A gentle breeze blew through the waist deep wheat causing it to rustle quietly.  Aside from that and a bird singing happily in the distance, nothing disturbed the silence of the gorgeous spring day.

For this, Rezo was grateful.  Walking through the field he was free to explore his thoughts without interruption.  Something was terribly wrong with him.  When he slept, his dreams were filled with images of Zelgadis.  The sorcerer swordsman's hood was always up, hiding his features from the priest, but in every dream the swordsman came closer to revealing his identity.  Just last night the figure had actually grabbed his hood before Rezo had awakened from the nightmare. 

"Why does he torment me so?"  Rezo thought back to Anita.  Zelgadis had killed her father, right in front of him, despite his best efforts to stop him.  His stony brow was furrowed in thought.  He muttered to himself, "Perhaps fate has linked the two of us together.  Or maybe it's some omen?"  He shook his head.  If it was an omen, he had absolutely no idea of what Ceiphied was trying to tell him.  Maybe it was some further punishment for his crimes.

Ceiphied had justly rewarded Rezo for his misdeeds with the form that he now possessed.  He bluish flesh was harder than stone and his hair was like razors.  But now, his eyes were open and he hoped that one day Ceiphied would see fit to return him to normal.

Rezo paused for a moment and looked up at the cerulean sky with a wistful smile on his face.  It would be a shame to waste such a beautiful day dwelling on dark omens and mysterious swordsmen.  He continued on his journey, pushing his dark thoughts to the back of his mind.  There would be time to figure them out later.  Right now he had to make it to the next village before dark.

"Hey!"  An angry voice called out to Rezo across the field.  "What are you doing on my property?"  A middle-aged woman with dark hair and a darker expression ran up to Rezo. 

Rezo bowed low to the woman.  He spoke quietly and contritely.  "You have my sincerest apologies, madam."

The woman's expression softened immediately when she recognized the scarlet robes.  "You're Rezo."  Her voice was full of awe.  "Rezo the Red Priest!  I'm sorry, sir.  I didn't recognize you at first."

 Rezo smiled, feeling somewhat embarrassed.  Apparently, word of his deeds had spread far and wide.  "No apology is necessary.  It really was my fault for wandering through your field."  He looked around, not recognizing the scenery.  "I must admit that I am a little lost.  Could you possibly direct me to the nearest village?"

"Certainly lord!"

Rezo quietly sighed in annoyance.  His reputation was a source of never ending frustration for him.  Now he was being called "lord" of all things.  Why couldn't the people understand that he wasn't nobility?  He was merely a servant of the greater good.  He turned his attention back to the woman, who was now rambling on about something or other.

"…and then you pass through the ruins of Cruso.  After you reach the crossroads, you…"

Rezo's eyes widened in shock.  That name was familiar.  He associated it with pain and guilt.  But why?  He cleared his throat.  "I beg your pardon, madam.  What village did you say?"

The woman was momentarily taken aback by the interruption.  "Oh, Peach Grove.  It's not really a village.  More of a wide spot in the road really…"

Rezo shook his head impatiently.  He snapped at the woman.  "No, before that!  You said something about a Cruso."  He watched her intently, waiting for her response.

The woman took an involuntary step back.  Something had changed.  The priest's eyes, which had seemed friendly before, now held a more predatory look.  She shook her head nervously.  "Cruso?  There's nothing there, lord.  Burned down forty years ago."

Rezo lowered his voice and forced a smile back onto his face.  "What happened?"

"You have to understand, lord.  People like to talk.  There are all sorts of outrageous stories."

Rezo waved impatiently.  "Yes, yes, I understand.  What is this particular story?"

"Well lord, the story goes that a demonic swordsman from hell came to claim the village."

Rezo whispered, "A swordsman?  Was it you, Zelgadis?"  An image of the mysterious warrior in his dreams came to him.  He shuddered slightly.

The woman continued on unaware of the chimera's discomfort.  "The only ones to survive were that Inverse woman and her daughter.  The girl ended up becoming queen.  Isn't that something?"  She crossed her arms and scowled.  "Her mother was a different matter entirely.  Nothing but trouble.  If you ask me, Inverse was probably the one who destroyed the village.  She was a violent woman.  She's probably dead now, and good riddance."

