Chapter 4: Return to Reality
Lina woke up feeling groggy and weak. Staring at the ceiling above her, she watched the coloured bubbles and lights dance around the strange room she was in. "Ohh... did I eat too much sugar again?"
Sitting up slowly, she noticed that the coloured lights and dancing bubbles weren't going away. In fact, one of the dancing bubbles was coming closer and closer to her. Lina ducked back with a surprised jerk as the bubble popped in her face, revealing the form of a grinning, miniature girl with green ponytails floating in midair. "I must be dreaming!" she said, as the thing smacked its tongue and garbled at her in an incomprehensible language. Narrowing her eyes, she addressed it. "Stop that, it's annoying!"
"Nyaaaaaan!" came the little chibi girl's reply, waving her arms wildly and floating even more haphazardly around Lina's head. Narrowing her eyes, Lina reached forward and grabbed its tiny cheek between her thumb and forefinger, pulling it out and squeezing. "NYAAAAA!" it cried loudly while grimacing. Suddenly it shifted into a miniature version of herself, causing Lina to release it in surprise. It stuck out its tongue at her before disappearing with a pop.
"I see you've met the Nyan Nyans," Filia commented as she walked into the room carrying a tray laden with a teapot, a spoon, and two cups. Lina turned and stared at the woman standing before her. "So you're God?" she said, studying the blonde woman carefully.
Filia chuckled softly, then shook her head. "No, but I think you could say that I understand things that most mortals don't," she said. "I live on the mountain here, giving guidance and assistance to those who ask and have proven themselves worthy." From her long, sweeping blond hair to wide, blue eyes, Filia certainly didn't seem like some terrible omnipotent deity figure to Lina. In fact, she seemed more like an innocent tea-shop owner, from the modest way she dressed and carried herself. Then the image of Filia smashing Zelgadis over the head with her hidden mace superimposed itself over the mental image Lina was building, and she grew wary again.
"How's Zelgadis? And why'd you send that creature after me?" she asked quickly, eyeing the possible exits.
Filia's sighed, and shook her head slightly. "Don't worry, child, your Zelgadis will be fine. He just needed a lesson in manners." Lina didn't miss the dangerous glint that sparked across Filia's eyes as she said this and resolved to be on her best behaviour from that moment on. "As for that creature..." Filia sighed slightly. "I apologize for that, but you had to be tested. I can't go around granting miraculous assistance to just anyone, you see." she said with a smile.
"Some test, looks like you kill all your supplicants..." Lina mumbled to herself. Filia shot her a sharp look, and Lina reddened and quickly picked up her teacup, sipping some of the scalding liquid and forcing out a smile. "I said, this is some tea, I could kill to get a sip of it!" Much to her relief, this put a happy smile on Filia's face, and Lina stared as the strange woman before her began to eagerly describe the different mixtures of tea and water temperatures. Even gods have hobbies, I guess... she thought as Filia chatted away animatedly.
They were interrupted by a puff of green smoke as another Nyan Nyan appeared before them. "Nyaaaah! The stone one is finally awake! We took him to the veranda!" Filia smiled and thanked the little creature. It floated over to Lina and hovered around her. "Nyah, you impressed mistress Filia! Not many people can do that!" it said in an awed tone.
Filia's eyebrow twitched. "I said, THANK YOU!" she added emphatically, fingering a suspicious lump by her leg. The thing gave a squeak of terror and disappeared with a puff. Coughing, Filia stood up and motioned to Lina to rise. "Come, let's join your friends," she said.
As they walked out of the room, Lina stared at their surroundings with awe. Everywhere she looked, coloured lights and bubbles were suspended in the air, exuding an aura of magic. If she stopped and listened, she could hear soft tinkling, like the bells of a chime dancing in the wind. And while the hallway Filia led her down seemed solid enough, when she looked back, the room and the path she had walked down disappeared into a cloud of soft mist. It was beautiful... but as she noticed Filia getting further ahead of her, she hurried to catch up, a small twinge of fear striking her. Lina was sure if she lost her way without Filia to guide her, there would be no getting out from the strange mountain palace.
Finally, Filia opened a set of silver-wrought doors that appeared out of the mists as suddenly as the path behind them had left. Pushing them open, she led Lina out to a thankfully more ordinary-looking veranda, where Gourry, Sylphiel and Zelgadis were already seated and not surprisingly sipping at some of Filia's tea. Nyan Nyans danced all around them, somehow despite all of their chaotic bumbling managing to bring sugar, a few small pastries, and even another rather large teapot to and from the table. The three warriors looked up at their entrance, and Zelgadis was on his feet instantly. "Lina, are you okay? You passed out when Filia brought us here..." he added with a blush as he noticed Lina's stare.
"I could ask the same of you, Zel," Lina replied with a smile, making surreptitious motions at Filia from behind. Zel balked and quickly nodded deferentially to Filia, who was eyeing him coldly.
Gourry swallowed one of the biscuits he had been eating and waved at Lina eagerly. "Hey, Lina, come join us, the food is really great here!" Never one to turn down an invitation, Lina quickly seated herself at the table and helped herself to some cookies.
Filia paced to the window and turned to them. "So, followers of Cephied..." she began, shooing a few stray Nyan Nyans out of her path. "What brings you to my mountain?" She turned to face them and sweatdropped when she saw only Sylphiel and Zelgadis were paying her any attention. Gourry and Lina had already begun to fight over the remaining chocolate pinwheel cookie on the table, and the Nyans looked too frightened to interrupt their fierce match of staring. Zelgadis sensed the dark cloud forming over Filia's head and gave Lina a swift kick under the table.
