Chapter 9: The Knight of Ceiphied
Ceiphied the dragon God's body was defeated long ago. But his spirit secretly dwells inside a women gifted with the skill of swordplay, and her name is Luna Inverse.
"So, Lina I thought you were deathly afraid of your sister. What is with the sudden change of heart?" Zelgadis said while they all pulled themselves from the lake onto shore. "I remember the last time, when Filia gave that letter to you."
"Yeah, well she was threatening to punish me if I didn't help out then. Now we are going on friendly terms. Luna is not the kind of person you want to see angry." Lina replied as she shook the water from her hair. "She can actually be really nice when she meets people the first time, depending weather or not she thinks you're a customer."
"A customer, what do you mean?" Nahga said as she pulled a fish out of her shoe.
"She's a waitress." Lina replied. "I guess it just depends if she is having a good day or bad day."
"So in other words, she's bipolar!" Xellos said as he landed near the group drying off near the shore.
"Xellos, and where have you been up till now?" Filia screamed.
"Yeah Xellos stop running away and help once in awhile!" Zelgadis said.
"I really can't do anything to help, orders I'm afraid." Xellos said with a smirk.
"I wouldn't say bipolar exactly, more sensitive about stuff." Lina replied. Amelia got up and shook her cloak.
"I guess we should start walking then, where is your sister anyway Lina?" Amelia said still shaking the water from her cloak.
"In a sec Amelia. Xellos I know you have an interest in my sister otherwise you wouldn't have joined in the conversation. What do you want Xellos?" Lina demanded.
"I only wish to see her, after all she is the most powerful human alive. Next to you Lina." Xellos replied.
"Why is everything shallow with you?" Lina screamed.
"Not at all, I can't just blurt out all of my reasons. Lord beast master would probably punish me you see." Xellos said smirking again.
"Oh fine be that way." Lina said. "Anyway to answer your question Amelia she works as a waitress, still living with mom and dad." Lina said.
"Your mom and dad, this should be interesting, for the strongest human alive she sure doesn't sound too independent" Gourry said.
"But where should we start walking to, which city Lina?" Amelia asked.
"Oh, well my parents moved since the barrier broke awhile ago." Lina said. "I think she lives just east of Ciered. They live in a small house away from civilization."
"All the way back there!" Zelgadis screamed.
"How was I supposed know we would actually need her, It looks like we have a long flight. Right Filia?" Lina said with a funny look.
"Why me…?" Filia said whining. Filia took a long breath and sighed. "Turn around… again." She said as everyone turned and she transformed.
"Thanks for being an item of convenient transportation Filia!" Lina said as everyone once again climbed aboard her back except Xellos.
"So, Lina what do your parents do exactly?" Gourry said while Filia took off.
"Well, they also study magic. My mom is a sorceress while my dad is a sorcerer. They're in a guild that pays well for their research." Lina replied.
"I look forward to meeting them and your sister." Zelgadis said.
"My sister will probably be there but my parents travel a lot." Lina explained.
"Oh, I see." Zelgadis replied as they continued to fly.
"Faster Filia!" Xellos said while holding the carrot over her head as he flew above the head of the disgruntled golden dragon.
"Damned Xellos!" Filia screamed. Lina sighed as she looked down at the passing land under them.
"It has been a long time since I've even seen my sister, I wonder about her. When she isn't threatening me that is." Lina said.
"I know what you mean I haven't seen Amelia in awhile either, I was starting to miss picking on her." Nahga said smirking at Amelia.
"I don't know weather to hug you or hit you." Amelia replied.
"I would suggest none of those." Nahga said laughing. "Anyway, Lina teach me that Ragna Blade spell of yours!" Nahga said seriously.
"Yeah right, like I'm going to teach a third rate magician to cast one of the most powerful spells in black magic!" Lina replied.
"If I'm third rate then your fifth rate!" Nahga said screaming.
"Whoa, déjà vu." Zelgadis said.
