Ichiban Victory: Amelia's mom is highly underrated, in my opinion. She's mostly remembered as 'dead-parent-of-Amelia-who-was-assasinated' and then the assassin comes after Amelia/Zelgadis/Philionel, yaddayadda, and not much is said about Mme. Seyruun herself. She's a sorceress (a fact not well known) and one can infer a lot about her from the outfit, the fact that she'd marry someone like Phil (no offence to him ^_^) and the personalities of her daughters. I'd like to see more people out there take little-known but important characters in the series and expand them (e.g: Luna, Rezo pre-Shabby, Sylphiel, Martina, Zangulus…heck, even Vrumugun). There's so much a good writer can do with these guys if s/he just thinks about them and builds their story based on the clues you get in the series. (Aw, crud, I've turned this into a long rant _) And yes, I believe that Lina and Amelia are actually closer sisters to each other than to their biological ones. Strange, isn't it, how those two are alike in some ways?
Oh, and no, Zel won't meet Bob in this story. ^_^
Earth Star: Hope you'll enjoy what's left… it's going to turn a bit odd, though, Blame sleep-deprivated-muses.
Phizzy-chan: Assets? You ain't seen nothin' yet XD Kidding. Hey, I figure moms are usually like that (my mom is to me _) Thanks for the comments, but I don't write these chappies; they're already done! ^___^
J. Rhaye: Congrats on your victory in the Switchboard contest! I enjoyed Spaghetti Western lots, and I initially thought that either Dreamsinger or Winged Dancer had written it; it was cool!! ^__^ (blushworks) I'm honoured by your compliments, really, and I don't think I'm that good as you say _ _ _ I've just got a great beta and an original concept. Amazing what you can do with those ^_^ And in a sense, yes, Mme. Seyruun is Megumi-ish. Can you imagine the consequences if both Naga and her did 'The Laugh' in the same room simultaneously? @_@
Sunoko: The assets are yours! ^____^ Lotsa huggles to you, and I hope this uncut chapter doesn't have too many errors _
The Narrator: Ooh, you guessed it too. It was pretty obvious who Bob was, really (I think people would've been more surprised if he WASN'T Zel's) but ya know, he could've heard about Amelia from her mommy ^_~ They do talk when Zel's asleep, after all…Now there's another hint. ^_^ Read on!
A/N On The Story: The previous chapter officially finishes Mme. Seyruun and Bob's part in this story. Note the details in this fic series, guys; I tend to drop little hints here and there of what's to come. ^_~
The window went black after Lina cast the Giga Slave. As though it were a signal, the three of us stood simultaneously.
"So… what happens now?" I asked.
Now, you go back to the real world," Zolf replied.
"… Is there even a world to go back to?"
"Well, the only way to find out's to throw you back in it," he countered with a smirk. I glared at him, wondering if he was joking or…
"Aye, there is. If there wasn't, there'd be no future, and we've seen that future." Rodimus nodded. "So there will be a world for it, lad."
"The future?" My eyes widened. If they've seen it, then…
"Only glimpses of it. Don't get too excited; we're not allowed to tell you about it," Zolf interrupted.
"What we can tell you is that you'll have many challenges ahead when you return, Master Zelgadis."
"But if you do the right things, you'll be happy in the end."
I frowned. "That's not very helpful, is it?"
"Considering the fact that you're gonna forget everything we've told you here in Limbo, what we tell you won't be helpful anyway."
"I will?" I folded my arms, my expression darkening. "So there's no point in asking…"
"Remember; your mind isn't here, lad. That's where most of your earthly memories are, so what we tell you here won't sink in there. But if you listen enough with your soul," he touched my chest with a finger, "you'll know it, though not very clearly, when you're in the real world again."
"My soul…" I stared hard at myself, but saw nothing. Did I really have a soul? A creature as twisted as I?
And yet, from somewhere within, there came a firm yes.
"Wait a minute." I gave them a strange look. "How is it that you can see me, but I can't see myself?"
The two glanced at each other.
