AN: I'm sorry it took me so long to update. My computer is just all kinds of messed up right now. Hopefully, I get my new laptop soon so that I can update more often. Sorry there may be a lot of typos and the chapter is a bit short. But it was late at night, and I never know when my computer will just stop working. Thank you for your kind reviews and I hope that you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the slayers!

Chapter 2 The Journey Begins


Xellos released Lina, and took large steps backwards in case he was to meet with her swinging fists. The sorceress swiftly turned around, her eye twitched in annoyance. "What the hell are you doing here Xellos!" Lina growled.

The priest acted on being wounded by her unwelcome greeting. "I thought you would like to see a friendly face is all." He smirked casually.

Lina glared, she knew him better than that. "No really Xellos, what are you doing here?"

"Well actually, I needed to talk to you. It was kind of urgent, but you seemed persistent to leave your window shut."

"That was you! You bloody bastard! You made me look like an idiot when I waltzed downstairs to tell off the inn keeper about how shitty his hotel rooms are, you are the most, despica-"He silenced Lina with his gloved finger.

"Sush, someone might here you. As much as I love to fight with you there are far more important things going on right now. "

Lina quirked a brow, her anger slowly slipping away. "Okay, you've got my attention."

"Come walk with me, and I will tell you everything." He held out his hand, Lina looked at it for a moment, then at him.

"What's the catch?" She asked curiously.

"No catch. Just trust me."

"Trust you?" Lina said with amusement. But Xellos was serious; his face was stern, which was quite unlike him. "All right." She sighed; just after slipping her hand into his, he teleported her outdoors. Their feet landed on a nature trail that circled around the town. He let go of her hand, and he eagerly began to walk.

Lina followed along beside him. There was silence for several minutes, until they finally past by the last couple making out under random trees. This conversation obviously had to be privet. Lina didn't see why they had to wait until they were clear of the couples making out; they were far too busy to eavesdrop on anyone's conversation.

"Okay Xellos, now give me the scoop." Lina glanced up at him, then to her great surprise; he looked down at her, with his eyes actually open. Chills ran down her spin, it made her shiver all over. She tried to read what emotions were there behind the amethyst depths of his eyes, but she saw nothing.

"Lina, you're in grave danger." He finally said.

He gave her a stern look when she began to laugh. "When am I not in danger Xellos? Someone is always trying to kill me."

"Not quite like this, Lina." He insured. "I need you to get to Luna's as soon as possible. She is the only one right now who can protect you. But I must advise that we leave tonight, without your friends."

Her pupils enlarged. Without Gourry? But they were always together. Not only was he her bodyguard and friend, but she was his protector. How would he cook raw fish without her?

"Who is it Xellos? Who's after me? And why do I have to leave Gourry behind?" Lina asked furiously.

"The name of the person who is after you is, Lyn. She has unbelievable strength of both Gods and Mazoku's. But despite all that, she still thinks that you are a threat to her from coming into power. She wishes to destroy everything in this world to create her own." He paused to look her straight in the eyes before continuing. "She knows that you are the only one standing between her, and her goal to rule this world. Luckily for you, your sister is mighty powerful, and will protect you against this new evil. Therefore, we must get there at once."

"Hold on, hold on! We?" Lina spat. "Since when was there a we? If I'm so damn powerful why can't I take care of myself? Huh? And what does this have to do with Gourry not being able to go!"

"Lina-chan, calm down! I'm the only one who can get you from here to, Zefielia, safe and sound. Gourry would just hold us back, and plus, if we left now without telling him, we wouldn't have to worry about him wanting to follow. You know even if we told him not to, he would follow you to the ends of the world. Besides, at this moment, the greater distance between you and the ones you love, is best. I already have some of my men watching your friends closely as we speak, to protect them in case they get abducted. We can't afford having you run off to save your friends. There is some new magic that you must learn first. I've been keeping an eye on you for quite a while, and my master ordered me to deliver you to Luna myself, without the swordsman. Do you understand now?"

Lina was about to argue, but could think of nothing. Her mouth shut just as quickly as it opened to speak. Xellos is right; this was the best solution. "When do we leave?" She asked softly.

"Now, if possible."

Lina nods, and without saying anymore, Xellos teleported her back to her hotel room to gather everything she needed. She packed quickly; Xellos leaned against a dark corner watching her intensely. His eyes were closed once again, and he wore his usual cheerful expression. Lina barely looked over his way, then to his surprise; her luggage was flying at him. He quirked a brow. "Um, Lina, why am I holding your stuff?"

Lina eyes shot daggers at him, "Because I usually have Gourry help me with this. But since he cannot go, you're helping me carry it." She snapped at him hatefully. Then pulled her backpack over her shoulders, she looked over at him, expecting him to do the same.

"But you have Gourry pussy whipped, of course he'll do it." Xellos exclaimed.

"YOU ARE DOING WHAT I TELL YOU! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" She growled.

"No."

"Fire-!" Lina raised her hands to throw a spell at him.

"Lina? Are you in there? I heard yelling." Gourry's voice came from the other side. Xellos and Lina's eyes both bulged open in panic. Lina did not dare to answer, but before she knew it, she was in Xellos' arms, and just as Gourry opened the door they were gone without a trace.

Before she knew it, they were soaring in the night sky. Lina looked down, seeing their shadows on the ground. She squeaked and wiggled slightly, "Please stop Lina-chan. Flying is the best option for us right now. And it would make it a whole lot easier if you held still!"

Lina continued watching the ground below them. Was that movement in the tree's she saw just now? At first she thought maybe she was being paranoid. Then, there was no mistake. Someone was following them. "Xellos-" She warned, but he interrupted her. "I know Lina." He said.

She squints her eyes, they flew over a clearing from the tree's and she got a better glimpse at who was chasing them. There seemed to be at least 20 werewolves down there, and 12 human guards. Then to her horror a ball of fire came hurling towards them, but Xellos dodged it, the fireball was only inches from touching her hair. She pulled her hair closer, and hugged it. Xellos would've laughed at her for this, but there wasn't enough time.

Then what happened next was so sudden that all Lina saw was a great flash of lights. One of the guards spells had hit Xellos. Lina screamed, and they were falling from the sky. Xellos held onto her tight, until his back hit the ground and dragged against the dirt.. Xellos stood up quickly, despite his injuries and fired a spell to clear their path, and before Lina could even stand, he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her. She ran to the best of her ability. But when they fell, she had scraped her knee roughly. Xellos noticed her in pain and scooped her up into his arms, and continued to run.

This all seemed vaguely familiar, it was almost like the time Lina first met Zelgadis. The thought of Zel almost brought tears to her eyes. She missed him so much. But now was not the time to be thinking of old comrades. Then when she thought they were going to plunge into the Forrest, he stopped. Slowly, and gently he lowered Lina to the ground. She hopped out of his arms, and ran behind him. The mob of enemies stopped in their tracks as well. The morons just stood there watching as Xellos gripped his staff and started to recite a spell. He opened his eyes so that his stare would be the last thing they ever saw. Lina had to raise her arm over her face to shield her eyes from the blinding purple light that acquired. There was a loud, deafening sound of an explosion. Then a distasteful spell of burning corpse. When the light was gone, Lina slowly opened her eyes. Every single one of them were nothing but ashes that you could fit into a bottle.

"Lets go." Xellos said, closing his eyes again, and walking past her. "Are you ready to fly again?"

Lina groaned. "Will we run into any more of Lyn's goons?"

"We might." He replied honestly.

"On one condition."

"What's that?" He asked, almost sarcastically.

"I can fly myself there."