Disclaimer: Do I get sued if I don't say it?
Making up
The power awakens
After leaving Filia behind, Eruk had just walked around aimlessly. I have been almost all over town, I wonder where Sylphiel has gone, he was starting to get worried about her. Normally it was him who vanished, whenever he was troubled, this was just so unlike her. He drifted through the town, just taking in all the expressions.
He walked away from the market square. The bustle was nice, but he needed some peace and quiet. It was starting to get dark. He found a nice spot at the harbor. For a while he just sat there, enjoying the feel of the wind, and the smell of the ocean. For some reason, he always found comfort in nature. I can't believe I actually hit her! His mind wandered back to the incident at the inn. It was like he wasn't in control of his own body. I'm just making excuses for myself aren't I? He felt terrible. Maybe I should have a drink, and head back to the inn. I'm sure she's back there already. He looked around and found a small pub. It wasn't the best place in town, but at the moment he didn't care.
He entered the room. It was just as he had imagined, from looking at it outside, a really rough place. There was mostly drunk sailors there. He sat down at a small table in the corner. The room was pretty dark, and he wasn't able to see clearly. But over the crowd he heard something familiar, he was pretty sure that it was Sylphiels voice. He scanned the room another time, looking for her. He found her at the bar, surrounded by sailors, apparently shrinemaides wasn't regular customers in that place. He moved a bit closer, careful of not giving himself away. From the tone of her voice, he figured that she was drunk.
"Hey cutie, why don't you come with me and the guys? We can have some real fun." One of the sailors really tried to put the moves on her. Eruk was tense, nobody should be allowed to talk to her like that. He was ready to step in, if he felt like it was needed. "Nohuh I don'tsh want to" She mumbled. Eruk relaxed a bit, at least she was still somewhat able to think. "Come on, honey. You know you want to" the sailor kept pushing her.
"Mister, I believe she said no" Eruk had decided that it was time to act, before she did something she would regret later. "You just keep your nose out of this, sonny" it was rather obvious that the sailors didn't like his intrusion one bit. Eruk pushed his way to Sylphiels side "I asked you nice once. If you insist on harassing my girlfriend, then I'll do something other than just ask nice". His voice was a low threatening whisper.
Normally his tone, and the aggressive stance he assumed, would be enough to make most people think twice, but these sailors were to drunk to just give up. I their eyes, he was just a little shrimp who stood in the way of their fun.
He shoot Sylphiel a look. There was no need to worry about her, for now. She was just sitting there staring at the drink in front of her. He made a weak smile, he had never thought he would se her drunk like that. He turned his attention back to the three sailors who were approaching. All of them were much larger than him, and probably a lot stronger. But they were drunk, that gave him the edge he needed.
This was the first fight where he really felt that he was the one who held the best cards. He had no problem dodging their attacks. He wasn't as strong as they were, but he was faster, and able to hit them where it hurt the most. He wasn't really thinking about the fight. This is my fault, all my fault, was the only thought that entered his mind. If only he hadn't lost his temper and hit her, then none of this would have happened. He felt his anger rising, and with that, his strength was rising as well.
Two of the sailors were already out could, but the last one kept coming at him. Just leave me alone, LEAVE ME ALONE! His mind was screaming. He was no longer thinking, he was just acting on instinct. He dashed forward and grabbed the sailors troath, and slowly but sure, lifted him of the ground with one hand. His eyes were glowing with an unholy red light. The other visitors could only watch in horror as he tightened his grip. He started laughing an strange inhuman laughter, as he started choking the man.
Inside his head was only darkness. He sort of liked it that way. No need to hold back, no need to even think of holding back. It was a calming feeling for him to just tighten his grip, fell the life flow out of his opponent. He shook his head, an annoying light was shining through the darkness. "It's true that I don't like violence, but if you want to survive you have to defend yourself sometimes". The words Sylphiel had said to him, after he killed his first human opponent, came back to him. Sylphiel wouldn't want this, the light beckoned him.
With an angry scream, he tossed the unconscious sailor up against a wall. Slowly he regained the ability to think, and his eyes were turning back to their normal emerald color. He stumbled back to the bar, leaning in towards the desk. "Sylphiel, were leaving" he whispered. She didn't have much of an reaction, except some faint complaints about her not having finished her drink yet. All eyes were glued to the couple as the left, but no one dared to interfere.