"He can't see himself?" Zolf asked.
"I suppose that must be a trait of half-dead souls that are in denial," Rodimus replied noncommittally.
"Denial?" I repeated incredulously.
"Yeah, since so far all you've done is deny the fact that you have a human soul. Therefore, you can't see yourself since all you are right now is a soul. Oh, you're naked, by the way," Zolf commented.
I twitched. "I knew that."
"Well, that's gonna be embarrassing. Too bad we can't give ghost clothes to you or something." The sorcerer smirked.
"You're not exactly helping my self-esteem here, Zolf." I glared at him.
"We're wasting time." Rodimus scowled at Zolf, who sighed and took on a more solemn expression. "These are our last words to you, lad, so listen carefully."
The word 'last' carried a solemn note of finality. I paid attention.
"First off, like I said earlier, don't ruin your life by endlessly searching for a cure," said Zolf. "You'll just keep going round and round in circles. Don't let a 'monstrous' exterior affect what's inside. No matter what, you're human, even if you try to deny it most of the time."
"Second," said Rodimus, "learn to appreciate your friends more. They're the ones that won't judge you for how you look. As long as you have them, you'll know that you're never on your own. You'll have people to rely on when you need them."
"And third…" Zolf gave me a devious wink. "Don't be afraid to express your feelings about those you care for."
I stared at him. "What are you implying?"
"Oh, check it out, Rodimus; he's blushing!" The sorcerer cackled with glee, and I was made painfully aware of the colour invasion occurring on my cheeks.
"Knock it off," I mumbled sullenly.
"Seriously, though…" said the sorcerer, "Don't keep it in. Let people know if you appreciate them. It helps a lot to know that a person's efforts to get you to open up aren't in vain."
… He IS implying something, isn't he?
Zolf merely shrugged.
Rodimus clapped me on the shoulder. "Take care of yourself, lad. And above all, remember; listen to your heart, more than your mind, when there's a decision to make. It never goes wrong."
I gave him a sincere smile. "Thanks, Rodimus. I'll…try to keep that in mind."
Zolf gave me a meaningful look.
"Thanks to you too, Zolf." I said in a mock-grumbling tone. He grinned and took my hand, shaking it.
"I've gotta admit, while working under you was annoying in terms of safety, it was also the best time I'd ever had. I mean, when people down here ask me how I died, I can say, "I was fighting against the Ruby-Eyed Lord himself!" and that's a distinction no-one's gotten for centuries. And besides…" His face took on a distant look. "It's the first time I've actually done something meaningful. Even if I failed, I know that at least I was a part of the whole thing, you know? It makes a guy feel valuable, somehow."
I quirked an eyebrow. "Are you actually being philosophical?"
"Yeah, and it's the last time you'll hear it from me." Zolf smirked.
"It's time for you to leave, Master Zelgadis."
"All right. So… I guess this is goodbye, huh?" I smiled sadly. I would miss them, even if Zolf was rather exasperating at times.
"We'll be keeping tabs on you." Rodimus nodded.
I waited for the sudden teleportation.
Moments passed.
"… Aren't I supposed to disappear or something?"
Rodimus looked at Zolf. "Did we forget anything?"
Zolf blinked, then smacked a fist against his palm. "You're right! The thread thingy…"
"'Thread thingy'?"
"Yeah. Hold still."
Out of nowhere, the sorcerer whipped out a boulder-sized hammer and---
WHAM.
I picked the red thread.
As I trailed it, the other yellow ones slowly split further towards other directions and grew fainter. Walking took no thought; instead, my mind reflected on what I'd seen here.
I'd never thought I'd see Mommy again. It feels so good to know that she's still there, even if she's no longer in the real world… and still watching over Daddy and me. I touched the light bracelet, feeling the warmth emanating from it; it reminded me of her hugs. They weren't like Daddy's, though his were fun and really squishy. Mommy's were always gentle and comfortable, and told you that everything would be all right, and it felt like you could stay there, safe in her arms, forever…
I'm crying again, aren't I?
