Disclaimer: I don't own slayers
What's going on here?
An army of chimeras?
"He doesn't look like much…" Neela spat. She was standing in from of a large test tube. Inside a new copy was almost ready. "Pay some respect girl" Loid sneered "He is going to lead my chimera army. And then we are taking over the entire world!!!". While Loid was laughing like mad, his assistants helped the copy out of the tube. He looked around, and picked up the clothes that was put out before him. Five cloaked people stood in a circle around him, allowing him some privacy as he got dressed. After a short while they stepped away.
"So that's why he wanted the blood" Ascard thought out loud. Before him stood an almost perfect copy of the one he had hunted for so long. The Eruk clone looked around the room "where am I…?" he asked. "Ahh my dear boy!" Loid shouted "this is my lab, where I have recreated you, as you were meant to be". The copy nodded slowly "Yes, I remember. I died during an experiment. How is it that I live?". Loid cleared his troath "When you died, another copy was made. He was a failure, but he was still another you. By using his blood, it was a simple matter for someone with my genius to make another copy, and to make certain improvements".
The clone looked straight in the old mans eyes "what kind of improvements?" he asked suspiciously. "Well for once…" Loid started "You are much stronger that you used to be, faster and smarter too. And…" Loid took a short break before going on "You should also have quite a few magic spells in your memory, all you need to do, is relearn them".
"Magic" the copy frowned "I don't need that kind of cheap fireworks!". Loid posed dramatically "Oh magic is more than that my friend. Neela if you would be so kind…". The blue haired sorceress sighted and pointed at a large boulder "Fireball" she said without any emotion. A ball of flame flew from her hand and blew up the rock "this is what you promised me?" the copy asked "this is the power from within the barrier?". Loid nodded "yes, this added to your already considerable fighting skills, you have become truly powerful indeed my dear Shadow". The copy nodded "Shadow? Yes, that was what they used to call me. I was the best assassin in the known world".
Ascard took a step back, this was the legendary Damien Shadowheart? He had heard the rumors about him. He was a bandit, assassin and mercenary. In short, he would do anything for money. Rumors had it that he had even hired himself out to the monster race in some rare occasions. Somewhere deep inside, Ascard had always admired him, but had also hoped that they would never meet. People said that once the Shadow accepted a job, the victim could already be considered dead.
Loid led the small group of people through the large mansion "And here you have them" he said, as he opened a door "my army!". The entire courtyard were filled with chimeras. "Yes, just look at them" Loid shouted "All of them 1/4 human, troll, mazuko and berserker". Damien looked them over "Can they actually do anything?" he asked. "Ascard, give him your sword" Loid ordered. That tall warrior hesitated, but finally handed his most prized possession over". The copy took it "it's a bit heavier than what I'm used to". Loid pointed at one of the closest chimeras "attack him!" he ordered.
Without wasting any time, Damien had run up to the creature and slashed it viciously. It fell over, screaming in pain. "I see nothing special about them" he said as he handed the sword back. "Why don't you turn around then?" Loid asked, while smirking to himself. Damien turned around. The creature he had mortally wounded, was already standing at it's place in the line. "How did it…?" the assassin asked in confusion. "Simple" Loid explained "The troll part allows that kind of regeneration. The berserker is for strength, human for intelligence and the mazuko part gives limited magical abilities, and adds to the regeneration.
"Now show me what you can do!" Loid shouted "there is a village about a weeks travel to the south. Burn it down!". Damien looked back on the swordsman and sorceress "What about those two?" he asked. Loid walked towards them "they will go with you. Ascards abilities with the sword is top notch, and Neela is a pretty powerful sorceress. She could even help you with you new magical abilities". Acting almost simultaneous, the army vanished into the astral plane.
"Miss Lina, shouldn't we be leaving soon?" Filia asked. Lina stuffed another piece of sausage into her mouth "We can't leave on an empty stomach, now can we?". The dragon sighed and continued cradling the egg she was carrying "Don't worry little Val. We are leaving soon, the fresh air is going to make you feel much better".