Inverse?  Rezo felt rage well up inside of him.  Somehow, this woman kept bringing up unpleasant things.  He took a step towards her and hissed through clenched teeth.  "It's not polite to speak ill of the dead."  He was growing weary of talking to this disrespectful twit.  He pointed off in the distance.  "You said the ruins are that way?"  He was trembling with anger.

The woman nodded mutely, terrified of the priest looming over her.  "Begging your pardon, lord.  I didn't mean to offend…"

Without wasting another word on the cowering woman, Rezo turned and strode off in the direction of Cruso.  All thought of reaching the next village was blotted out by the desire to learn what Cruso meant to him.  Answers.  He was certain that Zelgadis was involved with this somehow.  Slowly at first, but steadily increasing in speed, the chimera moved down the road.  After a few minutes, he appeared to be nothing but a red blur to onlookers.

Within ten minutes, the chimera was standing amidst the ruins of Cruso.  Looking around he shook his head and frowned.  All around were the graves of the villagers.  "What a horrible waste of life."  Moving over to the nearest grave, he knelt and said a small prayer.  He didn't know why he did it.  Something inside of him was crying out for redemption.

Something glinted off in the distance, apart from the other graves.

Curious, Rezo made his way over to the object.  It was a marker.  The other graves had been marked with stones, but this one actually had writing upon it.  "Someone really loved you, my friend."  He knelt down and pulled away some weeds that were obscuring the letters.  He read the faint inscription and gasped.

            Gourry Gabriev.  Heir to the Swordsman of Light.  Loving husband and

            father.

Underneath this, the inscription continued in clearer letters.  Apparently, these words had been inscribed far more recently.

            Lina Inverse.  Sorceress First Class.  Loving wife and mother.

Rezo traced the letters with his finger, trying to learn their secret.  Why did he know these names?  Gourry and Lina.  Two of the heroes involved in the battle at Sairaag.  They were his enemies.  But if that was true, then why did he feel a bond with them?  No, that wasn't right.  Not enemies.  They were… friends?  He spoke quietly, "I know you both."  He leaned down and kissed the grave marker of the two familiar strangers before muttering a prayer.

"Rezo?"  A questioning voice came from behind the priest.

Rezo didn't look up from his prayer.  "Please, let me be."  He continued to reflect on the identities of the two until the voice spoke again.

"No, you're not Rezo…  Zelgadis?"

Rezo's eyes flew open and he whirled around to face the voice.  "Who the devil are you?"  He tried to sound angry, but he couldn't hide the fear in his voice.  It was like the voice had attacked him instead of speaking a name.

Standing a few feet away, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed was a young man clad in ragged black clothing and a dirty gray cape.  He regarded the priest coolly with icy blue eyes that were partially hidden by unruly dark hair.  Several days worth of stubble on the man's face made him look older than he probably was.  He smirked and spoke again.  "Oh joy.  I was searching for the Red Priest of legend and I find my dear 'Uncle' instead."  He shook his head and sighed, "Life is full of little disappointments."

Rezo leapt to his feet and assumed a defensive stance.  He felt confused and frightened by this man.  There was some dangerous secret here.  "What devilry is this?  What is your name?  Speak!"

The man looked at him with a mixture of confusion and cruel mirth on his face.  "Excuse me?  You know my name Uncle.  Are you feeling alright?"  Seeing that the priest wasn't going to answer he sighed.  "Christopher William Seyruun."  Seeing no sign of recognition on the chimera's face, he scowled.  "Phillionel and Emily's youngest son?  Have you gone senile, Uncle?"

Rezo took a step back.  For some reason, he sensed incredible danger.  This man's words were confusing him terribly.  Suddenly, he realized what was happening.  This man was working some sort of spell upon him.  He smiled.  "An excellent attempt my young friend, but you'd be wise not to underestimate me."  He darted at Christopher.

"Wha-?"  Christopher barely had time to blink before Zelgadis slammed into him throwing him violently onto his back.  Glaring up at the chimera looming over him, he clutched his side.  Based on the stabbing pain, it was safe to assume that a couple of his ribs were broken.  It would be easy enough to heal, assuming the Red Priest didn't kill him first.  He scrambled backwards trying to buy himself some time.  He hastily spoke, "Wait!  You really don't recognize me?"

Rezo's head was swimming and it was hard to understand what the fallen prince was saying.  He clutched his skull in agony as answers he shouldn't have known came bubbling to the surface.  How did he know that Christopher was a prince?  Why did he know Emily and Phillionel?  "Phil", he corrected himself.  "I called him Phil."