"Why is that Zel?" Gourry asked.
"I think I've heard an argument very similar to this in the past, can't quite put my finger on it though." Zelgadis replied as he watched the two bicker at each other. Amelia was holding onto Zelgadis's sleeve watching Filia flap her wings, when she caught a glimpse of something in the air just above Filia's right wing.
"What the heck is that thing?" Amelia yelled out. Everyone turned his or her head to see what she was yelling about.
"Looks like more trouble, Filia prepare for an air battle if necessary." Lina commanded as the creature with black wings and a shadowy figure drew closer.
"Its that other monster we saw with Haren and Jhirad." Gourry yelled as it was now flying next to them.
"Well, see ya later!" Xellos said as he once again disappeared.
"You are the mortals, that destroyed most of me." The monster said as Filia gave the creature an ill-favored look.
"What is that thing?" Filia screamed.
"That's right we know your intentions, and must prevent them by any means." Amelia yelled out to the monster.
"Then so be it I Tyle, spawn of Dark Star shall be your demise." Tyle said as the monster took a swing at Filia and hit her side.
"Ahhhh!" Filia yelled in pain as Lina tossed Elmekia Lances at it.
"It doesn't matter who you spawned from, your still going to die!" Nahga said as she joined in the attack with Lina. Lina and Nahga fired relentlessly as the wounded Filia slowed down a little.
"Gourry use your sword, Amelia and I can cast light spells into it as you fire them from the sword!" Zelgadis said as Amelia and Gourry acknowledged.
"Good thinking Zel, the sword of light will amplify the spells power!" Amelia said. Zelgadis and Amelia started to fire light spells into the sword of light as Gourry held it up.
"I can feel the heat from the spells!" Gourry said.
"Hold onto it Gourry, just a bit longer!" Zelgadis pleaded.
"Your efforts are meaningless rid me of these pests slave!" Tyle said as Filia's wound started to glow.
"I… yes master." Filia said as her eyes turned red and she started to dive down toward the ground at break neck speed.
"What the hell, Filia what are you doing?" Lina screamed.
"I must obey." Filia said still diving to the ground.
"Damn, that Tyle must have put Filia under some kind of spell!" Zelgadis yelled. Gourry quickly sheathed his sword and held on to Filia's back.
"Protection spells, hurry!" Lina yelled, as they all were helpless watching the ground grow bigger in size.
"Hahaha, is this all the legendary Lina Inverse can do?" Tyle said as a huge impact hit the ground. Tyle landed next to where they had crashed. "Ha, and that's the end of that!" Tyle said walking toward the crater in the ground.
"I don't think so pal, with my amplifiers I was able to cast levitation on everyone in time before we hit the actual ground." Lina said as she floated to the ground with everyone else safely floating behind her.
"That was really close Lina!" Gourry said. Lina landed as the spell wore off and everyone was now standing on ground.
"You've forgotten one thing foolish human, slave come forth and be my shield!" Tyle commanded as Filia rose up from the crater in her dragon form, with red eyes.
"I will do as you wish." The enslaved Filia said as she walked in front of Tyle.
"Now you must kill your friend to even get a chance at me!" Tyle said as he laughed.
"No, Filia!" Nahga yelled as she ran toward Filia.
"Nahga don't!" Zelgadis said as he grabbed her just in time to make her dodge Filia's laser breath, as it hit the hills behind them.
"Damn, he really has us in a pinch!" Lina complained.
"We have to figure out a way to get behind Filia." Amelia said.
"How about we freeze Filia in place with that ice spell thingy, and take out that Tyle guy." Gourry said.
"Wow, I'm impressed Gourry. That might just work!" Zelgadis said.
"I'm running out of patience weaklings!" Tyle said, as Filia was ready to do his bidding.
"Ok guys we use Gourry's idea, but it may take some doing. Plus I want to modify it a little." Lina said as everyone huddled together.
