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ZELGADISS TORN
___________________ Part 4 _________________
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"You are telling ME? He invited me to be his general! Of course I turned him down. Our last encounter did not end on a happy note. Here I am, so close to having my dream of being human again and with my power and skills intact…only to be equally close to becoming a slave to a Mazouku lord…for all eternity!" Zelgadiss groaned and let his head sink onto his arms which were folded on the table. Death was looking like his only alternative. His friends were thinking along the same lines.
"If the golem part was destroyed, the demon part can be too. You lived as a whole human, you don't need the demon part to survive, just to be a gifted shaman and swordsman," Filia summarized. "So, we exorcise the demon to save the human. Simple as that!"
"Really, you think so?" Zel shook his head. "And just how do you propose to do that? This is one hell of a strong demon in me and he's not ready and willing to give up that easily. He will fight us…you…whatever…"
Lina grinned and gave a familiar wink, "Well, then…we'll just have to keep it a secret from him then…" Her grin wasn't much more reassuring than her words. Lina was known to go a bit overboard with her spells to get a job done. There was no going half-ways with Lina. "Zel go find little Val and play with him while we plan your, er… his… demise, okay?"
Zel sighed. There was no use arguing with Lina. She'd put together some crazy plan…hopefully someone else would talk her out of it before some innocent someone—him in particular-- got hurt. He followed Filia down the short hallway from the entry and dining room to the sleeping quarters. Val was rolling a ball to Gravos, a devoted follower of the Valgaav of the past.
"Val dear? Meet an old friend of mine, Zelgadiss. He's here to play too!" Filia smiled sweetly at the child and patted Zel on the shoulder.
"Zelgaaa?" the child tried to repeat his mother's words.
Zelgadiss smiled slightly to Filia, "I'll be fine here. Go on back and watch Lina for me."
She nodded and said to her baby dragon, "I'll be right down the hall if you need me."
"Call me 'Zel' and I'll call you Val," said Zelgadiss as he lowered his lithe body to the carpet. "Gravos? It's been a long time, eh?"
"Master Zelgadiss? If the Mistress hadn't said your name, I never would have known ye!" the beastman replied in awe of the human-looking man sitting beside him.
"Ah, yes…the rocks are gone…but I'm still part demon, and that's a problem."
"Mazouku and dragons or humans don't mix well. Look at me! Ha!"
Gravos was no handsome man, but Zel had seen a lot worse. "You look, well…contented here with Filia and little Val…" Zel said kindly, when a ball hit him on the leg. "Oh, you want me to roll the ball to you, eh? Well…here it comes," Zel spoke softly to the green haired child.
"He sure looks happier!" Zel noted, chuckling a bit. "Lost the horn, but kept the stripes and…OUCH!"
Zel hadn't rolled the back fast enough and Val had decided to get his attention by biting him. The bite was hard enough and Val's tiny fangs sharp enough to draw Zel's blood.
"Hey your teeth are sharp! Stop licking me! Gahh!" Zel jumped back away from the curious child.
"Zel talks too much… You taste good… roll the ball TO ME!" Val demanded.
"Taste good? Now that's a new one… There are times when that rock exterior would come in handy again," Zel mused. "I let down my shielding for Filia's sake, but for you, little dragon, it goes back up until you can stop biting!" Zel admonished, then closed his eyes to concentrate. He only wanted a thin shield. He didn't want to sicken the little guy.
"What's that?" Val pointed to Zel. "What are you doing? I don't like it!"
"That is how I keep little dragon boys from biting me. Now, I'm tired of rolling the ball. You try catching it instead! Ha! Not bad!" Zel smirked as the ball bounced off the boy's head into his chubby hands.
The odd threesome continued playing various games of Val's choosing until Filia re-entered to call Zel away.
"NO! Mommy, make him stay! He tastes good…and he plays real mean…I want to keep him!" Val screamed and jumped up and down.
"Tastes good? Oh dear! I'm so sorry…" Filia began.
"It's all right. Val and I have an understanding now. He bites, my barrier gets stronger and he hates that, don't you?" Zel looked askance at the little guy who was nodding violently. "Yes it is pretty nasty, I agree. Listen, I have to go now, but I'll come back if I can. Bye Val!" Zel waved and followed Filia out the door while Gravos held on to the hollering boy.
"So do I want to know what's going to happen? Or will that spoil the …GAHHH!" Zel screamed as the volley of light and dark spells impacted his unprotected body.
"HELP MEeeeeeEeee!" wailed a plaintive voice across time and space, following the astral plain to Wolfpack Island. Xelloss, alerted instantly by the cry, smiled darkly , "Of course! That's what your Master's for!"