Taki watched her with curiosity "Miss Filia, can I ask you something?" she asked. "Of course, what do you want to know?" Filia carefully put the egg back in it's basket. "Well, I was just wondering…" Taki started "how can you tell how an egg feels?". Filia laughed "I just can. I guess it's the same with you race. I've heard that human mothers can tell that kind of thing". Taki giggled "I guess you are right about that. He umm really uhh looks like his mother". Filia blushed deeply "Oh no he's not mine in that way!! I mean…. I'm only 300. If circumstances were different, I would not even have considered raising a baby at my age!".
Taki looked away and changed the subject "Look over there, miss Filia". Both of them looked over at the small table by the window. Sylphiel had been sitting there most of the morning, not talking to anyone. From what they could see, she had not eaten anything and barely touched her tea. "This is really hard on her isn't it?" Taki asked "I hope we find Eruk soon, or at least find out why he left so sudden". An eerie silence fell over the entire party.
"Hey what's wrong with everybody?" Gourry asked " Why the sudden silence?". Lina slapped him in the back of the head "Be silent you idiot". All of them looked at the shrinemaiden. "I feel so sorry for her" Amelia whispered "Eruk seemed so nice…".
The gloomy atmosphere was broken when a wounded man stumbled inside. "DEMONS!" he shouted "An entire army of them! They are attacking the town!". Just as he finished talking, an explosion rocked the building. "What was that?" Lina shouted and stood up. "Demons?" Zel asked, and also stood up. Two of Loids chimeras crashed through the wall to the left of them. "OH NO!! IT'S THEM!!!" the man shouted. The creatures immediately started trashing the entire place.
"No, not that" Lina whispered as the creatures approached the table with the food. One of the chimeras stuffed a handful of food into it's mouth. With a disgusted look on it's face it knocked the table over. "That's it!" Lina shouted "Gourry, let's take care of them". Gourry stopped eating and stood up "Alright, This journey has been far to dull already". He drew his sword. It was no sword of light, but it was straight and sharp. A true masterpiece of a brilliant blacksmith.
He charged forward and slashed the nearest creature. It fell to the ground without a sound. "Good work Gourry!" Lina cheered "Now watch this! FIREBALL!!" The ball of flame exploded as it hit the target. Needless to say the creature was incinerated, along with a good portion of the inn. "Mr. Gourry watch out!" Amelia cried. The blonde swordsman heard her just in time to jump away. The chimera he brought down had recovered and attacked. The floor where he had been standing seconds ago crumbled as the creature punched with all of it's strength.
"Lina? Didn't I just kill that thing?" he asked in confusion. "How should I know?" she cried back "FREEZE ARROW!". A bolt of cold hit the chimera and froze it solid. Zelgadis took a closer look at it "It would seem that you did hit it Gourry" he concluded "Look at those scars…" He pointed to the creatures chest. Two large scars were carved into it's skin. "I'm sure this was made by Gourry" Zel continued on "but I don't know about the other one". Lina came up next to him "They regenerate like trolls".
"What was that?" Filia asked as an explosion was heard outside. The entire party ran out to investigate. A lot of the same creatures as the two from the inn ran around in the street. "It looks like an invasion" Amelia shouted. Lina grabbed hold of Filia "Hey you are from the outer world. What are those creatures?". Filia eyes widened "I don't know! I've never heard of creatures like that before". Taki drew her guns "I might not be a fighter, but this is just to cruel". Gourry held her back "easy there kid. You don't wanna mess with those creatures". Taki looked at him with big round puppy eyes "But we got to do something! This is almost the same as what happened in my village 4 years ago".
Suddenly Zelgadis ran in front of them "Quick, protection barriers, NOW!" he shouted. Both him and Amelia cast a magical barrier. In the same second a fireball exploded in front of them. "What was that?" Lina shouted. "Oh just a little taste of things to come" A male voice answered through the smoke. "You!" Lina hissed "I've been waiting for this". Ascard smiled back to her "You've better save you strength girl, or should I say, little boy" He smirked. "That's it! I'm gonna kill you with my own two hands!" she cried and ran forward. Another fireball exploded and sent her flying backwards. "A little girl like you should really be more careful" Neela laughed.