Christopher saw a range of emotions run across the chimera's face.  Fear, anger, confusion, and comprehension.  He grimaced.  "Oh hell."  It looked like Zelgadis had settled on anger.  Christopher gritted his teeth as the priest reached for him.

Rezo snatched Christopher up by the front of his cloak with no effort at all.  He squeezed his throat and growled, "What have you done to me?!"  He shook the younger man by the throat.  "Answer me!"

Christopher grunted in pain as his broken ribs shifted.  He struggled futilely to loosen Zelgadis's vice like grip on his throat.  He managed to rasp out a couple of words.  "What… are you… talking about… Zelgadis?"  Blackness was closing in at the corners of his vision and he tasted the coppery flavor of his own blood in his mouth. 

That name again!  "Zelgadis…"  Rezo loosened his grip slightly.  "Zelgadis."  He repeated the name several more times, before turning his attention back to Christopher.  "Where is he?  Where is Zelgadis?!"

Christopher felt Zelgadis's grip slacken slightly when he mentioned his name.  After careful consideration, he came to the conclusion that the chimera had finally gone off the deep end.  He channeled chaotic energy into his hand while Zelgadis was talking to himself.  When he finally addressed Christopher again, he received a spell to the face.

"Flare Arrow!"  Christopher shoved the shaft of energy into Zelgadis's face with all his remaining strength.  He was blown free of the chimera's grasp and saw stars for a moment when he slammed back first into a nearby tree.  He dropped to his knees and coughed violently, expelling copious amounts of saliva and blood.  He muttered, "Crazy.  He was crazy."  He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand as he looked at the priest.  He was still standing.  "Now what?" he mumbled.

Rezo was clutching his face in agony.  "I'm blind!  The bastard blinded me!"  The memory of his life before Shabranigdo had cured his eyes sprang into his mind.  He screamed, remembering the frustration and anger that had haunted him for years. 

Sensing his chance, Zelgadis took advantage of Rezo's terror.  "Don't panic.  We'll be fine in a minute."  Already his vision had gone from black to a blurry gray.  "This is nothing."

Rezo felt himself violently usurped from control of his body.  "Zelgadis?"  He recognized the voice from his dreams.  He couldn't see yet, but somehow he knew that the swordsman was standing before him again.  He put his hands up defensively.  "Wait!  Wait, damn it!" 

"I knew you'd try to find me, Rezo.  You shouldn't seek knowledge you aren't ready to understand."  The swordsman flung his hood back to reveal the smiling face of Zelgadis Greywords. 

Rezo gasped in shock.  "You're me?!  No this is some sort of trick!  You're not me!"  It all made sense.  Knowing things that he shouldn't.  The memories of friends that he didn't have.  The periods of time that he couldn't remember anything.  Yes!  It all made perfect sense!  He pointed at Zelgadis and laughed hysterically.  "That's it!  I'm possessed!  You're secret is out demon!  I just need to find a priest and…  Wait a second, I am a priest!"  He laughed again before looking at Zelgadis, uncertainty playing across his face.  He whispered,  "Aren't I?"

Zelgadis's mocking laughter silenced the priest.  "Is that really the best you can come up with?  No more lies, Rezo.  I don't need them anymore."  He drew his sword and effortlessly sliced the priest from his left hip to his right shoulder.

Rezo screamed as he evaporated like mist in the morning sun.

Christopher watched Zelgadis with a great deal of interest.  His conversation with himself was somewhat interesting, but what really seized the prince's attention was the chimera's face.  It had grown back from a blackened ruin to perfection in a matter of moments.  He grinned wickedly.  How utterly marvelous.

Shaking his head, Zelgadis stood.  It felt as if he had been asleep for an eternity.  He looked around with his newly regenerated eyes and sighed as he recognized his location.  "Cruso, huh?  Is that what it took?"  He looked down at Christopher who was struggling to his feet.  "What are you doing here?"

Christopher hissed in pain as he worked a Recovery spell on his injured ribs.  "I came to seek out the Red Priest."  He gave Zelgadis a look of contempt.  "Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that it was only my delusional 'Uncle."  He spat blood into the grass and massaged his bruised throat.

Zelgadis growled, "I don't have the patience to deal with your cynicism right now.  Just answer my questions.  How long have I been gone?"

