Ascend
By: blue lady
Chapter Six – Falling apart
I hummed to myself as I opened the door, taking care not to spill the bucket of water balanced on my shoulder. I immediately made my way to the kitchen, ladling some of the water into the kettle on the stove while pouring the remainding water into the big water jars in the corner.
"Amelia, is that you in the kitchen?"
I turned to look at the old woman who suddenly appeared in the kitchen's doorway. She was breathing heavily as she leaned against the wall for support.
"Mrs. Ralieu, what are you doing out of bed? You're in no condition to be walking around like this." I immediately went to her side to help sustain her, but she quite forcefully pushed me back.
"Pish Posh, You've kept me bed-ridden for three weeks now and that's not healthy. I need to walk around a bit." Mrs. Ralieu said stubbornly, walking past me.
"Well, Lina-san and Gourry-san will be coming over soon –"
"Really? Then I must make something for them. Especially that Gourry, he's such a sweetheart." Mrs. Ralieu interrupted good-naturally, taking out various pots and pans from the cupboards.
"Now, Mrs. Ralieu. I don't think you should. Think of your health." However, Mrs. Ralieu continued to completely disregard me, as she started getting some ingredients out from the cupboards, "Well, at least let me help you, Mrs. Ralieu."
"Mrs. Ralieu, Mrs. Ralieu. Didn't I tell you to just call me Sera?" Mrs. Ralieu said, wagging a finger at me.
"Yes, S-sera-san."
"Hellooooo! Anyone home." A loud and familiar female voice yelled from the doorway.
"Lina-san!" I answered, as I went to greet her.
"Wow! Amelia what are you cooking it smells good?" Lina-san asked, her mouth already watering.
"Sera-san has decided to cook something for you guys."
"What in her condition? Hey, Auntie Sera are you sure you should be doing that!?" Lina-san yelled immediately running to the kitchen.
"What is she yelling about now?" Gourry-san asked, entering the door after her.
"Nothing, come on in Gourry-san." I replied as I getting his bags while he closed the door behind him.
"Auntie Sera, you sure know how to cook!" Lina-san complimented, leaning her chair back at an dangerous angle.
"Are you sure you're full, there's still some more." Mrs. Ralieu said, bringing more food from the kitchen.
"I thought I'll never said this, but I'm stuffed." Lina-san replied, patting the slight bulge of her stomach as emphasis.
"Amelia?"
"No, thank you Mrs. Ralieu, it
was delicious."
"Amelia, call me Sera. I swear, you're as polite as a princess sometimes."
Lina-san gave me a look that clearly said, You haven't told her yet? I nodded my head, cringing slightly. Looks like I am going to get another one of Lina-san's talks.
"How about you Gourry-sweetheart?" Mrs. Ralieu said turning her attention to the blonde swordsman.
"Well…"
"Now, don't be shy. Young handsome men like you must eat hearty." Mrs. Ralieu said trying to tap the man on the head with the ladle but only managing to reach his shoulders.
"Hey, that's what my grandmother used to say too!" Gourry-san said, his face lighting up with an almost childish innocence.
"Jellyfish." Lina-san mumbled, but there was an adorning smile on her face as she watched Gourry-san gobbled down another generous serving of Mrs. Ralieu's cooking.
"Now, can you girls clean up the dishes? I'll go get your beds ready for you okay?"
"Mrs. – I mean – Sera-san, it's okay we can do that ourselves. Besides, you should conserve your energy."
Mrs. Ralieu waved her hand in the air dismissively, as she disappeared down the hallway to the room I was sharing with Lina-san. I let out a small sigh of frustration, as I helped Lina-san gather the plates.
"Starting to regret your decision to stay here aren't ya?" Lina asked, giving me a small wink.
"No, it's not that." I replied, remembering how insistent Mrs. Ralieu had been on us staying at her house.
"Come on, I must find a way to repay you for taking care of me. By staying wit me you won't have to waste money at some overpriced inn." Mrs. Ralieu had said. Lina-san was of course please with the idea so we had agreed to stay with her. Besides we all knew she was also probably very lonely as well. Mrs. Ralieu was more than thrilled with the idea.
"So when are you going to tell her?" Lina-san said, breaking me of my thoughts, "It's not like you to drag things like this."
"I know." I said, chewing on my lower lip, "I've tried to…"
"Tried to?" Lina-san replied, arching an eyebrow at me.
"Yeah, but she adamantly refuses to listen and immediately changes the subject whenever I bring it up."
"Try again. The woman is stubborn, but she isn't that stubborn." Lina-san said, matter-of-factly.
"Easy for you to say…" I mumbled to myself, as Lina-san handed me a plate to dry.
"What did you find today, Lina-san. I notice Gourry-san carry a lot of bags back today."
