Protector
Chapter: 6
Secrets of the Night
Sorry I didn't have this out sooner but the past week and a half became knuckle down and work time at college. But, now the two test and two papers are done and I can get back to writing, hope you enjoy.
He sat under the docks during the night at low tide. As he looked into one of the tide pools he narrowed his eyes at his reflection. 'Why can't it ever be different,' he asked himself as he made the pool ripple. 'I can never be open with her...I can only hide behind some form of mask. Either physical or mental I have always approached behind that mask. Of course it doesn't matter what mask I wear...I'm still just a monstrous freak pretending to be human. Just a poor caricature of a human is more like it,' he thought as his reflection cam back into focus.
He sighed as he looked out towards the rolling tides and continued to battle with himself. He felt angry at himself. He felt depressed, and he felt the wanting that always came when he saw her. 'Why does fate have to be so cruel,' he asked himself as he continued to stew.
As he continued to think another voice came into his mind, 'Master Zelgadis...what troubles you so,' ask Mortis.
'Nothing...It's nothing,' Zelgadis replied quickly.
'It's her that has you like this isn't it,' Mortis stated.
Zelgadis sighed and answered, 'Yes.'
'It is interesting. I would normally just say take her, you have the power to do so, but I can sense you don't want that. You want your feelings returned...correct,' Mortis continued while unsure of his guess.
'Yes that's what I want, but I don't think she would ever return my feelings...not as a chimera, not as a mazuko, I'm not even sure I could get them returned as a human,' Zelgadis sighed again in despair.
'You will only ever know if you try. I am not use to these emotions but I do know that you will never know the answer if you never ask the question,' Mortis replied.
'It's not as simple as that with these kinda things Mortis,' Zelgadis replied.
'Like I said, emotions aren't my area of expertise. You just have to follow your instincts,' Mortis replied as he went silent again.
'Maybe your right...now is not the time for this. I have to get back and protect Lina,' Zel thought as he stood and changed back into Durzan. "Time to get back. Who knows what trouble she'll get herself into without me," he said as he smiled to himself and headed back towards the inn.
"Oh why does it have to be tonight," Lina asked the air as she paced at the foot of her bed.
She was having trouble sleeping and found herself pacing. Try as she might to get to sleep she could only lay there and stare at the ceiling. As she continued to think she walked over and looked out the window. She looked out onto the streets of the town and watched as a group of guards walked down the street. 'Not like it matters. If mazuko show up they won't be able to stop them,' Lina thought as she continued to look into the street. A few moments later Lina caught sight of Durzan heading back towards the inn. "Now where has that rat been," she asked herself as he stopped in front of the inn.
Lina quickly ducked to the the side of the window when Durzan looked up into it. She watched out of the corner of her eye as he looked up into her room. She noticed the soft smile that brightened his face as he looking into the window unknowing of her knowledge of him. He soon shook his head, as if to clear it of confusion, and then walked into the inn. Lina turned back towards the window and looked where Durzan stood while thinking, 'What was he smiling about? If that rat is thinking something about me and tries it I'll kill him!' "Correction, I'll torture him then kill him," Lina said to herself.
"But what was up with that smile of his," Lina asked herself as she sat down at the table in her room. "I mean so far as I know both he and I can barely stand each other."
"He's probably just trying to trick me into trusting him so he can get to Zel easier when my guard is down," Lina continued to talk to herself in speculation of what Durzan's smile could have meant.
"I don't care what he does I'm not letting him near Zel," Lina said as she became slightly sentimental, "I can't...I have to protect him..."
Lina looked at the window one more time as she headed towards her bed. She laid down and whispered his name as she finally drifted off to sleep, "Zel..."
Durzan had retired to his room but he was anything but asleep. He was leaning against the head broad with his eye closed faking the sleep that he truly didn't need. As he was keeping his senses up he caught hold of an aura that he knew quite well, "Come out Xellos I know your there," Durzan said tiredly.
"Jeez, was I that obvious," Xellos joked as he phased into the room.
"I'm not amused. Now what do you want," Durzan asked annoyed as he opened his eyes.