He disappeared SHIMMER …
…And re-appeared SHIMMER in Filia's dining room, just in time to grasp Zelgadiss' collapsing body.
GASPS !
" X E L L O S S ! ! !" screamed a chorus of voices.
"That's me!" He smile, one free finger raised in a salute. He stood cradling the limp chimera and surrounded by dark tendrils of astral substance and power. "Although… Lord Xelloss has a certain ring to it. Anyway," he raked his eyes over Lina and Filia then landed back on Zel's pain-filled face. "What have you done to him? Oh, don't bother, I'll figure it out! He's near death, if you want him to survive…I can give him a chance!"
Lina shook her head, "If the Zelgadiss we know, the human Zel can survive he will fight and return, if not… he's better off dead. It's what he wanted, I know."
"Death? You are meting out death sentences to your comrades? How cold! I'd say it's damned pessimistic of you to think that there are no other alternatives!" The Mazouku glared at the group.
Amelia ran to the Mazouku and gripped his sleeve near Zel's head, "Please, please don't make him your slave! Take me instead! He's so proud…to break him would be worse than death…I'll go instead and be happy knowing he's safe!"
Xelloss shook his head, "It would never work. You're too cheerful, my dear princess. But, I won't make YOUR Zelgadiss a slave. Not if there's hope for my own."
"What the hell do you mean by that!" shouted Lina who was losing her patience with the demon lord.
"That, my dear Lina, is a secret!" he winked and disappeared with his prize SHIMMER .
It had happened so quickly that no one had a chance to stop him. Lina was screaming. Filia was standing mace upraised staring at the empty space formerly taken up by the Mazouku and his prize. Gourry stood frowning. He had been against the entire 'kill Zel' plan from the start, sensing that Xelloss would rescue him first, which he did. Gourry had been right, and that made Lina mad too. Amelia sobbed. She had had HER Mr. Zelgadiss for such a short time. It was unfair… unjust to lose him so soon!
SHIMMER
On returning to Wolfpack Island where his mistress resides, Xelloss swept by some demon trash, pushing them aside without so much as a look. His cape fluttered with the speed of his steps as he carried the immobilized young man to his mistress, the demon lord to whom he still showed allegiance. He kicked open the door to her receiving room and barged in without warning.
"Is that you, Xelloss? Is something the matter? I know we're equals now, but couldn't you ring me up first? It's only polite…My, dear, what have you brought me?" Zelas smiled languidly and dashed out the cigarette on palm.
"I need your help…please…with Zelgadiss, the chimera that travels with Lina Inverse. Lina or that dragon lady…or both… performed some spell on his demon part to kill it. It called me for help…terrified. The human part is in shock, the golem is gone for good," Xelloss explained breathlessly.
"I see…" she said, running her long slender fingers over his face. A frown formed between her brows. "We must work quickly…A separation might work. What do you think?" she rose and pointed to the velvet divan.
"I don't know. Both parts are strong…he was Rezo's great-grandson… The human part might survive the attack and separation, but I want the demon component," Xelloss replied. Laying Zelgadiss out and removing his belts, sword and cloak, Xelloss added, "That part's mine."
"You're building a constituency? I see…a worthy cause. Well, then… I'll handle the demon element then, since if there's a chance for it to pull through, it can't help but obey my summons. Do you think that the human portion will trust you?" she asked.
"L-sama only knows. It might. I had established a mind link with both segments of his mind, but the human resisted my overtures to join forces with me. He's a very stubborn, proud human. But he is logical and no-nonsense concerning magic, so I'm hopeful…"
"Good. Establish your mind link. When you are successful, keep the human engaged while I try to contact the demon spirit. If I am successful, we will attempt the separation…"
A moment later, Xelloss nodded that he was successful in contacting the human and Zelas ordered, "then…NOW!"
Zelgadiss lay pale and still, while overhead, two fantastically powerful demon lords fought with his soul and spirit, untangling the mess that made up the chimera.
"Zelgadiss? Hello! Yes, it is me again!" Xelloss said through his mind linkage. He had to try to convince Zelgadiss that he was there to help him, not destroy him. No easy task considering the last thing Zel must have remembered was being attacked by unseen forces. "No! Don't shut down! I'm trying to save you! Funny, eh? It was Lina and your friends who tried to kill you. Now there's a twist, huh? Okay, so… they tried to kill the demon in you in hopes that the human-you would strike out and take over. I agree, rather harsh…and stupid. So, that leaves you in shock now and I'm trying to revive you. No don't move yet! I said revive, not resurrect! Big difference! I have a little help here as well… It doesn't matter whom right now. Time is of the essence you might say, and we need to know if the demon part is still responsive…What? You can feel it? It's hurting? I'm so sorry. Really I am. It's not the kind of pain a demon thrives on." Xelloss glanced over at Zelas, who nodded. She was ready.