Back at the inn he got her to her room without commotion. "Hey cutie, don'tscha wanna buy me'sch a drink?" she mumbled as he put the drunk shrinemaiden in her bed. Eruk was about to leave when he noticed that her face had started getting some really interesting green shades. Acting quickly he managed to get a jar, and hold it under her face before she messed up her bed. I guess this means no sleep for me tonight, he thought as settled in on a chair next to the bed, doing the best he could to comfort his drunk friend.
The night was quiet, and without any accidents. Eruk was relived when he saw the sun rise in the horizon. Luckily Sylphiel had been sleeping most of the night. He hoped that she had something in her magic arsenal that would help her cure a bad hangover. He stood up and stretched, spending the entire night on a chair wasn't exactly his idea of a pleasant night, but he had managed to get a few hours sleep. He started cleaning up the room, not that he enjoyed cleaning, but he was determined to wait until Sylphiel woke up, and he had to do something to stay awake. He really needed to talk to her and apologize for what had happened yesterday. He still couldn't forgive himself for hitting her.
He wouldn't have felt so bad if it had been some of his other companions. He couldn't help but to let a shiver run through his body, when he thought of what would have happened if it had been Lina, who had been in the way of his fist. A soft moan ripped him away from his thoughts and into reality. Sylphiel had opened her eyes. He sat back down on the chair "good morning" he said casually. She tried to sit up, but a pain in her head made her give it up. "What happened to me?" she whimpered. He tried his best to explain what made her feel like she did. She closed her eyes, blushing a bit "I… got drunk?" he nodded in reply "I have never seen anyone as drunk as you were", he said truthfully.
"I don't remember anything at all" she admitted. Eruk knew that he had to take a chance "Sylphiel" he started "Do you remember that I… sort of hit you?" his voice had lowered to a whisper. She opened her eyes and stared at him "You… hit me? No, I don't remember. But why?". He took a deep breath "I didn't know it was you" he admitted "I had been disturbed several times during the morning, and in the end, I just snapped". She shook her head "I don't remember at all". He brushed a hand over her face "It would seem that I'm getting better at magic" He smiled weakly "the bruise I gave you are gone".
They were interrupted by Taki running down the hallway "YAY, FESTIVAL!!!!". Eruk almost fell out of his chair, not again! He thought, as he remembered how all the troubles had started yesterday. Her eyes brightened "oh that's right, it is the last day of the festival isn't it?". He gave her a quick nod. "Then why don't we forget this ever happened and enjoy the festival" she asked with a small smile. Just like that, huh? He thought. He had never expected her to forgive him that fast, but he really didn't mind. That's just the way she is, I guess. He thought.
He stood up, looking at her with a questioning look "are you coming?" he asked. She didn't move, or answer. "Sylphiel?" he asked again. "Could you please leave me alone for a while?" she asked. His confidence crumbled, but only for a second. There was something in her voice that made him think, that it wasn't related to him at all. "Sylphiel, something wrong?" he asked carefully, not really wanting to her the answer, if it was connected to him. She looked at him, blushing a bit, "I need to change my clothes, and with you standing there…." She needn't say more. He gave her a quick bow "I'll wait outside, my lady". With those words he spun around and left the room.
She was looking in his direction as he left. It always made her fell funny, when he pulled that chivalrous routine on her. She couldn't help but put to think of him, as she changed her clothes. She giggled, she had always dreamt of meeting a handsome, chivalrous prince. "Isn't that what all girls want?" she whispered, as she were browsing through the clothes she had brought along. It was amazing how he acted just like Gourry at times. She was still in love with Gourry, but she knew that there was no way he would ever look at her as something else that a friend. And it was pretty obvious that he and Lina were really close. Eruk on the other hand… . She shook her head "I shouldn't think like this" she told herself, as she looked into the mirror. The outfit she wore was similar to her regular clothes, except that they were new, the colors were brighter and didn't show the signs of wear that he old ones had. She ran a hand through her hair and went outside to join him.
Eruk was leaning up against the wall. His head was lowered and his eyes closed. She could her him breathe heavily. "Are you sleeping?" she asked. His eyes snapped open, "no, I was meditating" he told her, "but I must admit that I could easily doze of, if I didn't have a date with my favorite shrinemaiden". Even though his hair covered a large part of his face, she could see that he was smiling. She was blushing, he could be such a flirt sometimes. Politely she ignored his teasing, and followed him down the stairs. "Do you want breakfast first, or should we get something later?" he asked. She thought for a while, "I think breakfast would be good, beside I'm sure miss Lina and Gourry dear are the too". He nodded, and started to head for the restaurant.