"Oww!" she said, looking up and noticing Filia's glare. Gulping nervously, she nodded at Filia quickly. "Well... we're trying to fulfil some kind of prophecy about finding the last two Celestial Warriors and summoning Cephied so I can return home," Lina explained hastily. Filia looked thoughtful for a moment.
"You do have potential, Lina Inverse," she said, "but I think it would be a bad idea to let someone like you summon Cephied."
Lina's eyebrows rose. "But I'm the Priestess of Cephied! Isn't that what you tested me for?" she said impatiently. Filia just shook her head at Lina.
"You're far to rash and impulsive to be given the power of summoning a beast god," Filia said. "You nearly caused our world great harm just because you lost your temper. No, a child like yourself isn't ready for the power of Cephied," she concluded in authoritative tone.
Lina felt herself flushing with shame, but bit back her sharp reply. Filia was right, after all... to date, all of Lina's misadventures in strange kingdom of Sairoon seemed to hinge on luck more than skill or thoughtfulness. She let out a miserable sigh, afraid to meet the faces of the others, especially Gourry.
"Ok, maybe you're right... but all I want to do is go home. I didn't ask to come to this world!" Lina exclaimed, slumping in her chair. To her surprise, Filia turned on her with a smile.
"Of course, my child!" she said. "You don't need to summon Cephied to return to your homeland. You and your companions have demonstrated more than enough of his power to do that on your own. And, you share a strong connection with your world." Lina sat up in her chair again suddenly, hope flashing across her face. "You mean you can send me back?" she asked quickly.
Filia shook her head slightly. "I can guide you back, but the actual magic would require the willing cooperation of all of your companions." With a feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach, Lina turned and faced Gourry. For once, the muscular blond looked contemplative. "Gourry..." Lina began nervously.
Looking up from his plate, Gourry stared at Lina. "Lina," he began in a low voice as he stared at her. Lina gave a nervous gulp. "How do you think they got the chocolate part to swirl around the white part like that?" he asked, holding up his cookie.
The sound of three heads crashing to the table simultaneously filled the room. "What?" Gourry asked innocently.
Lina stood up and brushed some crumbs from her forehead. "GOURRY! CONCENTRATE!" she growled. "Would you be willing to help send me back home, even if I couldn't summon Cephied to save Sairoon?" she asked through gritted teeth.
Gourry frowned, and then his face brightened. "Oh, that! Aww, come on, Lina, we're friends! We'll just figure out some other way to save the kingdom," he said simply, and went back to studying his cookie. Lina sighed in exasperation, but as she stared at the clueless Emperor, she felt a smile working her way to her face. Dumb, sweet Gourry... he really was a good man at heart. "Thank you," she said to him softly, though he didn't seem to hear.
Next, Lina turned to Sylphiel, who was staring down at her cup of tea. "Sylphiel..." she said, her voice catching. "About what I said... back in the forest..." Lina blushed and looked down quickly, a sense of shame overwhelming her. Kind Sylphiel, she had never asked anything of others, but Lina couldn't help but feel she had trampled on Sylphiel's trust when Shadow Lina had taken over. She looked up as a soft hand covered her own. Sylphiel's gentle smile greeted her.
"Lina... don't worry. Gourry's already forgotten what was said anyway," she said softly.
"Forgotten what?" Gourry asked, looking up once more from his cookie with confusion. Lina's eyebrow ticked, but Sylphiel smiled and handed Gourry another cookie.
"Gourry, dear, maybe you could tell me how they put the cherry in the middle of that one."
Gourry accepted the cookie and said "Sure thing, Sylph!"
Lina felt herself staring and turned back to Sylphiel with a smile. "Wow, I think you're learning!" she said to the healer with a note of awe. Sylphiel squeezed Lina's hand lightly.
"Lina, you have to follow your heart. If you want to go home, I'll do my best to send you there. Don't worry about us, the kingdom of Sairoon will survive even without the Priestess of Cephied. We always have, and we always will," Sylphiel said reassuringly. Giving Lina's hand one last squeeze, she released her and nodded quietly. Lina felt a few tears pricking at the corner of her eyes and quickly picked up her teacup to cover her discomfort. Sylphiel gave her a knowing smile and politely turned away.
As she put the cup down, she turned to face Zelgadis, who abruptly pushed his chair back from the table and stood up. "Zelgadis..." Lina began, but he turned and walked towards the terrace, overlooking the view from the mountainside. Lina sighed and stood up, excusing herself, and with a nod, Filia shooed the Nyan Nyans away and joined the others at the table as the two walked across the room.
Zelgadis found himself staring out at the scenery blankly, his emotions roiling inside of him. She wanted to go back. That was the whole reason they were doing this ridiculous quest, wasn't it? To send that annoying, immature, bothersome red-haired brat back to the world she came from. So why was he feeling so upset about what Lina was going to ask him? He watched her approach from the corner of his eye. With a start, he realized that at some point in time, he had stopped considering Lina annoying or immature, and even looked forward to their jibing.
"Zel..." She was standing behind him.
They turned to look at each other. Nothing was said for a moment as the chimera and the petite redhead regarded one another. Finally, with a sense of something crumbling inside of his chest, Zelgadis forced a small smile to his face and nodded at Lina. "You don't have to say anything, Lina," he said roughly. "I'll help you get back."
