Remember the comedy from last time? Yeah that's way gone now - here comes the intensity! Let's rock!

Klutz82 - Thought you might like that! I'm glad you did. And actually, Lina does say something like "Teehee my ass" somewhere in NEXT..you say that too? Hmmm...;)p
Gerao-A - Glad you liked the funny stuff. I only know about Sherra from many years and hours of research. As usual, my pity for Air-Jay.
Seygram 13 - Very interesting comments and questions. Amedyn will be very lethal up close, and as to whether she retains any of her humanity...well, that's something I can't really answer at this point. She certainly doesn't still have her white magic abilities, but if she has anything else...I'm not telling. And you know, I'm not sure what sword Gourry's using, it could be just a plain badass sword. Huh...I hadn't thought of that one before. Thanks! And thanks for reading. :)
Hoshi-chan1 - Yup, that was the idea! It gets much darker from here on out. Glad you're still enjoying it! :) (You did get my e-mail right?)

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Part X- Coming Together, Coming To Get Her

"...That to have loved was to carry a vessel that could be lost or stolen. Or worse, spilled blood red on the ground. And that love was not immutable. It could become hate as day becomes night, as life becomes death."
- "Milagro", The X-Files

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Corander and Alorin.

Raona.

Jenathy.

Wenpair.

The names of the cities stared up at Zel from the map, each of them outlined in red, proclaiming that they'd been visited.

Hasu Vale.

Brakami.

Evauni.

There were so many of them. City after city after city after village after town after city. He'd known that the trade routes to the north were extensive and well-populated, but he'd never imagined they'd walk so far, through so many places, and still be getting nowhere.

The candle above the map flickered, casting shadows upon the top of the paper above the place where he'd carefully written the name of Merrid. Perfect symbolism, he thought darkly. It was mocking him, just as everything seemed to be.

Sighing, he once again analyzed the distance between their current spot in Ajaul back to Seyruun. It wasn't that they hadn't come a long way; no, they'd been walking for a least a month by now. The problem lay in the fact that it was still so far to go. The temperature had been slowly but steadily decreasing as they went, but the ocean was not even a glimmer in the distance yet.

Zel had never been so antsy about traveling. In his life, he couldn't remember ever feeling so restless on the road. Usually it was quite calming. Walking gave him time to think, to see places. And often, though he would never admit it to them, it gave him a chance to be in the pleasant company of his friends -Xellos not included- obnoxious and gluttonous as they may be.

But that was different now too. Somehow the group dynamic had shifted the slightest bit. Certainly, he'd journeyed with only Gourry and Lina before, except now...now it didn't feel right. There was an absence now, an empty hole next to him as he walked.

An Amelia-shaped hole.

Biting his lip and clenching his fist, he dug his nails into his palm and stared hard at the ocean above Merrid. Gods, was she really there? Somewhere out in the ocean, somewhere with ice and cold and...and that ring. Was she still wearing the ring?

"Dammit!"

He struck the map off the table, nearly upsetting the candle. She was never supposed to get to him this much. Of course, she was never supposed to be taken by a Dark Lord. Except she wouldn't have been if someone had been on the ball that night, if he hadn't had to go and throw himself a pity party. If he hadn't been so completely stupid about just admitting to himself that he-

The shamanist stopped that train of thought right there, and placing his head in his hands, told himself to calm down. Thinking himself into guilty circles for another night in a string of who knew how many...it wasn't going to help any. The best thing for him to do would be to go to bed and be ready for the continuing trip the next morning.

Simply lying down, however, proved to be a difficult task. His brain was still trying to drag his thoughts into dark places, and his body wanted to move. So, although it was late, he left the room, and quietly made his way down to the dining area of the inn. Stealing into the kitchen, he found half a pot of coffee sitting on a counter, and, grabbing a cup from a random shelf, he made his way back out and sat down at a table. He used a quick spell to heat the liquid again, then poured it. It was bitter as all sin, but it was still coffee, and coffee was good. Coffee was soothing. Coffee was black like Amelia's hair, and...

"Fuck."

"Hi to you too."

Hand at the small dagger he'd tucked into his belt, Zel whirled, finding Gourry standing at the stairs behind him.

"What are you doing down here?"

