Imagine this.
Amelia No Hibi
-Amelia has become Zelgadis's hand, for those who do not know the anime-
Amelia: Wake up, wake up, Mr. Zelgadis!
Zelgadis: Uh...wuh? AUUUUUUUUUUUGH! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MY HAND!
Amelia: Yes, isn't it WONDERFUL? -sparkles-
Zelgadis: ABSOLUTELY NOT! Turn my hand back to normal, THIS INSTANT! I'm warning you, Amelia... -raises his unchanged fist-
Amelia: But... Mr.Zelgadis, this way we can always fight for justice, together!
Zelgadis: Just... JUST NO. GO AWAY.
Amelia: What! Do you not want to destroy injustice?
Zelgadis: Precisely, and your PARASITING my hand is unjus-
Amelia: Then let us go! -suddenly flies out window, dragging Zelgadis into the sky- FOR JUSTIIIIICE!
Zelgadis: Why me... -dissapears over the horizon with Amelia, sulking and somewhat traumatized-
Okay, so that was weird. But it was fun... Anyways, I'd like to thank those who commented on the last chapter, even if there wasn't much to comment on. I'll do my best to write and post the chapters as quickly as I can... Maybe I should make more at a time so that twice every week... well, anyways, enjoy this chapter! X3
Disclaimer/Credentials: Slayers and all of the Slayers characters (including Xellos -sulk-) belong to Hajime Kanzaka, not me. Other characters, and the plot, are MINE:D
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Gallance & Monstrosity
Chap 1
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-----Suspicion-----
Zelgadis clenched his teeth, following the young, redhead mazoku called Shai along the dimly lit corridors of the temple. Aligned every five meters or so, luminous, red, floating spheres of light provided just the right amount of brightening to notice the large and intricate paintings of ancient legends and prowess. In this case, more destruction than prowess... images of crumbling towers and the blood of war were ever present, even in the portraits. Zelgadis was surprised to see quite a number of paintings where Xellos was represented. He could recognise some particularities, but each painting either made him very vague, or exaggerated with a much more demonesque appearance. He was once again feeling irritated about the monster for making everyone irritated by giving away too little of himself, then making everyone so curious about him. Painted in these murals, some of the horrors he had done... well, for a mazoku, it might be more like accomplishments to be proud of.
Feh. How dare she even compare me to them. I definetly don't want to be related to Xellos. Heck, one more reason to find a cure, and fast.
"Pardon me Zel, but I'm curious. What preoccupies you so much?" Shai asked.
"Is that any of your business?"
"Let me remind you that you're held captive here."
"Didn't you say that you were supposed to help me?"
"Well, yes..." She smirked. "We can also help you with other matters..."
She didn't say more. Zelgadis wondered if all mazoku were like this, starting to feel uneasy around his escort. Finally, she stopped in front of a large door, and moved aside. Zelgadis advanced, and asked: "What is this?"
"This is the exit."
"Oh. Is that... all? I mean, all what you meant by helping me?"
"Oh, so you want to become a full mazoku? We could aid you in tha-"
"NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Seeing his sudden outburst, Zelgadis reconfigured himself and asked the shocked mazoku, who had taken a step backwards-
"Sorry. I mea-"
"-Oh, it's nothing, I was joking anyways. Yes, there is something that Lord Greater Beastmaster wishes to tell you."
Zelgadis blinked twice, and took a deep breath to resume his calm. He had never heard of this term, greater beastmaster, before, but assumed it was another confusing mazoku rank.
"Tell me. Now."
"Concerning your cure..."
Zelgadis jolted, now listening attentively and with intense interest.
"My CURE? Why would a mazoku help me with my cure?" The question was rhetoric. Shai shrugged disinterestedly.
"You know about the extremely famous priests such as the White Priest, the Red Priest, the Blue priest... Rezo being one of them? He's your grandfather, responsible of your current state, am I correct?"
"Please avoid mentioning him at all costs, but otherwise, go on." Zelgadis shook the bad memories out of his head.
"The Gold Priest is one of the least heard of, yet he is one whose records are most amazing. It has also been said that he somehow obtained a copy of the Claire Bible and could do... well, things to rival the divine."
Zelgadis's eyes widened.
"Where can I find this priest?"
"He's dead."
"WHAT! What are you telling this to me for, then?"
"Umm, he left a record of all of his magic behind."
"Oh. You mean like a Claire Bible of his own, huh?"
"Well, you can say that. Anyways, this copy is in Seyruun... that's where his tomb is, and it appears that all of his posessions were buried with him beneath the deepest of royal catacombs."
Zelgadis was now perplexed.
"Why would a famous, rich holy man be buried beneath catacombs? It sounds suspicious."
"That's what Greater Beastmaster wants to tell you. I have nothing else to say."
"What? Is that all?" Zelgadis would usually be beaming with glee for uncovering this information, but for all he knew, it could be just another one of Xellos's plots. Hmm. Why would he want Zelgadis to be in Seyruun though? Even so, something was telling him that there was more to this, so he was moderately pleased.
"Goodbye! It had been a pleasure meeting you, but I need to leave now. I hope to meet you again!" Before the chimera could scream wait, Shai was gone. Phased out.
For L-sama's sake, she was annoying. All mazoku are. Growling, yet grateful, he commenced heading off in another direction, that of Seyruun. It was only then that he realised...
"Damn, Amelia."
-----Damned-----
"NO! NOOO!" Cried Filia, having broken into a series of sobs, whimpers and snivels as well as disturbingly loud nose-blowing since the terrible event. Amelia had run through the story quickly, so Lina had only caught the details, and not surprisingly, Gourry hadn't understood a thing- making Lina have to explain it all to him again while Amelia did her best to comfort the distressed golden dragon and Jillas and Gravos were busy picking up broken shards of tea sets and pots.
