felt like a canary in a cage with a cat circling me. I need a way to destroy the demon part now that it's quiet…" Zelgadiss muttered almost to himself.
"Time for me to go!" smiled Xelloss. "Remember what I taught you and you will survive."
"Wait!" Lina shouted at the Mazouku. "You can help him, can't you? Are you selfishly keeping that demon part alive so that sometime you'll have Zelgadiss as your slave?"
"Selfish? I wish to preserve the only living offspring of the great Red Priest, Rezo. I want a sane, intact Zelgadiss Graywords, and wish him to be at my side. To that end I would stop at nothing. However, I want him willingly, the human part too. But what is it you ask of me? You want me to destroy the demon part for him? Isn't that what got Zelgadiss into this predicament in the first place? Taking the easy route to become a high-order shaman resulted in his becoming a Chimera, remember? I do not believe HE wants my interference, do you? Rather intimate having someone like me mucking about in your head…" Xelloss chuckled.
Zel shrank back from the smiling visage. No, he did not want any more help from the Mazouku. Having Xelloss' cooperation would be dangerous enough, he was certain. "He's right, Lina. Xelloss can't predict what will happen to me anyway. This is a fight I have to do alone…"
"Well, not entirely. I said you'd need help from your human friends too. 'A spiritual support' group I think it's called. Completely out of my jurisdiction. I think your human soul is far stronger than that demon inside of you, but you will have to find that strength by yourself and with the help of these humans. You see… I win if you lose, and for that reason alone you should fight hard." Xelloss looked seriously at the chimera, then smiled charmingly.
"Lord Xelloss?" Amelia felt courageous and the Mazouku seemed to be answering a lot of questions, so she asked, "I always wanted to know… Why are you the only one of your kind to spend so much time with us?"
"Hmmm, I'm not sure what you mean. Mazouku employ humans in various undertakings like over-throwing governments, infiltration, and kidnappings. I am not alone in that."
"I mean, sometimes you travel with us, help us, and act like we're friends. Like now, in a way…"
Lina wondered what her friend was getting at. Xelloss did too.
"I see…well you are an unusually powerful group. And…I am unusual Mazouku. I like you all. I consider you all to be my friends." Xelloss said this while stretching out his arms in an amicable gesture.
Lina and Zelgadiss nearly choked as they expressed disbelief, "You have got to be kidding! We are not so stupid as to give credence to that load of shit!"
"Well, you are the only humans who may call a Mazouku Lord their friend. Think about it. I will leave you with that thought. The how's and why's will remain secrets…for now…" then he shimmered back to the astral plain.
"He may be right, you know. He's keeping you alive, Zel, and according to him, protecting me from Zelas' demands. The question is why, really?" Lina mused.
"That's what I was wondering, too! But what really matters is that we keep alive the hope for Mr. Zelgadiss' complete recovery!" Amelia cried, eyes glowing with admiration for her handsome comrade.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah…" Lina dismissed her airily. "So what we need is a demon-killing spell that won't kill Zel…"
"Nice after thought…" Zel smirked. He had undergone so many physical changes in the past few hours, that mentally he had not yet caught up with them all. What was he now? Would he recognize himself in a mirror if he had one? His self-torment was interrupted by Amelia's cheerfulness.
"Happy thoughts! If demons feed off our bad emotions, then we must fill Mr. Zelgadiss with positive emotions!" Amelia beamed.
"And how do you propose to do that?" Lina asked, arms folded.
"Singing! Hot springs! Dragon Cuisine! Some of the best books and a comfortable chair! Theater festivals! Sword shopping!" Amelia was getting swept up in the excitement of finding ways to keep her Zel happy.
The real Zel had left the room with Gourry after the words 'singing'. They left a note at the desk, "Gone sword shopping". Amelia was on the right track, just the wrong order.
"Hey, Gourry! Take a look at this one." Zelgadiss was adjusting comfortably in his new human form. With a flesh-toned hand, now proudly glove-less, he pointed to a huge sword with a gilt handle and ruby inset. "I can feel magic emanating from this area. It must be from that."
Gourry reached over Zel's head and grasped the heavy sword. He stepped back a pace and swung it in an arc, then a few more practice lunges. "It's as if this were made for me…perfect balance…now if it holds an edge…"
"Ah! My most beeeeeauuuuutiful weapon. An ancient sword from a kingdom of the elves, now long gone. I came by it only recently." The shopkeeper smiled, "The scabbard is lovely…fit for a king!"
"How much?" Zel asked warily.
"100 pieces of gold to the one who can use it's magic and cut through this cord…two have tried since I received it…and they were not worthy." The man said solemnly.
"Seems expensive for a sword you may never sell!" came a voice overly familiar to the boys.
"Lina!" Gourry laughed, "What a beauty, huh?"
