Instert standard disclaimer here. Everyone should know that I don't own these characters. Except, of course, the original ones. Also chopped the story up into chapters. Sorry if the transitions are rough. If you want to read it without chapters, head over to vejiitasei.com.

Absolution- Part 1, Chapter 25
by the Prime Minister

A few months passed in such a manner, and Lina found herself actually enjoying the time spent with her family. She forgot that Xellos was a Monster more and more often, and that both made her happy and frightened her. Of course she still missed Gourry, but she was finally starting to feel like she had accepted her fate and was starting to like it. Xellos only had the serving staff showing up a few days a week, and so they had plenty of time to spend together, cleaning, cooking, or just piddling around in the garden. Lecia, however, had picked up disturbing habits. The girl knew quite a few spells for being so young, and once Lina had found her tormenting a rabbit in the garden. The child had the rabbit's foot trapped in a bit of twine, and no matter how hard it tugged, Lecia wouldn't let it go. When its struggling became to much for her, Lecia just pinned it to the ground by driving a sharp stick through its hip. The rabbit made an awful screeching sound and struggled, but Lecia just stared at it and the red blood welling from the wound. What are you doing? Lina cried, quickly going over to them and yanking the stick out. She gently cradled the animal, casting a healing spell, and let it go. The frightened creature moved so quickly it was almost a blur, and in a blink of an eye it was gone.

It was eating the vegetables, Lecia explained. I wanted to look at it, but it tried to get away.

So you hurt it?

Lecia just blinked. she replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Lina scowled. You shouldn't hurt things just to hurt them, or make them do what you want them to.

Why not?

Would you like it if someone hurt you to make you do what they wanted you to? Would you mind it if I drove a nail through your foot when I wanted you to stop running around?

How else do you make other people do stuff?

It was then that Lina had serious doubts about letting Xellas and Xellos take care of her daughter. What were the Monsters teaching her? You ask them, or threaten them, if you have to, but you don't drive sticks through helpless animal's bodies.

Because it's wrong to hurt living things without a reason.

But I had a reason. I didn't want it to run away.

That's not a very good reason, Lina cautioned. Promise me you'll never do something like that again. If you want to see the bunnies, you'll have to bribe them to come near. Then when they trust you you'll be able to pet them all you want.

Lecia looked dubious, but she nodded. Okay, I promise.

Lina said, sitting down in one of the chairs on the terrace.

Lecia scrambled over and crawled into her lap. Are you angry at me? she asked, eyes wide.

No, I'm not angry at you. I just want you to be a good person.

Are you a good person?

I try, but I'm not always successful.

Is Daddy a good person? Lecia asked, snuggling into her mother's chest.

Lina sighed and put her arms around the little girl, wondering how to answer that question, when Xellos appeared on the terrace bearing refreshments. Lina noticed that he had his bag with him and made no move to sit down with them after setting the tray on the table. What's going on? she said, reaching for a glass.

I have to run a few errands tonight, and I'm afraid I need to leave tomorrow.

Lina felt Lecia's grip on her tighten. When will you be back?

It's a very long assignment, he said with a sigh. It will take several months.

Several months? But you've never been gone that long!

I know, he replied. I don't want to be gone for such an extended period of time, but I really don't have a choice.

Lina, despite her better judgment, believed him. What will you be doing?

I really can't tell you that. It's best for everyone if you don't know. After all, the Monsters already see you as a threat, and would probably only pursue you further if you knew their plans.

Damn him, he also made sense. Fine, fine, she grumbled.

Lecia pushed out of Lina's lap and rushed to her father, wrapping herself around his calf. No, Daddy, I don't want you to go! she said, large eyes moist.

I don't have a choice, little one, he replied softly, stroking her silky hair with his gloved fingers. But you'll get to stay with Grandma. Don't you have fun with Grandma?

Lecia pouted.

Something in Lina's chest quivered, but she refused to give into it. She felt bad that Lecia would have to spend months with Xellas, but if Xellos was gone for so long, and Xellas was taking care of the kid, then Lina would finally have enough time to go on a journey she'd been dying to do. It'd be nice to have Lecia along, but the route was long and dangerous, not to mention the fact that she didn't feel like babysitting. See you later, she said flatly, then watched as Xellos nodded once and disappeared.

She was already in bed by the time he returned. He didn't enter through the door, simply materialized in a corner. Cracking open an eye, she gazed at him, then felt electric fear race through her system and she sat upright, a scream lodged in her throat. It didn't look like Xellos for a moment, for his eyes were glowing dully in the darkness of the room, and cold evil pervaded the air around her. He stepped into a shaft of moonlight, however, and she wondered if it had all been an illusion, for there he was, smiling mildly as always, eyes shut. I didn't mean to wake you, he murmured.

It's okay, she grumbled, pulling the sheet up over her breasts.

He dismissed his clothes with a gesture and crawled into bed next to her. She sighed and sank down next to him, knowing that both his disrobing and his charade of sleeping were for her benefit. Suddenly he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and burying his nose in her hair.

she asked softly, strangely worried.

I'm sorry, he murmured into her silken tresses.

For what?

For leaving you again.

It's okay.

He was silent for a moment. If I don't return, please fetch Lecia from Wolfpack Island. I know you're more than capable of providing for both of you, but just in case I've been putting a little something away in the local bank. Just go there and give them your name and they'll provide you with enough money to last you and Lecia until she reaches adulthood.

His words instilled the deepest kind of fear in her. She found that, even if she wasn't in love with him, she really didn't want to lose him. Besides, how was she supposed to raise Lecia alone? But why wouldn't you come back? You're damn near indestructible, and I should know.

I'm aware of that, but even I can be defeated.

she growled, using anger to hide her fear.

Well, I wanted to warn you. If I'm not back in half a year and you can't feel me through the ring you'll know that I'm gone for good.

Then don't leave! she said. Don't go on this stupid mission!

He released her and looked into her face, running his fingers along the curve of her jaw. I don't have a choice. I'm built to serve, and I cannot disobey my mistress.

It's not fair, she whispered. It's just not fair.

I know, I know, he murmured, and they lay there in silence, limbs entwined, until she dropped off into an uneasy sleep.