Mariah Sunshine
Dark water waves crashed into each other, murky darkness fighting murky darkness as the moon cast its rays across the lake. The trees shook mercilessly as winds screeched and howled through the night. It was as if is a hurricane or a tornado had taken up residence near the lake and was not in the greatest mood. It was not the best conditions for our heroes to fight in. A blonde haired man stood, screaming at the lake as his hair and clothes blew with the wind. It had the force of one hundred elephants and the anger of a swarm of wasps, and it was promising destruction for someone. He steadied himself on his two legs that were spread far apart. His heavy dark cloak threatened to fly away but he held tight to it and continued screaming for his wife.
Amelia raised her hands to her mouth and screamed for Lina as Zegaldis held tight to her from behind. He pulled her back just in time to miss a gigantic six-foot wave crashing on the lakeside. Just as soon as that came it was followed by many more forcing the companions further back onto the bank and pushing all three farther and farther away from Lina. She as far as they could tell, was somewhere near that terrible witch causing the disruption in the water and air. The witch was standing in the middle of the waters howling like a banshee, her body a thick cloud of glowing white. She looked beautiful... almost like an angel cast out of heaven. Her cape covered her and contoured to her curves. Her long hair waved along her back, stopping at the same length Syphiel's had been. That was just about all they could see of the demon priestess. The waters were only open to the child its mother of the devil man who had killed the priestess one thousand years ago… Lina and Mariah.
A ten-foot wave crashed into the banks sending Amelia, Zegaldis and Gourry even further back away from Lina. A sense of helplessness came over Gourry as he watched the priestess make her way towards Lina... what is she going to do... oh God. Lina!
Lina stared up at the priestess the baby clinging to her screaming and crying her head off. The Priestess made herself clear the first time... she wanted the blood of Laad… she wanted, the death of Mariah. Lina looked down at her crying baby and pulled her tighter against her form. Lifting her arm she shot a fireball at the Priestess hoping the reaction would be good. Unfortunately that was not the case. The priestess's angelic face turned angry and twisted as she lifted her hand forcing the fireball away and into Lina's friends behind her. Well, magic obviously wouldn't work on her. The only thing Lina had left to do was run, run and hide until the she could come up with a better plan. Casting a raywing she propelled herself away from the Priestess who glared angrily at Lina. Just what the hell did this human think she was doing! Did she really think she could get away! Hah! She lifted her hand and forced it back down, causing a massive wave to envelop Lina and toss her and the child into the deep darkness of the water.
Lina opened her eyes and saw darkness as she kicked and pushed for the surface. Mariah struggled fearfully in Lina's arms as she struggled for oxygen under the water. Clamping her mouth over the baby's Lina pushed her oxygen into the mouth of the child, soothing her for just a few seconds, as she sought the top f the water. Suddenly, the priestess phased in front of Lina, under the waters and angrily grabbed for the child. Lina shoved back barely missing the priestess's ice cold fingers. She hurriedly, found the surface and paddled as hard as she could, screaming for Gourry.
He ran along side her as close to the water edge as the waves would allow him reaching his arms out to Lina. The priestess however was not in a mood for games. She phased in front of Lina and lifting her hand high swung across Lina's face, forcing her tiny body out of the water knocking her clear into the willow tree not far from Gourry. Lina fell hard with a loud crunch and Amelia and Zegaldis immediately ran to her side to heal her. The baby screamed in her arms every so often coughing up water that had been in her lungs. The priestess slowly made her way over to the crew and Gourry knew he would have to act fast. To save his wife… and his friends... and he had an idea. An idea from Gourry, may God help us all.
Grabbing the baby, he took off into the woods, the priestess in hot pursuit. Lina saw and tried to push herself up and follow but allowed herself to slump back down after a howl of pain escaped her lips. Her ribs were more than likely broken and her body felt pain everywhere.
