Protector
Chapter: 2
Identity of the Charge
Here's the next chapter and yes the plot will start to come more into focus form now on.
It was black all around him as what he thought were his senses came back to him. He felt cold and couldn't see anything. He tried to reach out, but felt nothing. "Where am I," he asked as he continued to feel around.
"Open your eyes Zelgadis," a low tenor commanded from the side as he felt a hand grab his hand.
Zel eyes shot open as he looked at the gloved hand that held onto his. He sat up quickly, turning towards the man, while going for his sword. He stopped when he realized his sword was not at his side and he was inside. He looked around the room at the many ancient tomes of knowledge and magic, the weapons and artifacts, and then his eyes came to rest on him. The man, or thought to be man, was sitting on a throne made of pure rock. As Zel eyes focused he first noticed that this was no house, it was a cave. Second he noticed was his host had a mask over his face. The mask was made of ebony and ivory spilt down the middle with a wicked smile in the ivory side and a sad frown in the ebony. "You're finally awake," said the man as he stood from the throne.
"Who are you and what do you want," Zel said as he went into a defensive position.
The man just stood there looking at Zel. Zel could feel the smile on the face behind the mask. He could feel the laughter, and to his surprise he could actually feel the amused feelings of the man. As he eyes trailed down he noticed the man all black attire, including the trench coat that almost concealed the black hilted blade at the man's side. Zel brought his eyes back up to the man and brought a hand up for a switch of position. As his hand came into his sight Zel's eyes went wide as he saw pink, soft flesh. As Zel's full attention was on his hand the man began to chuckle, drawing attention back to him, "What's so funny," Zel asked menacingly.
The man finished his little chuckle and replied, "You...You've searched for so long and now that you have it you are speechless."
"What were you expecting? One moment I was sure I was dying in the desert and next I'm here and I'm cured," Zel almost ripped out some of his new soft lavender colored hair in frustration.
"Well I never said you were fully cured," the man said in a lower, more sinister tone.
"What do you mean," Zel growled as he glared at the man.
"Even though you look human your not. You're one of us now Zelgadis, you are Mazuko," said the man as he walked forward and placed a hand on Zel's shoulder as he finished his statement.
Zel's eyes went wide with horror as he backed away from the man. He soon regained his thoughts and gathered energy in his hands, "Well, if I'm a Mazuko then there is nothing stopping me from doing this," he said as he unleashed the energy upon the man.
The bolt flew through the air towards him and at the last second reflected off his astral shield. As Zel stood there in shock that it was deflected so easily the man formed his own energy into a ball and said, "Learn your place boy," as he let the ball fly.
Zel closed his eyes as the ball came towards him. When he didn't feel the pain he thought was coming he opened his eyes to see the ball against his own shield. He tried to push the ball away but couldn't get it to move, but at the same time the ball couldn't break his shield. "Very impressive, but not good enough," said the man as he increased his power, and the ball forced through the shield hitting Zelgadis.
Zelgadis flew back against the wall as the energy cut and lashed against his skin. He hit the wall with a sickening crash and slid down it. He moaned slightly as he opened his eyes to see the man standing above him. "Don't worry your wounds are healing...that and I have better uses for you," said the man as Zel looked up at him.
Zel slowly stood, noticing his wounds healing at an astonishing rate, and asked, "A better use for me...as what your little stooge and toy?"
The man turned towards Zel and smiled slightly, "Not at all. I don't waste useful people such as you on minor entertainments. I have a special job for you."
"Like what," Zel asked somewhat wearily.
The man sat down in the throne and said, "And just a moment ago you were set on disobeying me. What brought about this change?"
Zel grumbled to himself for a moment then answered, "I have no choice it seems. It's either perform this task or you destroy me...you could've just a moment ago and yet you didn't," Zel spoke questioningly of the man.
"Because I didn't bring you back as a Mazuko for no reason. A lot was invested on this and now that it is complete it is time for your mission."
"Great so its either die or lose my soul and become a monster," Zel moaned as he leaned against the cave wall.
"I never said anything about that," answered the man as Zel turned to look at him surprised, "Just because you have the abilities doesn't mean you have lost yourself. You are like me Zelgadis Greywords; a Mazuko that still knows who he was, and still has he's feelings and emotions as if he were human."
Zel jaw was open and flapping at the statement. When he found his voice again he asked, "Isn't that a bit counterproductive in Mazuko? I mean emotions would just get in the way of their missions."
"Not the one I have planned for you. Yes, usually emotions would get in the way, but not for Mazuko like us who's masters needed a servant that could mimic a human to a flaw. So you see it is some times necessary," explained the man.
"You're someone's servant?!?" Zelgadis asked with a look of stock horror on his face, 'This is bad if someone this powerful still serves under someone,' thought Zel while trying to control himself.
"Yes...even I am a servant. I serve lord ruby eye himself and only answer to his call," the man answered as he turned towards one of the bookshelves.
'I am under the direct servant of Shabranigdo,' Zel thought as he looked at the man, "And what does Shabranigdo have for me," he asked not wanting to wait on his orders any longer.
The man opened a book as he whispered, "Inverse..."