Lina looked down at her feet, a small sense of disappointment rising in her. Am I crazy? Of course I want to go home! I want to see Amelia, and study for my entrance exams, and not be attacked by shadow monsters and bandits and magic, and go back to being an ordinary girl! She shifted her weight uneasily. But he didn't even put up an argument this time... She shook her head slightly. This was crazy, he had just agreed to help. She had to say something! Looking up to Zelgadis, the meaningless reply she had been forming died on her lips. He was staring at her with his glittering jewel eyes, and wordlessly, swept her into a tight embrace. "Zel..." she managed to choke out, before returning his hug. "Thank you," she whispered to him as he held her close.
Then, embarrassed, he let her go and cleared his throat. "So what do we have to do?" he called out to Filia, who rose from the table with the others and approached them.
Filia smiled. "I gather this means you're all willing to help the Priestess return to her own world?" The three Celestial Warriors nodded, and as they did, Filia lifted her hands and the veranda fell away from them like melting snow. This time it seemed that they were floating in the tinkling mists of the mountain. The ground felt solid enough below her feet, but Lina couldn't see anything but coloured lights and clouds above and below them. Filia's voice echoed through the mists. "That which connects this world and the next will open the path if the Priestess concentrates. But the Celestial Warriors must surround and focus their spiritual energy on Lina. Only then will I be able to gather enough power to send her back."
Smiling nervously at her friends, Lina stepped into the ring they formed, and they joined hands around her. Gourry, Sylphiel and Zelgadis closed their eyes and began to concentrate.
"Good..." came Filia's voice. "Now, Lina. Focus on that which connects you to your world. Concentrate on it with all your heart. You must be focused!"
Lina closed her eyes, and instantly thought about food. No, no good! she chided herself suddenly. Home... dad, Luna... school... friends… Amelia! As she latched onto these thoughts, she thought she heard the faint voice of Amelia. It sounded as if she was shouting at her from a great distance.
Back in the library, Amelia was doubled over the book in concentration. "Lina!" she cried out. "Come back! I know you can do it! Come on, you've got to get out of there!"
Focusing on Amelia's voice, it gradually began to grow stronger and stronger. "Amelia!" Lina cried out suddenly, as the image of her friend, sitting on the floor in her school uniform shimmered into view. "I'm coming!"
Farewell, Priestess of Cephied!
Filia's voice echoed through Lina's head, but Lina paid it no heed, as she felt energy blazing through her body. It felt as though she were flying... no, as though swept up in a strong current, Lina realized, as she was surrounded by a swell of red light. A searing flash of blue passed before her eyes, blinding her, and she blinked at the sudden darkness. Rubbing her eyes, Lina forced them to focus on her surroundings.
"Hey! This is the Special Collections room of the library!" Looking around in confusion, she saw the dusty books all around, and on the floor before her, "The Universe of the Four Gods" lying open where they had dropped it. "Amelia?" Lina said, turning around quickly. But no one was there. Picking up the book and closing it, Lina stood up shakily. "Maybe she went home... but I could have sworn I heard her calling to me!" She shook her head to clear it. "That's stupid. I was in the book for more than a week! Of course Amelia's not here!" Taking a last look quick around the room, Lina hid the book in her backpack and exited the library to hurry home.
- x – x – x -
Lina squinted up at the sky in confusion. "I don't understand," she muttered to herself. She had received enough odd looks as she had exited the library, wearing her battered school uniform. Her first concern had been to race home and contact her family, but as she rode the bus towards her house, she couldn't shake strange feeling surrounding her. Everything seemed too familiar. It was as though nothing had changed during the entire time that she had been away.
Finally, unable to take it anymore, Lina leaned over and asked another passenger the question that had been niggling her mind during the entire trip. "Excuse me, what day is it?"
The old woman next to her smiled and replied "Why it's Friday, my dear!"
Lina sat back, her mind whirling. Friday? That was the day she and Amelia had been studying in the library. It did look later in the afternoon than she remembered, as if only a few hours had gone by. Could it be that time wasn't passing as quickly in the real world as it did in the book?
Arriving at home, she noticed that her father and Luna were out at work, like usual. "Lina - clean your room. OR ELSE." was scrawled on the family message board in Luna's flowing script. "She wrote that just yesterday..." Lina said to herself. Shaking her head, she looked at her ragged uniform as if to ask it for proof of her misadventures in Sairoon. "Forget it, I'm too tired to deal with the theories of the space-time continuum in a magic book right now. All I want is a bath!" And she stripped and headed off to the shower to do just that.
- x – x – x -
"Ahh, it feels so good to be back!" Lina sighed to herself as she towelled her hair dry. After a long bath and filling her rumbling stomach with a self-made sandwich, she felt almost normal again. Almost... except for a pair of turquoise eyes that kept intruding on her thoughts. "Arg!" she said, annoyed with herself. Why am I thinking about him again? Lina sighed, and tried to turn her thoughts away from Zelgadis. It feels like we didn't get to say goodbye... not really. Lina ran her hands through her hair, humming a tune from an old shampoo commercial she had once heard. "Gonna wash that man right out of my hair!"
It wasn't working.
With a frustrated sigh, she threw herself on the couch and turned to stare at the ceiling. "He's just a character in a book. And a jerk at that! Why am I thinking about him? I don't like boys! They're all the same. Idiots! Always looking for a filled chest and an empty head." Hmm... having personal monologues with myself about a guy. Isn't that a sure sign of being infatuated? Lina covered her head with a pillow and let out a frustrated scream, and indulged in a few more minutes of self-torture as images of Zelgadis danced through her head. His gentle eyes, his soft voice, the way he had hugged her on Filia's mountain, as though he actually felt something for her…
"That's it. I need to get this off of my chest. The great and independent Lina Inverse refuses to be paralysed by a man, especially a fictitious one!" But even as she said it the words stuck in her throat. Zelgadis had seemed too real to be a simple fiction, and calling him that felt wrong, as if she had insulted him in some grievous way. She felt her cheeks reddening and sighed hopelessly.
