Protector

Chapter: 13

Secrets Revealed


I know I left you hanging in the last chapter but I oh so love the cliffhanger. So let's pick up where we left off.


Luna stared right at her sister after her admission. Her hands shook with rage and fear as she thought, 'She's serious, she really does love him.' She then asked, "You can't be serious Lina?"

Lina looked her sister dead in the eye, gathering all the courage she could, before replying, "I am as serious as I can be. I love him and will always love him no matter what."

Luna dropped her head as her body continued to shake. 'She really does love him...what if he is here to repeat what his master accomplished ten years ago,' Luna thought as she asked slowly, "Tell me mazuko...are you here to repeat your master's prophecy?"

Zelgadis lowered and sheathed his sword as he walked up behind Lina. He wrapped his arm around her waist from behind to bring her closer as he replied, "I have no idea what you are talking about. My only mission is to protect your sister with all that I am."

Luna's head snapped up as she heard Zel's reply. 'He does love her...he loves her with all his heart and soul,' Lina thought as she felt Zel's feelings as a mazuko would. Luna, feeling a large weight lift off her shoulders, sat down in her chair before saying, "Then there is nothing I can do but allow it."

Both Lina and Zelgadis breathed a sigh of relief as they turned to go back to their original seats. As they turned they were met with Gourry and Amelia's wide eyes. Lina blushed and got defensive, "What!? Was it that big a surprise...I mean you couldn't of guessed when I disappeared with Zel for three days? Or all the time we spent together?"

Xellos smiled while saying, "Well that's true but I didn't tell them about that whole disappearing thing."

Lina glared at Xellos and then shook her head saying, "I really do hate you at times Xellos."

Luna turned her gaze to Xellos and asked with a feral smile on her face, "And, what interest does the Beastmatser have in my sister, dear Xellos?"

"The same as Zel-kun. I'm to protect Lina-chan until we take care of this little problem in the mazuko hierarchy," Xellos replied with his normal smile.

Luna gaze then switched to Zelgadis asking, "Zel?"

Zelgadis turned around and pulled off his mask. He then removed the hood and replied, "My name is Zelgadis Greywords, pleased to meet you."

Luna smiled now that it seemed her wasn't on edge because of their disagreement. "And, how did you meet my sister," Luna asked.

"Well, it's a long story. I used to be a chimera, and was looking for a cure. In my search I discovered the location of the philosopher's stone. I soon decided that I would use it to destroy the one who had cursed me and then find my cure. The only problem is you're sister had gotten to it before my men and wouldn't give it up no matter what price I said I would pay," Zelgadis began to explain.

Luna smirked at Lina and said, "Sounds like you Lina. How much did he offer you?"

Lina blushed and just looked at the floor while Zelgadis answered, "The final total was ninety-million over six months."

Luna laughed before commenting, "That's Lina, such a shrewd woman."

"Nee-channn," Lina whined slightly.

"But, anyway after that we became somewhat of enemies. All I wanted was the stone but Lina wouldn't give it up. Well, one thing lead to another and I ended up capturing Lina. But, she had given the stone to Gourry before I did so. After that we traveled for a while until we were forced to face the man that cursed me," Zelgadis continued.

"And, who was this man," Luna asked.

"Rezo, the Red Priest...my grandfather," Zelgadis finished.

Luna's eyes brightened a bit, "So you're Rezo's grandson. I had heard one of his line had survived his resurrection of Shabarnigdo. You have a good eye when it comes to powerful bloodlines Lina," Luna finished in teasing her sister.

"Nee-chan what are you talking about," Lina asked embarrassed and somewhat confused by her sister's meaning.

"What? Surely you know that the five wise men of an age aren't just random accomplished mages. Each sage comes from a different bloodline and members of that bloodline continue to fill that position until the bloodline runs out or the family chooses a replacement," Luna finished her lesson on the position of the five wise men.

