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 scowled from his perch in the tree. The blonde swordsman had circled back to where Lina was, and now the two were fighting Deep Sea's minions. It was not going well. The Gabriev man had managed to buy Lina time enough to fire off two Dragon Slaves, and still Orkalym and Anemony weren't showing any signs of damage. It was rather pathetic, in a way. For mortals they were doing quite well, but it seemed as if the pair of Monsters was stronger than when he had last encountered them. He sighed and rubbed his forehead with the side of his index finger. He really had hoped it would be more interesting. It seemed that the chimera and the princess were doing quite well, and he was pleased with the chimera's ingenuity, focusing his spell on his sword like that, but then the princess had become injured and the whole lot of them had run off. Why, he had almost not followed them, so disappointed was he. Lina screamed, launching the spell at Anemony, but to no avail. The fireball bounced off of her harmlessly, taking out half an acre of trees nearby. Gabriev was having a difficult time as well, spending more time dodging Orkalym's attacks then making his own, and Xellos was about to yawn when he heard a cry from the trees.


Burst Rondo! a woman's voice shouted, and a multitude of blasts came out of the trees, catching Orkalym off guard. Gabriev took advantage of the confusion, rushing in with his wind-enchanted sword. Orkalym stepped backward, narrowly dodging the attack, and whirled on the swordsman, knocking him high into the air. Xellos watched calmly as the blonde sailed toward him, and caught him casually by the ankle the moment before he crashed into the branches below.


Tsk tsk, Xellos said with a shake of his head, glancing down at the swordsman. That was sloppy.


Gourry grumbled, twisting to look at Xellos.


Xellos opened his eyes, glaring down at the big man. The temptation to drop him on his head was very, very great. How satisfying it would be to see the man's limp body hit the ground, but then Lina would be very, very upset. He didn't want that- the kind of pain it would cause her would mean she would cease to entertain him. He didn't much care about Gabriev, Zelgadis, or Amelia, but he enjoyed the volatility of Lina's emotions, and grief would mean an end to the spectrum of her feelings. Making his decision, he released the man's ankle, careful to keep him afloat using power from the astral plane.


Gourry said with an uneasy smile, and a grin passed over Xellos' face. Oh, the man was very, very nervous around him, and that was extremely satisfying.


You're quite welcome, Master Gabriev, Xellos replied. We can't have you dying in such an undignified manner, can we?


Gourry agreed.


After all, there are much more interesting ways of dying, Xellos said in a low voice. Shall we discuss what those ways might be?


Gourry paled visibly, his grip on his sword tightening, but otherwise not showing any outward signs of fear. I'd rather not. Lina needs my help.


Xellos looked down in time to see Lina narrowly escaping being hit with a tree Orkalym had ripped out of the ground. Zelgadis and Amelia had joined the fight, firing off Rah Tilts at a rapid rate. Well, all right, then. You're safe, Xellos replied, then fixed Gabriev with a cold stare. For now.


Gourry's jaw tightened visibly and he nodded. I don't care what you do to me, he said, voice low. Just don't you dare lay a hand on Lina.


Xellos opened his eyes fully, drawing his head back. Oh my goodness, is that a threat?


Take it however you want to.


Xellos laughed and spun the swordsman in the air to demonstrate his power. When he was finished, however, the large man looked him straight in the eye, his expression unreadable. Do you really think you could ever defeat me? he chuckled. You can't even defeat the two you're already fighting.


I'd find a way, if you ever took Lina from me, Gourry said between clenched teeth, knuckles white on his sword.


What makes you think that she wouldn't come willingly?


I know Lina. She'd never go with a Monster if she had a choice.


Even if that Monster was a friend?


Are you calling yourself her friend?


Xellos smiled, closing his eyes once again. Maybe more.


A snarl passed over the blonde man's face, amusing Xellos greatly. He had never seen this particular mortal enraged before, and he wished the human still had the Sword of Light. Gabriev might actually have been able to give him a good fight. Well, there was no use musing about things that could never happen, so he glanced down at the fighting below just in time to see Amelia get hit with a spell, knocking her into a tree. Blood trickled down the side of her face, marring her pale skin. Xellos whispered, still holding Gourry captive in the air above the battle. Gourry turned and hissed as he saw Zelgadis rush over to the princess' side, gathering her up tenderly and checking her pulse. He sighed and closed his eyes, pressing his mouth against her forehead, and then leaned her gently on the ground.


You'll pay for hurting her! Zelgadis howled, gathering magic for a spell. Blast Bomb!


Orkalym gasped and shielded his eyes as the spell engulfed him in a sphere of flames, the explosion making the very air in the clearing vibrate violently, breaking branches out of trees. Oh, he's gotten much better, Xellos said. Aren't you proud of him?


Let me go, Gourry hissed. They need me.


And what good could you do, Master Gabriev? Xellos said with mild smile. You can't wield magic.


I'd find some way, Gourry replied, straining against the magic that held him.


Xellos laughed. It's much better if you don't try to struggle, Xellos snickered. Oh, look. He turned the human in the air so that he could see the battleground, just in time to see Zelgadis cough up blood and collapse on the ground a few feet from Amelia. It seems that he wasn't strong enough to cast that spell after all. I wonder if he'll die.