"You mean from Seyruun?"  Christopher shrugged.  "I don't know.  About five years I guess."

Zelgadis whispered, "Five years?"  He staggered back a few steps, almost losing his balance.  "That means that I've been asleep for three years?"  He remembered Rezo's mansion and then… nothing.  "There are so many questions that need answering."

Christopher raised an eyebrow.  "Asleep' Uncle?"

"I dreamed."  Zelgadis reached into his pocket and pulled out the remains of the locket Rezo had destroyed.  He shook his head sadly.  "It wasn't all a dream was it?  That means…"  He glanced at Christopher.  "Your father?"

"Dead."  Christopher sighed.  "Dead for almost a year now.  I'm terribly sorry, Uncle.  I know that the two of you were close friends."

"And Emily?"  Zelgadis closed his eyes and remembered the last time he had been in the kingdom of Seyruun.  He recalled the minor spat between Phil and Emily in the study.  Despite her irritation, Zelgadis had sensed that Emily loved Phil more than life itself.  Just as he had loved Amelia.  To be torn away from that…  He had to return home.  He finally understood.  Home and happiness were in Seyruun where people loved him.  He snapped, "Your mother, Christopher.  How is your mother?"

Christopher's looked angry for an instant before he slipped on a sad expression.  "Dying, I believe.  When father was murdered, it was like a part of her died with him."

Zelgadis saw the moment of resentment on Christopher's face and filed it away for later scrutiny.  He growled, "And you left the palace.  I'm sure Emily felt a lot better knowing that her children were so willing to abandon her in her time of greatest need."

"You bastard!" Christopher spat.  "I couldn't stand to watch my mother waste away!  I knew that it was hard for her.  She took father's death worse than anyone.  But, do you think it was easy for me?  Everyone tried to console mother.  I'm no good at that."  He glared at Zelgadis.  "As you put it, I'm too 'cynical' to bring comfort to anyone."

Zelgadis sighed.  "I'm… sorry, Christopher.  It must have been hard."  He thought for a moment.  "You say Phil was murdered.  What happened?"

"An assassin.  Father was in his study late one night when the assailant slipped in and…"  Christopher frowned.  "Well, we found him the next morning.  The guards saw nothing.  There were no clues.  Father's killer was never brought to justice."

"I see."  Zelgadis looked down for a moment and pondered.  "I have to go to her."

Christopher nodded.  "She'd probably appreciate that, Uncle.  Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

Zelgadis raised an eyebrow.

Christopher nodded at his robes.  "Why the red robes?  Are you really the Rezo that everyone has been talking about?"

"Rezo's dead," Zelgadis quickly answered. "He's been dead for almost a century.  What you heard was… a mistake."

Christopher nodded, a suspicious look on his face.  He sighed, "I suppose you're right.  Rumors spread quickly in these sad times.  The people look for any sign of hope, even if it's a false hope."

"Sad times', Christopher?" Zelgadis asked.  "What else has happened since I was away?"  He walked over to a nearby tree and sat down in the shade.

Christopher joined him a moment later.  "Father's death was only the beginning of Seyruun's troubles.  Almost immediately after his funeral, there were calls from the nobles for my mother to abdicate the throne."

"Why?"

Christopher sighed, "She's a common girl, Uncle.  Never in our kingdom's illustrious history has someone who was not of noble blood ruled.  Even when my great grandfather, Phillionel I, married a commoner for love the nobles begrudgingly accepted it because he was still in control."

Zelgadis nodded and muttered, "I see.  And what do the commoners think?"

Christopher eyed Zelgadis quizzically.  He snorted, "The commoners?" 

Zelgadis nodded.

Christopher shrugged, "Not that it matters, but they support my mother.  After all, she is one of them.  It's a volatile situation.  The nobles are on one side, supporting my Uncle Gouren as the legitimate heir to the throne, while the commoners support mother and, should she decide to abdicate," he frowned angrily as he continued, "my brother Gourry."

"What does Gouren think of the situation?" Zelgadis asked.

"He's mother's biggest supporter.  The only reason he even tolerates the nobles' ideas is to avoid bloodshed."

Zelgadis shook his head and sighed, "Is Seyruun really that close to civil war?"

"Not only that Uncle.  The kingdoms around Seyruun have also sensed our weakness.  Specifically, the Elmekian Empire musters its forces on our border.  If this problem isn't resolved soon…" Christopher left his musing unfinished.