"Amelia was there too. She'll understand, maybe I should call her." Picking up the telephone, she dialed Amelia's number and waited for someone to pick up.
"Hello?" came a feminine voice.
"Hey Naga, it's me, Lina. Is Amelia there? I really need to talk to her!" Lina said. There was a pause at the other end of the line.
"I thought Amelia was with you, Lina. You two went off to the library together a few hours ago. You mean she's not with you?"
Lina's breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean, she's not there?" she asked Gracia. "You mean she never came home?" The pause on the other end of the line was significantly longer this time. When Gracia spoke again, her voice was stern and held a note of seriousness that was uncharacteristic for the older girl.
"Lina. Are you saying that Amelia is missing? Don't joke about something like this, you know my dad would freak out if... if something happened again." Gracia's voice seemed to stumble as she spoke.
Lina sucked in her breath quickly. Amelia had been in the book world with her! If not that much time had passed, then where had Amelia gone? Could she have been sucked into the book again as well? Lina thought back, remembering the blinding blue flash she had seen as she had been swept out of the book with Filia's magic. A moan escaped her. "Oh no, she must have gone back!"
"Lina?" Gracia's voice held an edge of panic this time. "Lina, where's my sister?"
"Naga, I think we better meet."
- x – x – x -
Gracia sat with Lina in the back of the library, wearing her sunglasses on top of her head and a worried look. "Lina," she began. "Why did you call me here? If something happened to Amelia, we have to get to the police-"
Lina shook her head emphatically. She was dressed more sensibly than Naga, though all things considered, that wasn't a very difficult task. She had donned her rugged hiking boots, a pair of tough red denim jeans and a nondescript yellow shirt, and an overstuffed backpack lay next to her feet. Anyone who actually knew Lina well enough would have been suspicious, since as a general rule Lina didn't care enough about her schooling to carry anything in her backpack at all, besides food. But this time she hadn't been preparing for a trip to school, and as she leaned over and rummaged through the backpack, she pulled out the only book that she had brought along with her and laid it on the table before Gracia.
"'The Universe of the Four Gods'" Gracia read out loud. "Lina, what is this? What has this got to do with my sister?"
Lina took a deep breath. "Naga, I know you're not going to believe this, but hear me out, okay?" With that, she launched into an explanation of the book and its contents, and her theory of what had happed to Amelia. When she was over, she sat back, and Gracia stared at her with a flabbergasted look.
"You're right, I don't believe you." Gracia shook her head. "Listen, Lina, if you're going to start leading my sister down the path of using hallucinogens, you can take your book and -"
Lina threw her hands up and yelled at Gracia. "I'm not taking drugs and neither is your sister!"
Gracia clamped her hand over Lina's mouth quickly and shushed her, looking over her shoulder. "Lina! We're in a public library! Shut up!"
Lina struggled against Gracia's iron grip until she was released. "Allright, but you have to believe me. Your sister is in that book right now!"
Gracia shook her head at Lina slightly. "I don't know what's gotten into you, but I think you have to stop breaking laws right now. And the first one is to return this book to the desk and not snoop around in Special Collections anymore. I can't believe you, Lina, trying to convince me about a story as dumb as this! Amelia's my sister, and if you hurt her..." She glared at Lina across the table.
Lina rolled her eyes and snorted. "Fine, I see words don't get through that thick skull of yours. I'll prove it to you then, and I'm going to bring Amelia back with me!" She stood and pulled on her jacket, then hefted her backpack up and strapped it on securely. She threw something glittery towards Gracia, who was watching her skeptically. "Don't let go of that, Naga, or I won't be able to get back! I'm serious!"
Gracia looked down at the shiny gold foil Lina had handed her. "A candy wrapper? Lina, what kind of stupid joke is this?"
But Lina wasn't listening to her as she snatched the book off the table, flipped it open and began to read out loud. "And so the Priestess of Cephied found herself returning to the Kingdom of Sairoon..." The book began to glow with its familiar crimson light once more, and this time Lina welcomed it, letting herself fall into the pages as the lines swam before her.
"What the - LINA!" she heard Gracia's cry echo and fade, as she fell into the soothing red light.
- x – x – x -
Gracia was sitting in the library with a huge dilemma on her hands.
Her sister was missing, her sister's best friend had just told her a story that was beyond belief, and to make things worse, said friend had just disappeared into a book in a way that should not have been able to happen at all.
At the moment, Gracia was considering whether or not to visit the doctor and see if the mushrooms on her luncheon pizza had been of the extra-special variety. She rubbed the bridge of her nose. After staring at the now-innocent looking book lying on the table for a while, she finally came to a decision. Reaching over, she pulled the book to herself and began to read. Surprise filled her as she saw the words writing themselves out before her very eyes.
"The priestess of Cephied had returned to save the kingdom of Sairoon. The Emperor would have rejoiced at her presence, had he not been injured breaking her fall..."
- x – x – x -
"Unnng..." came a groan from somewhere below her. "Lina!" came an excited cry from somewhere above her. The red fog cleared from Lina's vision, and the first thing she saw was an ample bosom hovering near her head. "Sylphiel!" she said instantly, her relief overcoming her natural annoyance at the sight.
The purple-haired healer leaned back and regarded Lina with a bright smile. "Lina, you came back! Filia told us that the sending had worked, but I was so worried about you!" The older girl swept her up in a gentle embrace.
Lina smiled, returning the hug. "It's good to see you too, Sylphiel! I'm glad I ended up here and not in the middle of some wilderness this time. Where's Gourry?"