Gourry scrambled away from the priestess, the child crying bitterly in his arms. He pulled her close to his cheek and panted out a soft lullaby that had been sung by Lina countless times to the baby. The baby instantly calmed down, fear strong in her eyes as she sucked a thumb. She was scared… too scared of what would happen. Gourry managed to make his way to the spot the priestess had been killed but that's where she ended the wild goose chase and knocked Gourry off his feet.
Give me the child! Give me the blood of Laad!
Gourry panicked. What would he say? What would he do… he wouldn't give up he child that him and Lina loved so much, but it was obvious that she had known that it was the blood of the monster she sought that flowed through the baby. …The Blood of the monster.
High Priestess! It is not Mariah you seek, but Laad! He is not far from here! The child, she is not of Laad, the child is of my blood!
You Lie! You have the blood of the noble Gabriev family, the child has the blood of the Laad family! Give her to me!
You are mistaken Priestess… uh… uhh….
The locket!
Gourry turned and watched as Lina stumbled into the clearing more than likely on a raywing, with Amelia and Zel not far behind her.
Priestess! Check the locket on my neck. Was it not the same locket you presented with the chosen child the night before you're death? She can't be the child of Laad if her remnants are intertwined with the necklace.
You lie Inverse! The locket has nothing to do with the child!
Look for yourself.
With that Lina stepped forward and laid the locket before the priestess on the ground. The priestess opened the locket, and gazed inside, her face brightening u at the sight of the tiny embroidered bib Lina had stuck inside.
I see the child and the two of you embroidered on the necklace I had made for the baby of the past. Why have you placed it upon the child's neck!
Priestess! Please understand the child is not of Laad, I am the mother of the babe, Gourry the father! Please, search for the body of Laad, he is not far from the clearing.
Hearing his name and the suggestion, Laad took a step back away from the bush he had been hiding, causing him to stumble and all heads to turn his way. The priestess' face turned to that of anger once again and she phased out from in front of the crew. They heard cries and screams from behind the bush and Lina buried her face into Gourry's chest and he held tight to her. Just when they were about to turn and leave, the priestess turned back to the crew and gazed intently at Mariah.
Hand the child to me.
But Priestess!
She is the remaining of Laad, she must be destroyed before I can rest! Hand the child to me!
Lina pulled the child against her chest protecting her from The Priestess and Gourry stepped in front of Lina, guarding the both of them.
Why have you two become stubborn to a child that is not yours! Hand her to me!
The priestess swung her hand to the right casting Gourry to the side, and lifted her hand pulling the baby out of Lina's arms. She screamed the baby's name and the child cooed at the priestess. The priestess cuddled the child in her arms and smiled down at her before her eyes clouded over and her hand raised over child and she snapped her fingers. Darkness clouded over the baby before a sharp red ray burst through the clouds and the priestess stepped back surprised.
The baby looked up and cooed as the priestess jerked away, the birth mark on her forhead claiming the birthright of Lina not to be tampered with. It was a symbol given to her by the Lord of nightmares, and was not to be taken lightly.
Why has the child the birthmark of the Lord of nightmares! Was it her who sent Laad to destroy I!
No, Priestess, she is my child, and I am the only chosen by Lord of nightmares to protect the world. She is not the child you seek.
The priestess nodded and proceeded to hand the child back to Lina, the baby giggling at the feel of Lina's tiny fingers.
Then if she is not the last of Laad, then there is nothing left here for me. I will go forth and rest. May peace find you after you're ordeal Gabriev, Inverse.
No, I am now Gabriev.
The priestess nodded and phased out, leaving the companions and the baby standing in the clearing. Well… to home right?
A/N: Hey you guys! Here is the next part of the finale, only two are left and then I'm ending this story! I hope you all enjoyed it! Special thanks at the end of the chapters! I'm sorry it took so long, please understand that school is starting so things are pretty much slowing down for me! Well, I'll be sure to update sooner than last time! Enjoy! See ya!