Zel smiled wondering if Gourry meant the compliment for Lina or the sword.
"Maybe it's no good…Where can he test it out with…his friend here," Lina asked indicating Zel with a thrust of her skinny arm.
"This way, there's a place in back," said the shopkeeper. He led the way out the door to an enclosed patio, coiled rope in hand.
Finding the area spacious enough, Gourry and Zel feinted and lunged, dodging one another's blows with practiced ease. In one final dance-like movement, Zelgadiss caught the rope with the tip of his sword and tossed it in the air. Gourry whipped the sword around and shouted, "Hikari Yo!"
The sword glowed and pulsed, it's magicks sparking. Then, the tall swordsman brought down the blade and sliced through the rope in a single, fluid motion.
Amelia was bouncing with excitement, "It's just like the…"
Zelgadiss dashed to her side in a pale blur, covering her mouth with one hand and hissing into her ear, "Say NOTHING!"
She blushed at his touch and nodded understanding all at once. Zel withdrew his hand at looked down at the princess. She was the first person he had touched with his human skin and she had felt so soft and nice. He shook his head to clear away the accumulating cobwebs, and stepped away as a warmth crept up his neck to his reddening face.
"Looks like a good match, eh? Gourry, what's the edge like?" Lina asked.
The shopkeeper was pleased to offer some wood for testing the edge. Gourry sliced through three ten logs in one pass. The edge was sharp as new.
"Now then," began Lina, who was satisfied with the fine sword, "Let's talk terms…"
Eventually, the four friends left the weapons store with several new pieces of metal, and one valuable sword.
"So how did you know that it was a soul-sword match to your S of L?" Zel asked.
"When I hold it, it speaks to me…like an old friend," he smiled and patted Lina on the head. "Ready for lunch? There's an all-you-can-eat place ahead…"
She ignored the head-pat in favor of a speedy visit to an eatery. She also missed seeing a dark figure step out of the shadows of the weapons store and speak to the quaking shopkeeper.
Eating with Lina, Amelia, and Gourry had always been an experience for the slender Zelgadiss. Often he would continue ordering food just to see if they'd fill up, or worse yet, blow up. The plates littered the table, setting tipsy where room had run out. Zelgadiss himself picked at his own plate, carefully choosing appetizing morsels and testing to be sure that after one bite, the bite stayed down. He seemed able to consume food, slowly anyway. Gourry ordered another bottle of wine, the first spent in several rounds of toasts to Zel's new look, his new sword, and everyone's good health.
Zel was aware of his friends' awkward stares, but he didn't mind. He would stare endlessly at himself too, he was afraid, if he had a mirror. As it was, he caught himself gazing down at his hands as if they didn't belong to him. He smiled.
The young waitress set the wine bottle near enough to brush his hand with her own. Startled at the touch, his eyes shot up and caught hers regarding him with unabashed interest. He immediately blushed and looked away. He felt stupid, acting like a schoolboy caught in the act of looking down a lady's dress.
Lina burst out laughing. Well at least he could provide amusement for her. He was about to stand up and leave, when a familiar man carrying a priest's staff, walked up to their table.
"Xelloss!" he growled. He had hoped to rid of the man for the evening at the very least. "Funny you should just happen by."
"My, my, Zelgadiss, you seem less friendly than I'd expected. Well, I can be polite- Good evening to you too. Ah…yes, thank you, Gourry, I'd like a glass of wine…What's the occasion?" he asked, pulling up a chair and sitting by the happy blond man.
"I have found myself a sword," Gourry said simply. Brandishing the sword for Xelloss to see, his excitement was obvious to everyone.
"Hmmm, nice…" Xelloss ran his pale, gloved hand along the offered hilt. The Sword glowed with energy. "Elvish? Those are hard to come by…magical too? Of course… Well, congratulations, my friend," he smiled inanely and pushed the sword back.
"Xelloss, did you have anything to do with that sword?" Zel asked darkly.
"Well now…that's a secret!" he grinned, set down his half-consumed glass of wine and shimmered out of sight.
"He's behind it, I know it!" Zel hissed, "Gourry, watch that sword. If Xelloss is even remotely associated with it, it may lead you to some treachery."
"Ahh, maybe, but elvish blades are immune to that demon stuff, so I'm not worried," Gourry said.
"Say, Miss Lina? Let's do some more shopping. I have to replace some clothes, and Mr. Zelgadiss? Wouldn't you like to find some boots that fit now that your feet are smaller?" Amelia asked. She felt Zel grow moody and knew that it was up to her to see to it that he keep an upbeat, positive attitude to fight off the evil inside of him.
"Sure, Amelia. I'm done here. Come on everyone, this is the best town around to buy stuff," grinned Lina. She understood Amelia's motivations—all of them. Clearly, Amelia had a crush on the chimera, which was deepening into something more meaningful with his continuing return to human appearance.