Sylphiel blushed and pointed down. Lina's eyes followed and she saw the back of Gourry's legs extended before her. Leaping to her feet, she dusted herself off and gave the fallen emperor a huge smile. "Thanks for breaking my fall, Gourry, you're always such a gentleman!"
"It's not like he had a choice..." mumbled Sylphiel quietly.
"Nggg... no problem, Lina." muttered the crumpled blonde before he passed out again.
- x – x – x -
When Lina had settled into the palace (and Gourry had recovered enough), he called instantly for a private meal to be set up for the three of them. It had not taken long for them to fall back into their old ways, and at the moment Sylphiel was watching with a dismayed look as Gourry bested Lina in a fork-fight for the last piece of mutton on the table.
"You could have considered it a 'welcome-back' present, Gourry!" Lina pouted, thrusting some bread into her mouth angrily. Gourry gave a hearty swallow and shook his head at Lina. "My advisors said between the two of us, it would be too expensive to give you a real welcome-back dinner. Sorry!" He didn't seem to be too regretful as he speared another mouthful of meat, though, Lina noted sourly.
Sylphiel cleared her throat. "It is good to see you again, Lina. But why have you returned to us? Did you perhaps hear of the most recent troubles?" Lina's attention came forward instantly at Sylphiel's words.
"Troubles? What do you mean, 'troubles'?" she asked.
Sylphiel covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes widening. "Oh Lina! I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have assumed..." Lina waved her hand at Sylphiel dismissively.
"I already told you that you've got to stop apologizing for everything, Sylph. No, I hadn't heard of anything happening here. Actually, in my world, not that much time has passed since I left you guys. I guess time moves faster here. I came because I think my friend might be in trouble. I think she entered your world again when I left."
Gourry, who had finally finished his meal, scratched his head. "I thought you came here alone the first time," he said. Lina drew her brows together. "That's right, you two never met Amelia. She was transported to this world right next to me, the first time, but somehow she managed to leave again on her own. Zelgadis met her, though, he'd know..." This brought up the next topic Lina had wanted to ask about, though she would hardly admit it. "Where is he, anyway?"
Gourry shook his head. "He's hired out right now. I think he's near the Elmekian border." Sylphiel interrupted the emperor. "Hired out is such a harsh word, Gourry! Zelgadis doesn't charge that much for helping defend our borders!" she chided.
Same as ever, Lina thought with a smile. "So I take it the problems with Elmekia have gotten worse, then." Both Gourry and Sylphiel nodded. Gourry opened his mouth to continue and Lina quickly spoke. "Sylphiel, maybe you can explain what these troubles you were talking about are right now."
Gourry looked disappointed. "Hey, Lina, that's mean, I've been studying you know!" he said, with the look of an injured puppy gracing his handsome features. Sylphiel looked helplessly at Lina and shrugged.
"I know I'm going to regret this... but what's the situation with Elmekia now, Gourry?" Lina asked with a resigned sigh.
Gourry gave her a happy smile and thanked her. "Well, the Elmekians have these soldiers with big swords, and they come over and kill people without asking first, so we have to stop them." He nodded sagely as Lina waited. "What?" he said, as Lina's eye began to tick.
"That's it?" Lina asked.
Gourry rubbed his chin. "Well... I think there was more, but I can't remember." he added helpfully. "Did I mention they have a lot of swords?"
Lina pointed at a long baguette on the table. "Can you pass me that, Gourry?" With a smile he complied. Turning the baguette on its end, she then smashed it over Gourry's head. "Now, Sylphiel. What's going on?"
"Umm... well, Gourry described the border skirmishes pretty accurately. But recently, their attacks have intensified. Also, the Elmekian army has begun to ambush anyone attempting to cross through our borders to trade, too, so many of our resources have been cut off. They've been using bandit tactics and denying any involvement, but our spies have confirmed that it is the work of the Elmekian army, not just the usual rogue activity." Sylphiel dropped her head slightly. "Every time we try to confront the Elmekian emperor about these attacks, he accuses us of hostility and agitation. The best we've managed so far is to try and protect the few caravans that still travel through, and secure what trade routes we have left."
"And I guess that's what Zelgadis is doing, working as a travelling bodyguard, huh?" Sylphiel nodded at Lina slightly. "Well, I came back to look for my friend, but if this place falls into total war, it's going to be a lot more difficult and dangerous to find her. So if I can do anything to help while I'm looking, I'll try my best!"
"Then you'll help us summon Cephied?" Gourry asked. Lina fidgeted with the edge of the tablecloth. "I didn't say that... Filia herself said I wasn't ready, maybe it's not the best idea."
Gourry sighed and smiled tiredly at Lina. The expression looked foreign on his boyish face, and Lina's conscience tugged at her as she watched him. "That's okay, Lina, we understand. Or, I guess Sylphiel understands... but you sound like you know what you're talking about." Lina picked at the crumbs on the table uncomfortably, a sense of shame welling up inside of her. Come on, Lina. It's just a book. You've got to rescue Amelia first. Telling herself that didn't make it feel right, though, as she watched some of the hope fall away from her friends.
"If Zelgadis knows this friend of yours, it might be easier to find her if you work together," Sylphiel said, tactfully changing the subject as she noticed Lina's discomfort. She also took note of the blush that crept onto Lina's cheeks.
"I... I think I'd like that," Lina mumbled uncertainly. What am I going to say to him when I see him? she thought nervously.