"What?!?" Zel shouted as he heard the name roll off the man's tongue.
"Your mission is Lina Inverse," said the man as he turned towards Zel.
"If you think I will turned against Lina because she destroyed your master then you may as well destroy me," Zel said with pure anger in his eyes.
The man waved his hands and said, "No, no lord ruby eye holds no grudge for that. She beat his power and he has respect for her. Your mission is not to attack her but to protect her."
Zel eyes went wide and asked, "Me, Lina Inverse's protector?"
"Correct. You are to follow her and protect her form the rouge Mazuko she created when she killed Gaav and Phibrizo," answered the man.
"Why did you pick me for this mission," Zel asked with disbelief in his voice.
The man looked at him and said, "Don't deny it Zel. I know how you feel for her and I know you will never betray her. And because she trust you. We would've asked Xellos but he has had to many missions where that trust was broken."
"You said there are rouge Mazuko after Lina...wouldn't they just serve Shabranigdo like you," Zel asked slightly confused.
"I wish it were that easy, but these Mazuko are the one's that became loyal to the Mazuko lords and that is it. They refuse to follow a demon god that is stuck in the frozen mountains of the north. They are in sparse groups and haven't joined forces but they would if I was the protector like we originally thought. So we have turned to you to fill the job of protector," the man said as he closed the book and replaced it on the shelf.
"I guess I'd better get moving then," Zel said as he saw his sword and went for it.
"Wait," the man called while stopping Zel with his hand, "Take this instead," and offered his own blade to Zelgadis.
"You would give me your weapon," Zel asked surprised.
"Take it. It's name is Mortis and it will serve you well in your endeavor," replied the man as he placed the sword in Zel's hands.
As Zel took hold of the hilt he heard a voice inside is head said, 'I'm yours to command, Master Zelgadis.'
"This sword is alive," Zel said surprised and then heard the sword reply in his mind, 'Yes master, but you are the only one who can hear me so you need to speak with me telepathically.'
Zel nodded and replied back, 'I understand,' as he place the sword on his belt. "Anything else I need before I go," Zel asked the man.
"Yes one more thing," the man replied as he turned and shouted, "Illianna, I have someone you should meet."
In a moment a purple mist appeared out of no where and took the shape of a beautiful young woman. She stood about five feet tall, with long silver hair, and emerald green eyes. She turned and kneeled before the man and said, "What is it my master," before the man pulled her back to her feet saying, "You don't have to do that."
"I know but its fun to see you actually become uncomfortable," she said with an amused smile as she turned to see Zelgadis and said, "Who's this...he's cute."
"Hmp...Yes this is Zelgadis Greywords, the soon to be protector of Lina Inverse. Zel this will be your contact if I can't reach you, her name is Illianna," the man stated.
"A pleasure," Illianna said as she walked forward and hugged Zel while whispering in his ear, "Beat he gets jealous in three...two..."
"Oh Illianna," the man said sounding a bit perturbed.
She giggled slightly then let go and went to the man's side saying, "Don't worry I'll always love you."
Zel sweatdropped at her actions but remembered that Xellos could be as nutty at times. He just shrugged it off and started to leave but turned to him and said, "How should I contact you?"
"Here," the man said as he threw an onyx at Zel, "That will allow me and you a direct link when it is needed."
Zel was just about to walk out when the man called, "Zel, the rouge Mazuko were after you as well. They wanted you for the opposite purpose so you should probably disguise yourself. And before you ask you just have to visualize what you want to look like and it will happen."
"I'll practice it while I look for Lina," Zel said as he began to walk again.
"Just teleport to her," called the man as he walked after him.
"How," Zel asked, a bit unsure of his new powers.
"If you just need to visualize her you will go to her. It helps if you have a personal item.
"Ok," Zel said as he took out the lock of hair, concentrated on Lina's image, and disappeared into the astral plane.
"He's a fast learner," Illianna commented as she put an arm around the man's waist.
"On the contrary, he's lived with a piece of Mazuko in him all his life. So it is second nature to him, no matter how new it seems to him," answered the man.
Illianna was about to ask something when a low tenor voice came from no where and said, "So it is done."
"Yes my lord," the man and Illianna both kneeled before the two red glowing eyes before them.
"There is no need for that Vladimir and Illianna. You know that I care to see you two grovel," replied the voice.
"As you wish," Vladimir said as he and Illianna rose.
"You know what to do, and Illianna have you found the item we're after," asked the voice.
"I'll get back to it my lord," Illianna replied as she teleported away.
"Such a delightful child," the voice said and the asked in an amused tone, "What's the matter Vladimir? Something I said?"
"No, just a thought that's all," Vladimir said as he sat down on the earth throne.
"What is the problem then," asked the voice.
"It's just what if the Inverse's find out about this? I'm sure at least Lina will try to get in the way, and I don't...I don't know if..." Vladimir stumbled over his words.
"Don't worry. By the time they realize what is happening it will be to late. Now you know what to do," the voice commanded.
"Of course I do, Father," answered Vladimir as he teleported away.
Disclaimer: Any characters or ideas from The Slayers do not belong to me. I am not selling this material, just writing for the heck of it as I go.
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