Chapter 6: Bittersweet Reunion

Amelia stood on the dais, looking down at Lina in shock. Gone was her school uniform, and she was dressed in clothing that seemed appropriate for the court, from her white silken tunic to the sparkling blue gems she wore at her throat and wrists. "Lina!" she said, her wide blue eyes brimming with tears.

"Lady Amelia," Rezo said calmly. "I wish to present you with this gift," he said, gesturing at Lina.

Amelia raised her eyes to the tall and nodded briefly at him. "Thank you, Rezo… please, let her go!"

Lina rushed forward as soon as Rezo's grip loosened, grabbing Amelia in a tight hug. "Amelia! I was so worried about you! What happened? How did you get here? Are you all right?" She pushed Amelia back, looking her over carefully. "And what's with the new clothes?"

Amelia gave Lina a weak smile. "Lina, I didn't think you'd come back for me," she said finally. "I didn't end up in Sairoon like you did," she explained. "I live here, Lina. I'm the Priestess of Shabranigdu now."

Lina stepped back, her mouth hanging over. "You're the WHAT?" she said, understanding dawning as she noticed the stares of the court.

Amelia looked slightly upset as she saw Lina's reaction. "Is it really so hard to believe, Lina? That I could be a Priestess too, just like you?" She turned to the emperor, who was watching the two girls with amusement. "She's my friend," Amelia declared loudly. "I won't have her hurt or imprisoned!" she continued.

The emperor's smile dropped and a scowl crept onto his face. "This is ridiculous," he told Amelia angrily. "We finally have Sairoon's greatest weapon in our hands. We should destroy the Priestess of Cephied while we can!"

Amelia stepped in front of Lina with a scowl. "You'll do as I say if you want me to summon Shabranigdu!" she said to the emperor.

"Such impertinence!" the emperor replied, his jowls quivering with anger as his face grew red. "If you weren't the priestess, girl…" he growled. Rezo's calm voice interrupted him.

"Majesty, you know it's not wise to upset the Priestess. It could bring bad fortune upon our kingdom if you continue." Suddenly he straightened up. "Please excuse me, sire. I sense a few unwelcome guests approaching. Allow me to deal with them." The emperor waved a chubby hand at Rezo, dismissing him.

As Rezo turned to leave, Amelia called out behind him "I'd like to see you later too, Rezo! My friend and I will retire for now, excuse us."

The emperor turned and sputtered at them, but Amelia had already grabbed Lina's hand and was leading her quickly towards the curtains.

"Amelia!" Lina whispered to her as they rushed through the back. "What's going on here? If you're really the Priestess of Shabranigdu, why doesn't the emperor like you?"

Amelia shrugged slightly. "The emperor of this place is a greedy idiot," she whispered back. "Nobody likes him, but that doesn't really matter. Rezo, his most trusted advisor and general holds all the military power here. As long as he's on my side, it doesn't matter what the emperor thinks," she said with a smirk.

"Thanks for saving me back there, Amelia," Lina said. "But I came here to bring you home. Listen, I think I might know a way to get us back." Amelia turned and drew her into a small room.

"Lina, shhh! They let me live here because I agreed to be their Priestess! If I tell them I'm leaving to go home, they'll imprison us both. And I don't know what they'll do to you. You are the Priestess of Cephied after all!" Amelia gazed at Lina with a worried look.

Lina gritted her teeth. "Why does everyone still believe that?" she said irritably. "Filia said I wasn't right for the job. I think the book made a mistake, bringing me in here, and now I have you right up to the eyeballs in it, too!"

Amelia drew away from Lina and crossed her arms. "Mistake, huh? How do you know, Lina? I never met Filia personally. Besides, I've always been more responsible than you. Maybe the book didn't make a mistake. Maybe I was meant to be the Priestess of Shabranigdu."

Lina's eyes narrowed. "Amelia, don't be stupid. Do you mean to tell me you'd rather stay here, living out some fantasy in a book, than come back to the real world with me? Your sister's worried sick about you, you know, and what about your dad? I came all the way back here to bring you out!" She knocked Amelia over the head lightly. "Stop acting like an idiot and get it together! Now are you coming back with me or not?" Amelia fidgeted for a second, and Lina threw her arms up. "What is wrong with you?" she asked Amelia angrily.

Finally, Amelia sighed, tears brimming in her eyes. "Oh Lina! I'm sorry, I don't know what's gotten into me. Living in this awful court for so long… I just want to go home!" she said, sniffling.

Lina's eyes softened, and she patted her friend on the back comfortingly. "It's ok, Amelia, I know how you feel. Now, all we have to do to get back is make it to Mount Taikyoku, and use this candy to make a link back to—" She felt around in her pocket. "Oh no…"

"Lina? What's wrong?" asked Amelia, as she watched her friend searching wildly through her pockets.

