A/N: Standard disclaimer, no rights of ownership, etc. etc. If you like this story, make sure to check out its sequels. There are a whole crazy mess of them now. Also view the accompanying fanart at my website, www.vejiitasei.com.
You can view this story in its un-chaptered form at my website, also. I went back and broke it up into chapters because I was getting complaints that it was too long. Sorry if the chapter divisions seem awkward in places, or if some chapters seem too short or too long. That's what happens when you write a story without chapter divisions, and then later chop it up.
Reviews are welcome!!
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Xellos stood on the steeple, watching the sun intently as it crossed the sky. He could hear Orkalym and Anemony blasting pieces of the city into oblivion and shook his head in distaste. Those two used such barbaric methods, but what more could he expect? Dolphin, unlike his mistress, kept her servants locked up close to her, so that they had no idea what the real world was like. In fact, his mistress was far different than the other Monster Lords, and he was peculiar as well. Only his mistress seemed to see that the mortals were doing a more than adequate job of destroying themselves, and all the Monster race had to do was enjoy themselves and wait. Yes, enjoyment figured largely into the way Xellas Metallium ran things. That philosophy was why Xellos could stand there at the moment, observing all that passed. He glanced at the sun again. A few more minutes and Lina and her friends would be three miles from the city. He had felt them take to the air after they were only half a mile from the city, but Deep Sea's minions hadn't seen them, apparently. No matter- he wasn't overly fond of the other two Monsters anyway. Orkalym was entertaining on occasion because of his lack of intelligence, but even stupidity became tiresome after a while. Anemony, on the other hand, he really did detest. The woman was no fun at all. She was so focused on power, in his opinion, that she let the smaller details escape her. Where was the enjoyment to be had in that? Oh well, he figured it didn't really matter anyway. He really did hope that their fight with Lina would be entertaining. Lina and her companions would probably be flattened beneath Anemony's magic, but he hoped they would at least put up a good fight.
Oh Orkalym! he called, waving as the blue-haired man came into sight. Over here!
Orkalym stopped his flight and hung in the air, glaring at Xellos from under his heavy eyebrows. What the hell are you still doing here? he snapped. I thought you had more errands to run for your mistress.
I'm more than just an errand-boy, Xellos said, raising an eyebrow. And I thought I would do you a favor.
What could I possibly want you to do for me? Orkalym growled.
Xellos sighed. Obviously, Orkalym wasn't going to be much fun today. He examined the head of his staff for a moment, then decided to just go ahead with his plan. Well, I thought that you might like to know that Lina fled the city a good half an hour ago.
Orkalym cried, visibly paling.
Yes. It appears that your poor powers of observation have cost you your prize, Xellos replied calmly, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
Orkalym roared in senseless rage, clenching his fists tightly. he bellowed. They've escaped!
Anemony appeared wordlessly by Orkalym's side. She glared at Xellos levelly with her pale eyes, eyes that reminded him of those of dead fish. He could feel the hatred rolling off of her in waves. Of course she hated him; she hated everyone with more power than she. Well, he disliked her in return. Everything balanced out, just as his mistress predicted. Hello again, Anemony, he said sweetly, reveling in the look of disgust that crossed her porcelain features.
She did not reply. Then again, she never spoke, as far as he knew. Let's go, Orkalym said gruffly, throwing a angry glance at Xellos. You knew right away, didn't you? he hissed. How did you know?
Xellos allowed himself a chuckle, dropping his chin and closing his eyes as he shook his head slowly. That, my dear Orkalym, is a secret, he replied, and disappeared to the astral plane.
