I don't own Slayers...Y.Y

Xellas had finally dismissed the last of the lesser demons that were plaguing her with problems and complaints and had just gotten comfy in her big throne when she sensed Xelloss teleport himself outside her doors. The hair on the back of her neck stood up and she straightened immediately; there was something wrong. She could sense his terrible sadness and fury. The priest knocked twice on one of the large double doors to her throne room, before entering. Xellas blinked, he was covered in dragon's blood. His expression placid, even though she knew this was not how he felt.

"Xelloss?" his mistress said hesitantly. He looked at her with eyes so empty and unfeeling her breath caught for an instant as she thought him dead. Then she shook her head. He had said something. "What, love?"

"I killed her," Xelloss voice was as dead as his eyes. "You don't have to worry anymore."

"Killed her? Killed wh-"

"Tricked me. She looked so sad. But she looked beautiful, too. Her blood was so pretty, perfect crimson. It normally tastes so good, killing, but this time it was...bitter. It's funny because I think I may have loved her, but you don't have to worry. She's gone forever now."

"Xelloss, you mean the golden?"

"I killed the others, too. Alexia, the ones who tricked me, everyone."

"Xelloss, you're scaring me," Xellas said. He'd never acted like this before. "What happened?"

"Aren't you proud of me, mistress? I'll kill all the Goldens...for you. You were right; they don't deserve to live. It will be fun," Xelloss smiled, but the expression did not reach his eyes. He sounded like he did when he was a child. "And I only got a little hurt, see?" He held out his palms scarred by the dragoness' blood.

"Juu-ou-sama?" the little demon called again. "Mistress...?"

Xellas blinked; drawn from her memories by the young priestess that stood before her. She was one of Xelloss's personal fan club. She followed him around when he was at the castle, as did many of the young wolflings-turned-priestesses, however this one was a loner and Xelloss had taken a liking to her and would often let her accompany him when he would shoo the others away. Xellas blinked again, trying to erase the image of Xelloss covered in blood from behind her eyelids. "Yes, uh..."

"Kali, mistress," the young girl bowed low for a moment and then straightened. Her long black hair was tied in two pig tails on top of her head that hung to her waist. Her green eyes held an urgency to them and she was clearly nervous and worried, but this last might be just be because she was alone in front of her very powerful mistress.

"Yes, Kali?"

"Mistress, I was just with Xelloss and I think there...there's something wrong with him. He-"

"He's a little upset today. You should leave him alone."

"But, mistress, he didn't even look at me. He seemed...I don't know, like he didn't even know where he was. He was just flipping the pages of a book and not even looking at them."

"I told you, Kali," Xellas said exasperated, she was trying not to think of her heartbroken priest. "He's just in a bad mood. Let him be."

"Yes mistress," the priestess agreed, but she didn't sound at all happy.

Filia had just put Val to bed and was about to leave his room when she sensed Xelloss behind her. She spun to see the mazoku standing beside Val's crib.

"Hello, Filia," Xelloss said in a flat voice.

"Xelloss?" Filia said hesitantly, there was something very wrong here. "What's going on? What are you doing here?"

"I'm very sorry, Filia," Xelloss said in the same monotoned voice. "Unfortunately I've come to complete a rather morbid mission."

"Wh-what are you talking about, Xelloss?" Filia stammered. She studied him closely. His eyes were open, but they lacked the sharp, focused look they usually held. His stance was odd, too; he seemed very tense and stood very straight.

"Valteria," Xelloss answered. "I'm talking about Val."

"What about him?" Filia said, very frightened. She began to walk cautiously toward the mazoku and her child, but Xelloss raised his staff and pointed it at her chest.

"Now don't make me do something I'd regret, Filia," his words were obviously threatening, but still his voice carried no emotion. "I'm only here for the Ancient Dragon."

"Xelloss," Filia's voice broke, "Please, don't take him."

Xelloss, had been watching all this unfold, hearing himself speak, watching himself act, without really comprehending anything. He felt very at peace, until Filia began crying. Then he felt very confused. What was he doing? Why was she crying? How did he get here? And for that matter, where had he been all afternoon? He couldn't remember anything. Then, as suddenly as it had come, his confusion vanished as another wave of peace washed over him.

