Darkness Rising

Tuesday, 15 June 2004

This story was written purely for my own enjoyment, and I most certainly do not own Slayers, unless the creator decides to pass ownership to me, which in that case he'd probably have to be insane to do so.

Chapter 11: You were mine

Spring was painted in grays and flecks of crimson. The violet-haired man shivered slightly as he stepped out of his limousine. It was chillingly cold early in the morning, and he much preferred the sanctuary of his bed, but this was the only time he could spare to do this. This was the borders of Seyruun, where few ever bothered to venture due to the distance and inconvenience. It was picturesque, with the sloping plains of greenery and the main city just barely in sight. It would have been secluded and undisturbed but for the small brick house that sat comfortably beside the large oak tree.

The last time he came to this place was a few years ago, to accomplish a task that his mother had ordered him to do. Naturally he had done so and without question, despite his slight pangs of guilt. But he never questioned her, for he knew she had her own reasons that probably justified whatever she bade him. His feelings were irrelevant; he was too young to understand.

He inhaled deeply when his eyes fell on to the quaint little cottage, smoke coming out from its chimney. Its serene exterior was but a farce. Pushing the creaky gates open, he strode along the rocky path and arrived at the door, which was already open.

They were expecting him.

The house carried a musty smell that melded with the damp air. It was colder inside than outside, but the doctors and nurses didn't seem to care. With a curt nod, one of them led him down the narrow hallway, and stopped at the metal door, unlocking it. As the door creaked open, sunlight seeped through the windows and sprayed throughout the white washed room, giving a peaceful yet eerie feel. At the window was a petite woman standing with her back faced to him. Her deep blue tresses cascaded down to her waist, an unflattering contrast to the beige pajamas she was wearing. She was humming a tune to herself, swaying from side to side. Yes, this was her.

A knowing smile played upon his lips. "Hello, Kaiouu-sama."

At the sound of his voice, the woman stopped humming and glanced curiously at the newcomer. She stared at him for a moment before sitting back on to her bed and became interested in the bed linen sheets.

"Do you know who I am?" he asked loudly, bending a little until their faces were barely millimeters from each other. He wasn't sure if she could really hear him, since she was sometimes off into her own little world, unaware of reality around her. But when his amethyst eyes opened, meeting her gray-blue ones, she became startled. The dullness in her eyes disappeared, only to be replaced with fear and apprehension. "No," she whispered, flattening herself against the walls, "Go away. Zelas...away..."

Not wanting to provoke her any further, he quickly closed his eyes and put on his usual playful expression. "You don't remember me at all?" he feigned a hurt expression. "Not even one bit?"

The friendliness in his voice calmed her nerves, and she blinked several times before she hesitantly observed the man before her. She poked and prodded, taking an interest in his silky smooth hair. "Hair¡K" she giggled, running her fingers through it, "Funny color."

"Just like a long time ago. Remember?" he encouraged her. If she could just remember him from the better days, perhaps he could gain her trust. Hopefully, her short-term memory lapses didn't allow her to remember the other incident. She seemed happy enough, having forgotten her fear just mere moments ago.

"Remember the sea?" he spoke softly, tilting her head towards him to direct her attention. "Remember the children?"

"Children...we played with the fishies...." she murmured to herself, leaning against the wall. "No no, don't go too far...not safe..."

.

"I almost caught it!" the child shrieked ecstatically, waving her stick around, "Did you see that?"

"Don't go too far Lina," the blue-tressed woman called out. "It's not safe."

"I'll go after her," the young boy offered, setting the wicker basket down. Dolphin nodded. "The sea's a little rough today," she observed the graying skies. With a free hand, she brushed a stray lock behind her ear. It was getting windier by the minute. She watched as he joined Lina, now in shallow waters, in their fish catching game. Moments later, they returned, running across the dry sane towards her in a race.

"I won! I won!" the red haired girl shouted triumphantly, flashing a victory sign. The boy rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Oh dear, it seems like I've lost."

Dolphin shook her head as she smiled. They were like brother and sister, and she loved them like her own. Yes, just like her own.

.

Slowly, Dolphin raised her eyes at the slender man before her. "Xelloss" she whispered as her voice broke, pulling him closer towards her in a tight embrace. "You're Xelloss."

They remained like this for what seemed like forever and he knew he had succeeded in gaining her trust when he saw the happy glow in her expression. But suddenly she pulled away. "I'll tell you a secret," she hissed, her eyes darting around the room in a dangerous manner as though suspecting something. "Zelas wants to get rid of us. She wants the money. Scheming bitch...scheming bitch..." and she repeated it over and over to herself like a mantra. She nodded her head and began a conversation with herself, muttering all the way. She had completely forgotten that Xelloss was here. Her frequent sudden changes in her personality no longer surprised him. Sometimes she could be saner than anyone else, but such times were rare. Yet at other times, she remained suspicious and eccentric. He wondered whether she even realized what she was doing. But an insane woman's words were exactly as there were - rambling nonsense. Why did his mother need to quiet down his aunt when it didn't even matter, especially when the only contact she ever had was with the doctors and nurses in this secluded place? As much as he would've liked to ask her about that and other things that Dolphin had said in the past, part of him decided it probably wasn't the wisest thing to do. She was rather touchy about it.

By this time, the blue haired woman was pacing around the room, muttering more incriminating things. "She was afraid, so she killed my babies." Her hands clenched and she began punching an imaginary foe. "Die bitch die!!!" her fist made contact with the wall, leaving a trailing mark of blood. Her expression hadn't changed, for she was oblivious to pain. Xelloss stepped forward and grabbed her wrists to stop her. "Stop saying these things," he said sharply, whirling her around to face him. "They aren't true."