I rubbed the tears away quickly. I promised her that I'd be strong for her. I won't cry…
But gods, it was so hard to do. Knowing that she was there, seeing her again after so long, but only to have her leave me again… or rather, I leave her…
"Stop it, Amelia. Just stop thinking about it," I told myself. I had to focus. I had to find my way out of here and back to my friends, to Daddy, to Zelgadis…
Whoops. There go the blushworks again. I really shouldn't think about that. Him. Whatever.
But still… I wonder how Zelgadis is doing? He looked… scared. He was so scared, I could see it in his eyes when I was about to die. And…I really didn't like seeing him that way.
It shows that even though he tries to be cold and heartless sometimes, he really does care about people. He just doesn't show that side of himself very often. But when he does… it's usually for you, isn't it?
…But I don't like making people feel worried about me. It's a horrible thing to go through, wondering what a loved one could be going through…
'Loved'? Did I just use that to describe myself… from HIS perspective? Oh, no; my cheeks are heating up again…
He's a really good person at heart, isn't he? He always thinks that he's a freak and that nobody can see past his looks, but… WE do. Lina, Gourry, even Sylphiel and maybe Martina and Zangulus… we know that the stone is only on the outside. I just wish he could see himself for who he is inside.
Maybe he will, someday. He needs someone who understands him, who can teach him how to open up once in a while and show him that he's really human, that it doesn't matter what his body has become.
And I guess until he finds someone else, I'll help him however I can.
The red thread tugged noticeably harder, for some reason, after I'd finished my musings. Maybe it meant that I was about to reach whoever it was leading me to.
And there was a pleasant half-thought that maybe, just maybe, it would be him.
I sat up with a bad headache.
"Argh… what was THAT for?!" I yelled in annoyance, massaging the egg on my scalp. Damn, it HURTS! There was no answer. In fact, there wasn't anything at all; just darkness and silence once more.
Wait… what's this?
I stared at my left hand, bewildered. There were strange cords of light tied to each finger, disappearing into the darkness beyond. One reddish-yellow, one yellow, and the rest blue.
And now, I could see myself. My human self, glowing a muted white, and without a single disfiguring stone embedded in the skin.
I was still in the nude, though.
…Well, this is an improvement. I think. Now I can enjoy the same view as anyone else in this place, I thought dryly.
Getting up, I examined the new additions to my current… apparel. Touching the light did not cause an electric shock or an explosion; my finger went right through. Yet, the threads gently tugged against my fingers, as though compelling me to follow them wherever they led.
They must be some sort of Astral tracer… I suppose they're meant to lead me to the exit of this place, but why five, and why are they all headed in different directions? Maybe it's some sort of riddle. But what happens if I choose the wrong thread?
"I loathe multiple-choice questions…" I muttered, trying to figure out the answer. Whoever set this up was plainly trying to confuse me, or trick me into going somewhere I shouldn't. Who knew what lay beyond in that darkness? Surely, for a pocket of the Astral Plane, there would be more than just human souls…
Just PICK already. It's not as if anyone could do anything to you; you're DEAD, for crying out loud.
There are some things worse than death.
…just pick one. Remember what Rodimus said? "Listen to your heart's voice".
Well now, since you're the only other voice in here besides mine… tell me, Mr. Heart, what does your voice think I should do now? Sarcastically.
Red.
Huh?
Follow the red one. It's not like you can THINK of a better choice, can you?
…
I closed my eyes and felt the persistent pull of the red thread against my ring finger. The others were weaker in comparison…
Heart's voice, heart's choice. Alright, then… let's see where this trail leads.
~TBC
A/N: Plenty of Zel, less of Amelia. Right. I tried to keep Ame's thoughts in a particular direction, mainly about her mom and all, but it wouldn't listen!!!! .
As for why Zel needed a hammer over the head in comparison to Ame's light thwack; let's just say that when it comes to being in denial, Zel's a whole lot thicker in the head. Hehe.
And if I've taken a quote line or two that looks familiar, tell me in a review ^_~