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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The explosions have stopped, Gourry said, glancing over his shoulder.
Do you think the attacks are over? Amelia replied as they burst into the clearing.
I doubt it, Lina said, leaning over and breathing hard.
Zelgadis stepped closer to Amelia and drew his sword. We have company, he growled, and Gourry whipped around, also drawing his sword.
So, you thought you could get away, did you? Orkalym said, stepping from behind a tree. Anemony appeared silently at his side.
I guess you showed us, Lina said defiantly, standing up straight and scowling. Now what?
In answer, Anemony lifted her hand and let loose a spell, the air crackling with electricity. Lina readied a counterattack, but the spell was too quick and was nearly upon her before she was halfway finished. Suddenly a large rock appeared between Lina and the blast, shattering into a million tiny pieces as the spell hit it. Lina breathed, turning to look at where Gourry was picking up another large rock.
The spells can't hurt you if they don't hit you, right, Lina? he said with a smile.
Well, sort of, she mumbled.
There are just enough of you to be troublesome, Orkalym snarled, and let loose his own attack right at Gourry. Gourry yelled and threw the rock at the spell, only to have Anemony appear right behind him.
Look out! Amelia screamed. Elemekia Lance!
Zelgadis followed Amelia's spell in, sword drawn. He slashed at Anemony as she dodged Amelia's attack, but the Monster avoided him easily, fading away into nothingness. he cried. She's as sneaky as Xellos!
Gourry scrambled behind him and clapped him on the shoulder. Thanks, Zel, he said.
Zel's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the small clearing. Lina was locked in close battle with Orkalym. This is ridiculous, he snarled. You shouldn't be here, Gourry, not without the Sword of Light. There's nothing you can do.
But you can't expect me to just leave you guys! Besides, I'm supposed to protect Lina!
You can't even protect yourself against Monsters, Zel replied coldly. Just watch your back, okay? I have an idea.
Gourry said, eyes patrolling the clearing.
Zelgadis dashed over to Amelia, who was breaking a sweat from firing spells at Orkalym. We need to relieve Lina, he said. Come on!
she panted, following him in.
Zelgadis shouted. Gourry needs an enchanted sword!
She glanced over her shoulder for a split second, then dodged the blast thrown at her by Orkalym. But we don't have one!
Make one! Zelgadis cried, jumping in between her and Orkalym. Astral Vine! He saw Lina scurry away out of the corner of his eye, then jumped into the air, aiming his blade for the place where Orkalym's head met his shoulder.
Not so fast, mortal, Orkalym growled, reaching up past Zel's sword and grabbing his shoulder. The Monster's fingers sank in, breaking the surface of his stone skin, drawing blood and crushing bone. Zelgadis cried out, struggling despite his pulverized shoulder.
Rah Tilt! Amelia shouted, appearing behind the Monster and shooting the spell at his back. The Monster snarled and released Zelgadis, turning on Amelia instead. She paled and fired another spell. R-rah Tilt! she tried again, but Orkalym just laughed.
Astral attacks won't have any effect on me, he chuckled, walking toward her slowly.
Zelgadis shouted through his haze of pain. He began to work a healing spell on himself, hoping that Amelia would be able to keep away from the Monster long enough for him to help her. He heard Lina scream somewhere behind him and knew that Anemony must have made a reappearance.
Are you okay? he heard Amelia ask in between explosions.
Mind yourself! he replied, trying to increase the speed of his healing spell.
Stand still! Orkalym shouted.
Never! Justice will always prevail! Amelia trumpeted, and Zel completed his spell just in time to see Amelia charge her fists with magic. She took a swing at Orkalym, clipping his shoulder. The Monster jumped back with a hiss and fingered his skin.
That HURT! Orkalym howled, taking his own swipe at her. Amelia laughed and danced out of the way, landing another hit in his side. Zelgadis smiled to himself, thinking that Amelia was really something. She shouldn't have been able to actually harm the Monster, but that was one mighty spell that she had channeled into her hands. In fact, if he wasn't mistaken, one fist was charged with a Rah Tilt. He'd have to ask her what the other one was.
He took up his sword again, channeling more magic into it, and jumped on to the larger man's back, driving it through the shoulder Amelia had injured. Orkalym snarled and reached up with his good arm, taking Zelgadis by the shirt and flinging him into Amelia. She grunted as he landed facedown on top of her, and he gasped as he felt her body the length of his. he mumbled, pushing himself off of her with a deep blush.
It's okay, she said in return, looking away and blushing as well.
Zelgadis turned in time to see the Monster pull his sword from the wound and cast it aside. He hazarded a quick glance at Anemony just in time to discern that Lina had thrown a quick wind enchantment on Gourry's sword. It wasn't doing much good, but it was working as a distraction, and the swordsman could use the wind spell to deflect some of Anemony's castings. Still, it looked like they were having a hard time. Lina definitely didn't have the time to work on a Dragon Slave or a Ragna Blade, and without those spells there was no hope at all of even getting close to the Monsters.
Orkalym growled, coming closer. Don't you know that none of this will do you any good?
Nothing can stop a loving, righteous heart, Amelia replied, fist raised, and Zelgadis groaned, covering his eyes with his hand.