She growled at him, and there was a defiant look in her eyes. "She did it!" she shouted into his face. "She'll destroy us all!" She struggled, but his grip on her was firm.

"If you don't stop it," he warned softly, "I will never come back. Ever."

Her whimpers died down and he knew he had made his point when her defiance disappeared and she leaned into his arms, her fingers clutching at his chest. He always thought she was rather strange - she bore absolutely no resemblance to his mother nor her other siblings, who were notorious for their ruthlessness. As he remembered her from his childhood days, she was gentle and calm...even regal, perhaps.

It was almost time for work. He had to get back to the office on time for his duties - his mother was expecting him.

"I have to go now. Promise you'll be good?" He looked at her intently for an answer. The flicker in her eyes satisfied him. But as he turned to leave, she grasped at his sleeve.

"You...you were..." She said in a choked whisper, "You were--"

"Don't say it." The grave look in his eyes darkened. And with that, he disappeared behind the doors.

She watched him as he made his way out of the gates and into the waiting limousine, never once turning to look back. As a sweet yet slightly sad smile graced her lips, she bowed her head and a tear slid down her pale cheeks.

"...mine."

(25 years ago...)

Loud screams echoed through the hospital walls, the doctor ducking as yet another flying projectile was aimed at his head. "What do you mean it's gone?!" Zelas Metallium screeched, her body barely held down on to the bed by several nurses. The doctor winced as the silvery blonde woman continued hurling abuses and incoherently ranting. Her reaction was natural. After all, she had lost her baby after hours of prolonged and painful labor. Her bodyguards stood beside her, their faces emotionless.

"Please calm down," he stammered. "You need your rest."

"I don't NEED rest! You fucking liar! GIVE MY BABY BACK RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!" Some patients passing by peered through the glass door, inquisitive over what the commotion was about, only to flinch when she whirled angrily and shot them dirty looks.

He glanced at the blue haired woman sleeping peacefully on another bed. The anesthetic would wear off sometime soon. She was the older sister, and they had coincidently gone into labor at the same time. The only difference was that her child had survived. At this point, a nurse came in, carrying a tiny bundle in her arms. For a moment, Zelas stopped her ranting and paused, her eyes curiously following the nurse. For a moment, the room became uncomfortably silent.

"Would you like to hold him for a minute?" the doctor offered, feeling a little sorry for her. She said nothing, but her arms were outstretched to receive the newborn.

"He's beautiful..." she murmured as she traced a finger down the baby's delicate face.

"Oh he's lovely," the nurse agreed, relieved that things weren't so tense now. "He's your sister's, I believe."

Zelas hugged the bundle closer, the light milky fragrance lingering through her nostrils. She touched his tiny hands that were clenched in tight fists.

"No, he's mine," she murmured, just loud enough for those in close physical proximity to hear.

The nurse and doctor exchanged puzzled glances. But the dangerous eager gleam in her eyes was unmistakable. When the nurse stepped forward to take back the baby, she was met with a growl. In a split second, she found herself pushed roughly on to the floor. When she got to her feet, she let out a gasp of surprise as she saw the scene before her - one of the bodyguards had a sharp blade pressed against the doctor's neck. The doctor's eyes were wide in fear, his mouth open like a fish's.

"Wha...what are you doing?" he asked hoarsely, his eyes darting at the dark suited man in alarm. He had forgotten that these men were loyal to the silvery blonde alone. What was this woman planning to do?

"Listen closely," Zelas smirked as the doctor felt the cold metal twisting a little too close for comfort. "You're going to change the records. My baby never died. But as for my poor sister...." her voiced trailed off with a hint of steel.

The doctor nodded mutely. His knees would have buckled had it not been for the bodyguard's tight grasp. The Beastmaster held a finger to her lips. "It'll be a little secret. Just between us. Won't that be fun?"

.

.

Later on, when he was alone in his office, that nauseating feeling deep within him would twist until it rose to his throat, and he would fear that he would soon suffocate. His only consolation - no, salvation, would be that the poor mother had been too unconscious to know the truth.

.

Or at least...that was what he thought.

Author's note: This was one of the most difficult chapters to write, hence the long delay. I had this written up long ago, but it took quite some time for me to flesh it out. I wanted the style of this to be a little different from the previous chapters, with more description than narrative. Hope it worked out well.

Phizzy-chan: There! Now it's all better, isn't it? Oh no, I won't kill off Amelia. I think that's be kinda anti-climatic when I write about 30 chapters and then - bam! she dies.

Ishy-chan: No I don't think you're a terrible dialogue writer.Either I'm blind or you've really improved with each new chapter you write! Sorry for posting this w/o getting your comments first. I wanted to get this posted 'coz I've got other chapters written already and I didn't want this one sitting in my laptop for so long.

Lina Gabriev: Thanks so much for reviewing even though you were sick. Hope you're feeling all better now! The "important thing"...was to give Zelas a massage and to send him off on that Dolphin mission. To her, if she wants a massage, she gets it!

As for Gourry not being competition, I think that's a problem which I'll have to take care of. Xelloss could probably get rid of him in a jiffy, but I don't want things to be that easy - it'd take the fun out of it! Gourry is definately going to get paired with Lina later in the story. I just don't know how to make them together...darn it.

Soobin: Coffee shop and "Friends"? Ack! I didn't mean it to be that way! (runs for cover) Either I stick with that or I'll make the coffee shop explode and get them a new venue.

ShinRa Inc: Thanks for reading this story. It's good to know someone notices I haven't updated for a month. (huggles)

Tai Metallium: Amelia's full name is "Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun", hence the use of the name "Tesla". I wasn't aware there was a band out there with the same name, but thanks for telling me. I'm glad you think my story is excellent. (grins)