The ryuuzoku quaked violently and gazed cautiously around her environment in confusion. Her view lingered on the dead man just a few inches away from her quivering form. She tried to lift her body, ignoring the round object that slipped off her lap in her movement, but came to a brusque stop when she saw a fraction of the man's tissue just a millimetre away from her. The blonde looked down at her hand and gasped as she saw shimmering crimson dots on her palm. "What the....how do I have bloo...?" Filia UI Copt trailed off unable to finish her sentence as she stared mindlessly at the earth. "I...I couldn't have killed that man." she concluded not even sure if she was right or not.
Her mind reeled with questions so much it made her sparsely nauseous. The ryuuzoku's stomach churned oddly as her glazed cerulean eyes finally spotted a mirror just in front of her. She blinked and stiffly picked up the object staring at it curiously, "A mirror.....but the glass is completely black.....how strange." she muttered and grimaced as she felt a faint nausea spell wash over her again and dropped the mirror to the ground with a soft thud. Filia broke into small gasps of air, "Were those two eyes I just saw.....they were so red and sinister." she thought wearily.
With a grim look of determination the dragon clumsily got up to stand as she allowed her clawed feet to scrunch up against the wet grass. The ryuuzoku sighed and sauntered slowly towards a small dirt path leading out of the valley, but she stopped and turned back to the bloody figure lying still on the ground. Filia lowered her head and wiped the fresh blood onto her skirt. "I....I should probably guide his spirit to the next plane." she stammered in a downy voice as she walked over to the dead individual.
The former shrine maiden clasped her pale hands together and closed her eyes as she focused the power of the divine mouthing the holy incantation and small plea of forgiveness as a white circle was embalmed around the man. Small tendrils of white magic covered the body as he disappeared. Filia bit her lip as she clutched her stomach and sank to the ground; her chest heaved in fright. "What was that just now....that alien presence?" she frantically pondered as she crawled back onto her feet and began to sashay out of the clearing but found her body refusing to move as if she forgot something. The blonde angled her head as she saw the dark object lying solemnly on the earth. Her sapphire eyes clouded and shone a fierce red as a stony frown engraved onto her face.
The dragon turned around and stretched out her arms as the mirror vanished in a minute sphere of black light and reappeared casually in her waiting arms. The creature smirked and hugged the speculum close to her breasts as it rippled slightly and vanished. Filia blinked, her eyes returning to the familiar azure as she tossed her yellow head from side to side in puzzlement, "What was that just now.....where did that mirror go, did I pick it up?" she questioned as she placed her hands onto her chest, "I can still detect its presence as if it were with me." she mused as she turned her back on the valley and walked away. The girl stopped and shifted to the left as she raised her right hand and placed her fingertips on her temple.
"A....a town in that direction, you say, but who.....?
The trickster priest ejected a heavy sigh as he teleported into his obscure chambers. He raised his gloved hand and rid himself of his black cape as he walked over to his four poster bed. The mazoku shifted his opulent plum curtains to the side and slid his way onto the mattress. His head lay gently on the pillow as the fabric on his hands melted away; he absentmindedly lifted his head a few inches allowing his arms to cross behind his skull.
"How the years do past.......until Val brought her up I really hadn't thought about Filia for three years." he muttered as he exposed his shocking amethyst eyes. Xellos sighed as he allowed his abstruse mind to wander to the two years after he killed the Golden Dragon. He remembered how those two years seemed to have passed in a hectic blur. Lina and the others barely spoke to him without shooting him glares or attacking him with bombardments of spells or sword swings, couldn't blame them though. "Hmph," the monster permitted an astute grin to mould on his lips.
Getting accustomed to the young Ancient Dragon was no slice of pie either. The boy was constantly fearful of the ruler of the island and had a habit of following Xellos and hiding behind his leg in his moments of terror. The older wolves seemed to have displeasure of the young lad going about in the castle and they deemed it their personal right to attack him whenever he was alone. Juu-ou-sama took it all like a breath of fresh air stating the boy will get stronger if he wasn't pampered. "But I really didn't mind all that, did I?" he queried to himself, "Was their something else that displeased me," he mused as he ran his hand through his violet tresses.