Orkalym blinked and looked at Zelgadis, pointing at Amelia. Is she for real? he asked, eyebrow raised.
Don't ask, Zelgadis replied, then made a dive for his sword. Orkalym bent to try and hit him, but Amelia bounded over and popped the Monster in the nose.
Hey! You didn't let me finish! she said angrily, punching him again.
Zelgadis gripped his sword and rolled away. Amelia! You're just making him angry!
Too late for that, Orkalym replied, and blasted her point-blank. She covered her face and screamed, flying through the air and hitting a tree with a dull thud. Her body slid to the ground, where it lay, motionless on the dirt.
Zelgadis howled, throat raw with the intensity of his cry. You bastard! he bellowed, charging his blade with as much magic as he could muster. He hurled the sword at Orkalym, watching as the blade embedded itself in the Monster's opposite shoulder. Dug Haut! he cried, releasing the spell, spikes suddenly appearing all over the Monster's body. Orkalym roared and began to hack at the stones protruding from him. Zelgadis took the opportunity to dash over to Amelia, who was still breathing. He gathered her into his arms and stood. he called, beginning to run deeper into the woods.
he heard Lina say, and he was aware of them also beginning to flee.
Is she okay? Gourry shouted.
I don't know. I need a few minutes to heal her. Zelgadis veered off into the bushes, followed by the other two.
I'll lead them away, Lina volunteered, starting to move. Gourry reached up and grabbed her hand, a pained expression upon his face.
Please, be careful. I couldn't bear it if you got hurt, he said.
Her face softened and she nodded, squeezing his hand. I know, she replied, and crashed off through the bushes.
Zelgadis said softly, brushing her cheek with his thumb. Please, wake up.
Is she bleeding?
Not anywhere that I can see, Zelgadis replied, beginning to cast the spell. Come on, Amelia. Her eyelids didn't even flutter and he felt fear rip through him. The only person that could ever love him just the way he was soon would pass from this world, and he didn't even know if there was anything he could really do. he choked.
You care a lot about her, don't you, Gourry breathed.
I don't want to talk about it, Zelgadis growled, sweat breaking out on his brow.
Found you! Orkalym's voice boomed, and he appeared above them, halfway hidden by the canopy of the trees.
Amelia groaned in Zelgadis' lap and twitched. Zel gasped.
Gourry's face creased with concern and he jumped up, sword at the ready. Keep running, Zel! he said sternly. I'll take care of things here.
But you can't beat him!
I know, but Lina will be back soon.
Go on. I know what I'm doing. Besides, I'm sure you'd do the same for me.
Just go. I'll buy you some time. Be sure that you don't lose her.
Zel stood, still cradling her in his arms, hoping he could manage running and spellcasting at the same time. I'll repay you someday, Zel said.
I know. Now go.
Zel nodded as Gourry let loose a battle cry, slashing at the Monster with his wind spell. Zelgadis hurtled a few logs and dodged branches rushing past, desperately trying to channel the healing spell into Amelia's body at the same time. He nearly tripped and fell, and felt her arms snake around his neck. he whispered, glancing down as her eyelids fluttered open. Thank goodness.
she murmured, wincing. What's going on?
We're making a break for it. You're hurt.
I know. I can feel it all over.
Don't move. I'm casting a healing spell. Don't worry, I'll take care of you.
I know you will, she murmured, a smile spreading across her pained features.
He felt himself smile as well, and suddenly realized that the thought of losing her was the most painful thing he had ever felt. Even the prospect of being trapped in the body of a chimera forever wasn't as awful as the thought of living without her. He didn't want to ever be without her. He wanted her to be his, and him to be hers, forever. Marry me, he blurted out, hurtling another log as he trotted along.
he heard her whisper.
He slowed his run enough that he could look down at her, and once he saw her face he came to a full stop. Her eyes were shining and her cheeks were stained pink, and despite the smudges of dirt on her face and the tangles in her hair, he didn't think he had ever seen her look more radiant. Amelia, be my wife.
She stared up at him, silent, and for a moment his heart constricted with fear. Tears sprang to her eyes and he wondered if he hadn't made a terrible mistake. she murmured.
He felt himself break out in a goofy grin. You will?
Of course! she giggled, squeezing him and then wincing.
he gasped, concerned.
No, I'm okay. It's just that I'm not fully healed yet.
He hugged her to him gently. I'm glad you're all right.
She smiled up at him, adoration shining in her eyes, and he was happy he had taken his chances with her. Now that they were together, there was no doubt in his mind that she would never let him down. she asked.
His stomach fluttered with nerves and he swallowed hard. I-I love you, Amelia, and I don't want anything to happen to you ever.
Everything will work out, she murmured. Just have faith.
In justice? he asked, unable to keep the sardonic tone from his voice.
No, in the fact that we were meant to be together, she said with a smile.
He smiled back, looking at her tenderly. Can you help me heal you? he asked.
Of course. Where are Mister Gourry and Miss Lina?
Behind us, fending off the Monsters until we can get you healed.
Then let's not waste time, she said, and settled down to add power to his spell.