Sylphiel smiled at her friend and took her hand. "Then I'll accompany you to the route that Zelgadis had been guarding tomorrow morning. Please, get some rest and prepare for the journey, Lina." Gourry nodded emphatically. "I'll come too!" he added, but Sylphiel quickly scolded Gourry.
"Your majesty, your presence is needed here. You know that! We barely have enough guards to spare for the palace as it is! Besides, Zelgadis is guarding the route we're to travel, so it should be safe." Gourry looked like he wanted to protest, but Sylphiel shushed him.
Lina watched them amusedly, wondering if Sylphiel had yet gotten to tell Gourry directly about her feelings, and if Gourry would remember if she had. It didn't seem important, as they acted like a married couple anyway. Sylphiel noticed Lina staring and giggling and blushed slightly. Gourry looked between the two women with confusion. "What's so funny?" he asked cluelessly. This made Sylphiel's light blush deepen to a lovely red glow. Lina decided then to save her friend from any further embarrassment.
"C'mon, Sylph, why don't you show me my room now? I want to get an early start tomorrow." The older girl gave her a thankful smile, and they quickly left a confused Gourry behind at the table.
After a moment's consideration, he picked a stray piece of bread off of his head and sighed. "Girls!" he said, before biting down on it.
- x – x – x -
The next morning dawned, promising to be a beautiful sunny day, and soon Lina and Sylphiel were underway to the borderlands of Elmekia. Lina had described Amelia in detail to Sylphiel, but the healer couldn't recall ever having met anyone like her, nor even sensed any strange phenomenon outside of Lina's own appearance. Now, as they rode side by side in the carriage Gourry had prepared for them, Lina couldn't help but feel a little bit lost.
I don't even know where to start! Amelia could have landed anywhere in the strange world, and judging from the amount of time that had passed in the few hours she was away, it could have been weeks, maybe even months in the book since her arrival. Lina sighed and stared out of the window of the carriage depressively.
Sylphiel glanced over at the petite girl and tried to comfort her. "Don't worry, Lina. I'm sure Zelgadis will be able to help us find your friend." Lina didn't budge from the window. Concerned, Sylphiel leaned over and tapped her knee. "Lina?"
"Sylph, I think I saw something flashing in the trees to the side of us." Lina turned quickly to face the other woman. "Are Sairoon's patrols usually hidden?" Sylphiel's eyes widened and she turned to knock on the driver's seat, but the wagon lurched violently before she could. A horse's whinny cut through the air, and Sylphiel grabbed Lina and threw her to the floor as the whistling sound of arrows filled the air.
"What the hell!" Lina screamed as she heard the thunk of arrowheads embedding themselves into the side of the carriage. "I thought this road was protected!" she yelled at Sylphiel.
"It was supposed to be!" Sylphiel replied, covering her head with her hands. "We musn't move, Lina, it's too dangerous to leave the carriage now!"
Lina raised her head slightly and listened. The sounds of the arrows had stopped, and all she could hear were first the shuffling of the nervous horses, then the sounds of a scuffle, and a few grunts. "Sylphiel!" she whispered harshly to her companion. "Get off of me! We have to see what's going on outside!"
Sylphiel paled and shook her head at Lina. "I... I don't know how to fight, Lina! We wouldn't stand a chance against whoever's out there!" she whispered back.
Lina stared back at the other girl incredulously. "You're a Celestial Warrior of Cephied, and your country's at war! What do you mean you don't know how to fight?" Seeing Sylphiel's rising blush, she rolled her eyes and grabbed her arm. "Never mind! Come on, I'll lead then!" The older girl nodded mutely, and sat up carefully.
Cautiously, Lina cracked the door of the carriage open and peered out. Nobody in sight... With a silent motion, she gestured for Sylphiel to follow and gingerly slunk out of the carriage, glancing around rapidly. The sight of the carriage driver caught in a death grimace with an arrow sunk through his throat froze her momentarily, but then she quickly pushed down her feelings of revulsion and searched the trees for the ambushers. The sounds of scuffling stopped, and footsteps began to approach the carriage from the other side. Steeling herself, she drew the dagger that Gourry had given her for the journey and prepared for the worst. Behind her, she could hear Sylphiel chanting softly as a wave of power washed over her. Some sort of barrier, she guessed, thankful that Sylphiel at least knew something about defensive magic. Well... I'm not going to wait for someone to come and get me! Lina thought to herself, and readying her dagger, leapt around the wagon with a war cry, striking wildly.
"Hell- OWW! What the hell?"
Though she landed a solid blow to her attacker, he blocked and knocked her back before she could register who it was. As they hit the ground simultaneously, a groan rose up in her mind. Zelgadis lay sprawled across from her, the tip of the broken dagger lying close to his newly ripped hood. Lina closed her eyes momentarily. This isn't exactly the way I wanted to greet him.
Zelgadis wasn't feeling too upset, however, as he studied his attacker. "Lina..." he said quietly, as if not trusting his own eyes. Sylphiel came around the wagon then, and knelt next to her. "It's you!" he said as he watched her sit up. No, this wasn't some dream... the carriage, the broken dagger and the ripped cloth were momentarily forgotten as she met his eyes.
"Hi Zel... I'm back!" she said. He felt for a moment as though he was weightless, and then a sense of relief and elation crashed through him, like a wave breaking on the shore. She's back, he thought to himself with wonderment. She came back! In a burst of speed he rose and gathered her in his arms, crushing her in a tight embrace. "You came back!" he said out loud, with a note of shock.
Lina blushed as he hugged her, letting herself enjoy the moment. "Zelgadis..." she breathed, the tension inside suddenly releasing, the knots in her stomach unwinding themselves as she returned his hug.
