Hell's Breaking Point
Chapter VI - The Fake Act
Disclaimer: I do not own Slayers, if I did, my house would be filled with Slayers' merchandises
Xellos was assigned a perculiar errand by the Lord Of Nightmare. At first, it was just a simple taunting game but as time goes by, the errand became more extreme until............. (Mostly L/G and Z/A) - Takes place after Next and before Try.
Japanese Words:
Oka-sama : Mother aka L.O.N.
Yare yare : Oh boy....(something like that)
Mazoku : Evil race/Monster
Minna : Everyone
We find our lovable heroes once again back on the roads marching towards Seyruun. They had started the journey again after Gourry (who was still pretty tired) had joined them and after having their big breakfast thanks to the encouragement from the innkeeper. Walking behind Lina, the blonde swordsman yawned for the fifteenth time this morning.
Sure she had thought that Gourry was just tired from the battle but listening to him yawning again and again.....and again made her thinking otherwise, "Gourry, are you sure you're okay? If you're still tired we can stop for a while," the sorceress asked in a worry tone for the third time today.
Gourry placed a hand on his mouth to stiffled another yawn which just worries Lina more, "No, we don't have to do that. Our journey to get Sylphiel back to Seyruun has been delayed long enough. I can manage walking there so don't worry," Gourry wearily replied.
Amelia who had been listening to their conversation left Zelgadis snd Sylphiel's side and quicken her pace so that she could catch up with two of them, "Once we get to Seyruun, you can sleep all you want in the palace, Gourry-san," she enthusiastically said with a smile.
"Thanks," he replied gratefully. Gods, soft and fluffy bed sounds so tempting to Gourry right now as he imagined himself sleeping on his dream bed.
"So, Amelia," the chimera from behind suddenly spoked, "What will you do once we reach Seyruun?" He didn't know why he had asked the question and he didn't bother to find the reason.
Lina perked up at the question and turned around to face Amelia, "Ah! That's right Amelia! Are you gonna stay at the palace or join us?" she asked. She was hoping that Amelia would stick to the group. Hei, she might be a justice fanatic but the more the merrier and she's the merriest!
But unlike Lina, the little princess's face formed a frown as she drooped her face, "I-I want to follow you in your adventure, Lina-san...but, if I have to stay at the palace then I guess we'll be saying our goodbyes in Seyruun," she said sadly in an unsure voice.
After travelling for almost two years with Lina and the others, being beside them is like a second home for Amelia. Unlike at the palace where she has to act as the responsible princess (since Naga is away at the moment) and carry out her responsibility, being with them somehow liberated her from her duties and she was free from it even for just a short period of time. Not only that, they were her first friend who had treat her as their bubbly and lovable comrade not as the Seyruun's princess (accept for Lina who still tries to use her royalty)
Lina spotted her long face, "Hei, cheer up! If you can't follow us then we'll be sure to visit you lots of time," she told her with a big grin and her grin became wider as she saw a smile on Amelia's face.
"That would be wonderful, Lina-san," she thanked the sorceress, gladness and happiness filled her voice.
Lina secretly peered her eyes at the chimera and an idea popped into her head, "And I'll be sure to drag Zel along with me!" there was a hint of teasing in her voice as she grin slyly at Zel and Amelia.
The princess took the hint and was blushing slightly as she stared at the ground, "Ah! Um, er, okay...."
Zel was surprised to say the least at the her sudden suggestion, "H-ha?"
"What? You have something to complain?" Lina was having fun with this.
Zel took a moment to peeked at Amelia before throwing a glare at Lina who was still smiling coyly at him, "....no....." He answered relunctanly. He saw Amelia drooped her shoulders and cursed at the grinning sorceress. He let out a sigh before trying to make amends, "Don't get me wrong Amelia. It's not that I don't enjoy your company.....It's just that I....I hate large, crowded city....." he stutteredly answer, fighting the embarassment.
"Yeah, I can imagine!" Lina laughed as she grabbed her cloak and covered half of her face, "Oh, all those people looking at me. I must hide in my sanctuary!!" she made her best Zel impression in a low tone before guffawing like a maniac. Amelia and Sylphiel couldn't help but giggled at her antics.
But Zel didn't find it close to amusing, "It's not like I want to become this-this stone freak," he spoked in a low and harsh tone. All those terrible past memories came back to haunt him again. The shrine maidens could feel the dark aura emmiting from the chimera and unconsciously took a step away from him.
Lina let out a silent 'oops', "Geez Zel! I was just kidding! No one here thinks of you like that! If you haven't notice we don't treat you like like a freak!"
The chimera stared at her with unfazed eyes, "Yeah, you treat me like I'm some sort of your lackey......" he said in disgust.