"It's the best 'cause she'd never Fireballed the place before," whispered Gourry to Zel. They both shared a knowing smile, then fell in behind the two girls.
Gourry and Zel slipped into a boot shop, while Lina and Amelia checked out jewelry. Nothing like shiny objects to catch Lina's eye! Zel was lucky and found a slightly used pair that fit better than the rock-enlarged ones he had been wearing. Just in case, thought, he stored his old shoes in a new satchel. To complete the excitement, he purchased two new pairs of socks. Gourry seemed puzzled by the assortment of socks. He only knew the one kind, the ones he wore, and this store sold dozens. After studying the selection for what Zel thought was hours more than necessary, Gourry finally broke down and paid for a pair of brightly striped green and blue ones. Zel told him that he was weird and Gourry rejoined with, "Look who's talking!" And they both laughed. That felt great! Silly and unimportant and worth a good chuckle.
Regrouping with the girls outside the shop, Gourry said with a grin, "Hey, Lina! I got new socks!"
"Oh yeah? Lemme see… Ooooooo pretty! I exchanged some cheap baubles for new earrings. Great gold work with rubies. Like?" she asked batting her eyelashes provocatively.
"Red. Nice color," Zel answered dryly. Amelia was bubbling with excitement, he couldn't help but notice. "Yes?" he asked, providing her with an opening. What a gentleman he was becoming!
"Look what Lina found for me! Aren't they marvelous! Matching pendant and bracelet!"
"May I look?" Zel asked, moving in closely. He could just make out a faint whiff of her perfume, but what he was interested in was the craftsmanship of the pendant.
"Is something the matter, Mr. Zelgadiss?" Amelia asked after he had remained motionless for some time.
"Lavender…" Zel mused, at least he'd thought that he had said it to himself.
"What?" she asked, then blushed as he touched her neck when he released the pendant.
"Hasn't anyone else noticed? The metalwork, the choice of jewels…the sword hilt, the earrings, and your new jewelry? Elven, old, gold, ruby…it's more than just a coincidence!" Zelgadiss was amazed that he was the only one who had seized on this important parallelism. Nor were any of them even bothered by his revelation.
"Probably the same guy just sold his horde the other day. It isn't that odd, Zel. Lighten up. Unless your new boots are gold and bejeweled, I'm not worried," said Lina casually. And that was that. "Besides, it's time for the hot springs!"
"Oh, joy…" Zel thought.
Amelia grabbed his arm, "Hurry, Mr. Zelgadiss, before it gets crowded. Aren't you excited? You don't have to worry about sinking any more!"
"That's right…" He had forgotten. He had been so accustomed to the restrictions of his old form, the new one was hardly realized. Now he actually looked forward to the new experience… floating in water.
The hot springs was actually a large resort. Lina wanted to move from their economical old inn to this classy, and expensive, new place; that is, until Gourry pointed out the exorbitant prices. Instead, the small company of four friends rented dressing rooms and semi-private springs. Lina and Amelia bathed, then hopped into their own natural hot spring. Gourry and Zel had a spring next to the girls, separated only by a bamboo hedge. For Zelgadiss, it was a truly amazing experience, floating and swimming around. Gourry was laughing hysterically at his antics.
"What's going on over there?" Lina screamed, "Sounds like too much fun to me."
"Stay put, Lina," Gourry warned.
"That is, unless you care to join us!" piped up the cheery voice of the their friendly, bothersome, Mazouku lord.
Xelloss slipped off his towel and submerged himself into the steaming water opposite Gourry and Zel. "Ahhh, how soothing. Feels good after a hard day at the shop, don't you agree?"
Gourry nodded and closed his eyes, arms behind his head leaning against the side. Zelgadiss preferred to soak and glare in silence—while it lasted. Moments later, Lina and Amelia, completely concealed in gigantic towel robes, burst through the hedge screen.
"What the…" Zel began to bark.
POP! Xelloss opened a bottle of sparkling wine, which had materialized out of thin air, and started to pour glasses for everyone…floating the filled glasses through the rising fog.
"You're having a party?!" Lina asked indignantly. Ignoring the fact that she has just crashed in uninvited, she complained, "That's not fair! Xelloss too?! Ach! It's too crowded now. Come on, Amelia, let's go back." Lina nabbed the bottle and a pair of glasses. "That's right, boys, I'm taking the rest of the champagne with me."
Zelgadiss, happy to have them go peacefully said nothin, but inched further into the water. Gourry, however, hated to see that bottle disappear so quickly and started to call the girls back.
Xelloss stopped him with a touch to the shoulder. "Don't worry. I have another."
And he did.
End Part 1 Zelgadiss Torn.