I could kill something right about now... Lina grumbled. She and Gourry had been traveling on horseback, searching for any remaining Wolfsbane, with no luck. They'd already been searching for half a week.
Lina was beginning to lose hope on finding any at all.
No, I can't think like that! It's not possible for anyone to have completely wiped it out! Lina clenched her fist in anger. If I don't find anything, Alexander will pay!
Hey, Lina! Did you find something?
Lina looked up from her musing to see Gourry much farther down the trail. No, not yet. I know we can't travel as fast on foot, but we'd be able to get a better look from the ground. Lina glanced about the earth as she spoke.
I'm getting sick of these bushes. she scowled.
Gourry trotted his horse back over to Lina's. Sorry Lina, I didn't hear you. Gourry smiled sheepishly at Lina.
Never mind, Gourry. Lina sighed. Let's just keep going. She directed her horse to walk past Gourry's (as he was now facing the opposite way). C'mon, you. You've had enough to eat already! Lina yanked on the reins, only causing her faithful' steed to swish his tail in annoyance.
Gourry's horse didn't appreciate getting a face full of hair, and decided to let the other horse know. He craned his neck forward and nipped Lina's horse on the rear.
The startled horse in turn responded by rearing up, and as Lina hadn't been expecting it...
Lina screamed as she tumbled out of the saddle and landed in the bushes.
Gourry easily lept off of his horse and ran to the bush Lina had disappeared in to. Are you okay?
Oow...stupid horse... This is why I walk! Lina started to ease herself off of the ground, but then caught sight of something. Her heart lept. Could it be? She pulled herself toward the plant of interest.
Gourry peered in to the bush.
Hang on, Gourry. Lina winced. She plucked the plant out of the ground and looked closer at it.
Did you find something, Lina?
We're out of here, Gourry! Lina shot up out of the bush with her quarry in hand. Ow! Okay, in a few minutes. Lina winced as she prepared to cast Recovery on her forming bruises...
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The week passed pretty much in the same fashion, although Phil stopped coming by so frequently after he was nearly mauled...twice. As for Zelgadis, he could at least get close enough to feed the wolf without her trying to attack, but she wouldn't let him get close enough to touch her.
Zelgadis looked out into the early evening sky. He had been waiting a whole month for this. He just hoped it wasn't already too late for Amelia. As the sun set, the full moon shone in full force. Zelgadis became aware of the small sounds of distress coming from the wolf.
When she had grown silent, Zelgadis dared a peek. He saw Amelia, human once more, sprawled out on the ground. Zelgadis' heart lept at seeing this, but he shut his eyes in embarrassment as he draped his blanket over her still form.
Then he waited.
And waited...
After an eternity, her eyes finally opened. Amelia took in her surroundings and gave a cry of joy.
You're okay! Amelia wrapped her arms around Zelgadis' waist.
Zelgadis snapped back into consciousness. He looked down at her, a slight forlorn smile on his face. It was thanks to you.
Amelia looked at him in wonder. It wasn't a dream? I was able to get to everyone in time? Amelia glanced behind Zelgadis. But where are Miss Lina and Mister Gourry?
They've been gone for the past week, looking for Wolfsbane.
A-a week? How can that be? Amelia looked up at Zelgadis in confusion.
Zelgadis noted the slight panic in her voice.
I remember coming to help, and then...waking up just now. Why can't I remember the past week? ...and why am I in the stable? Amelia wrinkled her nose at the smell of hay, quickly realizing that she was laying in it. She gasped as she also realized all that she had on was a blanket. Blushing, she pulled the blanket closer around her.
Zelgadis noticed her distress and quickly looked the other way. About that...you haven't exactly been yourself the past week.
Amelia covered her mouth in shock. Tears welled up in her eyes. She turned away to wipe them dry.
Zelgadis was unsure what to make of it, so he remained silent.
Having regained her composure, Amelia cleared her throat. Being trapped in that cursed form...I-I feel myself dying. Mister Zelgadis, I-I d-don't know if I-I'll be able to make it to the next full moon. Amelia was openly sobbing now.
Zelgadis remained silent. He never was any good providing solace, plus the thought of Amelia's will being overcome terrified him. Still, he had to try, for Amelia's sake!