Filia UI Copt was dead and he accepted that with open arms since he was the one responsible for the deed, but in the first couple of months he realized his mind hadn't fully comprehended the scenario. A few days later after her death he found himself in her house casually sitting on her couch waiting for her to stride out of her workshop covered in clay or perhaps small cinders of ashes, her mace or another weapon she worked on in her hand; her fangs barred. She never did come and he quickly vanished from his spot before her beast servants spotted him and attacked. "Such a foolish mistake," he berated in an amused tone.
Slowly his mistakes of mixing the past with the present ceased as the first year continued and sped into the second. Lina and her troupe seemed to be a little less hostile and found a ground of stability with him as they warily accepted his companionship, so to speak. However on a small vacation he decided to allow Val to get a peak of the outside world. He already perfectly mastered the technique of his human guise except for the occasional tail that sprouted from his back.
The priest smiled, "How Filia like," he thought as he allowed his mind to wander back to his memories.
The green-haired dragon was already the equivalent form of a five year old human child with an insatiable amount of energy, so bringing him to a cafe seemed like a jovial idea. The mazoku ordered a cup of tea while asking for the strongest batch of caffeine beverage the store owned and gave it to the boy.
As Xellos watched the child guzzle down the drink a different waitress arrived with his tea. He turned, looked at her and balked as she brushed her long golden bangs from her face. Unknowing to him the monster allowed her name to spill from his lips but quickly caught himself and apologised to the waitress for his mix-up as she placed the tea on the rickety table. Luckily the twitching dragon on the opposite side failed to notice.
Xellos shook his head trying to rid himself of his bothersome retrospections that should stay forgotten as he once again ran his hand through his hair. "I guess I did miss her." he admitted as a Cheshire smile twisted on his mouth. "I missed that violent selfish drag....," the creature ceased his ranting and shot up into a sitting position as his mouth hung agape. "That..........sensation, the same impression its hers, but how is that even possible..........and there's something else as well. What is going on?" he inquired as he hastily teleported to his master's throne room.
The Golden dragon walked silently through the forest, not sure where she was going but her body took no mind and seemed to be moving on their own in a certain destination. The inhabitants of the forest hissed and growled softly as they cautiously backed away from the pale, beautiful dragon that radiated an evil presence. Filia didn't care as the shifty shadows engulfed her deeper into the night of the woods and continued to walk onward. The ryuuzoku raised her hand to rest on her chin in thought as she closed her eyes.
"I can't believe it......this is quite impossible. There are no resurrection spells this powerful allowing me to be alive with my former soul still intact and my body is just the same as before....except," the dragon stopped her mental arguing and allowed her hand to slip to her chest, "There is another presence within me. Could that man back there somehow revived me into my former state and placed another being within me........iye he had no aura of magic around him. Good Cepheid, what's happening." she questioned as she stopped in her tracks her anger flaring for answers as a familiar sensation brought her back to the present.
"Ara," she chirped softly as she angled her head and saw her golden tail swishing from side to side from under her skirt. Filia couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped her hoarse throat as she curled the extra appendage under her attire; her blue eyes lingered on her soiled ribbon. The dragon's long elfin ear's twitched as she heard a small tsking noise as if someone disapproved of her behaviour. The blonde scanned her eyes over the dark area and sighed, she saw nothing except for trees and shrubs. The ryuuzoku shook her head and continued her journey.
"How long has it been, obvious a couple of seasons have passed, but.....how many? Are Jillas and Gravos alright? Did Val hatch from his egg? Is it still possible for me to even rescue him or is he already dea........Oh Cepheid, I pray you have been watching over Val and kept him safe." the blonde growled as a flood of anger numbed all her senses and clenched her fists, her knuckles blanching even whiter. "Damn you, Xellos. Damn you, for what you've done. That Namagomi Mazoku....the filth," she spat as her blue eyes clouded and shaded into a dark red.