"I heard you get up." the swordsman shrugged. "And I though that if you were doing stuff this late, maybe you needed someone to talk to."

"Thanks, but I think I'll be alright alone."

"Whatever."Gourry acted as if it were no big deal. "Then I'll just get something to eat and sit with you."

A little irritated that his solitude had been interrupted, Zel tapped his fingers on his cup until his friend returned with a loaf of bread. Gourry sat down across from him and held it out.

"Want any?"

"No thanks."

"Suit yourself." he leaned back in his chair and propped his feet on the table. "Just do me a favor and don't tell Lina I had this without her. She'd do something unpleasant."

"Where is Herself?"

"She's asleep."Zel could detect a blush across Gourry's nose. "We...she was tired."

"I see."

"Yeah."

They ate and drank in silence for a few minutes, then two chair legs settled on the ground, and, brushing crumbs off his lap, Gourry leaned forward and said "I know you're thinking about Amelia, so why don't you just come out and say it."

"Hmph."Zel snorted, trying not to show his surprise at this little confrontation. "I seem to recall us having a conversation that started like this before."

"But this time, I'm not going to let you walk away."

Turning with a nasty retort ready on his tongue, the two pairs of eyes met, and Zel found his words lost in the hardness of his friend's gaze. Yes, it was the same look he'd given him back when they'd quarreled in Seyruun, but this time retreat wouldn't come.

Zel flipped his eyes away.

"What if I was? What's it to you?"

"Nothing, really."he shrugged again. "I just think it would be nice if you wouldn't be so afraid to admit it."

"Admit what?" Ice was in his tone. There was no way in hell Gourry was going to drag out the thoughts he'd been having upstairs.

Gourry seemed to catch on to that, and stretched, folding his arms behind his head.

"I know what you're thinking."

"Do you."

"Look, Zel, I know that I don't get half of what you and Lina and Xellos say about Dark Lords and magic and all that stuff. But I like to think that I'm observant when it comes to other kinds of things. Like the way Amelia felt about you. The way you feel about her."

"I don't-"

"I'm not saying that you're in love with her. I'm not saying that you even like her that way. All I'm trying to do is remind you that you care about her a lot, even if you can't admit it to yourself."Gourry's tone was calm and collected, as if what he was saying was the most boring thing in the world.

"It's not that easy." the words seemed to come unbidden, and Zel was surprised to hear himself say them.

"You're telling me."the blond man laughed a little. "I was terrified to admit to myself what I felt about Lina, because I knew that once I did I'd have to tell her. And you try to say to me that telling Amelia you care about her is more scary than asking the Enemy of All Who Live to marry you."

The chimera couldn't help but smile at that.

"Zel, don't try to hide that you care, because the more you do, the more you make yourself suffer. And your suffering over what you do or don't feel about Amelia isn't going to help her. You have to either accept that you're doing this because you care about her, or you may as well just go home and let Dimwit have her."

Quietly: "Dynast."

"You know what I mean. I'm not going to say you have to love her, but if you do feel something for her, you have to accept it and go on. Because you know, and I know, and Lina knows, that if you don't figure this out, and you're useless when this all comes together, she'll never forgive you, I'll never forgive you, you'll never forgive you, and Amelia will never forgive you." He stood with another stretch and pushed in his chair. "I don't know or care what she said to you at the party, but I know that if you don't get things straight, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. So when will it be? Now, when you have the chance to save her, or later, when it's too late to do anything?"

"What if we get her and she still decides to marry that prince?"

"Then you'd better figure it out damn fast and tell her." With that he started for the stairs, turning around as he placed his hand on the bannister. "But Zel, you have to know that no matter what she might have said or done or felt...she does love you. A diamond from some other guy that she doesn't know or want doesn't change that." He gave a little wave, "Good night", and then was gone.

His coffee had gone cold again, but that didn't seem to matter anymore as Zel settled into his chair. As much as he hadn't wanted to hear them, the swordsman's words had slowed down his racing thoughts, and contemplating them didn't seem like such a danger now. It was just a matter of looking through everything and putting it all into it's place.

Once that was done, he would be able to relax.

Once that was done, things would come together, and...

And what?

