SLAYERS INHERITANCE

"Claim the Inheritance! The Victory of love!"

by Michael Hopcroft

"I'm the seriously pissed-off Anya Inverse! Titania's gone Mazoku on us big time, and she's powerful enough that she just slew Beastmaster Xellas! Now that we have her undivided attention, it may come down to killing her or watching her destroy the world. I won't say my heart isn't breaking, but I have people at home counting on me!"

Anya and Titania stared at each other. Titania's body was shrouded in black flame, and her eyes glowed with flame. 'So, Anya," she said, "It's come down to this. Two friends fighting and one must die."

"I don't want to believe that," replied Anya. "There's got to be another way."

Anya answered by raising her hand and unleashing a gout of flame. The flame struck Anya's sword and dissipated.  "Wow! I didn't think Golden Blade was THAT powerful!" said Anya. She stood her ground, holding her defensive position.

"What's stopping you?" said titian. "Why aren't you attacking?"

"Because I don't want to! Dammit, Titania, you can't give up now! I can't give up on you!"

"I am no longer Titania. I crave destruction, and the destruction I crave most is my own. Attack!" Anya answered her with silence. "What are you waiting for? Attack!"

Anya was about to speak, when a voice came from behind her "Titania," came the voice of Cardanis, "You don't have to do this."

"Prince?" Anya looked startled. "What do you think you can do?"

"I'm not going to stand by and do nothing as the girl I love is consumed by darkness. I'm going to act."

"Can't you feel that heat? Her flames will consume you before you can reach her!"

"Then I'll die, but I'll die for love. I don't think that's a particularly bad way to go. "Cardanis began to walk steadily towards the enflamed Titania.

"Stop!" cried Titania. "NO closer!"

"Titania, I'm not going to give up on you. I'll never give up on you." Cardanis said. "You are going to be my bride, if you'll take me. And if you don't I'll never love anyone else."

"No! NO!" Titania let loose with a blast of energy which bypassed Cardanis and obliterated what was left of the wall. "NO! Why can't I destroy you?"

"Because you don't want to? Face it, Titania, this engine of destruction isn't you. You're a creator, your dreams are of hope. Even if you wanted to, you couldn't become a monster." Cardanis stepped into the flames surrounding Titania and disappeared into them.

"Cardanis!" cried Anya, as she prepared to charge.

"Wait, Anya," said Valgaav. "Watch."

The black flames built up into what seemed a raging inferno. Then they suddenly exploded outward. Anya and Valgaav were hurled to the floor. It took Anya a moment to realize she was still alive. As she pulled herself slowly to her feet, her eyes opened in amazement.

Cardanis and Titania, intact and human, were standing in the center of the ruins, locked in an embrace and a deep kiss. Anya was stunned.

"Do you feel that?" asked Valgaav.

"Feel what?" Anya replied.

"Exactly. There's not a trace of Mazoku anywhere."

"You mean Titania's fully human? How is that possible?"

"One guess."

Anya looked at the couple. "Love? LOVE did that?"

Valgaav nodded.. "Hard to believe isn't it, but there's the proof. "

Anya watched the embrace continue. "Hey, you two! Get a room!"

Titania and Cardanis reluctantly broke their embrace. "Will you marry me?" Cardanis asked.

"Oh yes! Yes I will!" said Titania.

***

Three weeks later the group arrived in Seyruun. They were immediately escorted to the throne room. The Queen beamed when she saw them "Cardanis! Welcome home!"

"Hi, Mother. I want you to meet my bride." Titania bowed her head.

"OH, she's so adorable!" cried an enthusiastic Queen Amelia. "But I thought you were bringing in a Mazoku to be sealed?"

"You could say the b\job's already been done," said Anya. "Hi, Auntie Amelia!"

"Anya! You've grown up into quite a young woman! Have you been a good servant of justice?"

"Well, I've done my part…."

"True Love is the greatest justice of all!" cried Amelia. "We'll have the wedding right away!"

Titania walked over to Anya. "Anya, you've stood by me all this time. Will you be my maid of honor?"

"Of course."

"And Valgaav," prince Cardanis said, "You have go to be my best man."

"Can you please do me a favor, Titania?" Anya asked.

"What is it?"

"You know when you throw the bouquet and the girl who catches it is going to be the next bride?" Anya was blushing.

"Yes, what about it?"

"Throw it the other way!"

Everyone face-faulted.

***

The wedding, like all royal weddings, was a grand event. It was surrounded by three days of feasting and celebration. Queen Amelia and Prince Consort Zelgadis were the pictures of parental pride, Titania was a lovely, shy bride, and Anya was a monster at the buffet table. Valgaav was beside her, eating not quite as much but still paying attention.

"Why?" *much* "are you"*much* "Staring at me?" Anya said.

"I was just wondering why you didn't want to catch the bouquet, or at least so you said."

"But Titania threw it to me anyway! What did I do to deserve this?"

"Is it really so bad?"

"I am NIT going to be the next bride! I am NOT going to get married."

"Fine then. Filia would skin me alive if I got married right away anyway."

Anya blushed a fiery red. "Hey, what makes you think it would be you anyway?"

"Nothing, Just that if I were ready to get married, I'd be willing to give it a try."

Anya turned on him. "Look, you'll have to work very, very hard if you want me to even THINK about marrying you!"

"Maybe that should be a goal then."  Valgaav leaned over and gave Anya a kiss on the lips.

Anya gave him a stunned look, and the smiled. "That was nice, Valgaav, but when my mother finds out you are so dead."

"I didn't kiss your mother."

THE END OF SLAYERS INHERITANCE

COMING SOON – SLAYERS LEGACY