A low silky tenor tone interrupted the ryuuzoku's curses as her altered eyes continued to glow an eerie scarlet. "Xellos you say, the general and priest of Juu-ou. He was the one that disposed of you, now this is quite amusing." purred a sultry voice as Filia whirled her body in small circles looking for the form that owned the voice.
"You, who are you? Where are you?! Are you responsible for me killing that man back in that valley?! Are you responsible........," the blonde nearly choked on her words, "Are you responsible for resurrecting me?" she questioned in a soft whisper as she heard a harsh laugh echo all around her. The girl's scarlet eyes widened as she fretfully looked around looking for the sign of the creature.
"You still haven't figured it out have you, little one. Or perhaps you're refusing to place the pieces together because of your own problems. Well all in due time that town is just up ahead and you will be able to find housing and food that will regain your strength. Your body is too fatigued for you to teleport and I'm afraid my presence might damage your body if you attempted the task," the beast replied and spoke once more already interpreting her next outburst, "Don't worry your personal welfare is my top interest. Now run along." he added in a sugary coo as if she were a mere babe. The dragon's eye coloured shifted to their original blue as she confusedly allowed her feet to take her forward where the voice told her to go.
"Iyaaaaaaaa!" a shrill feminine shriek followed by two pitches of ghastly snarls bounced all around the dragon as her eyes narrowed. The blonde haired woman dashed off into the dirty streets as she headed towards the origin of the scream. Her senses flickered as she detected at least two low class mazoku nearby. Filia ungracefully skidded to a stop in the wide street as she saw two bull-like demons hovering over an unconscious young boy with dark hair and a middle-aged woman with similar hair as the child; two large packages scattered around them. The dragon gritted her teeth and absentmindedly reached down to her thigh only to find nothing there. The blonde could hear the faint footsteps of an approaching audience.
"Stop, this at once!" she barked as she moved her arms into the proper position of an offensive spell, neglecting the groan of protest her tired body made. The bull-like demons angrily stomped their hoofed feet and gave her small glimpse of recognition, then turned back to their prey.
"Ryuuzoku.....but only a young one. Probably weak," one of the demons wheezed as his burgundy fur frizzled slightly and turned back to the shrieking woman. The other mazoku snorted, his nose ring swinging slightly as he angrily stomped his feet; his hooves grazed the boy's head as blood began to trickle down the child's temple. The former priestess narrowed her eyes as she allowed the incantation to slip off her tongue. She raised her arms in triumph as her hair billowed around her form, "Heaven's.....," she began as the monsters stopped and gazed dumbfounded at the familiar demonic aura radiating off her. "......Wrath!" she bellowed failing to hear the faint whisper of Shabranigdo-sama from the the two mazoku's snouts.
A golden circle encompassed the pairs of mazoku and human as they cried in defeat when a pillar of golden light shot up from the ground. The two monsters screeched as they felt their physical and astral forms being eaten away. The woman shrieked and clutched her face in her hands as the two demons disappeared. The enchanting light died down leaving a small spark of crimson to encircle the two humans.
"Over here. Over here." shouted a rather husky woman as she raised her hand into the air and motioned for the crowd of people to come. "The chief's wife and son are here, the demons failed to kill them." the woman curiously dragged her gaze from the blonde haired stranger to the chief's wife trying to stop the blood that cascaded down her son's cheek. "Someone fetch the chief and a healer!" she thundered as she jogged up to the panting dragon. "You...you took out them demons all by yourself didn't you, Ojo-san." she asked in an admiring voice as she made her was to the injured child. "Kasumi let me help." the old lady declared as she ripped of a strip of cloth off her apron and dabbed it on the boy's head.
Villagers swarmed from all directions into the street and watched in horror as the village leader's son slowly bled to death all the while casting quick glances to the mysterious stranger that seemed to have saved Kasumi and the boy from being meeting their demises by the two monsters. Filia ignored them all as she tried to calm her shaking arms and looked down at her hands. "That power I borrowed I didn't just burrow it from you alone did I Cepheid-sama.....I borrowed it from something else." she thought as she quickly turned her head to notice the hectic sobbing coming from the dark-haired woman. The dragon clumsily pushed her way through the stuffed crowd until she reached the boy and knelt down.