"So both of the goons are here now" Zel remarked , while Gourry and Amelia helped Lina back up. "Why are you attacking this peaceful village?" Filia shouted. "Oh I can answer that" a third voice could be heard through the smoke. Sylphiel, who had been quiet for some time tensed "no, that voice. It couldn't be…". Another man walked through the smoke. "Eruk!" Taki cried and ran forward. The silverhaired man smiled evilly. In a flash he had two slightly curved daggers in his hands. "Got you!" He whispered. Just as she got within range, Taki tripped over some debris. As she fell, she could feel something flying past her, just above the head.
She fell to her knees, a few strands of brow hair gently floated down in front of her face. She looked up at the man in front of her. As her eyes fell on the twin daggers in his hands, she swallowed hard. This wasn't Eruk. She crawled backwards. "You seriously don't think you can get away from me, do you?" he asked. Taki closed her eyes, as he brought his weapons downwards for the kill. But instead of pain, she felt a hard pull on her upper body. Carefully she opened her eyes. She was back among her friends.
"What happened?" she asked. "Mr. Zelgadis managed to pull you away" Amelia explained "You know how fast he is" she added with a hint of admiration in her voice. "Eruk, what do you think you are doing?!" Lina shouted. "Don't compare me to that guy" Damien spat "I am, what he should have been. Besides he's buried under a collapsed building now".
Sylphiel fell to her knees "Dead?" she whispered. "NO! I refuse to believe it!" She stood back up and walked forward. "please tell me the truth" she pleaded "He can't be dead". Damien scratched his head "Well, who can be sure anyway? I actually hope that he's alive, so I can kill him myself".
The entire chimera army started gathering behind their leader. Even the one from the inn that was frozen solid a few minutes ago, were slowly moving towards the rest of the army. "But who cares about such petty thing as that now" Damien continued "These creatures are almost impossible to kill, and with their aid, I'll take over all of the world!". Lina groaned "yeah yeah gather army, take over world etc. etc. Come on, can't you think of anything more original?".
Damien spun around "oh, but I have. I want to enslave both the gods and mazukos too. Complete control of every being in existence! That is what I want". Even Ascard and Neela looked at him in disbelief "You are crazy!" Ascard spat "Yes, you are powerful, but taking on the gods? It can't be done!". Damien turned to face him "I believe it can. Both of you," he pointed at Neela and Ascard "are made by using low level mazuko, and just look at the power you have gained. I on the other hand, was made with the remaining energy of the demon dragon king". He started laughing, and true to his words he sounded almost like Gaav.
"WHAT! You are crazy!" Lina cried "Gaav was destroyed by Hellmaster. There was no remaining energy!". Damien stopped laughing "It is possible, I assure you. You see, Gaav was one part human. The crazy old man Loid, found a few strands of his hair, and using that, he tried to infuse a human with the power of the demon dragon king. That human was named Damien Shadowheart!". Everyone looked at him in silent horror. "He's telling the truth" a voice came from behind.
"Xellos!" Lina shouted. The trickster priest had appeared behind them without making a sound. Zelgadis was the first to notice the change in the mazukos attitude. His eyes were wide open and the air around him radiated with power. It was obvious that he was ready for a full scale battle. "Lina, this it no joke!" Zel warned "For once Xellos is telling the truth". Lina nodded in understanding, Things were very wrong when Xellos decided to fight. With a flick of his wrist Damien gave the order to attack. All of his chimeras charged forward. "Filia, Amelia! Protect Sylphiel and Taki!" Lina ordered "This is going to be messy!".
Authors notes:
Talk about cliffhanger!! How will Lina and the others get out of this situation?
It would seem that they have quite an opponent in Damien Shadowheart.
And on that note, Airi-chan, how do you like the latest plot twist? It would be boring if I made this story too predictable, wouldn't it?
Finally, Ramaon, you are really starting to scare me! You seem to be just a little obsessed with Eruk don't you? I really have to watch my back if I ever get to Canada…
Till next time!