"The candy! It's gone!" with a groan, Lina dropped her head in to her hands. "I left it in my backpack! And with Zelgadis there last night, I didn't have a chance to bring it with me from the camp…" She swore under her breath, then looked up at Amelia with determination. "One thing at a time. Let's concentrate on getting out of this place and back to the border. If we can just get into Sairoon, I know Gourry will help us out!"

Amelia nodded at Lina nervously. "It's going to be hard if Rezo isn't here. Normally, I just ask him for whatever I want, and he makes the emperor do it. But if he's out of the court, then it might be dangerous to try and leave right now." She sneaked a look outside of the door. "The guards wouldn't harm me, but they might kill you, Lina!" she said nervously. "Stay here for now, and don't move!" Amelia whispered. "I'll try and see if I can clear a path out of the palace for us," she said.

Lina gave her a wink and a smile. "I'll be waiting for you," she said, settling on the floor. "Oh, and Amelia! Try to find some food while you're out there. I'm starving!"

Amelia sweatdropped, then smiled. "Still the same old Lina!" she said, before ducking out of the room.

- x – x – x -

The courtyard of the Imperial Palace of Elmekia was in a considerable state of chaos. Zelgadis was standing there, facing off with a few of the guards, while several more lay behind him in various states of unconsciousness. He was covered in sweat, and the symbol on his forehead was blazing with red light. Xellos was nowhere to be seen.

"Damn that trickster pervert, just dumping me out into the open with no warning like this!" Zelgadis swore under his breath, as he ducked the charge of yet another palace guard and sent him flying. Straightening up, he noticed the remaining guards had backed away from him, leaving him alone in the middle of the court. "Finally had enough?" he called out to them with a sneer.

A soft voice cut through the sudden silence. "So you managed to break free of my spell. You might just have potential, little boy. It's a pity that you were born on the wrong side of the border." Rezo stepped forward from the palace, brandishing a long staff. "Invading the Imperial Palace like this, however, is an unforgivable breach of etiquette. I'm afraid I'll have to kill you now," he added.

Zelgadis growled, glaring at the blind man angrily. "What did you do with Lina?" he asked.

"Lina… so that's the Priestess of Cephied's name? Interesting. She's being taken care of, you needn't concern yourself with that." Rezo gave Zelgadis a cold smile. "And now, I'm afraid you've overextended your stay." A harsh white globe brightened around the top of his staff as he spoke, and drawing back, he pointed his staff at Zelgadis.

A column of energy burst forth, and Zelgadis barely managed to raise his arms to shield himself before the blast struck. The force of it sent him sailing backwards, crashing into the far wall of the palace courtyard. Coughing and gasping, Zelgadis picked himself out of the rubble and stood up, only have the familiar feeling of the lightning manacles descend around him once again. He growled, trying to resist the spell, as Rezo approached him with a smirk.

"You should have returned to your own kingdom when you had the chance," the sage said as he raised his staff once more.

A cone of black suddenly rose around Zelgadis, blasting the lightning chains away. As the chimera leapt away, the black energy surrounded Rezo and began to rise around him.

Rezo frowned in annoyance. "So this is how you escaped. Annoying charlatan. Show yourself!" Raising his own staff, he slammed it into the ground, glowing lines of force spreading out in a radius from the butt of the staff and quashing the black energy. One of the lines continued to race out and stopped near the edge of the court, where the air began to shimmer. With a yell of pain, Xellos emerged out of the shadows, falling to his knees.

"You're as good as they say," he gasped out, before making a quick sign and disappearing in a shroud of black energy once more.

Rezo smirked, and turned back to study the broken wall. Not surprisingly, Zelgadis had gotten away, and was nowhere in sight. He turned around and walked back towards the palace. "I hope that stone freak doesn't think his amateur magician will be able to save him next time." Motioning to the remaining guards to take up their posts, he continued towards one of the side doors of the palace, unconcerned.

As Rezo stepped around the corner of one the halls, Amelia ran headfirst into him. "Oh!" she said, looking up. "Rezo! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you like that!" she exclaimed, looking at him nervously. Rezo looked down at her with his closed eyes, and a chill raced down her back.

"Lady Amelia. What are you doing out of your quarters? There are intruders in the palace right now. We must think of your safety." He studied Amelia, who had begun to back away from him. "Or have you forgotten the kindness of Elmekia already? You're willing to betray us so readily to the Priestess of Cephied?" he asked her harshly.

Amelia shook her head wildly, her hands balling up into fists. "I'm not trying to betray you!" she cried out. "You said Lina wouldn't come back for me. You said she didn't care about me, that I would be stuck here unless I helped you gain the power of Shabranigdu!" Shaking, she turned away from him angrily. "Well, you were wrong. I can't believe I trusted you!" she said.