"Zelgadiss? Good, you're listening. I have a plan, but without your cooperation it has little hope of succeeding." Xelloss paused for Zel to answer in the affirmative. "First off, there has never been an undo spell for Rezo's creation spell. Yes, I know, what a waste of countless years for you…BUT…getting back on track in the here and now…"
Zelas scowled at him to get a move on. "Zelgadiss? With only two parts to concern ourselves with right now, I'd like to try a separation spell. The result? Two of you, the demon-only and the human-only." Xelloss winced at Zel's mental slap. "I'm sorry, but you have few other choices. Like to hear them all? Okay, you may remain as you were…being comatose and die. Alternatively, you can become Mazouku and unite with me as my general. That's it. Ready to listen to my solution?"
Zelas was about to strike them both dead on the spot, so Xelloss hurried on. "Okay, that's more reasonable. We complete the separation spell and have your human soul be Mazouku-free so you can live out your life as best you can. IF we can revive the demon part after Lina's attack while you remain linked to me... Oh, and I keep the demon part and train it to serve me, of course. What? Oh yes, there's always that scenario; we may fail, but highly unlikely. Your death, I won't be held accountable to L-Sama for that. See? No secrets! Yes, you may think a moment…"
Zelas shook her head.
"Buuuuut not too long! We're endangering your lives as we wait. Yes?" Xelloss chuckled mentally, "Thinking under pressure is one of your survival skills, isn't it? Well? I see… You won't live to regret your choice. Ha, ha! Very funny, Mr. Zelgadiss. I'll do my best, I promise…and I always keep my promises. Now hang on to that thought…"
Xelloss nodded to the demon lord at his side and together they wove a complex spell. They chanted ancient words that spun black magic around and through Zelgadiss. Xelloss added pain relief to the enchantment, an unusual gift for him, primarily to support the spirit of the young man.
At long last the chanting stopped then Xelloss placed his staff's ruby tip upon Zel's chest and Zelas drew her hands apart. The split began.
Zel's eyes flew open in horror; a silent 'no' escaped his lips.
Xelloss leaned forward and placed a gloved hand over his eyes and whispered, "You don't want to see this. I'll make it as painless as possible…don't move."
Zelas continued. She hummed words to herself and continued to separate her hands. The division widened. Xelloss continued a chant, partially to relax the chimera and partially to reinforce his mistress' spell. Slowly, along the invisible lines of the separation, a hazy astral form emerged from the prone form of Zelgadiss. This was the demon, which had once lived within him. Zelas drew the new form off to the side weaving more enchantments into it, and sucking astral power out of thin air to add it back into the newly-reformed demon spirit. The hazy form grew more substantial.
Zelgadiss' body started to convulse. It was unable to stand the shock of the separation. Over the past five years, the human portion had come to depend upon the demon for strength and for much of it's nutritional requirements. Now it craved for that bond to return. The struggle inside of Zel's body and mind was traumatic.
Xelloss spoke to him reassuringly, "Calm down, Zelgadiss. It's all over! And…it looks like a success! There are two of you now, understand? You, I'm speaking to the all-human Zelgadiss, do you hear me?"
Zelgadiss relaxed.
"I want you listen to me and remain calm," Xelloss continued speaking. "I'll bet you're starving for food, right? You haven't eaten human food in a very long time, have you? Open your eyes. Hello again. Well, as I was saying, I'm sure that Filia will have a feast waiting for you when you go back. You do want to go back to your friends. I correct in that assessment?"
Zelgadiss nodded slowly, becoming aware of his surroundings and his new feelings. His eyes settled on Xelloss, who was kneeling by his side, talking again. "Of course I'm sending you back… I did promise, didn't I? When you can talk and sit up. Oh, do you want to see what was in you? Curious?"
Zelgadiss, still unable to find his voice, simply nodded. Inside him? He felt different. Odd.
Xelloss tapped him on the shoulder and helped him to get upright. "Okay, then…relax…that's right! You're all human again! I'll help you sit up."
Zelgadiss shuddered and blinked his eyes a few times. The first thing he saw again was Xelloss. His voice. Xelloss' voice had held his sanity intact and stabilized his body. Zel now owed him his life. Damn. He felt the Mazouku lift him up so that he could look around.