"Gold, of course!" Lina-san said, her eyes glittering greedily, "There was actually a group of bandits hanging around the forests near Solaria. They must have been new at it for they didn't know that I, the beautiful, sorcery Genius Lina Inverse, was nearby. In fact, they didn't even know who Lina Inverse was!"
I giggled at the look of over exaggerated disgust and disbelief on Lina-san's face, "You know, Lina-san you don't have to stay with me…"
"What are you talking about? Of course I do!" Lina-san replied haughtily, but then her eyes soften slightly as she spoke, "Besides, I have to make sure you don't get yourself hurt again."
"Lina-san…Thank you."
"You're welcome. Of course, you can always show your appreciation when we get back to the palace…" Lina-san trailed off, blinking her eyelashes at me.
"Yes, the kitchen staff will be prepared to cook up anything you want, at anytime." I said with a small smile, that was Lina-san for you.
"Oh Amelia, no wonder people love you!" Lina-san said in a singsong voice, returning her attention to the dishes with extra vigor.
"Sera-san."
"I'm in here Amelia."
I followed her voice to the living room but stopped at the doorway, watching the shadows of the flickering fireplace obscure her face and for the first time I noticed the heavy resemblance between grandmother and grandson.
"Now, Amelia what are you doing lurking around corners? Come on in." Sera-san said smiling at me.
I came and sat across from her, fumbling with my fingers slight before taking a deep breath, "Sera-san I have something that I really need to t-"
"How long have Lina and Gourry been together?"
"Sera-san please."
Sera-san sighed, finally putting down her needlework to look at me directly in the eye, "Look Amelia, You don't need to tell me…I already know what happened to Lukas."
I stared at her in disbelief, how could she have known? Grandfather had made sure to keep the facts of my father's murder as obscure as possible just as he had done with both my mother's death and Gracia's disappearance, "But how?"
"During your first week here, I noticed that though were always cheerful that there was some shadow in you smile. So I asked Gourry why you looked so sad and he finally told me."
"You knew for that long and you never told me? Why didn't you tell me, you knew?" I asked her, clutching my dress in an attempt to calm myself.
"Because it was not important."
"Not important! We…killed him!" I replied, standing up and away from her, "He didn't do anything wrong."
"And I couldn't do anything to stop it, another shedding of unnecessary blood." I thought silently, burying my face in my hands. A bitter taste seemed to crawl at the base of my throat as I fought the sudden urge to just puke.
Before I realized it I was jerked out of my trance, as Sera-san grabbed me tightly by the arms, "Listen, Amelia. It was not your fault. You tried everything. Don't be mad at yourself and don't be angry with your grandfather. Just let it go."
I looked up at her, her eyes slightly rimmed with tears, "Just let it go. Your father wouldn't want to see you like this, his only daughter consumed with grief and anger. You tried your best to prevent Lukas' death and preserve your father's honor. There was nothing more you could have done. Just let it go. Let your father and Lukas' souls finally rest in peace. There was nothing you could have done. Let your father and my grandson go."
I felt completely…empty, I didn't know what to do, how to respond. I only continued to stare at her. I bury my face in my hands again as my mind once away began to drift away.
"Amelia!"
"Daddy!"
"Look Daddy, look!"
"I promise I will not let anyone take me away from you, my daughter."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen…"
"I know daddy would not sleep peacefully if he knew an innocent boy was being murdered for his sake!"
"How could you, Amelia? Are you really my son's daughter?"
When my mind finally returned to the present I was surprised to find that Sera-san's arms were cradling my head gently. I shut my eyes tightly; trying desperately to let her voice calm me, to let this sudden headache and despair to finally vanish, then suddenly the world plunged into darkness.
"Zel…"
I froze slightly, thrown off by the sudden voice calling me. I pricked up my ears as I waited for the voice to appear again.
"Zel…"
I was once again thrown off by the soft, feminine voice but this time not because of it's suddenness. There was only one woman in my life that has ever called me by that nickname and the voice clearly did not belong to Lina. In fact it sounded distinctly like…
"Zel!"
Amelia's…
I turned around and there she stood before me, blue eyes glittering with pure, unbundled joy. She smiled at me, a smile that spoke of her childish innocence, as a gust of wind swept across her face, ruffling her hair. She was dressed in a simple white dress that seemed to float around her small frame with each step she took. Making her way towards me I watched as her dress moved in such a way that the rays of the sun seem to be reflected upon it. I held up my right arm to shield my eyes, as the halo her dress was creating became unbearably bright.
I could hear her giggle as her gentle hands enveloped my raised arm, pulling on it gently, "What are you doing, Zel?"
I let her pull down my arm as I stared at her, what was she doing here? Then I notice something, a sensation that I haven't felt for almost eleven years: the feeling of skin upon skin. I immediately brought my hands to my face observing the pale skin of my fingers poking from my beige gloves. Amelia grabbed my hands, placing them on my face. I marveled at the softness and smoothness of human flesh, as I touched every corner of my face, not meeting any the rough blue stones I was used to. I grabbed Amelia's hand, reveling in the feel of her warm flesh against mines, "Amelia, I'm human again!"