Rezo's laughter echoed behind her. "You can tell yourself I lied if you like. But don't forget, I was the one who saved you." He smiled slightly at Amelia. "I was the one who found you, helpless on the streets of Elmekia, and took you in. I opened your eyes to the possibilities. But you were the one who made the choice. You were the one who decided to become the priestess of Shabranigdu." He caught her wrist and turned her around. "I have lived only to serve you from that day." He squeezed her wrist slightly to give emphasis to his words. "I am the one who saved you. Never forget that!"

Amelia stared at Rezo for a few moments as her eyes watered. Finally, she wrenched her wrist free from his grasp. "I'm sorry, Rezo. But I don't believe you anymore! I have to go back!" Turning from him, she started down the hallway.

His voice rang out after her. "You can leave if you like, Priestess. I will wait for you in the Shrine of Shabranigdu… if you change your mind." His last words rang with humourless mirth, and Amelia trotted to a run, nervous doubts swirling around her as she looked for Lina.

- x – x – x -

Lina paced to and fro in the confines of the tiny room. What is taking Amelia so long? she thought to herself nervously. The sounds of an uproar had echoed through the palace, and Lina surmised that the "unwelcome guests" Rezo had mentioned were the cause. Could it be Zelgadis? she thought, her heart skipping a beat. The sound of pounding feet echoed down the hall outside, getting louder, and Lina looked around the room quickly. Amelia had declared that she was not to be harmed, but Lina wasn't so confident that the guards would be so understanding if they found her alone. Picking up a good-sized ceramic vase and hefting it, she leapt behind the door and waited with her breath sucked in.

The footsteps screeched to a stop, and the door to the room flew open. Lina raised the jar over her head and brought it down with all her might on the intruder.

"OWW! Damnit, Lina, can't you greet me normally at least once?" Zelgadis said to her, brushing pieces of ceramic from his hair.

Lina flushed and quickly shut the door. "You mean you're the one causing all the trouble?" she asked him. He nodded quickly, leaning against the wall and listening for any sounds from the corridor outside. "Way to go, Zel!" she whispered, slapping him on the back thankfully. "This court is full of jerks!"

Zelgadis relaxed, hearing nothing. Then he turned to Lina, a look of frustration on his face. "Are you completely insane, Lina?" whispered fiercely. "I thought we agreed to go back to Sairoon together." He grasped her by the shoulders, glaring at her. "What were you thinking, coming here?"

Lina's eyebrows lowered, an angry flush sweeping across her face. "Wrong, you and Sylphiel agreed to go back to Sairoon. I didn't have much of a say in the decision!" she answered back, her voice rising. "Besides, I didn't get hurt, so I don't see what the big deal is!"

Zelgadis stared at her for a moment, and then drew her into a tight embrace. "You're all right," he said, a note of relief in his voice. "By Cephied, you just shortened my life by a few years with that stunt, Lina," he said, closing his eyes.

Lina didn't reply, feeling a blush rise to her face as his arms enveloped her.

- x – x – x -

Amelia looked around the corner into the empty hallway. The palace was in a frenzy, but all of the activity seemed to be near the courtyard. She breathed a sigh of relief and began to walk back towards the room when she heard the rising tone of Lina's voice, tinged with anger. Lina? she thought to herself, and crept slowly towards the room. A low masculine voice drifted to her, and Amelia tiptoed closer to the door, listening carefully. And Zelgadis! she realized, as she heard them talking.

- x – x – x -

"Zel…" Lina began, feeling the blush spreading further as he made no move to release her. "Zel!" she said again, a little more firmly, pushing him back.

Zelgadis loosened his grip, but didn't release Lina from his arms. "No, Lina, you listen to me for once," he said, squeezing her slightly. "I didn't realize how much I missed you until you were gone." Lina opened her mouth to speak, but he shook his head. "Listen!" he said angrily. "I'm trying to tell you how I feel, Lina! I missed you because I like you. More than anyone else. I think I might love you, Lina. And I never let myself love anyone before, never!" He shook his head in frustration. "Every time I try to push these feelings away, you just punch through my defenses. I tried to tell myself it's because you're the Priestess of Cephied. But seeing you here, now, I don't care. I just don't want to lose you!" he said, staring at her with emotion building in his eyes.

"Zel-" Lina choked, the anxiety rising up in her again. No guy ever liked me before! she was thinking to herself furiously. They've always been jerks to me. They'll always be jerks! I don't want a man in my life. I don't need a boyfriend! I should stop him right now before it gets any worse! The nervous feeling in her chest swam up to her throat, threatening to burst. I've got to do something before this situation gets out of control! Snap out of it, Lina, and say something! Anything! The nervous feeling burst out of her as she opened her mouth, and she blurted out, "I love you too, Zel! I couldn't stop thinking about you when I was back! I really wanted to see you badly, but then you had to act like such a jerk when we met-" She squeezed her eyes shut and groaned. "I can't believe I just said all that!" she moaned to herself. Then she cracked an eye open nervously and peeked at Zelgadis, and started.