Zelgadis nodded and stood.  He sighed, "So the kingdom of Seyruun teeters on the edge of disaster and your mother suffers."  He extended a hand and pulled Christopher to his feet before continuing, "This doesn't make sense.  Emily told me that she was destined to live a long and happy life.  This…" he shook his head sadly and muttered, "This is wrong."

"Destiny, sir?" Christopher asked curiously.

"Lina, your grandmother, told Emily that she would live a long and happy life.  Lina heard this from the Lord of Nightmares herself.  I don't understand how your mother could be faced with such misery now."  Zelgadis looked up at the blue sky as if expecting answers from the Golden Lord herself.  He whispered, "Lina, what's going on?"

Christopher nodded slowly, not having the slightest idea what Zelgadis was muttering about.  "In any case Uncle, if you intend to go to Seyruun, I suggest you do so quickly.  There may not be a kingdom to return to if you waste too much time."  With that he climbed to he feet and stretched.  "I've wasted too much time myself," he said. "Goodbye Uncle.  I hope you find my mother well."  He turned and was about to leave when he felt Zelgadis's hand on his shoulder.

"Wait," Zelgadis commanded.  "If things are as bad as you say, why did you leave?  And why were you searching for the Red Priest?"

Christopher looked shaken.  His surprise turned to anger and he growled, "That's not really your concern, is it Uncle?  My business is my own.  Now if you'll excuse me?"  He shrugged Zelgadis's hand off and quickly walked down the road away from Cruso.

Zelgadis watched Christopher go with a thoughtful expression on his face.  The boy had been hiding something.  He'd sounded almost frightened by Zelgadis's inquiry.  Strange, but as he had said, it was none of Zelgadis's business.  He shrugged and turned his back on Christopher.  He had business of his own to attend to.

As Zelgadis started walking, he glanced down at his robes distastefully.  Five years he had been gone.  The thought was unnerving to say the least.  He resolved to find some normal clothes as soon as possible.  Strange as it may seem, Rezo's robes almost felt like they were haunted.

Zelgadis shuddered at that thought and almost imperceptibly quickened his pace.  He wasn't going to dwell on darkness any more.  He was going home.  A hesitant smile crossed his lips.  Home.  It sounded so wonderful.  He'd find Emily and help her set things right. 

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It took all of Christopher's willpower not to break into a run as he left Zelgadis behind.  That would have been especially suspicious wouldn't it?  Looking around and noting that he was alone, he broke away from the path and plunged into the underbrush lining the road.

"Power allows us to shape the world," Christopher muttered breathlessly as he made his way through the forest.  A wise man had told him that several years ago.  The man had also told him not to trust Zelgadis should he come across him.  The chimera wouldn't understand Christopher's ambitions.  He recalled what had inspired his mission.

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"But, even if you should come across him, he'll be too wrapped up in himself to bother with you," the voice had hissed from the alley.

Christopher leaned against the wall with his arms crossed and stared into the darkness.  "What am I to do?" he asked the voice.

There was a quiet shuffling noise and a spindly looking man scurried out of the alley into the light.  "It's time to take what is rightfully yours."

Christopher had recoiled in fear at the sight of Xellos.  In all the months that they'd talked, he'd never gotten a clear look at the old man.  He swallowed nervously and asked, "How?"

Xellos smiled at Christopher's apprehension.  "Power allows us to shape the world, young prince."  He locked eyes with the prince and said, "Go and find that power."

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Christopher pressed on, determined to do just that.

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Next Chapter:  Zelgadis returns home

Notes:  My sincerest apologies about the lateness of this chapter.  I have a good reason, I promise!  Uh… well, no I don't but you guys understand right?  Actually I've been throwing myself into Eternal Twilight lately.  I'd recommend it to those who enjoy (bad) horror.

Reader Response:

Miss Gabriev, I guess there won't be any more Rezgadis, but it's still good right?

CT, it's all good as long as Rezo loses his girl too, right?  I'll bet you enjoyed Rezo's fate in this chapter.

Raven, how can you say it's awful?!  Oh, you meant a good kind of awful.  I gotcha.

Anita, I think that your idea is a little much, but Zelgadis still ended up miserable.

Hikari, I guess you decided to abandon the Splash story, huh?  It's a pity.  I thought it had the potential to be quite good myself.