"Kill them now my pet." Tyle said as Filia started firing her laser breath everywhere.
"Oh hell, run for it!" Nahga said as she and Zelgadis ran from Lina, Gourry, and Amelia running in split directions. Filia's laser breath was flailing wildly as Tyle was just watching the entertaining show he created.
"Run all you like, but eventually you will have to fight if you wish to live!" Tyle said with a smirk on his shadowy face. Lina ran while casting fireballs at Filia.
"Ha, so you don't care for your friend. Is that it?" Tyle said watching in confusion.
"I'm simply weakening her." Lina said under her breath. "Uh… yeah that's it pal, you got it right!" Lina said screaming at Tyle.
"So, you aren't so foolish after all. If you weren't a human you would make a good monster Lina Inverse! Doesn't this give a new meaning to the word Dragon Slave?" Tyle said laughing loudly.
"Don't count on it!" Lina said as she continued to run casting fireballs at Filia, while Filia was still using her laser breath.
"Use it now Nahga!" Zelgadis said as Nahga started to chant while Filia had Lina's complete attention.
"Freeze Rain!" Nahga yelled as thousands of tiny ice shards hit Filia and incased her in ice.
"Whew, the laser breath stopped!" Gourry said panting.
"What, cleaver little witch!" Tyle said getting ready to defend himself.
"Lets take him out before that ice melts!" Lina said as Gourry charged Tyle.
"The sword of light won't be enough!" Tyle said as he swung at Gourry and hit him to the ground.
"You ok Gourry?" Amelia said
"Just fine." Gourry said while in the ground.
"Now Nahga!" Lina yelled as Nahga pulled the spell charged sword of light out from behind her back.
"What, I thought that foolish swordsman wielded that sword!" A surprised Tyle said as he was hit by the supped up Sword of Light.
"Got him!" Nahga cheered as the light engulfed Tyle until there was no sight of him.
"Good going Nahga!" Gourry said as Nahga took a bow.
"That was a great plan!" Nahga said.
"Now we just have to figure out a way to make Filia understand why she's cold, now that Tyle is dead the spell should break." Lina said while they all got back into a group.
"Lets tell her she fell in really cold soup!" Gourry said grinning.
"Damn Gourry, I was beginning to think you had some brains too!" Lina yelled.
"Oh, come on Lina I'm trying my best!" Gourry snapped back.
"Those two will never see eye to eye in terms of IQ." Zelgadis said.
"Yeah I guess that much is true." Amelia replied.
"Just what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Lina screamed.
"Uh, do you guys feel that?" Nahga commented while the ice around Filia began to break.
"Hahaha, you fools really thought you beat me!" Tyle said reappearing before everyone while Filia broke free of the ice.
"Crap, crap, crap, can't you monsters just ever give up?" Lina cried.
"Golden Dragon, end this now!" Tyle commanded.
"As you wish master." Filia said as she sneezed then turned into human form shivering.
"So, you really did care for your friend. Smarter then I had hoped you would be, but you still lose hahaha" Tyle said.
"Your all talk pal, that blow from the sword of light greatly weakened your power!" Lina said shaking her finger at Tyle.
"However, your friend will now kill you!" Tyle said as Filia was starting to chant something and shot a spell at Lina.
"Run for it!" Lina said as the others followed her behind a hill and Filia's spell hit ground.
"That's it run, make it more satisfying to me. You cannot hide forever!" Tyle yelled.
"I really thought we had this guy, damn!" Zelgadis said while Lina started to think of another plan.
"If your going to think of a plan, do it now!" Nahga complained as she saw Tyle and Filia getting closer to their location.
"I can't believe Filia is that weak to his spell!" Gourry said.
"Its not that she is weak I personally have never seen this kind of a spell before. I've seen stuff like it, but this one from what I can tell won't break until we kill Tyle." Lina said while she took a large sigh.
"So what now?" Gourry said.