A small half-smile played across his lips, which, as a facial expression for Zelgadis, could be the equivalent of ten thousand Sylphiels turned on at full wattage for any other normal person. Lina felt a blush of a different sort rising to her cheeks as he leaned in towards her.

Their lips met, and for a moment, time stopped.

- x – x – x -

Amelia leaned against the wall, her face flushed. But the thoughts racing through her head were of a completely different nature. She loves him! She came back for him! For him! Only for him! Rezo's mocking laughter echoed through her head, as she remembered the weeks she had spent in the palace, bedridden, sick, tossing and turning in a never-ending nightmare.

Lina! she had cried out. Lina! Why can't you hear me? Why can't you rescue me? Why aren't you even trying? Rezo had been there, stroking her hair, his closed eyes and half smile regarding her with something like pity. "She's forgotten about you," she heard his voice echo. "She never was your friend. What friend would leave you here, alone, to die…"

Amelia looked down, rubbing her wrists. Slowly, she pushed the jeweled band away from one of them, staring at the harsh red scar below. Tears watered in her eyes, as her thoughts spun faster and faster. He was right… you forgot about me, Lina. You forgot… you betrayed me… for Zelgadis. You left me here to rot, and you came back for Zelgadis! I'll never forgive you… I'll never forgive you!

She shut her eyes, blocking her tears, and took a few shaky breaths. When she opened them again, she focused on the tapestry hanging across from her in the hall. It was beautiful, woven in blue and gold thread. The sinuous, twisting form of a dragon danced amongst the clouds. Shabranigdu, patron god of Elmekia. She stared at it, her breath steadying and her eyes narrowing as an idea took root in her mind. I'll never forgive you! she thought again. Carefully wiping any remnants of tears from her eyes, she turned to the room and reached for the door.

- x – x – x -

Zelgadis pulled away from Lina quickly. Her head was spinning, and she half murmured "Wha—"

"Shh! Someone's coming," he said, releasing her and turning towards the door.

Instantly, Lina's senses went on alert, and picking up a vase shard from the floor, hid behind the door. It swung inward, and Zelgadis moved quickly, pulling the intruder in and clamping a hand over her mouth as he kicked the door shut.

"Amelia?" he said, recognizing the girl and releasing her.

"Oh, Mr. Zelgadis! Hello again! Are you here to rescue Lina?" she asked, straightening her tunic.

"Amelia! You're back. Did you manage to find a way out of the palace yet?" Lina asked her, smiling with relief.

Zelgadis looked between the two of them, confused. "What's going on here?" he said.

"There's no time, we'll explain later!" Amelia interrupted him. "I ran into Rezo looking for a way out. I managed to get him to the front of the palace by telling him I saw an intruder there, but he sent a couple of soldiers around the back anyway! They won't let you two through for sure!" she whispered. "Both of you can just follow me for now, but you'll have to take care of the guards when we get near the courtyard," she whispered to Zelgadis.

Lina smiled at Amelia. "Good work, Amelia! Boy, you sure have grown up since I last saw you," she said, giving her a wide grin.

"More than you know," Amelia said, without returning the smile. Lina paused at this, wondering what to make of her comment, but Amelia had already turned and opened the door. "Let's go, hurry you two!" she whispered harshly, and left into the hallway.

Zelgadis nodded at Lina, and they soon followed.

- x – x – x -

Amelia stood with her back to a huge set of ornate doors, and pointed around the corner. "It's there, Mr. Zelgadis. Just go down the hall and turn right, you should see two of them standing there. You'll have to be very quiet or the other guards might hear you," she with concern.

Lina smiled. "Zel can take care of himself. We'll wait here for you like we planned, okay?"

Zelgadis nodded at the two girls and disappeared around the corner as silently as a cat. Lina stared after him for a moment, wishing that she had more time to talk with him. It still felt so new and strange, having just declared herself to be in love when she hadn't even realized it herself. And it felt stranger to be the object of such affection. She felt another blush rising to her cheeks and tried to conceal it before Amelia noticed.

"Say, Lina," Amelia whispered, breaking her train of thought. "There's something I'd like to show you before Zelgadis gets back."

Lina turned and raised an eyebrow at Amelia. "What, are you nuts?" she whispered back. "We're in a life or death situation, here Amelia. Now is not exactly the time to go sightseeing!"

Amelia shook her head and tugged at Lina's sleeve. "No, you've really got to see this, Lina. It's a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing. Come on, it's just beyond these doors behind me, we only need to take a peek!" Amelia gestured at the set of double doors and began to push at them.

Lina rolled her eyes. "Fine, Amelia, but just a quick look. We can't afford to make a mistake right now!" she said, following Amelia into the darkened room.

The sound of running water met Lina's ears as her eyes adjusted slowly to the darkness. Sunlight from a small opening in the ceiling shone down on a large golden statue in the middle of the room. It was the twisting form of a golden dragon, breathtakingly executed, winding in and around itself in a series of complicated loops. Its jaws were frozen open in a silent roar, and its claws were extended. Lina sucked in her breath as she studied it. It was a beautiful sculpture, but the aura around it was somehow malevolent. "Amelia…" she began nervously.

