Chapter three
~**********************~
Hello! I told you this was going to be slow. As promised, however, you will learn of this great 'catastrophe' I mention every so often. Not much to say about this chapter…
Please send all feedback in review format or to usguys@gte.net. Thank you.
~*********************~
Lina caught her breath as she looked at New Sailloon. The kingdom was just waking, the sun piercing the sky. She had been awake for hours, debating whether she should actually enter the city. She decided against it.
Slowly, she moved back into the forest and back down the path. She wasn't running away, however. Unlike all the other graves in Sailloon, Amelia and Gourry's had been built on the place they had fallen. She knew that much from gossip. Their graves rested just behind the palace, with a lively Cherry Blossom Tree offering shade.
She felt a tear slip down her cheek as she thought of Amelia, and Gourry, in a grave. Her hand trembled and moved into a curled ball.
Slowly, she reached a small area where the trees parted. She entered here, and followed the path down towards the back of the wall that had been built. For protection, the government had probably said. But to Lina, it was to keep the people in. She had always been like that. Any wall, to her, was an obstacle she would have to pass eventually.
Slowly, she emerged from the trees. The path continued on to a single tree, littered with pink blossoms and surrounded by green bushes. She stopped and her breath caught in her throat. Her hand trembled slightly. Biting her lower lip, she moved towards the tree.
Three gravestones shot out of the ground, sitting in silence, their cold, smooth surfaces sat solemnly, almost peaceful. Words, inscribed on the gray stone, were carved with care, every letter perfect. She stopped at the first stone, reading it slowly.
Gourry Gabriev
A loving friend, husband, and protector
May his soul rest in peace and his heart live in us forever
Such wonderful way to remember Gourry; friend, protector… they suited him. Lina felt tears rim her eyes as she thought of the last adjective, the one that had broken her heart nearly eight years ago; husband. Slowly, she reached out to touch the surface of the stone, her fingers shaking slightly. She longed to hear him, to feel his touch again. She pulled her hand back with a snap.
It's not right, Her mind screamed at her, and it was true. It wasn't right, whether he was dead or alive, he would never be hers again. He had made a choice, and that choice, wasn't her.
Sighing, she moved to the next stone. She only was able to read the first word on the stone before her eyes blurred with tears and she collapsed on the cool grass in a fit of sobs.
Amelia
And she cried. Her best friend, the only one who she really thought of as a true friend, was gone. Sure, Gourry was a friend, but he was more than that, much more. Zelgadis… she was never quite sure about him. She would have loved to call him a friend, but at times he was so distant from her, and now he probably hated her.
Lina's thoughts were broken at the sound of someone rustling around near the tree reached her ears. Her head snapped up and she turned, causing some of her tears to fly away, shimmering in the light.
"Who's there?" She demanded, glaring at, what she hoped to be, the person. The figured emerged from behind the tree. He wore a simple out fit, a beige cloak with a hood and a ruby clasp. Under that, he wore a simple beige shirt and pants with brown shoes. He had a pair of beige cloves that were cut off at the fingers, and beneath that, his own skin. His own blue skin.
Catching sight of the stone surface of the intruder, Lina immediately dropped her guard. She trusted him, she always did. One hand came up to her mouth to cover the look of surprise. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the figure spoke, "Hello, Lina,"
And that was the breaking point. She couldn't hold it in any more. Without a second thought, she raced over to him and flung her arms around his neck. The sudden force caused his hood to fall from his face, revealing his features.
His most aspiring trait was his eyes; a cool, icy sapphire that looked like rare gems. His hair was glossy silver that shined in the light, with a large portion covering one eyes. His skin was a light blue, littered with pebbles.
She sobbed in his gentle embrace, letting the tears flow freely instead of holding them in. Her shoulders shook hard and her face showed guilt, anger, and pain. The man gently caressed her hair, soothing her to a point in which she was mostly presentable. After a few moments of crying deeply and from the heart, she released the man and wiped her eyes.
She released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding and looked up at him, her eyes still glazed over. Taking a deep breathe and steadying herself before she fell, she held back her tears long enough to let two words pass her lips, "Hello, Zelgadis"
~**************************~
Okay, so it's shorter than I originally planned, but I think I'll leave it there. Please Review. I highly appreciate it.
Samanda Hime-sama Thanks Sammy! Glad to know you like it, I think this may satisfy your curiosity for a bit.
Aisha C Thanks for your support, it means a great deal to me. I'll try to keep you interested. Keep reviewing!
Itrusta Same thing for you as for Aisha, your reviews and encouragement mean so much to me. Thank you!
Lina-Marie Metallium Thanks; hope you like this chapter as much as the last few.
Lina Gabriev Don't worry, I'll squeeze Filia in there somewhere, and Xellos plays an important roll in this story.