"Hey what are you doing," the plump woman asked as a golden light trickled from Filia's palm and wrapped around the boy's frail body. The female ryuuzoku could slowly feel the wound on his head close and she closed her palms and the golden light was extinguished. The crowd of humans gasped in surprise as the chief's wife quieted her sobbing and shoved the boy into an embrace as he began to open his eyes.
"That's enough there Kasumi, let the boy breathe." the ample woman scolded grimacing slightly as she pulled back her bloodied piece of fabric and gave a nod approval in the stranger's direction. The leader's spouse slowly released the boy from her embrace and looked at the woman who scolded her.
"Hai, hai my mistake Mabel-san," she choked as she roved her tearful eyes over Filia and positioned herself in a grovelling position, "I thank from the bottom of my heart Miko-sama. You vanquished those two demons that ambushed my son and me. Then you even healed me my dear Hotaru. I cannot thank you enough Miko-sama." she thanked as she continued to grovel and bow reaching for the blonde's pale hands.
The lizard blinked in astonishment she hadn't been called Miko-sama from someone for a long time. The word of a priestess in their sights the villagers quickly whispered amongst themselves and began to point excitedly as they keenly began to stare at this golden hair miko. Before the dragon could correct everyone's assumption of her former status stating that she indeed was no longer a priestess, Kasumi interrupted her.
The dark haired woman stood up and pulled Filia up with her as Mabel tended to her son and got him very wobbly onto his own two feet. "Please," she began as she placed a soft yet firm grip on the Gold, "I would very much like it if you decided to lodge at my house for a thank you." she said as a surprised look crossed the former shrine maiden's features, "You must know I will not take no for an answer until your are tended to," she added as she swept her eyes over the blonde's bloodied attire.
Filia took a small gulp of air. She really didn't have the time to stay and rest up despite the protests of her exhausted body; she had to return home as soon as possible. The dragon gazed at the pleading look on the woman's face as her stomach churned guiltily. "Thank you for the offer but I must.....," the girl stopped as she had a far way gaze etched onto her face.
"Just go along with it. Use this situation to your advantage and manipulate these people so you come out on top. Accept the woman's gracious offer, you silly beast." the same voice scolded as Filia bit her tongue and frowned. She was quite displeased on whoever this creature deemed himself so mighty he could lecture her about this scenario. The dragon strained a smile as she felt compelled to obey the voice's request and mentally cursed herself.
"On a better perspective.....Kasumi-san, I would be honoured to stay at your home." the dragon sighed inwardly as the raven-haired woman before her smiled deeply and made another small bow. The human guised female grinned bashfully as she heard the faint sound of laughter echo through her mind as the mass of people parted so that she could make way along with Kasumi, Mabel and the boy. "This is going to be a long day," she drawled in a soft voice.
"Indeed it will."
Xellos hastily made his way to his creator's throne room. His staff ready in hand as his cape liquefied on his physique, framing his lean shoulders. The priest made a small bow as he saw the smirking Beastmaster idly licking a red liquid off her razor like finger tips. The mazoku wrinkled his nose as he began his transient to his master, the blood on her hands smelt like Val's. "Juu-ou-sama, that blood........." he drawled in a respectful tone as the almond coloured woman awarded him with another smirk.
A small dart of a pink tong ran sultrily through fingers as the Dark Lord grinned, "Oh its Val's....now don't fret my cunning little wolf, he isn't hurt just a few scratches. I thought it would be best for a small training session between Val and me and you know me how I get lost in the ecstasy of fighting." the mazoku female replied picking up a small wolf pup and plopping it on her lap. A pregnant pause occurred between the two as the small wolf cub began to lap at the liquid that remained on her fingers. "I take it my dear wolf; you came to my throne room for a reason, a certain dark aura, ne?"