Let me go! Gourry shouted, struggling even harder.


Not just yet. Are you getting angry? Does it pain you to see your friends struck down so easily?


You monster! Gourry growled, narrowing his eyes.


Xellos chuckled, very amused. Yes, that's the idea, isn't it? He let his gaze slide past the swordsman to where the smoke from the chimera's spell was beginning to dissipate. Orkalym was still standing, singed but otherwise unharmed. His clothes were hanging off of him in burned scraps, and small pieces of astral energy were slowly leaking from his body, but he had sustained almost no damage.


It didn't work? Gourry breathed.


Xellos shrugged. Apparently not, he replied. Actually, I'm a bit surprised. He and Anemony must be sharing energy for him to take that spell head-on and receive so little injury. Oh well. Poor Zelgadis.


Gourry whispered, apparently to himself. Amelia had regained consciousness and crawled over to where Zelgadis lay facedown. Wiping the blood from her eyes, she gently rolled him over and gathered his head and shoulders into her lap, leaning down and kissing his forehead tenderly, working a weak healing spell on the both of them.


Xellos said, feeling the swordsman fight his spell even more spiritedly. He eyed Gabriev for a moment, then nodded. All right, you get your wish. I suppose you've suffered enough. He raised a hand slowly, then made a swiping motion with his arm and opened his hand wide. Gourry gasped as the magic swept him to the side, slamming him hard into a boulder. Then the spell released him altogether and he fell to the ground, holding his ribs and gasping. Or maybe not, Xellos added with a grin. Best of luck to you. I promise not to interfere with your person any more.


Gourry mumbled in between sharp breaths. He looked up at where Orkalym was advancing upon Zelgadis and Amelia. Look out! he shouted, and stood, impressing Xellos. If the man hadn't been so freakishly strong he wouldn't have even been able to move after the impact Xellos had dealt him. With a cry, he brandished the sword at Orkalym, who merely raised a hand and sent Gourry sailing with a water spell. The blonde shouted and crashed through some brush, landing with a groan.


Lina, still engaged in a volley of spells with Anemony, turned her head and cried out, worry written plainly across her features. she screamed, voice raw with fear. Gourry, answer me!!


Xellos scowled and raised his staff, not really sure what he wanted to do to the swordsman next, when Lina caught sight of him. Xellos, what are you doing here?


Oh, just watching you people put up an exceedingly dull fight. You haven't even tried the Ragna blade yet.


Either help out or get out of here! she shouted. Gourry, where are you?


I'm afraid I'm not allowed to help, Xellos said with a bow. You should pay attention to your foe.


Lina snapped her head around just in time to see Anemony launch a deadly ice spell, and she braced herself against the impact. Xellos saw immediately what was happening, and when Lina looked up again he was standing in front of her, arms spread wide, the spell bouncing harmlessly away. Anemony howled in wordless rage and launched a spell directly at Xellos, who merely grabbed Lina's wrist and teleported to a few meters away.


Now, now, he said with a shake of his head. It isn't polite to try to kill someone I'm trying to have a conversation with. Please, if you attack me you'll force me to intervene.


She screamed again and disappeared, rematerializing with an arm around Lina's neck. Lina gasped and struggled in the Monster's grip as Anemony's white eyes glared at Xellos hatefully. He felt sweat begin to bead at his hairline as Lina thrashed, her delicate face beginning to turn slightly purple. Still, there was nothing he could do, and the closest thing he had ever felt to panic gripped him. Lina was his favorite toy, and he would hate for someone like Anemony to break her.


Xellos, this isn't your fight, Orkalym said, immediately coming over to him, apparently forgetting about the girl and the chimera.


I'm afraid Anemony launched an attack at me. I'm fear I can't stay completely uninvolved now.


We just have our orders to kill this girl. We'll do that and exterminate her friends, then get out of here.


Xellos sighed. I know those are your orders, he said softly. But you really are going to ruin my fun.


What's your obsession with this mortal woman, anyway? Orkalym said, gesturing towards Lina, who was on the verge of losing consciousness. A scowl marred her features, and Xellos could tell that she had something up her sleeve.


Xellos smiled at Orkalym and raised his finger to his lips. That's a secret, he murmured, and raised his staff. A wind came out of nowhere, strong enough that it distracted Anemony for a split second, allowing Lina to work just a bit free.

Ragna Blade, Lina gasped, and the blade of sparking black energy appeared in her hands. She roared and turned in on Anemony, the dark sword slicing into the Monster's flowing sea-blue robes. Anemony howled and took a few steps back, her white hair beginning to crackle. A tear appeared in her side, black astral energy leaking out of her side, and then Xellos felt energy shift from Orkalym to the priestess.


They're sharing energy, Miss Lina, Xellos said calmly, dispassionately watching Lina collapse to the ground. She coughed, a bit of blood staining her lips. Of course she was weakened; she had already sapped much of her strength casting smaller spells, and the Ragna Blade took quite a toll on the body. I'm afraid you're not going to win.