Of course you will. You've overcome too much to let this get the better of you!
Lame as it sounded to Zelgadis, his little pep talk seemed to do the trick. Amelia stopped sobbing and looked up at him, giving him a small smile.
You're right! I can't let it defeat me! A true Champion of Justice would never give up so easily! Amelia pumped her fist.
During her spiel, Zelgadis glanced out a nearby window to see dawn approaching. Lina, where are you?
Amelia's body suddenly tensed up, and she gasped in pain. M-Mister Zelgadis, if I don't make it, please let Daddy know I love him. Also, t-thank Miss Lina and Mister Gourry for all the trouble they went through to help me. And Mister Zelgadis, I...I! Amelia gave a cry of pain.
Don't speak, Amelia, just concentrate on fighting it. You did it once, you can do it again! Zelgadis tried not to sound desperate as he could only look on in horror.
Amelia grit her teeth and silently fought the oncoming transformation. She began to thrash about wildly.
Zelgadis could only watch, unable to do anything to help. Already her teeth were elongating, and claws were forming at the tips of her fingers.
Hurry, Gourry! This way!
Zelgadis looked up. Could it be? The door to the stable was flung open rather violently. Zelgadis was instantly up on his feet.
Lina! Gourry! Over here, quickly! Zelgadis waved at them wildly.
Lina and Gourry easily spotted him, and ran to his side.
Do you have it? Zelgadis practically pleaded.
Yes, but I'm not quite sure how to use it. Lina pulled out the small vial, containing the concoction made from the Wolfsbane she had found.
Zelgadis glanced down to see Amelia couldn't hold out much longer. We don't have time, think of something!
Amelia began to howl in intense pain.
Lina lept to action. Zelgadis, hold her arms down! Gourry, hold her head still! Lina knelt down next to Amelia and forced her mouth open, pouring in the contents of the vial.
Amelia choked and coughed, but continued to struggle. Now her face was beginning to elongate into a muzzle...
It's not working! Gourry panicked, but kept his hold.
It has to! Lina replied, also panicking.
Keep fighting, Amelia! Zelgadis yelled in Amelia's ear, hoping she could still hear him.
Amid the choking and coughing, Amelia finally gave one last gasp, then slumped back limply to the ground.
Lina shook her shoulder, not getting a response. Lina began to shake as tears stung her eyes.
You did what you could. Gourry comforted Lina as she cried into his shoulder.
Zelgadis bent over Amelia's prone form to see if she was still breathing.
She's not dead. He whispered, as if not believing it himself.
Lina choked out.
She's still breathing, although very weakly. We've got to move her someplace better to recover. Zelgadis replied, trying to keep his composure intact.
Lina wiped the tears off of her cheek. Let's get her to her room.
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Stupid, stinking scum! They just had to ruin my dreams! All that work..wasted! Alexander paced about in his cell.
Well well, this is disappointing, although not unexpected.
Alexander whirled around, having thought he was all alone. It's you! Have you come to help me?
The newcomer smiled. Now now, we had a deal. My mistress gave you everything you requested, and yet you still managed to fail.
Everything was going fine until those people interfered! Alexander spat.
The newcomer only shook his finger and tsked. You should have planned for that. Now then, you have to keep your part of the pact. He grinned maliciously.
Alexander fell to his knees and gripped the man's cape. Please, just give me a secon-
Alexander was instantly silenced forever as the intruder smashed his skull in with his staff.
We can't have anyone know of Greater Beast Zelas Metallium's involvement in this, and the dead reveal no secrets. Xellos grinned as he left the same way he had come.
Augh! Again! I did it again! I meant to have this up much sooner... (I actually wanted to put it up on my birthday, but evil Writer's Block struck! I didn't have the first part already written out, so I had to make it up fresh from my mind to the computer screen. I hope it works...)
Also, for anyone who remembers what I said way back in Chapter 1, I guess I lied! (I hadn't intended to include Xellos, but then as I was writing the next part and decided how to punish Alexander, THAT popped into my head!) I hope I made him evil enough. ^_-;;;
Also, thanks to all the people that reviewed! I'm so glad people still read this! I just hope I can get past this darn Writer's Block so I can finish this up before spring!