The plum haired monster nodded his head and stepped forward so he stood above the woman that lounged leisurely in her throne. "Hai, Juu-ou-sama, I sensed the same sensation a few years ago when the Red Priest, released Shabranigdo-sama from his eyes." he stated as the Dark Lord smiled and plucked a cigarette between her red lips. "The thing that bothers me it seems the aura has a way of masking itself and merging into another presence. A presence I haven't sensed for five years, in fact." he finished calmly as the cub curled up against his mistress' lap for a nap.
The Lord of the island blew a smoke ring through her swollen lips and grazed a manicured hand through her tousled silver locks. "I see, well my cunning little wolf it seems your observation is identical to mine and if you found out that much it seems that the entire mazoku race might be catching on, not to mention," the female monster grimaced and crossed her legs in annoyance, "Not mention my dear brother and sister." she hissed as her face contorted in anger. A heartbeats moment of pass and the mistress of Wolf Pack Island regained her cool demeanour. "Now about that aura you in fact haven't sensed for five years, who do you presume it is?" a devilish smile donned her mouth.
Xellos grinned and brushed his bangs from his face as he opened one violet eye, "I guess none other than the Trickster priest and his creator should find this so poetically ironic." He joked as he rewarded her with an impish wink, "None other than Filia UI Copt, herself. I don't know how but her and a fragment of our dear Lord Shabranigdo-sama seemed to have merged in some way,......but I am unable to track them down at the moment as if they disappeared of the face of this world or perhaps they just don't want to be found." he explained as the scantily clad mazoku bobbed her head and scratched the dozing wolf pup on its head.
"Hmmm, I see well alert every beast on this island to be on their toes, and I want to speed up the date of young Val's ascension into our little family." she ordered as a grim smiled chiselled onto her lovely features, "Oh yes, my little wolf I want you to keep extra good tabs on those two beast men that used to serve that Golden Dragon." she muttered as she took another drag from the cigarette. The priest smiled and gave a deep bow and vanished from sight. The silver haired woman hissed angrily as her lips furrowed into a straight line, "Of all the time for a resurrection of a certain Golden Dragon........why now and what does she plan to do?" she pondered as she crushed the wolf cub in her hands in her rage.
Deep within the Sea of Chaos a powerful ripple vibrated throughout all the waters; a ripple so strong that it penetrated the underwater domain of a mad demon. The shockwaves reached an almighty peak cracking the monster's white marble that consisted of the creature's abode. A tiny seahorse swivelled to the right in alarm, avoiding the onslaught of debris and entered the underwater castle hastily heading to the throne room.
Quickly zooming towards the mistress of the sea's personal sanctum, the creature spotted who he was looking for. The Dark Lord's form was hidden as he noticed how considerably dark throne room had become. The once navy coloured marble floor was now a rich obscure black as well as the walls were shimmering a hue a tad bit lighter than grey. The pearl throne itself was the only light coming from the room. The sea creature noticed a few strands of turquoise strands sprawled against the top of the throne. A cracking voice whispered throughout the room.
"Come closer...don't be shy, now. You wanted to report something to your Lady didn't you?" The Dark Lord asked sweetly as the sea creature twitched its tail. The sea horse floated freely for a second and approached his mistress not daring to look at her face as she clutched him in her hand. "Why is it that you do not look at me, am I so hideous to gaze upon? Please look at me," she coaxed in a shaking voice as if she may cry.
The horse foolishly raised its head gazing into the two watery blue eyes that rippled mischievous light red. The horse squeaked in pain as it felt its body being ripped from the inside, its form shredded to pieces. With a flick of her hand the Dark Lord sent the remains of her vassal away from her sight.
"Sha-bra-ni-gdo-sa-ma, where-are-you? Where is it that you hide, my Lord? Who is it that you reside within, their anger and hatred taste oh-so-so, refreshing." Dolphin sang her eyes rolling towards the back of her skull as she began to scream and yelp in delight. The demon's shrieks slowed down into a fiercer cackling that echoed through the Demonic Sea.