Lina fought herself from making a crude remark, "Ahem! What I was trying to say is, we thought of you as a normal human being and as our closest friend," her tone changed from harsh to a soft tone, showing the chimera that what she had just said was from her heart, not something she has just made up.
"That's right, Zelgadis-san. No matter what you think about yourself, our friendship will never change," Amelia continues as she gave him a soft smile.
Zelgadis looked at the two, a slight surprise shone in his eyes, "....thank you," he softly said, touched by their words, and he couldn't help but returning their smiles.
While enjoying the tender moment, a question made it's way into Lina's head, "But you know. You've been following me and Gourry for quiet some time now. I'm surprised that you didn't went off on you're own again," she asked puzzily. That was true. Usually after they had beaten some dark lords or high level Mazoku, Zel would usually went off on his own again to resume his search for his cure.
Zel let out a dissapointing sigh, "I still haven't found any leads on finding my cure yet. That's why I'm travelling with all of you," he simply stated.
"Oh, you're travelling with us because you want our company? How nice," Lina smiled to herself, feeling proud of herself for being such a great company.
"No. It's because I'm travelling with the greedy bandit killer," Zel ignored the small rock which had just smacked his face thanks to the angry Lina, "Like you said before, never underestimate the bandits' worldwide knowledge about valueble information. Who knows, one of them might know some info about my cure,"
"You don't have to say greedy, you know!" she huffed in protest. Amelia and Sylphiel just let out a nervous laugh.
As the four of them were communicating with each other, they didn't realize that the blonde swordsman was not participating with them as he currently had something on his mind. It feels like I'm forgetting something....but what was it? Oh man, if it wasn't for that weird dream I would...have..been.......That's right! I forgot to tell Lina about that dream! "Lin-" he stopped himself when he saw suspicious looking black mist floating around them.
Where did that come from..?
Unfortunately, Lina didn't heard him but she had heard Amelia's panic yelp from behind but when she turned around she was shocked to see nothing but the darkness of the mist, "Gourry! Zel! Amelia! Sylphiel!"she shouted worriedly for her friends name as she blindly searched for them but then sighed in relief when she heard them replied back. Damn it! What's going on now!? She mentally yelled in frustration as she started chanting a spell.
In the mean time, Gourry too was trying to find Lina by listening for her voice and movements when he suddenly felt a sudden powerful, sharp pain on his head and the thoughts to find and protect the sorceress vanish as he collapsed. He never got the chance to see the mysterious figure who had suddenly teleported in front of him nor did he saw the feral grin on the figure's face.
"Bomb De Wind!" Lina yelled as she unleashed the spell slightly hoping that the spell wouldn't blow away the others. When the spell had clear out the black mist, she sighed in relief but then her eyes widen when she saw Zel, Amelia and Sylphiel...in a weird position. Zel was kneeling on the ground, one arm covering his face while Amelia and Sylphiel was hugging, uh scratch that..gropping the chimera (oh so tightly)
Zel must have noticed his current situation as there was a hint of pink on his face, "LINA! Be careful where you aim that spell!!! Someone might flew who knows where!!" he shouted as he tried to distangled himself from the two shrine maidens. Secretly Zel was glad that his chimera body was able to withstand the wind (But, Amelia and Sylphiel's weight helped too). Noticing that the gushing wind has stopped, Amelia and Sylphiel quickly remove themselves from him before apoligizing to the embarrest chimera.
"Hei, you guys!" she merrily greeted her companions (while trying hard not to burst into laughters) when she noticed that something was out of place.
"...where's Gourry?"
It seems that the three of them too didn't realize the disappearance of the swordsman as they started analyzing their surrounding for Gourry but of course they found him nowhere.
Amelia turned to face Lina, her face showed the sign of nervousness, "M-maybe he was blown away by your spell..." she let out a nervous laugh. Sylphiel let out a gasp and turned towards the sorceress.
"Lina-san! What have you done!" the Sairaag's maiden accused her with a serious face. Lina took a step away from the angry Sylphiel while scratching her head nervously. But, Zel managed to save her from Sylphiel's wrath.
"That's hard to believe. If Gourry did get blown away, wouldn't we hear him scream?" he said in a matter-of-fact manner.
Sylphiel relunctanly gave a small nod before placing a hand on her chest and asked worriedly, "Well then. Where is he?" But no one had the answer...
"Cht, Gourry's 'misplacement' must have been connected to that black mist earlier. What's going on here!? First, Xellos' weird behaviour, then those Mazoku and now Gourry's dissapearance....?" Zel suddenly cursed in frustration which he noticed that it was making the girls (especially Lina and Sylphiel) more tense so he tried to reassure them, "But, wherever Gourry is I'm sure he will be fine. Isn't that right?" He was surprised when the sorceress didn't answered back.
