I'm drifting in and out of inspiration lately. I know where the story is going. Kara isn't omniscient. She has no idea what the staff of the gods looks like.

As a side note---if the world of Slayers is set on the Staff of the Gods like a plate, why don't people fall off of it? And where is hell perchance?

Kara Metallium

Chapter 13 - Hell and Other Musings

Hell. A desolate location that echoed with the screams of human souls.

Cheery place, Xellos remarked.

Kara looked out at the rocky terrain. It was like they were in a cave except there was a pale orange sky overhead. The heat was dry and pushed on her physical form from all sides.

We're actually on the borders of hell, said Xellos to no one in particular. Maybe Kara, but she wasn't listening. She was mesmerized. Beyond the rocky terrain there was what seemed to be a desert. Beyond that, on the horizon, wavering in the distance, was a black rocky structure. A palace or something? Kara wondered. Xellos tapped his chin thoughtfully. If I know Meiou-sama correctly, I'd say the he's hidden it somewhere quite obvious, just tedious to get to without his knowledge. Kara sighed and gazed at the desert landscape beyond the rocky patch on which they stood. I don't really want to do this. But what if this is part of the Staff of the Gods? What if it isn't? Gah.

Kara turned to the trickster priest, is there a specific way that I have to get these pieces from the hellmaster? Xellos appeared to ponder this for a moment.

No, I suppose not, he answered.

Well, then let's just stop standing around here dramatically waiting for something to happen. Why don't I just enter the service of Meiou-sama and be done with it? I'll just get the pieces from the inside. Xellos shrugged.

If that's what you want to do. Let me ask Juuou-sama first. He flickered out. A few moments later he reappeared. Everything is a go, he said and handed her a letter he pulled out of his pouch. Kara took the letter and mock saluted him.

In I go, she said with a smirk. Kara teleported.

Xellos said to the empty air, in you go. And then, he too, smirked.

Kara knelt before the most powerful of the dark mazoku lords. And he was just a child. Short, blue longish hair, and big eyes. Oh yes, and the pointy ears. He sat in a grandiose chair upon a dais with steps leading up to where he sat. The hall was dark and oppressive, something to be expected. It WAS Hell after all. She could feel his dark eyes looking over her form, penetrating her to find some weakness.

"Tell Zelas I accept," the powerful mazoku replied, after reading the note Kara had delivered. He turned to another subject, "I hear you were created by Xellos."

"Yes, it is true Meiou-sama." He smiled in response.

"I also hear," he said prodding further, "that your power rivals that of the beast priest himself, now that you are Zelas's minion."

"I do not know, Meiou-sama," Kara replied with a slight blush that the dark mazoku noted.

"Stand up, Kara Metallium, and look at me," ordered the dark lord. Kara looked up at the petite dark lord. "Do you know what is in this note?" He gestured to the piece of parchment.

"No, I do not, Meiou-sama," said Kara staring into the other mazoku's eyes.

"Zelas has offered you to me as retribution for a former disservice." The lord noted no change on the messenger's countenance. "You will refer to me as Master Phibrizzo from this moment on, is that clear?"

"Yes, Master Phibrizzo," she replied bowing her head.

"Look at me when I speak to you," he snapped. Her eyes darted up to stare in his own. He smiled lazily. "It appears that you must be taught a few certain things." Holding up a hand, palm upwards, a shiny orb appeared in it. He clenched his fist around her soul. She teetered on the edge of falling to the floor. "You are mine now, Kara," the dark lord said with a sinister smile.