Amelia just giggled at me, "Of course, you are. If you were still a Chimera I wouldn't be here." She then reached out, wrapping her arms around me, causing my whole body to stir and flow with tender emotions and the strange feeling of… was it, contentment?
I sighed looking down at the girl in my arms, noting how her eyes glowed with a beautiful ocean blue. However, the view soon disappeared behind long lashes as she slowly flutters them close. I closed my eyes as well, waiting for the moment I had never dare to dream about, to come true. I could feel her warm breath tickle my upper lip as ever so lightly our lips finally met.
I opened my eyes and waking up to the view of rolling sand dunes as far as the eye could see. It was almost noon and the campfire beside me had long ago burned out, leaving nothing but ashes. I cursed slightly as I got up. Ever since I was eleven, I had trained myself to wake up automatically at dawn everyday, giving me the whole morning to train myself. This was the first time I have ever overslept and today was definitely not the day for it. Gathering my stuff, I ran full speed to my destination. I had to get there before noon when the sun was high enough to activate the mystical mirages used to hide the old temple. After an hour and half of running, the temple's sandstone walls could be seen looming ahead of me.
I smirked triumphantly to myself; it looks like I was going to make it. However, after another hour and half of running the temple was not getting any closer, I cursed again, forcing my body to run at a faster rate. Yet the temple only seemed to stay in one place continually mocking me. I cursed slightly as I noted the position of my shadow, I only had about thirty minutes before the temple would become hidden from my sight. I ran even faster but to no avail, I could see the temple vanish away right in front of me, as the sun finally reached its zenith.
"Damn!" I yelled, falling to the ground to pound my fist. Looks like I had to wait another day, since even in moonlight the temple remained hidden. I sat up, snatching the canteen attached to my belt viciously. Another day wasted. I must have grabbed the canteen too roughly for something came flying off of it, landing softly on the sand with a bright twinkling sound. I went over to pick it up, noting how its pink ribbon was still smooth and how its blue gem still glittered brightly. I never knew what possessed me to take it with me that night when I left. I fiddle with the bracelet slightly, wondering if Amelia even noticed it was missing. Probably, since she pretty much wore the damn thing every single day. An image of her angelic face, blue eyes closed leaning in towards me suddenly came to mind. Yes…that was what I had been dreaming about this morning… I clutched the bracelet tightly as I felt anger washed over me. What was I doing, dreaming such things…building up false hopes?
Know that whether you are a chimera or not, that I will always c-care for you.
That is what she says, but one day she'll realize that…I am more trouble than I am worth. She deserved someone better. I will not set myself up for that kind of pain. However, once again the same image of her leaning towards me appeared in my mind…how our lips had touched ever so gently.
"Damn it!" I yelled again, gripping the bracelet hard as I hurled it as far as I can. I turning around quickly, walking away briskly. That thing was nothing but a reminder of something I did not want to think about. Besides, I had more important things to worry about, like finding a safe place to camp for the night.
"Damn it!" I swore. Six hours later I found myself digging around the area where Amelia's bracelet had landed. So far no such luck, as I continued to dig deeper, this was taking too long, it could be several feet under by now. I stepped back my right arm outstretched, "Bomb Di Wind!"
The sand shot up erupting like a violent volcano, then I saw it the blue gem twinkling cheerfully as it flew up into the sky.
"Raywing." I whispered; as I flew up to easily catch the bracelet by its pink strap before it was lost again. Scowling at the stupid thing, I roughly stuffed it into my pocket as I flew back to the campsite.
"Fireball." The spell propelled itself in a bright red flash tearing down the rusted iron doors effectively; I smirked to myself, I had made it this time. I stepped into the temple looking around where a dark seemly endless hallway greeted my eyes. I squinted a little, faintly able to make out some doors on either side of the hallway and a huge statue of a woman resting at the end, her wings majestically flared open behind her.
"Lighting." I whispered, turning to the door nearest me, deciding to start on my left first. I soon found out that each room was actually a duplicate of each other: a circular room depicting some sort of goddess. It was obvious that the temple was once lavishly decorated, as there were many holes and etching where precious jewels once laid. That meant someone had already been here and had taken most of the temple's treasures. Yet there was still hope that whoever ransacked this place might have overlooked something… Another thorough search of the temple revealed a hidden switch located in the last room on the right side. Pressing it, I was immediately met with the sound of shifting sandstones outside. I immediately looked out into the hallway, noticing that the huge statue situated at the end of the hall had moved to reveal a door. The door led to another seemly endless hallway however there appeared to be no other doors. I walking in I decided to just if there was anything at the end of the tunnel. After about several minutes of walking I was finally met with high iron doors. I could feel the slight tremor in the air as I walked up to examine it. Touching the rusty surface I was able to confirm my suspicions; the door was magically sealed. I felt my spirit rise slightly at this; whatever was stored in the room might prove useful to me. The seal was easily broken, revealing a room completely covered with dust and cobwebs. I took a slight intake of breath when I noticed what was sitting right in the center of the room. There on a black marble pedestal laid a book covered with the same amount of dust and sand as its surroundings. I hastily wiped away the filth coating the book cover, trying to decipher what was written across the tattered old leather.