He knew too well what. If what he knew was there was willing to step into the light, it would never be pushed back again, and sooner or later it would have to come out. Sooner or later. But not necessarily tonight.

Well, he decided, that was enough for now. It was enough that he knew what he would have to do, and when the time came, he would be ready for it.

And as for the rest of it, he promised his missing companion as he climbed the stairs to his room, we'll take care of it after I get you back.

-------

"DYNAST FREEZE!"

"FLARE ARROW!"

Amedyn quickly threw up a magical shield to block the first spell before whirling around and slicing her sword through the second, splitting the fiery attack around her. She was only there a moment before instinct told her to move and she back-flipped out of the way of a sword swipe from Grau.

The priestess swung again and the smaller girl countered it as she landed, feeling the internal hum of Dolgofar rise to a fever pitch inside her- the sword demanded blood, and she was more than happy to comply. As the days had turned into weeks, she'd learned more and more about the black sword, coming to understand and control the dark song it produced. When she held it, she could feel it wanting to be part of her, to guide her hands and drive them to the destruction of the adversary, no matter who or what it was. It's power was intoxicating, and she wondered what she had ever been before she was the owner of this weapon, before she'd felt it within her alongside her own pulse.

She was snapped back into reality as the sword came into contact with something soft. Grau cried out and dropped to the floor, holding her shoulder tightly. Grou was at her side in a moment, moving her hand to cover the black wound with his own, but she pushed him away.

"It's nothing big."she gasped. "I've got it." Swallowing hard, she looked up at Amedyn. "Good move. I didn't see it coming."

Amedyn nodded, and took a few steps back to give the other woman space. Although it was true that it was only a minor flesh wound for a Mazoku, she'd learned first hand that being struck by Dolgofar hurt. Certainly, it wouldn't turn one of the monster race into a lesser demon, but it seemed to produce a pain equivalent to that. Still, healing or caring about Grau's injury wasn't her problem. If she didn't strike at them, they would kill her. It was that simple.

"I said I've got it! Stop that!"

"You're doing a really lousy healing job. Let me do it."

The clapping of hands quieted both of them, and the three raised their eyes to Dynast himself, who stood in the doorway. As he met each of their gazes, he stopped his applause and folded his arms across his chest.

"I agree with Grau."he said, his enigmatic smile firmly in place. "It was good move. I'm very impressed that you managed to hit her."

"Oh, it was nothing."Amedyn flushed with pride and dropped to a knee.

"Don't get cocky." Dynast walked over to them. "It shows that you've improved a lot, but it's not nearly good enough." He looked down at where Grou was taking over healing his companion's shoulder and raised an eyebrow. "Let her do it herself. She was careless, it's hers to deal with."

Reluctantly, it seemed, Grou let go of her and scooted himself back.

"Now, Amedyn. I know this won't be fair at all, and I expect you to lose. But I want you to know how fast I need you to be." the Dark Lord held out his hand, into which Grau placed the sword she'd been using. "I want you to fight me."

Her mouth dropped open, and her hand tightened around the hilt of her sword.

"Wh-what?"

"They're coming for you." He spoke as he stepped back and raised the sword in a salute. "I thought we'd have more time, but they're moving faster than I anticipated."

"Er, who, master?"

"No one important, really. Just a few minor annoyances that I want to be sure you can take care of. Now attack me, and show me what you can do."

Amedyn hesitated. Sure, she felt confident with her skills against the priests, but...but Dynast was her master. And not only that, she knew he would show her no mercy; any slip could mean the searing pain she'd seen him deliver to his lower minions.

"Come on." he said, and Amedyn started forward.

Before she could blink, she felt his presence behind her and raised Dolgofar just in time to prevent her head from being severed. She'd barely recovered from that impact before he was striking at her again, and as before, it was only a fraction of a second that saved her.

It continued from there. For every attack she attempted, he was a second faster. For every moment she needed to defend herself, she was almost an instant too late. Finally, when a clash sent her sliding across the floor, Dynast lowered his sword.

"This is pathetic."he sneered. "I know I expected you to lose, but not like this! I can't imagine that you were able to hit Grau with technique like that. Either they've gone easy on you, or my priestess has gotten very slow."