In an area far up north where all that the eye can see is desolate frozen desert the same ripple of power occurred. A white barrier slowly eradicated allowing an icy fortress to emerge in the snowy grounds. The master of the fortress shifted on his throne as the blade in his hand slowly slipped from his grasp but caught as soon as his mind refocused.
"Part of Shabranigdo-sama, is free and travels within a tainted vessel however Lei Magnus as not been disturbed. Eh, the vessel disappeared. This will have to be looked into. Shayla, if you please report to my chambers I have a new task for you to complete, it seems things are getting a little interesting." Dynast ordered as the silhouette of a small figure melted in front of him. The subordinate smiled and twirled her black pigtail between her fingers.
"Uh, thank you, Mabel-san." Filia graciously bowed her head as the plump woman brought a lovely plate of food to rest in front of her. The ryuuzoku female allowed her gaze to travel over the elegant and long mahogany table where she sat with Kasumi and the chief of the village, Godric. The dragon smiled at her hosts as she sheepishly inched her gaze to the cup of tea that puffed out small clouds of steam. A cautious frown marred the young dragon's features as she indeed remembered the last time she drank a beverage someone else prepared for her.
"Miko-sama, is something wrong? Is the meal not to your satisfaction?" Kasumi quickly inquired in a quiet voice afraid she might have offended the priestess in someway. The black haired woman gazed longingly at the fidgeting former shrine maiden, "We could make you something else if you so desired." she offered as she dabbed a napkin at the corner of her mouth.
The Gold raised her arms for defence and beamed an apologetic grin at the married couple, "Iya, iya." she repeated hastily, "I'm sorry, for my rude behaviour. The meal looks quite delicious and there is no need to prepare another, and I thank you for all of you've done. Oh, and you may refrain from calling Miko-sama because....."
"Don't be foolish, you are and will remain a priestess for the time being." a sharp sniping voice interrupted as Filia balked and flushed scarlet at the voice's nerve.
"....because I would much prefer if you call me by my first name, Filia." she stated as she picked up her cutlery and began to cut into an unknown meat. It smelt familiar in an odd sort of way.
Godric brushed his brown hair from his face and smiled appreciatively to his docile wife and then to the stranger that ate nimbly at his table. With a small cough he roused the golden mane woman's attention, "Anou, Miko-do.....ahh....Filia-dono, I would just like to thank you again for rescuing my wife and son from those two mazoku if you hadn't arrived I'm not sure how I would have lived with the consequences." he breathed sadly as he stole a glance to his wife who was sipping from her cup her nose twitching.
"There is no need to thank me it was the right thing to do. I am quite familiar with the pain of losing the ones you love due to certain incidents involving the mazoku race," she nearly spat the last word as she popped a piece of the unknown meat into her mouth and began to chew it thoroughly in her simmering rage. The dragon brushed yellow strands of hair behind her ears as she poked her fork into grains of rice.
The chief of the village bobbed his head and ran his hazel eyes over Filia's long pointed ears and tilted his head to side in astonishment, "Well I'll be......Filia-dono, I really hadn't noticed that you are an elf priestess." he observed as Kasumi tore her gaze from her husband to stare at her guest's ears.
"Hmmm, oh my, it seems you are. I guess I didn't take notice since your hair was blocking the sight of your ears." she stated as the dragon began to fidget once more in her seat. "This is quite rare an elf priestess....well an elf in general. Your kind usually tends to themselves and barely come out into human villages. You're even bolder than I thought, Filia-sama." Kasumi beamed as she gazed adoringly at the blonde elf at her table.
"Uh....hai we elves do tend to stay in our own territories, but I suddenly felt the call to umh....explore the unknown. To travel and see the world, ohohoho!" she laughed nervously as she finished off the last piece of the mystery meat. "Do they really think I'm an elf? However I don't think explaining to them that I'm actually a dragon might be a wise decision, might scare the couple." The dragon lifted the napkin from her lap and began to daintily dab it at her mouth.