Just as he reached for the door to the restaurant, it flew open. Xellos came running out at an incredible speed. "It's so good to see you again, my dear Filia" Eruk heard him shout. The next one to rush past him was Filia. She was swinging her mace around wildly "JUST YOU WAIT, YOU FILTHY PIECE OF GOOD FOR NOTHING RAW GARBAGE MAZUKO SCUM!!!!!!!!!!!" she shouted, sounding like she wanted nothing more than to catch up with the trickster priest and smash his fingers one by one. The next to follow was Lina, who dragged Gourry along, "hey Filia come back here, I still haven't got the breakfast you promised me" she protested.
Eruk gathered all the guts he could muster and peeked into the restaurant. All of his body was tense and he was ready to dive to safety if needed be. He relaxed as the only one he could see was Taki. She was sitting at a large table, looking utterly confused. He motioned for Sylphiel to follow. "What happened here?" they asked the confused waitress in unison. She shook her head "I don't know. Miss Lina, Gourry and that blonde girl Filia, were just having breakfast when mister Xellos came to join us". She hesitated "Mister Xellos just said hello to miss Filia, and she went all ballistic".
Eruk nodded as he remembered his own first encounter with the blonde shopkeeper. "yeah, she seems to have some sort of grudge against Xellos that's for sure." He turned to the shrinemaiden "maybe you can tell us something?" he asked. She thought for a while, "I don't think I have ever seen that woman before, or heard Lina mention her name. I'm sorry but I don't know anything about her".
The three of them went on to eating breakfast. The door opened again and Amelia ran into the restaurant. Eruk, who had his back to the door, noticed how Taki's smile grew as she saw the young Seyruun princes. He turned around to follow her gaze. "Hi there Amelia!" Taki shouted to get her attention. The two of them had apparently missed each other. "So did mister Zelgadis find his cure?" Sylphiel asked. Amelia looked away for a second "No. But we did find the spring he was searching for…" she smiled broadly "it was magic water, that allowed plants to grow places they usually wouldn't do otherwise". Taki went back to her breakfast "that don't sound very useful" she sighed. "Oh I wouldn't say that" Amelia started to explain "We found it in a small desert village. The people there made a living growing rice in the sand". She suddenly went silent as something dawned on her "of course, that's what they used the holy water for! Boy I'm glad Mister Zelgadis decided check out the village library, before he used it on himself".
They fell silent for a second, they all had the same mental image of Zelgadis covered with rice plants. Eruk was the first one who started laughing, but the others joined in shortly after. "Mr. Eruk that's not just" Amelia giggled. He waved her comment away "yeah I know, I know. But you were thinking the same thing" he countered. "So are you going out to the finale of the festival?" Taki asked. "Just what is this grand finale?" Amelia asked her friend. Taki shrugged " I don't know really, but there is a huge fire gathered just outside town, maybe the finale has something to do with that".
A waiter came over to their table "I'm sorry, but I heard what you were talking about" he said "every year we finish the festival with a great fire and fireworks". They all nodded. "I love fireworks" Sylphiel exclaimed "all those colors, it's just so pretty". Amelia agreed enthusiastically. Eruk couldn't help but wonder why mages of their caliber would find colored fire that exciting, not the he didn't like fireworks, but they seemed capable of making fireworks with a flick of their wrists. They talked some more before Amelia yawned and excused herself "Mr. Zelgadis made me walk all night, I'd better get some sleep if I want to stay awake to see the fireworks". Eruk turned to Taki "Sylphiel and I were going out to enjoy the festival why don't you come along?". She nodded eagerly "Of course I will. I was in to much pain to do anything yesterday, and I'm not one to miss a chance to have fun".
The three of them spent most of the day walking around aimlessly. When they passed Filias stand, Eruk noticed that the blonde shopkeeper were ordering Jillas and Gravos around. She crossed her arms and gave a satisfied nod. She turned her head and saw three familiar faces. "Oh hi there" she waved for them to come over. "Miss Lina told me that we are leaving on a boat tonight". "We?" they asked in unison. She nodded, still looking like it was the most natural thing in the world "of course. I have to come with you in order to keep an eye out for that NAMAGOMI Xellos". Once again she made his name sound like a curse.