"We had to teach her from the beginning, Master! She couldn't-"

"Shut up!"he roared, snapping his fingers as Amedyn remembered seeing him do in a murky past, and Grau, only newly healed, screamed and clawed at the floor. Grou grabbed her and held her against him, ignoring the way she thrashed.

"What should I do with you now?"he turned his gray eyes from his agonizing servant and focused on Amedyn. "I could set Lina Inverse right in front of you, and what would you do? You would fail me like Sherra! Like all the rest of them! I chose you because I thought you could-"

"Lina Inverse?" Amedyn's gaze snapped up to his. The name triggered something inside her...a reflex...a knowledge... a hatred.

Through his seething anger, Dynast was immediately aware of this change.

"That's what I said."

"You would let me fight her?"

"Not in this sorry state!"

"But if I proved to you that I could do it,"she stood slowly. "You would let me."

"If I thought you could, I would have you kill her."

The blood began to pound more quickly through her head.

"She's coming here, isn't she?"

"She is."

"Tell me, Master...is...is Zelgadis Graywords with her?"

"What's he to you?" As Grou had been, he was immediately on guard, and was a little surprised when Amedyn dropped to one knee once more.

"Master, if it's the only thing you let me do for you, let me kill him."

"Let you...what?" Looking into her eyes, he saw a fire burning that hadn't been there a moment before. His name had done something to her, ignited an inner flame that he hadn't seen in her previously. He began to smile a little. "Why do you want to kill him so badly?"

"I can't say, my lord. All I know is that he doesn't deserve to live. If he comes here with Lina Inverse, let me kill him. Please!"

Taking a few steps back, Dynast raised his hand, calling forth wisps of shadow. They came together, forming a young man with blue skin. Pebbles decorated the surface of his face and curled around his blue eyes.

Her reaction to the vision was instantaneous. It being his own sword, Dynast could sense any change in the power of Dolgofar, and the wave that hit him as Amedyn looked on Zelgadis was enormous. So much intense anger and hatred, so much dark energy, had not been put into the sword in years. And the change in its wielder was incredible as well. In an instant she had become focused, dropped into a ready stance, and was prepared to move at a single word.

"Grau..."Grou shook his companion. "You have to see this..."

Still under the effects of Dynast's spell, and a sobbing, nearly comatose heap in his arms, she managed to turn her head, unable to contain a gasp as she watched her protege.

The shadow Zelgadis moved, reaching for its sword, and every ounce of Amedyn's being seemed concentrated on that one action. As soon as the hand touched the hilt, she was moving, fading in and out so quickly that to blink was to completely miss where she was. Shadow Zel had no more than three seconds to deflect the attack, and it barely managed to get it's sword up again before she was at him from a different angle.

The two priests, despite one's extreme pain watched open mouthed as Amedyn fought the apparition as she'd never fought them. For the first time, she seemed truly committed to the confrontation.

As for the general herself, complete and utter animal bloodlust was the only way to describe what she was feeling. Yes, somewhere in the back of her mind she knew it was only a puppet, but just the sight of him, the vision of Zelgadis Graywords...She had to destroy it. If Dolgofar had given off fever heat before, this was a full-blown fire. It wanted him gone as well, it wanted death, and it would have it.

The fight had lasted barely five minutes before the spell was lacking its head, and it dissolved into shadows once more. Amedyn leaned gasping on the sword, adrenaline and loathing still coursing through her veins.

"Now that was what I wanted to see." the Dark Lord raised her by the shoulders. "That was all I needed from you."

"Thank you...Master..."she spoke breathily.

He let go off her with a grin, not even noticing the way she sagged back towards the ground. "This is what the ranks of Dynast Grausherra were meant to look like. Come, Amedyn, there are many things we need to discuss."

He began to walk out, then something seemed to occur to him, and he turned to Grau.

"Let's remember not to argue with me next time, yes?" And with another snap of his fingers, he turned off the spell, and she fell limp against her partner.

"Yes master."her voice was ghost of its usual self.

Amedyn didn't even stop to think about it, and grinning like a maniac, she stumbled after her master.

"Well,"Grou said as he rose to his feet despite Grau's feeble protests. "I didn't know she had that in her. She's the general, all right. You did a good job teaching her."

"...Whatever you say..."she murmured, and passed out.