"So," the sorceress said, "A mazoku came to Filia's house and kidnapped Val-"
-"What's kidnapping, Lina?"
-"A mazoku came to Filia's house and took Val away, if that's more clear."
-"WHERE! Where's the demon? Where's Val? I'll go save him!"
-"JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN. The mazoku told Filia she was Dynast's priest. Dynast is one of the five serving under Shabranigdo. This servant-"
-"This is going too quickly! Please answer me!" Pleaded Gourry.
"MY VAL! I... I tried... to fight, but that MONSTER was too- I couldn't save him! VAL! VAAALLLLLLL..."
As Filia's sobs took over again, a silence settled in the shop- well, what was left of her shop, and everyone stared at her. Amelia offered to bring her to her room- well, what was left of her room. "Filia," murmured Amelia while helping the dragoness upstairs, tripping at several occasions- "There's still a lot left in your life, and to Val's too- we're going to find him back for you, okay? So for now, don't be sad. Don't worry."
Lina started puffing with anger at whoever would have done this to her old traveling companion.
"Yeah... don't worry. This is not over."
Gourry just took a step away from her and nodded with determination. Filia's sobs quieted, then Jillas and Gravos followed up, worried.
"We'll get that mazoku for you, yes we will, boss!" Shouted the fox-man's squeaky voice.
Lina and Gourry then turned back to the counter where they were discussing, and they both jumped as they saw who was behind them, crying in unison, Gourry poised for combat: "XELLOS!"
Xellos looked somewhat embarassed at the reaction, arching an eyebrow, eyes ever closed:
"My, my, Lina, I see you're happy I'm here!"
Gourry sheathed his sword, and Lina stomped towards the mazoku, furious, her face as ablaze as her fiery red hair.
"WHY DID YOU GUYS TAKE VAL! You should see Filia, she's... she's..."
"I didn't take him, Lina, and..." He sighed."I honestly want to get him back to Filia as much as you all do."
Lina and Gourry facefaulted. The sorceress relaxed her gaze.
"Xellos... do you mean that you're betray-"
He laughed, which surprised the two again.
"Not at all. But you see, we- I mean, Zelas, cannot afford for Dynast to raise the child and get as powerful an ally as Valiant under her control-"
"-Wait." Lina started glaring again. "I don't understand what you're talking about-"
-"Yeah, me too!" Plainted Gourry, who received anotehr whack on his head from Lina.
-"DO NOT put me in the same category as you."
Xellos grabbed a dusty chair and sat on it. "I'm waiting."
-"Right. As I was saying, you haven't given us enough information to know what this is about. So unless you answer all of my questions, I'm going to hunt you down and yank your whole head off."
Xellos paled a little, because the image had easily drifted into his thoughts, and also because he secretly disliked interrogations.
"I suppose it'll do me no harm to disclose things on this matter."
-"Good. I see I won't have to beat you to a pulp before you talk, like I usually do. Anyways, what is YOUR position?"
-"Why, Lina, in front of you!"
That earned him a headlock. Lina then spoke to him in his ear threateningly: "I mean, who do you serve, and what is your purpose?"
Xellos coughed, trying to pull Lina's irremoveable arms away from his throat: "You're choking me!"
"I know I am."
"Alright then. Zelas created me as her general-priest... but now the situation has changed a little."
Lina released Xellos, the memory of this knowledge resurfacing, and a little bit of respect too. "I knew that already... Milgazia told me. Next question. What are the situations in the mazoku hierarchy?"
-"Well..."
Lina threatened him with a fist, and he quickly came up with an answer.
"Since Phibrizo and Gaav are dead, there are two places beneath Shabranigdu to be filled. Zelas is becoming Hellmaster, but the role of Demon Dragon King comes to Valiant!"
"WHAT! WHY?" Gourry and Lina's voices rung in perfect synchonisation.
"Well, yes," replied Xellos, delighted by the two human's shock. "Because not Shabranigdu, but the Lord of Chaos herself willed it!"
Lina and Gourry were silent for a few seconds of astonishment.
"What about the position of Hellmaster?" Lina finally asked.
"That's Zelas. She changing roles." Lina arched an eyebrow.
"Then... Greater Beastmaster comes to...?"
"Umm, me."
"WHA-" They were agape with shock and horror, making Xellos blush slightly and rub the back of his neck with his hand, laughing lightly.
"Well... it's not such a big deal, you know..."
"SUCH... SUCH POWER SHOULD NEVER BE GIVEN TO A MONSTER LIKE YOU!"
Filia trampled down the stairs with renewed strength, glowering at Xellos in hateful rage. Xellos savoured the emotion with pleasure, and greeted her with equal enjoyment: "Why, what a pleasant surprise! Filia! It's been a while, hasn't it?"
The dragon nearly spat flames at him as she muttered: "WHERE... IS... VAL!"
"My dear Filia, the question is, who took him?"
Jillas and Gravos, who were holding her from grabbing her mace, started speaking at the same time, so Amelia shouted out from behind them:
"She says it was a woman with black hair and light blue bangs-"
"-Austere, Dynast's priestess. She came and kidnapped Val so that Dynast could raise him, and when he becomes a lord himself, she will have an ally of unequaled loyalty." The purple-haired mazoku deducted, quickly and informative enough that it caught everyone's attention.
"Just like you and Zelas!" Exclaimed Gourry, proud of his own comparison, while everyone just looked at him. Xellos hiccuped with embarassment.
"Um, yes, Gourry. Zelas and Dynast are old rivals, too."
Filia was quiet. She then murmured:
"We need to get Val back."
Xellos started grinning profusely. Everyone knew that this was NOT a good sign...
-End Chap 2-
-Mythee