The younger girl walked forward without hesitation, stepping into the light. She touched the statue reverently, smiling as she did so. "Isn't it beautiful, Lina? Shabranigdu, the god of war and strife," she explained.

"Amelia… I don't think we should be in here," Lina whispered nervously, backing towards the door.

"I'm glad to see you came to your senses, Lady Amelia," came a smooth voice as a figure emerged from the darkness. "And to bring me such a lovely present as well… you truly are worthy of your title, Priestess."

Lina froze as she recognized the speaker. "Amelia?" she whispered, a sinking feeling rising in the pit of her stomach.

Amelia remained motionless for a moment, still touching the statue. When she whirled around, Lina almost didn't recognize her friend. Tears of rage were shining in her eyes, and her face was contorted into an ugly grimace. "How does it feel, Lina?" she said, her voice quavering. "How does it feel to be betrayed by your best friend?"

"Amelia?" Lina said, louder this time. "What's going on? What are you talking about?"

"Don't speak to me like you don't know what I'm talking about!" Amelia spat back at her venomously. "Just shut up, you traitor, shut up! I'm going to make you pay for everything you've ever done to me! I'm going to take away everything that's precious to you and leave you with nothing, because that's how you left me here!" The tears spilled over her eyes, as Rezo moved forward to stand next to her shaking form.

Lina's eyes narrowed as she saw Rezo lay a hand on Amelia's shoulder. "I don't know how or why, but I know you did this," she said to him. "You jerk, what did you do to Amelia?" she yelled, louder.

"LINA!" She whirled around, seeing Zelgadis sprinting down the hall towards the doors. "There weren't any guards, it's a trap!" As he tried to enter the temple, he slammed into a crackling blue barrier and was thrown back.

"Zelgadis!" Lina said, racing for the door.

Rezo's mocking laughter rose up behind her. "Do you really think the powers of a warrior of Cephied could have any sway in the heart of Shabranigdu's power, his shrine?" He raised his staff, pointing it at Lina. "Don't leave us so soon, Priestess of Cephied. We haven't yet been formally introduced," he said, smiling as binding arcs of lighting descended around the redhead, trapping her in a vice of crackling energy.

"Lina! Let go of her, you bastard!" Zelgadis yelled, as he raced to the barrier again and began to pound on it furiously.

"As you wish, boy!" said Rezo, smiling, and with a sharp jerk of his staff, sent Lina flying into the heart of the shrine. She slammed into the fountain, falling into the water with a scream.

Lina heard the faint sound of Zelgadis' shout as she picked herself up gingerly, soaking wet and shivering. Then she heard Amelia's voice, angry, and much closer to her. "Amelia…" she croaked, reaching for her friend.

"Hey! Don't hurt her too much, Rezo! I want her to live. I want her to feel what I felt!"

"Amelia!" Lina said, standing up straight. "Don't listen to that guy! I don't know what he told you, but it's—AAAHHH!" she screamed, cut off as the lightning bonds descended on her once again and squeezed her tightly.

"Silence! You have no right to speak to the Priestess of Shabranigdu, fool!" Rezo flicked his staff slightly, raising Lina's body into the air once again. "By insulting our Priestess so grievously, you have forfeited your right to live!" Thrusting the staff forward, he sent Lina flying backwards in a deadly arc towards the stone wall.

"NO!" Zelgadis pounded against the barrier wildly, desperately trying to break through as he saw Lina hurtling to her doom. There was a surge of dark energy, temporarily blinding him.

"My my, picking on helpless young girls now. What a meaningful expression of your power," Xellos said with a smile, as he released Lina and gently lowered her to the ground, where she fell in a boneless heap. He spread his cloak over her protectively and twirled his staff around, stepping in front of her, the character symbol on his elbow blazing through in the darkness.

Rezo frowned, pushing Amelia behind him quickly. "So you managed to penetrate Shabranigdu's barrier. You have a little more training than I thought, magus," he said to Xellos.

For a moment, the two stared each other down… which was truly an interesting sight, since neither of them actually opened their eyes during the entire time. Finally Rezo broke the silence. "Tell me how you managed to break through the barrier, and I may just let you live."

Xellos let a small, mocking smile play across his face and held his staff in front of him, dark power crackling forth. "Now now, that is a secret!" Twirling his staff, he slammed it into the ground, mirroring Rezo's attack against him earlier. This time, however, the radius of crackling energy was dark, and spread throughout the entire temple, causing it to rumble and shake. With a huge cracking sound, portions of the stone wall began to fall all around them. Amelia screamed, and Rezo lifted his staff, extending a protective barrier over himself and the girl.

Zelgadis stepped back from the shaking wall, and with a growl, launched himself at it. The barrier still crackled, though, despite the crumbling walls, and he heard Rezo laughing coldly.