"The Claire Bible!" I gasped slightly; it was actually a copy of the Claire Bible. With trembling fingers I slowly opened the book, turning the brittle yellow pages. My eyes scanned the pages frantically trying to find anything that could be a possible cure. However, I soon realized that the words kept going on and on about how to…capture fairy souls! The book hit the sandstones walls with a heavy thud before sliding down and landing on the floor as a crumpled pile of worthless paper. It was a fake! It had taken me six months to pick up this lead; another three just to get to this cursed desert, and almost two weeks to locate the temple and this was the fruit of my labor! Another year wasted, another year spent as a hideous chimera. Another year…the image of Amelia's blue eyes and smiling face appeared unexpectedly in my mind's eye.
I clutched the marble pedestal as another wave of anger and disappointment wash through me. Why was I cursed with such an existence? Did L-sama find it amusing to toy around with me? Then a sudden blue light came bursting forth from my hands completely destroying one of the room's sandstone walls. I was taken aback slightly at the destruction. I had better watch myself more carefully; I didn't want another magic outburst again. Then abruptly the sandstones begin to shift violently above me, raining piles of sand and small pebbles into the room. Shit! It seems I did more than just obliterate a wall. I ran out of the room, quickly making my way up the hallway to the main room. The main room was a mess, as the sandstone walls slowly began to crumble into dust. I ran faster towards the sunlight that was steaming through the entrance. I tripped over a hidden rock in the sand floor before safely making it out safely.
I stood watching as the temple slowly fell upon itself, glad this body of mine did have some perks. Thanks to my demonic speed I was able to make it out of the temple with plenty of time to spare.
"Well, another temple destroyed carelessly." I thought to myself as I watch the temple's continued downfall. Sticking my hands in my pockets, I sighed "Where to go now…"
My thoughts stop abruptly as I noticed that something was missing. I felt around my right pocket noting that it was completely empty. Where was it? Then it hit me, I had tripped and it must have-
I looked at the temple once more; there was not enough time for me to get in and then out without getting buried alive. However, every instinct and nerve in my body would not let me leave it behind.
"Zelgadis, this is ridiculous." I thought watching the temple fall apart. There was no way I was going to risk my life for some silly trinket.
"Shit!" I swore again, barely dodging some falling debris that fell dangerously near my head. It had to be here somewhere…I hastily dug around the floor, trying to find the smooth blue glass and pink silk. There it was! A vibrant pink peeking out from the beige sand, I dug deeper releasing the bracelet from its prison. Keeping a tight grip on the bracelet, I made a dash for the entrance. Just when I made my way into open air the temple finally collapsed, completely merging into the sand floor. I collapsed on the ground, feeling the need to let my heart rate slow down and my adrenaline to diminish before moving on. I opened my hand revealing Amelia's bracelet to the open sky; watching the blue gem shine in the sunlit almost mockingly.
I clutched my hand shut again, growling to myself. Enough was enough. As the years went by I found it increasingly hard to concentrate on my quest for humanity and today just proved it. The cause for this distraction…
"Mr. Zelgadis, I was wondering…"
"Yes, What is it, Amelia?"
"After this is over would you come back to Seyruun with me?"
"Know that whether you are a chimera or not, that I will always c-care for you."
"Amelia…" I stood up, holding the bracelet out again watching the blue gem shine in the sunset, this time somewhat melancholically. I will return to Seyruun, return her bracelet to her and this time effectively clear the doubts that still linger between us. I will finally purge myself of anything Amelia. I once again stuffed the bracelet into my pocket, nodding to myself. A huge burden seem to left from my shoulders, as I head northward for Seyruun.
Author's NotesWhew! A month! Gomen. Anyway, I really thought that this chapter would be the climax for the whole assassination thing…I guess I was wrong. This has to be my longest chapter! Anyway, next chapter I will warp everything up for the whole assassination thing and set up for the next part… Amelia's ascension to the throne! Anyway, Zel for you guys whose been waiting for this. Just to note, it will take Zel some time to get back to Seyruun. He will arrive after Amelia and them come back. Anyway, read and review please. What can I say about this chapter? I don't know…Anyway I hope Zel is not OOC. Well, as usual thanks to those who read and review. Chapter seven will not take this long, promise.