"Well, I was just checking out my suspicions, but you just answered them. You are one of us aren't you," Xellos asked with a smirk saying he knew he was right.
"So what if I am," Durzan said as he reached towards Mortis' hilt.
Xellos waved a hand and said, "No need for violence friend. I just have to make sure who your aligned to if I am to protect Lina."
"What did you say," Durzan asked as he sat up to look at Xellos.
"I said to protect Lina. I believe that is your mission as well. So why don't we agree to get along when it comes to our mission," Xellos proposed as he extended his hand.
"Only for the mission," Durzan replied as he warily shook Xellos' hand.
"Good, now if I may ask you does something feel a bit strange to you tonight," Xellos asked losing the cheerful look on his face.
Durzan began to concentrate on the town and then looked at Xellos as he said, "Yes something is wrong. Their planning to attack soon."
"Just as I thought, but wanted a second opinion on. They've already raised a barrier to keep us in. I almost missed it too, they must have some good agents if they can do that," Xellos commented as his cheerfulness came back to himself.
"Well one of us needs to try and take care of one of the focal points in the barrier while the other protects the group," Durzan stated as he stood.
"I'll take the barrier," Xellos opted, "They don't know I'm here so I have the element of surprise."
"True. It's settled, you take the barrier and I will protect Lina," Durzan said as he phased out.
"Indeed," Xellos said as he followed suite.
Lina awoke when she heard something in her room. She looked to the side to see Durzan standing there with his eyes closed. He soon opened them and then looked at her saying, "We have to get out of here."
"What do you mean," Lina asked as she walked towards him.
"The mazuko are closing in...Get Down!" he shouted as he shoved her down to the floor.
There was a large explosion in the wall of her room as she was pushed to the floor and landed on by Durzan. After the attack she yelled, "Get off. I can't fry them if your on top of...Hey what are you doing!"
Durzan picked Lina up and said, "Sorry, but there is no time for explanations," as he phased out of the room before it was hit again.
Lina fought back the nausea deep in her stomach as she and Durzan appeared on one of the docks on the other side of town. She had felt like she was weightless and slung about in a void. She had only had that feeling once before and that was when Xellos had phased with her in the battle against Dark Star. She tired to stand as Durzan put her down but she stumbled just to be caught by him. "Lina are you ok," He asked with a look that she thought was concern.
'That can't be right he's a mazuko he can worry or care about anyone,' Lina thought as she righted herself while pushing his hands away. "I'm fine mazuko. And, it seems that you are part of the reason the mazuko are here," Lina accused Durzan as she watched the inn catch fire.
"So you finally figured it out. Don't worry I got them out," Durzan said as he pointed to the sleeping Gourry and Amelia.
"Why are you here," Lina asked as she went over to check on her friends.
Durzan smirked as he drew Mortis to fight the lesser demon that had just shown up. "I'm here for you if that wasn't obvious," he remarked as he cut a lesser demon down.
"I will not serve any master you work for so there," Lina yelled as she blew up a group of demons with a flare arrow.
"Well you won't have to worry about that. My master only has two servants: me and his consort Illianna. He doesn't want to add an more to the roster," Durzan replied as he continued to hack through the onslaught of lesser demons.
"Where is Xellos, we could use his help," Lina said as she continued to throw flare arrows, fireballs, and lower end spells at the demons.
"He's busy taking out the mazuko barrier around this town," Durzan replied while fighting, "Hopefully, he will take out one of the points and the barrier will be destroyed."
"Amelia, Gourry wake up," Lina screamed while throwing a small rock at both of her companions.
"Hmm...What oh my," Amelia said as she jumped up from her sleep and began to attack the demons as well.
"We've got the upper hand," Durzan grunted as he took out a few more
"Think again," Durzan heard as his arm was hit with an energy blast.
Durzan dropped his sword and gripped his arm as he turned to look at a young man with blue hair and green eyes. Durzan gritted his teeth as he turned to the mazuko. "Now that the barrier is down it looks like you've decided to go into an all out attack," Durzan commented as more mazuko showed up.
"Very observant of you," mentioned the blue haired mazuko as he launched another blast that sent Durzan flying into the sallow shore water.