"Filia-dono, if you're still hungry I can request the cook to bring you another piece of dragon meat if you're interested." the man offered. Godric's eyes widened in shock as the pale elf seemed to have shifted a few degrees paler. The Lord of the house looked alarmed as well as his Lady as they gazed at their dazed house guest. "Filia-dono, is something the matter? You're not allergic to dragon meat are you?" he questioned warily summoning Mabel to the dragon's side with a flick of his hand.
The chubby woman clutched onto the rocking chair as Filia held up her hands to balance herself and smiled; a little twitch in her cheeks. "Iya, I'm perfectly fine with......dragon meat. I just feel a little queasy." she stated as Mabel released her hold from her seat. "Good Cepheid," the dragon thought, frowning at the light laughter echoing in her mind. The mistress of the castle stood from her spot and tossed her napkin onto the table as she made her way towards the former priestess.
"Filia-sama, if you're feeling ill I recommend that you take a nice hot bath and relax. A bath is always a nice way to unwind and ease away all your apprehension, and we'd be happy to clean and mend your clothing." the woman said as she saw the dragon's face brighten with delight. Kasumi extended her hand to the blonde and pulled her up in a gesture of friendship. "I'm sure my husband won't mind if you use the special bathroom." she said turning a pleading eye to the man with brown tresses. With a nod of approval from her spouse she began to pull the dragon out of the dining room.
"Thank you again Kasumi-san, Godric-san I greatly appreciate it. A bath would be just what the healer ordered." she thanked as she allowed the woman latch onto her arm drag her along.
"Umh, are you sure this is necessary, Kasumi-san," a blushing Filia asked as she turned from a smiling Kasumi to a grinning Mabel, "Mabel-san?" she asked holding the white towel tightly around her slim frame. After being assaulted by about five female servants and how they removed all her soiled clothing in a somewhat forceful manner and gushed over her supposed elf lineage she'd rather not have her own borrowed court of girls washing her body in respect.
The Lady of the house nodded her head, "Hai, Filia-sama you are an honoured guest in our house and as a priestess you deserve the best of treatment." with that said Kasumi pushed open the large doors and dragged the embarrassed dragon into the bathing room. The blonde tightened her hold on her towel and took a final glance at the large doors that closed behind her. With a heartfelt sigh she turned around and gasped.
"This place....its amazing." the dragon gushed as she raked her view over the luminous room. The tiled floor was a smooth and transparent as glass and the walls were coated with a soft layer of light pink paint that shimmered slightly. In the middle of the area was a large pool decorated with statues of dolphins and other sea creatures. The dragon lowered her shoulders as she allowed the perfumes and scented candles relax and ease her demeanour so much that she was unable to hear the claps that emitted from Mabel.
"Hai," a number of voices chorused. The former priestess looked at the small group of young girls dressed in a cute cerulean uniforms consisting of a breathy blue sleeveless tops and azure shorts. Mabel pointed to the Gold and the five girls nodded their head. "Welcome, Filia-sama!" they sang as they rushed over to the stunned golden haired woman. In a hectic blur to the eye Filia was removed of her towel and carefully chucked into the large pool. The female servants waited patiently for the small bubbles to stop and the elf to emerge.
"These women are clearly insane,....if only my mace was within my grasp, I know violence is wrong but a good bop on the head and then they'd back off," Filia thought longingly as she kicked her legs and pierced the water. The dragon shook her head as her frame bobbed upon the surface. Ungracefully she hiccupped the water in her mouth and looked crossly at her bathing team as they reached for her flailing arms and tugged her closer to the rim of the pool. "Eh, what's going on?" she inquired as one of the maiden look down questionably at her.
"Filia-sama, we are proceeding into the process of cleansing your skin. Please hold still." she said in a soft voice as the other woman nodded their heads. The female ryuuzoku stiffened slightly, hoping she could persuade them other wise and praying her tail would not emerge and blow her cover.
"Hai, I'd like to thank you for the offer, but I can clean my own back thank yo.....hey that feels nice." the ryuuzoku mumbled as she felt her eyelids droop. Her bathing team had already begun to massage and apply a soothing amount of pressure on her back and shoulder. "I guess....I guess it wouldn't be so bad to allow you cleanse my skin." she stammered as she felt herself sink into the highly perfumed water.