"I missed you," she heard him roughly whisper.
They stood, together, for a moment in the forest, the rest of the world forgotten around them.
Sylphiel cleared her throat then, rustling her robes noisily as she stepped around to inspect Zelgadis' handiwork. "Thank you for saving us, Zelgadis," she said, noting the crumpled forms of a few raggedly dressed archers lying near the carriage.
Reluctantly, Zelgadis released his grip and stepped away from Lina, his face a suspiciously darker shade of blue. Lina didn't notice, however, as she was too busy trying to kill the fire that she was sure was flaming across her cheeks. "I apologize for not getting to them sooner. They never should have gotten this far," he said with a note of disgust in his voice. But he quickly turned back to face Lina, trying unsuccessfully to keep the smile from reaching his face.
"But how- what- when did you get back, Lina?" he asked suddenly.
Lina finally managed to look up from her shoes, sure that her face was still emulating a ripe tomato, but feeling the need to talk. "I just returned yesterday. I came back to find Amelia."
The smile suddenly dropped from Zelgadis' face. "Your other friend, that girl? I thought she went back to your world right after I met her."
Lina shook her head slightly. "No... when you sent me back, it worked. I was able to enter my own world again. But somehow, I dragged Amelia back here when I came out. I have to find her!"
Zelgadis turned and studied the pile of "bandit" archers grimly. "Your friend returned at a terrible time, Lina. Sairoon isn't safe anymore. It's been almost a month since you left, and I haven't heard anything about her." He turned to face her. "Why did you come back? You're in danger here. There's not much you can do, and your friend is most likely dead already."
Lina felt her face clouding over, her giddiness at seeing Zelgadis leaving as the truth of his words struck her like a slap. "Hey, you don't have to be such a jerk about it!" she shot back angrily. "I came back to look for her, alright? And I guess I missed you a little too, though I can't figure out why anymore, Mr. Personality!" she added.
Zelgadis looked away for a moment. "Lina..." he began.
"No, save it. Sorry about ripping your precious hood!" she said, and turned and marched off towards the trees, blinking back angry tears. So what if I was a little impulsive? Amelia can't be dead. She's tougher than that! Lina wrapped her arms around herself, trying to push away the fears that danced on the border of her thoughts.
Zelgadis on the other hand, sighed and bent to work helping Sylphiel clean the mess around the carriage in order to bring them back to the capital. Why did I say that? he thought to himself. The little annoying voice of logic answered him quickly enough. You're upset because she didn't come back for you, it answered helpfully. Zelgadis groaned to himself, and turned to address Lina once more when Sylphiel's light touch fell on his arm.
"Zelgadis!" she said, her eyes widening. "I feel power nearby. It's erratic... coming closer, I think, but I... Lina!" she cried suddenly, turning towards the young girl in a panic.
Zelgadis cursed and leapt towards the trees, but it was too late. Lina had already turned and screamed as a void of crackling blackness opened before her. Two hands reached out as if to grab her, but Lina beat whoever it was to their task, sticking her own fist into the void with a solid punch. A grunt and a cry was heard, and the two hands were quickly followed by a man's body, which toppled out of the black void holding his nose. As Lina was knocked to the ground under the stranger, the sound of whistling arrows filled the air once more, two of them striking into the tree that Lina had been standing against.
The purple haired stranger looked up... or at least seemed to look up at the tree, since his eyes didn't actually open... and mumbled nasally "Well, that worked, I guess."
"GET OFF OF ME YOU PERVERT!" came Lina's muffled cry from under his cloak. "Oops!" said the man with a goofy smile.
He didn't manage to say much more as Zelgadis was on him in an instant. The chimera cursed as he was momentarily torn between saving Lina and pursing the remaining archers. He chose quickly, grabbing onto the stranger's billowing cloak and pulling him to his feet. Unfortunately, the magician was already working his strange art once more, and stepped back into the crackling black void, pulling both Lina and Zelgadis along with him.
Sylphiel was left alone on the road, surrounded only by bodies as the last archers descended from the trees.
- x – x – x -
Lina considered screaming as she fell into the blackness. But then her survival instincts kicked in and she bit the hand of her captor instead.
"Ouch!"
The hands around her loosened and she squirmed her way free. As the crackling energies around her subsided, she realized that she was no longer by the carriage. That must have been some kind of teleportation! she thought to herself, and turned quickly to face her captor. The sight that met her caused her to facefault, however.
Zelgadis was kneeling on top of the purple-haired man, pulling one of the man's arm and legs up in one looked like an extremely painful wrestling lock. That wasn't what surprised her, though, knowing Zelgadis' extraordinary fighting capacity. Rather, it was the look on his victim's face that caught her off guard.
The man had his eyes squeezed shut and a goofy smile on his face. Although he was yelling in pain and struggling, Lina could have sworn he seemed to be enjoying every minute of it. Pervert... I guess you can't avoid them even here, she thought.
Zelgadis looked up at Lina in concern. "Are you okay, Lina?" he asked quickly. "Did this guy hurt you?" The individual in question let out another small moan, making Lina wince.
"Uh, Zel, maybe you should let him go..."
Zelgadis looked at her in consternation. "What do you mean let him go? This bastard attacked us!" He gave the purple haired man's arm another twist, eliciting another gratuitous moan.
Lina shook her head slightly. "No, no, I mean, I think he likes it."
"Likes what?" Zelgadis asked, cracking down on the man's elbow.
"That!" she replied, making obvious motions at the twisted figure he held.