Lina whirled around to see Durzan fly into the surf after getting hit by the energy blast. 'This isn't good. If they can take out Durzan then this isn't going to be easy,' Lina thought as she flew into the air while shouting, "Amelia, check on Durzan I'll cover you."
"Yes Miss Lina," Amelia answered as she flew off towards where Durzan landed while fleeing the blast from Lina fighting mazuko.
"Mister Durzan...Mister Durzan," Amelia shouted as she looked for the fallen man.
"I'm here...Amelia," Durzan called as a wave washed over him.
"Mister Durzan are you ok," Amelia asked panicked as she landed beside him to begin a healing spell.
"No...It won't help," Durzan said as he moved her away and stood up.
Amelia was about to protest when she saw his wounds where slowly healing themselves. She understood and was a bit frightened that a mazuko had been traveling with them for weeks now. Before she could say anything Durzan said, "Yes, I am a mazuko and right now you need to listen to me if we are to safe Lina."
Amelia nodded and came closer to him. Durzan then quickly grabbed her and phased closer to the docks. He then looked to she Lina and the mazuko fighting in the air as part of one of the meanest dog fights he had ever seen. He then turned to Amelia and said, "Listen to me. I want you to fly near Lina and cast a dark mist around her and the mazuko. Then just as soon as it settles then get you and her out quickly, OK?"
"Yes, Mister Durzan," Amelia said as she flew off toward Lina.
"Mortis to my hand," Durzan called as Mortis appeared before him.
'What do you think you're doing Zelgadis,' Mortis asked with concern, 'Your injured and it will take a while to heal. You are in no condition for this!'
"I don't care what happens to me I have to protect her," Durzan said as he stabbed Mortis into the shore through the water.
"Earth, Water, and Air hear my call," Durzan began to chant, "Come to me and empower me with your energies," as a glow overcame Mortis and sent jolts of dark and light energy into him and the surrounding air.
"It's almost time," Durzan said as he began to glow with power.
Lina was fighting to her best ability and still not making that much headway. There were about four or five different mazuko and even thought she was hitting she didn't have enough time to use the bigger stuff that could actually hurt them. "Damnit Durzan, I'll kill you for getting this mazuko on my tail," Lina cursed as she dodged an attack.
"You should blame yourself Inverse. We were after you from the start, not this Durzan fellow," answered the lead mazuko as he swung at Lina.
'What, well I guess I should have thought of that. If that's so then both Xellos and Durzan are here to keep these guys away from me. Oh great,' Lina thought as she dodged. As she was about to launch another spell when Amelia jumped in the way, "Amelia what are you doing? Get out of the way," Lina screamed.
"Just trust me Miss Lina," Amelia said as she brought her hands together and chanted, "Dark Mist."
Lina dropped the spell as the mazuko disappeared behind a shade of mist. She started to move to the outside when Amelia grabbed her arm and took off. "Amelia what are...," Lina was soon silenced by Amelia as she said, "Be quiet or they'll hear us."
Lina kept quiet as Amelia lead her down the shore but stopped when she saw Durzan and all the energy swirling around him as he was preparing a spell. "What are you doing," Lina yelled as he began.
Durzan saw Lina and knew she was out of harms way. He then ignored her question and began his spell, "Darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows. Buried in the stream of time is where your power grows. I pledge to conquer all the foes who stand against the mighty gift bestowed in my unworthy hand. Let the fools who stand before us be destroyed by the power you and I possess. DragonSlave."
Before Lina could shout her protest of the town in danger Durzan launched his Dragon Slave at the mazuko. As the energy left his hands Lina noticed it was blue instead of red. She also noticed that all the excess energy in the air swirled around the blast as it went towards the group of mazuko. The blast hit its target and it exploded, but to Lina's surprise cause only a small amount of damage to the town. As she turned back to Durzan she saw his hair shift from blonde to lavender to blonde again as he started to fall. "Durzan," Lina said as she raced to catch him.
Durzan fell and was caught at the last second by Lina. He saw her looking at him and said, "You are safe. I have done my duty for now," before passing out in her arms.
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.
Feedback is requested, please send all comments to findelhe@hotmail.com