"You really don't like Mr. Xellos, do you?" Taki asked. "I am a former priestess of the fire dragon king, therefore it's my duty to keep an eye out for any evil plot he may have" Even though she did her best to hide it, there was a bit of pride and arrogance in her voice. "My my Filia, I didn't know you cared" without making a sound, Xellos had appeared behind her. Needless to say, it made Filia jump in shock. "You!" she screamed in disgust. "I just can't help it" he smiled "you are just being much to kind to me". Filia drew her mace and pointed at him "You really are begging for a beating" she threatened. Xellos smiled nervously as he backed away "Oh Filia dearest, you know that you don't mean that". She advanced further "oh yes I do". With that, the both of them vanished down the street in a cloud of dust. "That is just one weird relationship" Taki commented "They are just as bad as the two of you" she added with a sly smile. Eruk and Sylphiel looked at each other and blushed "we don't have any kind of relationship" they said at the same time. Taki giggled "whatever you say".
Evening came, and with that, the main event of the festival. "ALRIGHT, FOOD!!!!" Lina cried, as she tossed herself at the tables that had been set up outside of town. It didn't take long before she had eaten all the food, with a little help from Gourry. "There they go again" Zelgadis rolled his eyes. "Nothing wrong with enjoying a free meal Zel" Lina countered, and Gourry backed her up. "That's Lina Inverse for you" Eruk said, as he shook his head. "You better believe it" the redhead exclaimed, assuming one of Amelias posses. The princess spun around "Miss Linaaa, you're stealing my act again!" she whined. Ignoring Amelia she sat down, patting her belly. It was a time to relax.
Most of the villagers kept their distance to the strange group of tourists. Zelgadis rather enjoyed the distance, and was sitting under a tree playing a guitar he had borrowed at the inn.
Eruk withdrew himself from the group. Just sitting and staring into a fire was getting to him. He knew that it was times like this people thought back on their lives. But he didn't have a past. He sat down on a small hill some distance away. From there he could see the entire festival area, and enjoy the silence at the same time. He let himself fall backwards, so that he was looking up on the sky. He saw a few shooting stars before he closed his eyes and focused his ears on the sound from the festival.
He tensed when his senses warned him of another person nearby. He kept his eyes closed and focused on tracking the person with his ears. He could hear that the person moved closer to him. He relaxed, there wasn't any indication that his visitor had any hostile intentions. He heard a rustle in the grass. The person was now sitting next to him. Now his curiosity got the better of him, and he opened his eyes. Sylphiel was sitting next to him. "Oh, I thought you were sleeping", she sounded surprised. He sat up "nah, just relaxing". A silence fell over them for awhile. "Why aren't you down at the festival?" it was Sylphiel who broke the silence first. He shrugged "I don't know, really. Somehow I just feel out of place". Sylphiel started to say something, but were interrupted by a small explosion nearby. She let out a small scream. Eruk jumped up, thinking that he was being attacked. Both of them felt incredible stupid when they realized that the "explosion" was noting more than some fireworks down at the festival. They looked at each other, then up at the sky. "Embarrassing…" Eruk muttered, as he sat back down.
For a while they just forgot about everything around them, and enjoyed the fireworks. Time passed and the sky was no longer covered in glittering, colored fire. Sylphiel stood up "I am going back to the others, why don't you come with me?" she held out her hand. He nodded and took her hand. Together they walked back to the area that was brightly illuminated by the now burning fire. "HIYA lovebirds" Taki yelled when they entered the light area. Sylphiel blushed lightly and let go of his hand. The next hour was spent listening to Lina explain just how they were going to the outer world. Of course, the only one that was clueless about their journey was Gourry, but the others knew better that to do anything that would anger the short statured sorceress. Listening to Lina gave Eruk an idea of just how big the outer world really was. Going past the desert of destruction by ship was only the beginning.
The fire was dying out, and the villagers started to head back to their houses. The small group of adventures also started heading back to the inn. They had to make sure they didn't miss their boat. Knowing Lina's reputation I'm sure the captain would wait for all eternity Eruk thought to himself before he drifted off to sleep.
Authors notes:
Another chapter done. I'm about to introduce the bad guys of this fic now. Hope you are looking forward too it.
Not much to say this time, but keep reading.