Zelgadis froze and looked down at man. Even though he had stopped exerting pressure, the guy was still squirming and shouting "Uncle! Uncle!" while smiling. He felt himself flush in embarrassment and disgust and quickly released the man and stepped next to Lina. The two watched the purple-haired weirdo squirm for a few minutes longer until he realized that he was no longer being held captive.
The stranger suddenly stood up and dusted himself off as if nothing had happened. "What a pity... they always stop before it gets too good," he said to himself, picking his staff off of the forest floor.
Lina felt her eyebrow twitch and formed a fist. "Just who the hell are you, you pervert? And where'd you take us? And why are your eyes still closed?"
The man smiled innocently, and lifting his finger, clucked his tongue at Lina. "Now now, Lina dear, that is a secret!"
"LINA DEAR?" two voices rose at once, and two fists descended on the purple-haired man's head.
"Oww! One at a time, please!" the man said after straightening up again and rubbing his head.
"How did you know my name? And what makes you think you can call me 'dear' you sicko?"
"Lina dear!" the man replied in a wounded voice. "Why, is that any way to treat the man who just saved your life?"
"I don't know if I'd call you a 'man'," Zelgadis growled, crossing his arms.
"Now now now Zelly-boy, you should be thanking me for helping you out. Why, if I hadn't shown up then, our precious Lina might have a few new holes in that pretty little chest of hers!"
Lina felt her face go completely red. "HEY! WHAT ARE YOU CALLING 'LITTLE'?"
Zelgadis sweatdropped as Lina leaped on the man and proceeded to beat him, eliciting more smiles from her 'victim' as he moaned and squirmed. "Uh, Lina..."
"GOD! Ewww! I know! Pervert!" she screamed, jumping back. "Arg, how can you deal with someone so annoying?" she yelled, pointing a shaking finger at the man, who was once more standing up, dusting himself off, and picking up his staff.
"Well, he does have a point, he did save you. And he's obviously a powerful magician," Zelgadis noted, looking at their surroundings. "I think if he meant us any harm, he would have done something by now."
"I don't know about you, I feel psychologically harmed!" Lina exclaimed. Zelgadis rolled his eyes while the man leaned on his staff and continued smiling ambiguously. Suddenly, Lina thought of her attackers. "Sylphiel! She can't fight! Zelgadis, we've got to get back!" Leveling a finger at the mysterious smiling man, her voice took on a note of authority. "You! We'll deal with you later! How do we get back?"
The man tilted his head and replied "Always happy to oblige, my dear Lina!" which elicited another growl out of Zelgadis. Suddenly the crackling blackness rose up around them, and when it dropped they were crouched down behind the carriage once more. Lina turned quickly. "Where'd the perv go?" she asked Zelgadis, looking around.
Zelgadis narrowed his eyes. "I don't know, but be quiet," he whispered back quickly, glancing through the wheels.
A voice rang out in the clearing. "It's no use, we heard you coming back. Come out slowly, Priestess of Cephied!" Joining Zelgadis on the ground, she looked through the wheels and saw Sylphiel, her flowing robes pinned to a tree by several arrows, while a bandit stood a pace away pointing a taunt bow at her throat. "Sylphiel!" Lina cried out, trying to scramble around the carriage. Zelgadis caught her and held her back. "Lina! Don't be stupid!" he whispered.
"We know you're there! Now come out, before we kill this woman!"
Lina arched an eyebrow and mouthed "we" to Zelgadis. He nodded silently and circled off into bushes behind the bandit, his eyes searching the trees. Lina leaned back around the wagon and tried to stall.
"Uhm, I think you've got it wrong! I'm no Priestess of Cephied! We're just two innocent travellers. If you want money or gems, you can have them!"
The bandit gave a loud snort. "Don't bother lying, girl. We know that one of you is the Priestess, and it's certainly not this one, so just give yourself up now. Or she dies!"
Lina fidgeted nervously. There still had been no sign from Zelgadis. So she tried again. "Okay, maybe one of us is the priestess. But how do you know that you don't have her already?" She heard some laughter and raised an eyebrow.
"Because it's well known that the priestess is short, flat-chested and ill-tempered, so it can't possibly be this woman!" came the reply, and Lina felt her temper break.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" she screamed, leaping out from behind the carriage. At that moment, Zelgadis apparently decided to make his move, because a shout and a crash was heard from the forest. The bandit swung around quickly and swore in time to see another figure fall from the trees, followed by the chimera. Then he turned back towards Lina and tried to fire the arrow at her, but she was already upon him.
"FLAT-CHESTED AND ILL-TEMPERED?" came her scream as she socked him in the stomach. He didn't get a chance to reply because it was quickly followed by her knee, leaving the poor guy doubled over and realizing the true meaning behind his description of the not-so-delicate Priestess who stood over him.
"Lina!" came Sylphiel's scream. "There's three of them!" as the whistling of an arrow was heard. Zelgadis and Lina both turned, knowing that they couldn't reach her in time as the arrow streaked towards the healer's tree.
Sylphiel gave another very lovely, maidenly scream as she saw her death approaching, squeezing her eyes shut in fear. There was the sound of crackling energy, but no pain occurred. She cracked an eye open and stared down at the tip of an arrow, being held before her nose. It seemed to have been snatched out of midair by the purple-haired man who now stood before her, smiling happily with his eyes squeezed shut.
"Oh great, it's the pervert again." she heard Lina say.
"My my, that was a close one, wasn't it?" the man said to her, waving the arrow tip before Sylphiel's nose. Her eyes followed the arrowhead briefly, then rolled back in her head as she fainted dead away. He caught her and began unpinning her robes from the tree with a sigh.
"She didn't even slap me," the magician noted disappointedly as he picked her up and walked over to the others.
