"Cheating? How was I cheating?" Xellos inquired honestly.
The hotty young priestess shoved several pieces of paper at him. "According to rule six, paragraph two, line three, and I quote," she smiled smugly, "No competitor shall at any time use teleportation spells of any type during the match. You used a teleportation spell in that fight. That's cheating and disqualifies you from the competition."
The monster put on his usual happy-go-lucky smile. "What ever do you mean? I didn't use any teleportation spells. The thought of using one never crossed my mind. I know you can't teleport. It's against the rules, and I always follow the rules."
The priestess glared in response. "Prove it."
Xellos disappeared and then reappeared a few feet away. "This would be a teleport. I merely..." In the blink of an eye, he was next to her. "...moved. There is nothing in the rules that says I can not move about with all the speed I posses. I hardly see how it's my fault that I'm faster than all you slow dragons."
This sent the priestess over the edge. She was just about to pounce on the monster when Milgasia laid a hand on her shoulder. He had been listening the entire time with quiet reserve.
The older golden dragon let out a sigh. "Let it pass, Daria."
"But Master Melgasia..." the young priestess tried to protest.
He shook his head. "Monsters do move much faster and he is, I'm afraid, correct about the rules on movement." Xellos smirked in triumph. Melgasia shot him a cold stare. "However, the monster would be wise to make the distinction between a teleportation spell and simple movement more clear in order to prevent any further mixups."
Daria grunted and scowled as Milgasia led her away, leaving Xellos in peace again.
Xaina floated down from above him, where she had watched the entire scene. She sat in the air, as if on an invisible board, and stared him in the eyes. The child's violet pupils radiated something he hadn't seen in those eyes for a while: distrust. Her tail had puffed slightly and the bell on her tail ring jingled.
Xellos peeked open one curious eye at her accusing gaze. "What?"
"You just lied," she stated plainly.
"What makes you think I lied?"
She folded her little arms together. "I think I'm getting better at this reading emotions thing..."
"What makes you so certain you read them right?" he countered as the familiar smirk covered his face again.
The child's eyes grew wide. Her bottom lip trembled. "I didn't?"
"That is a secret."
Her cat ears flattened against the side of her scalp. "You're mean."
"Why yes I am," he responded with a chuckle. Xaina pouted.
There was loud cheering coming from the arena. Xaina's ears stood on end as her gaze darted to the door to the stands.
"Must be starting the next fight," Xellos observed. I still need to see what's allowed and what's not. "Do you want to go watch?" His charge nodded. "Me too." The two teleported back in the arena.
~*~*~
She took a calm sip of her tea. Long blonde hair draped over her shoulders. Locks of gold hung in her sharp, dark eyes. A faint smile played across her full, painted lips. The bracelets on her wrists tinkled as her hands moved about. A long, white dress was loosely draped over her thin form. The cup was gently placed on the small, round table.
"Interesting place for one such as yourself to spend her afternoon," A soft, masculine voice commented.
The blonde regarded the golden dragon with a predatory smile. "Ah, Milgasia, so good to see you. Care to join me?"
He eyed her skeptically, but sat across from her. The dragon glanced around at the other dragons completely ignoring her presence. "Interesting trick," he commented. "How are you doing it?"
"A gift, from one of my servants. I believe you know this one..."
Melgasia glared at her. "I am not interested in your slaves. We are not at war. Why are you here?"
The woman took another sip of her tea, closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath. She opened her eyes again and glanced at the dragons passing by. "Such calm creatures, normally. You certainly do get quite lively when there is sex involved, though." Her gazed flickered back to him. "A large waste of time, though. It's much easier for us."
"That is because your kind do not take mates," the priest snorted. "I will repeat, what do you want and what is it you have sent your priest for?"
She quirked an eye brow. "And what makes you certain that his participation is not his own doing?"
"A monster would never willingly take a mate, period, let alone a dragon mate."
"Then it makes his actions all the more curious, doesn't it?" she responded with a sharp smirk. He was about to protest, but she continued. "He, however, is not why I am here." A small piece of rolled up parchment suddenly appeared on the table. Purple wax with the emblem of a wolf pressed in it sealed the document shut. "I have a business proposition for your people."
Carefully, Milgasia broke the seal, half expecting it to explode. When nothing happened, he unrolled the paper and read the contents carefully. His teal eyes turned to her skeptically. "This is?"
"An interesting bit information I have come across."
"It sounds like a prophecy... but there is obviously parts missing."
"Indeed it is. This is a collection of the two copies I have acquired information from. Though a great deal is missing, I think you can get the general idea."
He read it over again. "And what exactly do you want us to do with it?"
"There is a dragon involved in this. We want you to find him..."
"And turn him over to you, correct?"
She waved a dismissive hand, making all the bracelets clink against each other. "No, no. Not at all. What could I possibly do with a dragon?"
"Fulfill this proph..."
"Who said anything about fulfilling it?"
"You are a creature of Shabernigdo. I assumed you would be thrilled at the chance to destroy this world."
"Not all of us wish to return to chaos just yet, priest."
"Then what is it you want done?"
"I wish for the dragon to be found and trained. I suppose you may kill him, if you wish. That does seem to be your method of dealing with problems." The blonde woman grinned viciously.
Milgasia ignored the smirk and pressed on. "But you would prefer him alive?"