Don't listen to him, a voice said from behind them, and Gourry staggered into the clearing. You have to win, Lina.


Lina called, reaching a hand out to him.


I'm sorry, Gourry choked. I can't protect you from them. Not without my sword.


Lina screamed again, her voice breaking down into a fit of coughing. Gourry smiled at her and collapsed in a heap.


The other two are out as well, Xellos said, gesturing to where Amelia was still hunched over Zelgadis. It looks as if you are out of options.


Lina choked on her own blood and stood shakily, weaving to where Xellos stood. Anemony fired off another attack, but Xellos raised a hand and deflected it, curious as to what Lina would say. She wrapped her hands in the collar of his cloak and held herself up, blinking up into his face. He opened his eyes and looked down at her, reaching up and wiping some of the blood off of the corner of her mouth with his glove.

he asked softly.


You're a Monster. I'm sure you know a spell to defeat them, she whispered.


Of course. Just use the Giga Slave. That will kill them for sure.


You know I can't do that.


Well, I certainly can't help you. I was given express orders not to assist you or your friends. I have already played out my part in all of this, he explained to her gently, running his hand over the tangled lengths of her fiery hair.


Help me, Xellos, she growled, tightening her grip on his clothes. It wouldn't be fun, otherwise.


He sighed and pursed his lips, shaking his head. Well, it HAS been awfully dull. But I can't kill them unless it directly conflicts with my mistress' plans.


Lina spat. Don't help me. Just cut whatever it is they're using to share energy. Then, if I still lose, I just lose. That way you're not helping them or me, you're just making the playing field more level. Who knows what will happen then?


He frowned slightly, considering. It certainly would make this boring fight more interesting. He was definitely disappointed that all the mortals had fallen so easily. He deflected a few more attacks from Orkalym and Anemony as he considered, wrapping an arm around Lina's waist as he did so. She leaned against him, closing her eyes, and he felt how drained she was. Certainly she couldn't do much damage even if he did break the bond between the general and the priest, so it wouldn't really be helping her, would it? It would make things more interesting. . .as it was, she didn't have a chance. However, he really would hate to lose his favorite plaything. . .Very well, he said with a sigh.


She grabbed him tightly about the waist, letting him support her, and leaned her head against his chest. He raised his staff and began to chant the spell to break the astral bond that tied Orkalym and Anemony together, slowly spinning the casting to enclose their astral energies for a moment. Suddenly Lina pushed away from him violently, and her motion was so abrupt that he was momentarily surprised and he paused in his casting. Then he heard her voice wind around his and felt the energy of his spell sucked away from him, and suddenly the casting of his spell was in her hands, and Xellos felt cold fear race through him. She couldn't have worked inside his casting, it was impossible. She was only a mere human, there was no conceivable way that she could have stolen his spell and turned it to her purposes. He felt the blood leave his face as the wind around Lina began to rise, her hair billowing behind her like a banner, and he realized that this had been her intent all along. So, the trickster priest had himself been tricked. Quickly he threw up an astral barrier around the clearing, hoping that his mistake would not be discovered by his superiors. He did not want to think about what would happen if he was found out.


Then Lina broke his hold upon the spell completely and shaped it into something he wasn't sure he had ever seen before. Anemony screamed and collapsed to the ground, writhing. Damn you, Xellos! Orkalym screeched, clutching at the air as he fell to his knees, eyes bulging.


Lina, what are you doing? Xellos shouted, frantically trying to cast a counterspell. This can't be happening!


Both general and priest were writhing on the ground, shrieking in agony, and a quick once-over revealed that somehow Lina was using his spell to break their astral forms into smaller and smaller pieces. Horror stole over him and he stared at Lina, who smiled and activated the talismans she wore, the talismans he had sold to her years ago. Sword of the cold, dark void, she began, murmuring the spell under her breath, and Xellos took a step back. This could not be happening to him, there was no way that this was actually taking place. If anyone ever found out about his error, there would be nothing in the universe that could save him.


Ragna Blade! Lina screamed, the blade once again forming in her hand. She raised it above her head and brought it down on the squirming bodies of the other two Monsters, and sparks flew as energy was released, the final anguish of the general and the priestess ringing throughout the forest as they bellowed their last.


Miss Lina, what have you done? Xellos breathed as he stared in abject terror at what she had accomplished.


I won, Xellos, she said with a weak chuckle, collapsing onto the forest floor. I'm sorry I had to trick you.


Not nearly as sorry as I am, he replied, a war between the need to flee and the urge to see if she would live raging in his chest. You have no idea what sort of trouble I'm going to be in.


Knowing you, you'll find a way out of it, she murmured, her eyelids fluttering shut.


Are you going to die? he asked suddenly, kneeling next to her.


she coughed, closing her eyes completely.


he said softly, leaning down and kissing her on the forehead.


Miss Lina? Amelia said from across the clearing.


Xellos stood and looked over at the princess, realizing that she had managed to stabilize both herself and Zelgadis. With those two alive and well, Lina would live also. he said to Lina, and pulled himself from the physical plane.