"Impressive, trickster! But not even you can destroy the holy seal of Shabranigdu!" Rezo smiled as the temple stopped shaking. "You and your precious priestess are trapped here!" he laughed.

Zelgadis felt himself grow angry. Unlike Lina, however, his anger was focused, and cold. He felt in narrowing down within himself to a deadly point, focused completely on the red sage. You… he thought. I don't care if the barrier was made by Shabranigdu himself. I won't let you harm Lina again! The symbol on his forehead blazed to life once more, burning with an intensity that he had never felt before. Drawing back, he slammed his fist into the blue barrier separating him from the others. Crackling energy repulsed him, but he refused to draw back, focusing his will. I … won't… fail! A wailing cry rose around him, and after a moment of shock, he realized it was coming from himself. The crackling energy disintegrated the sleeve of his shirt, and the resistance was unbearable. But he kept pushing. Lina! he thought, and suddenly, the barrier sparked and cracked around him, bursting inwards with an explosive force. Zelgadis was thrown forward, landing on his knees and panting. He looked up, seeing Lina's unconscious form before him.

"Zelgadis! Take Lina and leave. Now!" Xellos' voice commanded him, for once all traces of mockery were gone. Zelgadis carefully gathered Lina into his arms and looked up beyond Xellos. He saw Rezo, also deep in concentration, his arms extended towards them. And Amelia, her eyes dark and unreadable, standing behind the red sage, staring directly at Zelgadis and Lina. "Amelia!" he called out, reaching for her. "Come on, we can take you with us! Hurry!"

Amelia's eyes filled with tears, and she took a step backwards, shaking her head. Rezo snarled. "Impertinent fools! I will destroy you!" He thrust his staff out, sending a blast of energy flying at them.

Xellos raised a hand before his face with a quick motion, and the blast parted around them harmlessly. "Zelgadis! NOW!" The magician's voice was thick with strain, and as Zelgadis spared him a glance, he noticed with shock that the trickster's eyes were, for once, open, and focused with concentration. A black rip crackled to life in the air behind him, and Zelgadis took one last look at Amelia.

"We'll come back for you, Amelia! I swear it!" he yelled, before leaping into the portal Xellos had opened for them. Xellos straightened, and with a mocking salute, dived into the rip behind them, which quickly vanished.

Rezo straightened, a frown on his face. Hearing a sniffle behind him, he turned and kneeled before Amelia. "Forgive me, my Lady. I apologize for letting them get away," he said, bowing before her.

Amelia wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. "I told you not to kill her!" she said angrily. "I want Lina alive! She can't suffer if she's dead, do you understand? And don't hurt Zelgadis either!" she added quickly, with a slight blush. "I want him for myself."

Rezo bowed slightly. "As you wish, my Lady," he said, standing up once more. "But I swear to you, I will not let the warriors of Cephied go unpunished for this insult to Shabranigdu." He gathered Amelia under his arm and carefully led her out of the ruined shrine. "They will pay for the destruction of the temple… believe me, they will pay."

- x – x – x -

The soft tinkling of chimes roused Lina from her sleep. "Nnng…" she moaned. "Luna… stop it… just five more minutes…" Slowly, she realized that she wasn't in her bed at home, and the tinkling wasn't coming from an alarm clock. She sat up carefully, rubbing her eyes tiredly. Wincing, she realized her body felt sore all over. The memory of what had passed in the shrine of Shabranigdu came back in a rush. Amelia… what happened to you?

Looking around, she realized Zelgadis was in the room with her. He was soundly asleep, lying on the floor next to her. Her face turned a slight shade of red as she noticed that he was clad only in his underwear. Her face turned a brighter shade of red as she noticed that she, too, was only in her underwear, and in a fit of self-consciousness, pulled the bed sheet up tightly to her chin.

Wait! Why am I embarrassed? He's still asleep, he didn't see anything! Looking over the bed again, she realized that if he was still asleep, he wouldn't see her looking either… She grinned to herself and let her gaze travel over his stone form. His skin was a smooth, even slate blue all over, and the rocky formations on his face extended over the rest of his body as well, making interesting abstract patterns across his chest, arms and legs. After admiring his muscles for a while, which she of course would never admit if asked, she switched her gaze to his face. Lina leaned on her chin, letting her eyes linger over the rocky curves of his brow. So this is what it's like to be in love? she thought to herself, as she studied him. A smile played across her face. I didn't know it would feel so… comfortable, she concluded, momentarily lulled into a sense of peace as she watched him sleep. He shifted, suddenly, his breathing changing as he slowly woke up. Lina leapt to the opposite edge of the bed, clutching the sheets tightly as he slowly sat up.

Zelgadis ran his fingers through his hair. "Where am I?" he mumbled, looking around sleepily. Catching sight of Lina, he paused, then smiled slightly. "You're safe," he said, relieved. "But why is your face red?" Then he looked down, and felt himself blushing.