"Isn't it obvious, you all die!" Tyle said as he figured out their location.
"Dragon I order you to reveal your true form and blast them all to hell!" Tyle said.
"I will obey." Filia said as she once again transformed into her dragon form.
"Oh great, so this is how it ends huh?" Lina said as Zelgadis hit her on the head.
"What do you mean this is how it ends!" Zelgadis yelled.
"Protection barriers, now!" Amelia said. "What, It didn't do anything!"
"That's because we're all too exhausted to use anymore magic…" Lina said.
"Filia I know your in there, please don't!" Amelia screamed.
"I will obey master." Filia said as the laser breath shot out and hit the group sending them all flying into the air only to hit the ground again.
"Z…Zel are you alive?" Lina said while Zelgadis was lying next to her not moving. "Damn, you… Tyle" Lina said as she tried to get back up only to fall down again. Lina saw everyone lying motionless on the ground, and a few sounds from her companions.
"Looks like we're still alive… barley, g…good thing we weakened Filia." Lina said to herself still lying on the ground.
"Finish them off slave!" Tyle said, as Filia was about to do her laser breath once more.
"Well, well I'm gone for awhile and it all turns out this way does it?" Xellos said appearing above Filia's head. Xellos smacked Filia's head with his staff as she fell to the ground unconscious.
"X…Xellos!" Lina gasped.
"Oh, hello there Lina. It looks like you could use some help!" Xellos said.
"Ha, that foolish monster from the other day!" Tyle said laughing.
"Yes, we could use a hand thanks for taking out Filia." Lina said.
"No problem, she'll be fine but I'm afraid I can't help you fight Tyle." Xellos replied.
"Damnit Xellos!" Lina said.
"But before you get all frustrated, I brought someone who can!" Xellos said with a smirk as someone in a cloak emerged from the dusty mist.
"Who… is that?" Lina asked.
"I've had enough, no more playing around!" Tyle said as he started to raise his hand for a huge attack. The figure threw off the cloak and drew a sword.
"No one is allowed to hurt my sister, but me!" The figure said, now emerging from the dust that Filia had made.
"Sis!" Lina said with her new regained hope.
"Now you die!" Tyle said as he threw a ball of energy toward Lina.
"Ahhhh!" Lina screamed as Luna extended her sword and absorbed the energy.
"What, Impossible!" Tyle screamed as Luna approached Tyle.
"Now, be a good boy and go back to hell." Luna said as she took up her sword and slashed him twice. Tyle stood for a moment.
"Damn, how can a mere human beat me!" Tyle said as he vaporized into nothing.
"Sis, t...thanks." Lina said as Luna walked toward her.
"Lina…" Luna said as she hit Lina on the head.
"What the hell was that for!" Lina yelled.
"Help your friends up, use your recovery spell!" Luna said frustrated. Lina helped everyone up and healed one by one, with Filia still knocked out but in her human form now.
"It looks like Filia will finally be ok right Lina?" Gourry said looking at Luna.
"I'm not Lina, h…hey is that the sword of light?" Luna said with wide eyes as her violet hair shot into the sky.
"What the, your not Lina!" Gourry said shrieking.
"How much do you want for that sword of yours cutie?" Luna said winking at Gourry.
"I think I see a family resemblance…" Zelgadis said as Amelia and Nahga fainted.
"Damnit Luna, that's my guardian your talking to. Besides he promised me the sword of light!" Lina said screaming at her sister.
"When did I promise that Lina!" Gourry screamed.
"We'll just see about that little sister!" Luna said while the two were grabbing Gourry back and forth.
"Xellos, and here I thought you were just going to let us die." Filia said as she came to.
"Oh, good your back to normal!" Xellos said as Filia grabbed his neck.
"Don't think I'll forgive that bump you just gave me you damned monster!" Filia said as she started yelling at Xellos.
"Oh, well all is well that ends well." Zelgadis said.
"This is well?" Amelia replied.