With a cough, Zel cleared his throat enough to mutter, "Where am I? No, don't bother…" Zel noticed the beautiful, deadly Zelas Metallium standing beside Xelloss. Oh, dear gods…I owe her as well… He bowed his head slightly, "I am obligated beyond my means to repay you as well, Mistress Beastmaster."
"How polite you are, human. Just call me Zelas. After tearing you apart, I feel particularly close." She smiled, but it made him feel even more uneasy. "See your demon half? Over there… I've been nursing it back to health. You may touch it, if you like. It certainly recognizes you…it seems to retained quite an attachment to you."
Indeed, the astral mass swirled toward and around Zelgadiss, caressing his face and hands. Zel looked aghast at it, but held out his hand and let it linger near him.
"Amazing! Xelloss grinned. "Well, Zelgadiss, as you can see it has no form yet, or name. I think… I will want it to look as much like you as it can. Male or female? Go on, you choose!"
"What?" squeaked the human, then finding his voice, Zel tried again. "Ahh…male, if it's going to be like me."
"Okay!" Xelloss smiled and chanted a few words. He tipped his staff into the astral spirit and snapped his fingers. The form condensed and reformed into a blue-gray male body, with silvery, wire hair. It was indeed reminiscent of the previous Zelgadiss. The demon opened its Mazouku eyes and looked at Xelloss, then Zelgadiss and grinned. What a set of fangs it had! Short, thin, and pointy. The demon turned a long pointed ear towards the human in response to Zel's gasps of surprise. And horns! Two gray horns sprouted from its hair near its forehead. The demon jumped and spun around, testing its legs.
"What, no tail?" Zelgadiss said at last in a mocking tone, although, he was secretly pleased with the looks of his demon counterpart.
"Do you want him to have one?" Xelloss snickered.
"No. Leave him be. Gahhh!"
The demon leaped at Zelgadiss and grasped the delicate, human-fleshed hand in its own thin, bluish one.
"Watch the claws, demon!" Zel shouted as he slapped the paw away.
Xelloss was laughing hysterically at Zel's discomfort. "That almost made up for my having to mask your pain earlier…it could have fed an army of Mazouku! Sigh Of course, all that suffering probably would have killed you in the process," he said wiping his eyes dramatically.
"He looks like me, Xelloss," Zelgadiss noted petulantly and ignoring Xelloss' performance. "Someone might get him confused with the old me."
Zelas shook her head. "My dears, my work is done here and since there is nothing more in it for me… why don't you take your toys and go to your room?"
"Yes, Mistress, and…thank you," murmured Xelloss, bowing subserviently before her.
Zelgadiss nodded. The new demon watched and repeated Xelloss' bow with great respect.
Zelgadiss spotted his belts, sword, and cloak lying in a heap. He draped the cloak over the new demon and followed Xelloss out the door. "Here, cover yourself up some…have some modesty!"
Xelloss lead them down an empty hall and into a dimly lit room. "Lighting" Zel whispered, and a glowing ball of light brighten a corner with a couch. "Now what?"
"It's time to send you back!" smiled Xelloss.
"What about…him? Will he be all right?"
"Him? Would you like to help me name him? How about…Zelly? No?" Xelloss laughed.
"Give him some dignity and some clothes!" Zelgadiss demanded.
"If you insist..." snap Xelloss instantly rearranged his astral structure and dressed the demon in pale shaman clothes.
"Not like me, please!" Zel exclaimed. "I don't want him to think he's me! Or anyone else to get us confused!"
"Okay!" snap Xelloss re-dressed the new demon in a gray tunic and black pants. "Back to names…how about Gadis Metallium?"
"Shit! Xelloss! No! What kind of a stupid name is that? How about…Greyzel?" Zelgadiss turned to the new demon who grinned evilly (well with those teeth he couldn't help it-- Zel thought to himself).
"Greyzel Metallium it is! Good job! Well, then your business is done here, human. I don't expect we'll meet again, you and I," smiled Xelloss extending a hand.
"No? How about Greyzel?" Zelgadiss asked, perhaps a bit wistfully.
"Would you like that reminder? To see your 'better' half again?" Xelloss chuckled again. "Well, maybe, then…after I've bonded him securely to myself I'll bring him around and show him off to you and all your friends. At this point I think he's more apt to bond to his security blanket--you, of course—than to me. In a few weeks I'll seek you out and introduce you to my new general-in-training. Now then, say good bye…handshakes are polite…me too…Don't worry so much, Zelgadiss. You are not in my debt or Zelas'. I am the one who owes her, not you. Oh, and she already has something in mind for me, I'm certain. And as for your debt to me, I have Greyzel. Making you free and clear. Okay?"