Lina looked at Luna and asked, "So you mean Zel is the next in line for Rezo's position?"

Luna nodded, "Yes, seeing as how Rezo's son died of illness soon after Zel's birth. It is only obvious that his son would be the next in line for the position of one of the sages."

Zelgadis had known of this, Rezo had told him long ago. At first he worked towards pleasing Rezo and proving he was worthy of the position. But, after Rezo betrayed him, he could've cared less. He looked at Luna as she explained and then asked, "You must have quite an interest in the five wise men if you know this much."

Luna nodded, "Well, it's part of my job. The problem with becoming a sage is the power you have gained can easily lead to corruption...like with Rezo."

"And, you police the sages," Lina finished her thought.

"Yes...After Rezo unlocked Shabarnigdo I have been keeping better tabs on the five sages to make sure it doesn't happen again. It's both our duty Lina...since our family has been the one charged with policing the sages."

"Our family...it's not just something you have to do for Cepheid," Lina asked confused.

Luna smiled and said, "If you hadn't run away when you did you would've learned this Lina. Our ancestor, Lei Magnus, was the one who established the positions of the five wise men and thus it has fallen to our line to police those who would take the positions. You, little sis, did our family's job without real knowledge that you were destined to destroy Rezo."

Lina stared wide-eyed at her sister while asking, "Are there anymore family secrets you want to tell me? What are mom and dad actually still alive and you just made up that crap about them dying?"

"No, they're quite dead," came a voice behind the group.

All heads turned to see Vladimir standing in the corner of the library listening to the conversation the group was having. He walked forward, took a seat, and said, "It's been awhile Luna."

"Yes, it has Vladimir. I don't know why you're protecting my sister, but I will give you my thanks," Luna said trying to be diplomatic. 'Last time we met a whole town was destroyed, and I don't need that happening here...especially if he pulls Zelgadis as a trump card.'

Vladimir twined his fingers together as he looked at Luna and replied, "Just think of it as a peace offering for a time. I don't need to worry about either of you getting in the way while I have a rebellion on my hands."

"Is that all...you setup this whole charade just to make sure I stayed out of the way," Lina asked to the level of almost yelling.

"Well, that's my reason. It was also my master that ordered your protection for his own reasons as well," Vladimir replied.

"So the demon king of the north wanted this? There has to be another reason other than this civil war amongst the mazuko for your master to take interest," Luna commented as she eyed Vladimir with caution.

"Those interests are for only me to know Luna-dear," Vladimir said somewhat amused, "But, don't worry I won't bother you or your sister as long as you stay out of my way."

"That is acceptable for now," Luna began, "But, if I find out your scheme has anything I don't like all deals are off."

"Then we are agreed," Vladimir replied as he extended his hand to Luna.

Luna took his hand and shook on the deal. Vladimir then stood up and said, "Well, I have things to attend to. Zelgadis continue your mission as I outlined," before he phased out of the house.

Luna sighed in somewhat relief and looked at Lina while saying, "Sometimes the things you bring home make me wonder."

"I didn't mean for him to come here. Who is he exactly...I mean I know he's the knight of Shabarnigdo, but is there anything else," Lina asked.

Luna sighed and said, "I don't know much. I met him while I was traveling about maybe ten to twelve years ago. I mean there I am just minding my own business when this guy in a weird mask comes out of nowhere, says he's the knight of Shabarnigdo, and challenges me to a duel of power."

"And, I see that you two are equally matched since you are both here," Zelgadis pointed out from his seat next to Lina.

"Yes, it was a draw...but enough about that. Follow me and I'll assign you all rooms for however long you're staying," Luna said while she stood up, "Oh, and Lina, you and your lover can have your room I've kept it how you left it."


Authors Note: I know I took some liberties with the concept of the five wise men. But, it was odd when they made mention of it during the first run in with Rezo then never said anything about it afterwards for the rest of the series. So I came up with some ideas I liked and went with them. Let me know what you think.

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