As Filia looked pleadingly at Xelloss she saw a look of confusion cross his face for a moment. There was something wrong with him. Maybe she could reach him. She wiped the tears off her cheek and took a deep breath and began to walk slowly toward the mazoku again, "Xelloss, I know you don't want to take Val away. And I know you don't want to hurt me. I...There's something wrong with you, but if we-"

Xelloss knocked her against the wall with his staff. "There's nothing wrong with me!" he shouted. "I've just come to my senses about you. But you are right, Filia dear, I don't want to take Val away-just get rid of him."

"No!, Xelloss listen to me," Filia pleaded as she got off the ground clutching her side. "Xelloss you don't want to hurt him! I know you don't! PLEASE."

Xelloss felt the sense of peace draining from him again as he watched the dragon pleading with him. He coudln't move at all. Filia walked up to him and put a gentle hand on his face. "Xelloss, please. Please. You don't want to do this. I...I know I made you angry. I was stupid. I was confused and scared...but I love you. You, not Jet, not anyone else. You."

Xelloss no longer felt asleep. He was wide awake and determined to regain control of his actions. But it wasn't easy. His mind was trapped in a very powerful sort of cage on the astral plane. He felt as though he were screaming, though when he heard his voice it was very soft.

"Filia...I..." Xelloss struggled to get the words out. Whoever was controlling him was fighting to regain his command. Realizing he didn't have time Xelloss decided he had to make sure Filia was safe. Knowing he couldn't move himself, he said, "Filia...t-take Val...run n-now."

But it was two late, at that instant a golden dragon teleported into the room. Xelloss lost the minimal control of his actions that he had regained. Filia blinked the dragon looked very familiar. It was Jet, she was sure of it, but now his hair and eyes were the color of gold.

"J...Jet?" Filia asked, startled and confused. With a wave of his hand, the male dragon threw her against the wall again.

"Imbicile!" he shouted. "We could have been so happy!"

"So it is you," Filia said weakly, getting to her feet once again.

"Yes, but my real name is Kaphala. You know at first, you were only part of my plan for revenge against Xelloss, but," Jet pressed Filia against the wall and stared at her hungrily, "But you were so beautiful. I began to really love you. I was going to let you live, but then you had to go and say that you would choose that-that monster, over me!" he brushed a strand of hair from Filia's face. "I suppose I could have my way with you if I wanted, but now I'm afraid you only disgust me, my dear." Kaphala pressed his lips against Filia's.

In the instant Xelloss heard Kaphala's name, he realized what was going on and a rage he had only felt the day of Alexis's death surged through him. This combined with Kaphala's own strong emotions, allowed Xelloss to slip almost entirely from his control. Still unable to freely use magic, he ran at the dragon, unsheathed his dagger and plunged it into his side. The dragon howled with pain and anger, but Xelloss felt the pain in his side, too. He froze and Kaphala once again took him as his obedient slave.

"Fool!," the dragon scoffed. "Don't you know the rules of possession? Whatever happens to me happens to you, too!"

"Y-you...you're th-the one who....possessed Alexia," Xelloss growled trying to throw off the dragon's control.

"And you murdered her, you monster!" Kaphala screamed. "She was mine and you took her away and then killed her. And now you'll get the pleasure of taking yet another beautiful girl's life..."he turned to Filia, "I'm so sorry, my dear, but it looks as though your love is unrequited."

Xelloss took a step forward, unable to do anything to stop himself. He gathered a ball of dark energy in his hand, enough to finish off any dragon. No! I won't! he shouted, but it was only in his head. Kaphala's voice replied, echoing in Xelloss's mind. Of course you will, monster. You'll watch her die just as I had to watch Alexia die. Xelloss stepped closer and closer to Filia until he was almost pressed up against her. Filia found herself unable to move at all. Jet watched the doomed couple play out his own twisted version of Romeo and Juliet with immense satisfaction. Xelloss's whole body trembled as he lifted his hand, the ball of energy now inches from Filia's face.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Snow called as she telleported into the room. "He's supposed to kill the ancient!! You're ruining everything!!"

"Oh, great, now I have to deal with you, first," Kaphala growled at her. "I was enjoying the show."

"You're not following the plan!"

As the two argued Xelloss looked sadly at Filia, "I love you, too. Farewell." With all the strength he had he turned away from Filia and hurled his attack at Kaphala and Snow.

"Xelloss! NO!" Filia screamed.

Rae: The more reviews, the more motivation, the less time it is till I update. No, really I'll update as soon as possible.