Lina thought the blush made him look even cuter, especially when she saw it extended down to his chest.

He saw her staring, which made him flush even more. "L-Lina!" he sputtered, reaching for the sheet. "Give me that!" Snatching it away from her, he quickly wrapped the sheet around his torso.

Unfortunately, this left Lina bare, and her face rapidly turned a deeper shade of red. "GIVE THAT BACK YOU PERVERT!"

Zelgadis froze, seeing her, and after allowing himself a brief moment to enjoy the view, was more concerned with the images of his life which had begun to flash before his eyes as she approached him.

Lina reached for the sheet and gave it a solid tug, sending Zelgadis flying back to the floor. She pulled it up to her chin once more with a growl, but Zelgadis quickly recovered.

"Lina! I think I'm wearing a little less than you here!" he blustered.

"You're a guy, so it's okay!" she reasoned, gripping the sheet all the more tightly. "Leave me alone!"

Zelgadis paused, frowning. "Wait… if you were awake first, then…" He turned away from her, groaning, and seated himself on the floor. "Just… tear the blanket or something, let me cover myself up. I won't look."

Lina paused, something in his voice stopping her. Grabbing a hem of the blanket, she began to rip it. "Here you go," she said, noticing the way he quickly drew it around himself. "Zel?" she asked tentatively.

"I'm sorry, Lina," he mumbled morosely. "I know it must have been a shock, seeing me…"

She frowned as he realized what he was implying, and wrapping her half of the bed sheet around herself securely, she crawled down and sat next to him on the floor. He started as she leaned her head on his shoulder. "I think your skin is beautiful," she said quietly, poking at one of the rocky outcrops on his upper arm.

He started and looked at her quickly. "You mean—you're not—"

Lina just smiled and sat up straight. "Shh," she said. "Let's try this again. Good morning, Zel," she said. "Did you sleep well?"

Zelgadis stared at her for a moment, his feelings of shame slowly dropping away. Then a small, uncertain grin flashed across his face briefly. "Morning, Lina… yes, I did." Their eyes locked, and a not particularly unpleasant tension began to rise between them.

Then Xellos burst into the room, ruining the moment effectively. "My my, look at you two! Did I interrupt anything important? Please, don't stop on my account!" he said cheerily, putting his hands behind his head and smiling innocently.

Lina felt herself go red with embarrassment, and then purple with rage. "XELLOS!" she screamed. Zelgadis, who was next to her, wasn't in much better shape, as he glared at the trickster.

"Oh, you want me to join in! Well, why didn't you just say so in the first place? Here, let me—"

"XELLOS!" came two voices outraged voices at once, as Lina and Zelgadis leapt towards him and began to administer a severe beating.

As the screaming, writhing and tussling took place, two puffs of green smoke burst overhead into the room. "Nyaaaaan, just like it was in the old days," one of the Nyan Nyans commented to the others.

Lina paused, her foot suspended in midair over Xellos' back as she heard them. "Nyan Nyans? We're on Mount Taikyoku?" she asked, confused.

Zelgadis released Xellos from his headlock and stepped back, equally confused. "How did we get here?" he asked. "And what did you mean, 'just like in the old days'?" he asked the Nyans hovering above them.

The two miniature girls above them squeaked and circled around each other haphazardly. "Nyah! Like in the old days, the old days, when Xellos was here before!" said one, bouncing against the wall and spinning off dizzily. The other one floated down before Lina and Zelgadis, nodding cheerfully. "Yes, it was very good in those days, nyan nyan!" she added. "Xellos enjoyed making Filia use her mace, so she left us alone!" she continued, floating back up towards the ceiling in a spiral.

"You lived here before, Xellos?" Lina asked the magician incredulously.

Xellos stood up, dusting himself off, seeming none worse for the wear after the beating. "Why, did I forget to mention that, Lina dear? The Lady Filia was the one who taught me how to use magic," he said with a guileless grin. "I trained here for many years." he added.

"Trained? More like I couldn't get rid of him," came Filia's voice, as she entered the room, her mace slung openly over her shoulder. "This piece of trash," she said, gesturing at Xellos in irritation, "Wouldn't leave me alone until I agreed to teach him a few tricks," she explained.

"Why Filia!" Xellos exclaimed, an expression of mock hurt coming over his face. "I thought you enjoyed my company!"

"Don't make me laugh!" said Filia, glowering at Xellos' smiling visage. "You gave my arm a good workout while you were here, but going so far as to actually ENJOY your presence is a completely different story!" she added with a huff. Behind her, the Nyan Nyans whispered to each other and began to giggle wildly, and Filia turned and shot them a deadly glare. With a squeak, they disappeared in a green puff.

Lina interrupted, her eyebrow twitching. "Hold on, hold on. If you hated Xellos so much, why did you bother teaching him how to use magic?" she asked Filia.