"I would prefer him contained. I care not how you do it." Her eyes locked with his, pinning the dragon in place. "It is in all of our best interests that this be controlled and quickly."
He gave a slight snort. "And what of the others? The monster?"
"I have the monster under control. She will not be a problem. The human is currently unborn. However, once the human is, I will have it contained as well."
"Which leaves the demon..."
"Whoever gets to him first," she leered.
"And what do we get for cooperating with you?"
"A few more years longer to live." The predator eyes flickered back to passing people. Many were hurrying back to the arena. "I do believe Xellos is the next up. You might want to hurry back to judge. After all, you might catch him cheating..."
The paper was rolled back up and Milgasia stood. "I will take this to the elders. Beyond that, I promise nothing." He started to walk away, then stopped and turned back. "This..." He trailed off when she was nowhere in sight. All that was left was a small tea cup and saucer. Curious, he picked it up. Finely pained lavender images hung down from the rim and spread out across the body of the china. He picked up the matching plate and flipped it over to see the maker. "Filia Ul Copt," he read to himself. His brow furrowed.
Loud boos from the arena caught his attention. Xellos must be about to enter. He sighed and headed for the judges stand, taking the tea cup and saucer with him.
~~~~
A pair of black eyes narrowed as they watched Melgasia leave. The fluttered back to the table for a moment, then towards the arena. Should have known she was interfering... Oh well. Wont matter this time...
~*~*~
Xellos grinned at the unconscious young dragon being dragged out. From her perch on his shoulders, Xaina waved.
"This is fun," the child chirped.
"Of course. Watching dragons quibble amongst each other is always fun," the trickster stated.
She leaned forward so the two sets of violet eyes met. "Do dragons always fight like this?"
Her teacher nodded. "They're dragons. Your experience with Filia should have taught you that all dragons are violent and selfish."
"It's not just Filia?"
"Nope."
"Oh... So how come we don't teach them to be more like monsters? You know, more peaceful and calm?" the child inquired.
Xellos put on his trade mark grin. "Oh, we have been trying. For centuries, actually." He faked a sigh and shrugged. "But they just refuse to listen. Must be their stubborn nature."
The half cat child eyed him skeptically. "Really?"
"Xaina, would I lie to you?"
"Yes."
He put on a hurt expression. "Xaina. That's cruel. I wont lie to you..."
"Which implies that you have before."
Xellos frowned.
His senses fluttered to the champion currently leaving the arena. This golden dragon was a bit older than most of the others, and obviously more experienced. Two horns ivory horns protruded from the top of his snout, unlike most of the others' single nose horn. Xellos had seen him fight twice now, and both times the dragon had taken down his opponents in three or less hits. Of course, so far, most of the ones competing were young and inexperienced.
The monster perked up. One gloved finger tapped Xaina on the nose. "You know, sometimes you are far too smart, Xaina. I suppose one of these days I'll have to do something about that." She bit his finger. He sent a mild shock through it and she instantly let go. "You shouldn't bite your allies. Makes them less cooperative in the long run. Besides, it's much more fun to play with their minds."
"But..."
"Go back to the stands with Zelgadiss and watch patiently like a good cat girl."
"But I don't like Zelgadiss. He's mean and he yells at Amelia..."
"Then be mean back."
"But Mommy always said I should be nice to people, especially adults..."
"Then be nice. I don't care. Just go."
Xaina slumped and sighed. "Fine." She concentrated for a moment, then disappeared.
The last champion strode by confidently. Xellos grinned, waiting for the dragon to pass. When he was out of the way, the trickster started walking into the arena.
There was a sudden sharp smack on Xellos' back. He stopped and glared back. The dragon smirked, brandished his tail, and walked away. He just hit me!?! That idiot dragon. Xellos snorted. Two can play this game... He raised his staff, ready to send a horrible shock through the back end of the dragon. After all, a little shock wouldn't kill the brute... and they weren't technically in the arena right now. The crowd began to boo. He frowned and peeked open a dark violet eye. Later...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A little later than I promised, I know. My finals were a nightmare. I'm glad they're over. Holidays were a little hectic and I haven't had much time at the computer. *sigh* Oh well. I have found times to get a little writing done and got two more chapters done besides this. *grins evilly* Xellos is really starting to rub off on Xaina. He he he. *and all of the Slayer's world trembles*
Well, Xellos now has a rival. This will make things a little more interesting at least. All the while, Filia has no idea any of this is going on. Poor Filia. Poor poor Filia.
I know the last chapter was a little bland, as some of you pointed out, but I needed to get some opinions on Milgasia's part and cut the chapter shorter than I planned. I really did picture Milgasia as a judge but I had ideas for him also being a competitor. I was curious as to what people wanted.
Tenma Koneko, don't worry, the birds will be back. I promise, the birds will be back... and morbid... but they were pretty morbid (and strange) before, so I guess that's no different.
You're going to slaughter me, Nightswift? But then you wont ever get anymore. ... Maybe we shouldn't leave you alone with Posmose. The two of you might be dangerous together.
Our favorite trickster's name can be spelled with one of two 's', if you're curious lily23.
Well, that's all for my comments. See you next chapter and thanks to everyone who is keep up with my story and it's lack of updates. Again, sorry about that. Hopefully, I will update more regularly from now on.