"Now this is too much, I must ask you to stop." Filia commanded as one of the maiden raked a pearl fishbone comb through her golden tresses. Done with her bathe the dragon held the pink towel around herself tighter.
"Please, Filia-sama this is our job," said the maiden combing her mane, "And Kasumi-sama asked us to take special care of you." she said as the other girls bobbed their heads, "That's right." they chorused as one of them began to file Filia's sharp toenails; her brow rising in surprise. "They're like talons," she thought.
"I give up." the fake elf sighed in a defeated tone, raising her arms in the air. Filia gasped as the fabric on her body shuddered off. The lizard's eyes widened as she frantically tried to cover herself hoping the girls saw nothing.
"My goodness Filia-sama, I never noticed but you have quite a scar on your chest." a woman with curly brown hair known as Lain inspected. "Did you get it during your quest? It looks very painful. Want us to put some healing ointment on it, it'll clear it up in no time." she explained picking a round pick container.
"No, thank you," she replied stiffly her cheeks twitching, "It'll go away on its own," the blonde insisted through clenched teeth. Filia frowned as Lain continued her assault, prying at her skin. Suddenly the dragon tightly gripped the woman's arm and growled from deep within her throat. "I said it shall go away on its own." the dragon hissed contracting her grip against the girl's thin arm. The former priestess' eyes shone a triumphant red as the bath woman let out a small yelp of pain.
The lizard gasped and she abruptly let go of the young maiden's arm in shock. Filia raised her trembling hand to her face and rubbed her burning eyes. She looked over to the doe-eyed Lain sprawled on the floor next to her. "I'm so, sorry. I'm very sorry for hurting you like that Lain-san. Please forgive me for my harsh actions....its just that I have been having a hard time and my emotions are a little hectic." the ryuuzoku prattled on as she continued to apologise to the girl. "What's wrong with me? I could have broken her arm if I held on any longer. This presence is going to be even more of a nuisance than I thought." the dragon admitted as she helped Lain get to her stiff feat.
The curly haired girl smiled shakily as the dragon helped her to her feet however her stomach felt like it was filled with thousands of butterflies whirling around in a maddening circle. ,i>"Her eye's....they were so red. They were as terrible as the Devil himself." she thought gazing deeply into Filia's comforting blue orbs.
The Dragon ungracefully toppled into her four poster bed. Kasumi and the others were kind enough to loan her a pink robe and show her to a guest room where she was allowed some peace and quiet to rest. The blonde groaned and dragged herself to the head of the bed as she plopped her head against puffy white pillows. The ryuzzoku sniffed as she tried to keep her eyes open, "What's wrong with me. I should be able to banish any evil spirit that enters my body. I could have hurt that woman if that creature possessed my senses any longer." she berated as she curled her legs so that her knees reached her chest. "Just who is it that's controlling my body?" The former priestess sighed as she slowly eased out of consciousness.
"Wake up, Dragon!" a harsh voice barked as the blonde snapped her eyes opens. "I am getting quite tired of this; you still haven't figured it out. Why are you denying what you already know?" The voice questioned in an irritated voice as the ryuuzoku sat up on the bed placing her fingertips to her forehead. "If you are so eager for answers, Filia dear, get up and look at the mirror." the spirit ordered as the blonde sleepily stared at the vanity mirror just in front of her a few feet away from the foot of the bed. "No not that mirror, you idiot, the mirror you hold in your hand."
Author's Note: The Fourth chapter is now offically copmpleted! Hooray my fic is on its way, so tell me what do you think of the fourth installment? I was kind of worrying about Filia's reaction, I mean how would she truly feel if she was ressurected? Oh well I did my best and I hope you guys liked it. I'm trying to mould Shabranigdo's character much better as well as the other Mazoku Lords since they will be present in this fanfiction. If anyone has ideas, comments or helpful critiscm I'd love to hear them. Thank you to everyone who reviewed before it was greatly appreciated. The fifth chapter is coming along soon and will be up probably next week or so. Don't forget to read and review.