Filia sighed and stared at Lina pointedly. "I helped him because he's obnoxiously persistent... much like yourself, girl." Turning, she whistled sharply, and a couple of Nyans popped into the room, carrying Lina and Zelgadis' washed and mended clothes. "Now change up and come out when you're done, we've got much to discuss." Noticing Xellos lingering, she grabbed him by the ear and dragged him out behind her, eliciting grateful protests from the pervert.

Lina looked down at her clothing, her bangs covering her eyes. Zelgadis watched her concernedly. "Lina? Are you ok?" He backed away quickly when she looked up, roaring fires reflected in her eyes.

Her scream echoed through the halls, shaking the building. "HOW COULD I HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON WITH THAT PERVERT?"

- x – x – x -

Later, a few giggling Nyans guided the two to the veranda, where Filia was already seated at the large table with Xellos, sipping some tea. Lina and Zelgadis quickly joined them, and helped themselves to the bountiful repast on the table.

Filia cleared her throat. "Xellos explained to me what happened in Elmekia." She turned her gaze on Lina, frowning. "Why on earth did you feel the need to throw yourself into enemy territory, my dear?" she asked Lina gently.

Lina clenched her hands into fists. "Amelia's my friend. It's my fault she came here… I just wanted to find her, and rescue her," she finished. Then she dropped her head. "I don't know what happened though… why she suddenly acted like that, and betrayed us. It's not like her! Something must have happened!"

Filia shook her head at Lina. "Regardless of how she came to our world, Lina, Amelia agreed to become the Priestess of Shabranigdu. She has as much right to be here as you yourself do, and you can't forcibly remove her if she does not wish to leave." She blew on her tea and took a delicate sip before continuing. "If she truly did want to return to your homeland, it would have to be under her own powers as a Priestess now. I'm sorry, Lina."

"She didn't seem to like you very much, Lina," added Xellos with a shrug. "A very strange friendship, if you ask me." Zelgadis and Lina stared at him for a moment. "What?" he asked with a smile.

"Forget it," Lina said curtly. She sighed and put her elbows on the table, dropping her head into her hands. "So what do we do now?" she asked. "Something's not right in Elmekia, I just know it. Amelia would never have said or done the things she did if she wasn't being duped in some way. I can't just abandon her. Even if I can't bring her back home, I still need to rescue her from that Rezo guy!" she said.

Zelgadis rubbed his chin. "If there was only a way to figure out what changed her," he said.

Filia smiled at them. "That's easy enough!" she said. Snapping her fingers, a Nyan Nyan burst into the air before her. "Bring me the special tea," she commanded the little creature. "And also the large Zhou dynasty teapot," she added happily, "the one with the little pink flowers and the birds! And if you break it…" Filia's faced dropped into an ugly scowl. The Nyan Nyan squeaked and disappeared with a pop.

"My my, the special tea!" chuckled Xellos. "Are you sure our precious Lina is ready for it?" he asked Filia.

The Nyan Nyan popped into view overhead once more, descending unsteadily to the table with a large, ornately painted teapot with steam rising from it. "She'll have to be ready," Filia said, carefully relieving the Nyan Nyan of its burden. She poured some of the tea into Lina's cup, and then seated herself at the table once more. "Drink the tea, and then close your eyes and concentrate," she said. "The tea will show you what you want to see. Think of your friend."

Lina nodded and picked up her cup, quaffing its contents quickly. The tea had a strange, bittersweet flavour and took affect instantly, causing her vision to swim. Quickly, Lina closed her eyes and thought about Amelia. What happened to you, Amelia? What happened when I was away? As she concentrated, images came to her mind, slowly at first, and then more and more rapidly.

Amelia, in the library, leaning over the book and shouting desperately. A flash of blue light. A dusty street, a few piles of trash and some crates lying around. Amelia, confused, getting up, straightening her uniform. Wandering down the street, hopelessly lost. Dusk falling. Amelia, touching the bow of her uniform, looking disappointed. Passing a dark alleyway. The men. The men! Chasing her! Trapped in the alley, a stained yellow grin, and the stench of alcohol. The sound of ripping cloth. A tall, dark figure standing overhead.

"NO!" Lina yelled, standing up from the table and pushing wildly, knocking a few cups over. She stumbled backwards from her chair, holding her head. "Make it stop! MAKE IT STOP!" she cried, covering her eyes. She felt hands around her and struggled wildly against them. "Don't touch me!" she yelled, panic engulfing her as she struggled. And then suddenly, clarity. She was standing in the middle of the room. Filia was touching her forehead, her eyes sorrowful. Zelgadis stood to the side, his arms still outstretched and a pained look on his face.

Filia dropped her arm slowly. "I'm sorry, Lina." she said quietly.

Lina stared at them for a moment, her eyes watering, and then turned away and walked towards the stairs. Pausing at the head of the stairs, she said "I need to be alone." Then she continued down, the others watching after her helplessly.