Zelgadiss nodded and shook hands with his namesake and 'partner', then shook Xelloss' hand. Xelloss didn't release the grip, instead he grasped Zel's shoulder with his other hand and SHIMMER
SHIMMER transported them to Filia's dining room.
"Zelgadiss!" shouted an excited gathering.
"Xelloss? You brought him back?" Lina shouted in bewilderment.
"Why not? He's all human now. What use would he be to me? Besides…he left me something special behind…a token of our…past relationship. So here he is good as new. Better, he might say!" Xelloss leaned into Lina's ear and said seriously, "Take care of him, Miss Lina, he's going to need it. Ta! Ta!" Xelloss raised his staff in salute to them all, and disappeared. SHIMMER
"So, tell us what happened, Mr. Zelgadiss!" Amelia cried.
"I…was unconscious mostly. But Zelas and Xellos separated the demon spirit from my human soul and…saved my life."
"What about the demon?" asked Lina darkly.
"They saved him too. He recognized me! He knows me. He looks a lot like me, too, unfortunately." His eyes darkened for a moment, then he remembered something more, "I got to name him. Greyzel Metallium. Xelloss attached that last part, obviously," Zel smirked.
"So where is…he?" asked Filia nervously.
"With Xelloss. He's keeping him…"
"So that's the special token?" Lina mused.
"Yes, he'll make him his…servant. I guess that being a general to a demon lord isn't so bad, eh? He can't really survive otherwise. Demons need a bond it seems…" His mind drifted over the events of the recent past. "Oh, Greyzel wanted me back, I could tell. Heh, heh…I didn't tell Xelloss, but I had a mind link with the little guy. Ah, well… not so little. He's my size…bluer…wire hair and all. What was that, Lina? Yes, the pointy ears too. Oh, and… and…horns, two of them! Each about seven inches long." Zel pointed to his forehead and smiled. "Here and here. What, Amelia? Eyes? Yes, he has eyes…only two, thank the gods… Mazouku-type eyes. I don't know what color, though, it was too dark, but they must have been light. Oh, umm… he has many fangs and long, sharp claws. What was that you said about me, Lina? No, he doesn't look JUST like me! I said he resembles what I looked like as a chimera-thing, except somewhat…more evil. Xelloss will bring him by in a few weeks…after they are bonded, so if you are all around, you'll see him. Now that's all! I'm STARVING! I have to eat food now and I will eat…even you!"
The last sentence of his tirade was directed to the curious little dragon boy who had ventured out into the room upon hearing Zelgadiss' voice and stationed himself behind his mother's skirt. Now Zel was chasing the boy around the room and finding that he was still pretty nimble and quick, despite his body's loss. Val chortled with joy and tumbled and bounced, but did not bite.
"Well, he seems happy," Gourry smiled at Zel. As the baby dragon screamed followed by the grinning teenager.
"He's fast and agile as ever, it appears," Gourry added as he ducked his head to avoid Zel's flying leap over the table and chairs.
"Zelgadiss! Don't you dare use spells in my house! You'll have to fix every bit of damage flash, boom! OR PAY FOR IT!" screamed Filia. As everyone settled down around the dining table, Filia smiled and poured tea. "That's better. Now you may pass the biscuits and eat…like a gentleman. Oh… Lina, I say… I think the demon part was better behaved."
"A bit gloomy perhaps, but dark and mysterious…" Lina smiled. Her smile dissolved when she caught Zel snatching one of the pats of butter from her plate. "Hey, that's MY food, buster! Get you own…hey! Now I have to fight all three of you for food? NOOOOO!"
"Seems you still have some magic, ahhh, Zel? Umm, that is my plate, you know…" Gourry added concerned about the dwindling pile of food.
"Well I think he's…******WONDERFUL******" Amelia sighed all dreamy-eyed. "Here, take some of my food…but not ALL of it! Mr. Zelgadiss!"
Filia sighed, "I'll see what else there is to eat." She stood and pushed out her chair then paused to look sternly down at the young man eating greedily for once. "I hope you can learn to cook, Zelgadiss, you're going to need a job to keep up with your new appetite!"
What other changes Zelgadiss would have to get used to, could wait until later, after lunch and a long well deserved nap.
Later, Lina stood back and looked at her friend. "You won, Zel. You truly are as strong as you always wanted to be. Heh. So, now that you're taken care of, we can start thinking about me again!"
The young sorceress walked over to where Gourry was snarfing down the remnants of dinner, and snatched a bread roll out of his hand.
The End Part 4 Zelgadiss Torn.