She wanted to reply back to say 'Of course he'll be fine! That jellyfish is the best swordsman there is and he'll be even more invincible with the Sword Of Light!', but nothing came out. For some reason, she felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach which means that something bad is definitely going to happen, to Gourry......
Gourry....where are you!?
"Iteeeee......Oh, my head," Gourry moaned in pain as he rubbed his throbbing head with his hand. It felt like someone just knocked his head, really hard. When he opened his eyes, he found himself lying on the ground, with huge trees surrounding him. What am I doing in a forest? Where are Lina and the others? He asked himself as he shakily tries to get back on his feet.
The rustling sound behind him shook all his thought away as he focus his attention behind him. Facing the sound, he gasped in horror when he saw the figure in front of him.
"L-Lina..?"
Indeed, just right in front of him stands Lina Inverse. But instead of the cheerful and energetic Lina, the Lina in front of him was far from cheerful and energetic as she hunched against a tree with one hand supporting her, her mouth which was the only part of her face that wasn't covered by her bangs was breathing long and hard. But the worst is, the hunched Lina was covered in dirt and blood. Her shoulder guards and cape were missing and her clothes were torn and battered.
When her knees failed her and she fell to the ground, all other thoughts were pushed aside as Gourry rushed towards her side. When he brought her into his arms, he cupped her face so that she was looking at him. His breath hitched in his throught at the moment he saw her face which was ghostly white and pale.
God, she must have lost a lot of blood! Gourry panicly thought.
"I-I waited f-for you to c-come....but..you n-never..came," she quietly whispered to him suddenly, every word she spoked followed by the sputtering of blood from her mouth. For the first time in his life, Gourry was frightened out of his wits but he knew that being panic will not help the situation. So he summoned all his will to calm himself.
"What happened Lina!? Where are Zel and the others?" he asked the pale sorceress in a cracked voice. He tried to figured what had happened when he was seperated from the others, Did Mazoku attacked them. No! Lina would able to handle them with or without me!
"I t-thought...you were...s-suppose to be my...guardian...." Gourry's eyes widen at her sudden words. That was not what he wanted to hear from her but somehow that question couldn't stop echoing in his head. Protector....That's right, no matter what he thought, he had sworn to protect Lina with his life forever and he had failed her....He fail to protect her...Now, looking at the sorceress lying weakly in his arms somehow made a mock to his oath to be her protecter and he couldn't help but let out a small whimper as he felt his eyes brimming with tears.
".....Li-Lina...?"
"..I...hate you G-Gourry Gabriev......" that was the last thing she spoke before she went limp in his arms indicating that she has passed away. Gourry's breath suddenly hitched in his throat and for a moment he thought that his heart had stopped beating at the sight of his lifeless companion.
"L-Lina....? Lina?!" his voice was cracked and fear started to consume him. All thoughts about Zel and the others' wherebouts and the person behind Lina's injuriesas vaporized from his mind. He shook her body hoping that somehow she would open her eyes again and would pummeled him like she always did. He did not want to accept reality, he did not want to accept her death but he knew that her death was true as he stare at the cold body in his arms with tears starting to fall from his eyes.
"....Lina....no..." he pleaded as he tighten his grip on his beloved's figure not caring if her blood would stain him. He placed his face at the crook of her neck as countless tears fell from his eyes.
Oh god.....I never even had the chance to tell her how I really feel about her, to tell her how much I love her........and it's all my fault......
Me, her guardian......What a joke........
What...a......joke...
At that moment, Gourry felt so lost. What would he do now? Would he still continue the journey to Seyruun without Lina? No......not without Lina..... So, the blonde swordsman sat there with the sorceress in his arms, continuing to shed tears for his beloved, for the part of him which had died with her...
Somewhere not far away from the heartbroken swordsman, Xellos couldn't help but smile as he watch the delightful scenery not only because of the state Gourry was in but also the fact that swordsman was holding the Mimic, a monster.
Hehe...too bad Gourry-san didn't give 'her' a kiss or two......but now is not the time for fun. Xellos thought to himself as he focus his attention back to his objective which is Gourry's negative emotions. He tore his gaze from the creature towards Gourry's face and was watching it intently.
Hmm, maybe it still need some time......Huh? Xellos was surprised when he saw the swordsman started to stand up and his surprise turn to shock when Gourry's hold on the unmoving figure loosen and the body fell to the ground with a loud thump. The mysterious priest kept switching confuse glances from the lying body on the ground to the swordsman.
"You can stop hiding now Xellos," Gourry suddenly spoked in an emotionless tone.
H-How did he....!? Xellos was baffled with Gourry's sudden action but reluctantly comply. "Ah, why if it isn't Gourry-san?" he spoked in a calm manner as he walked from his hiding place and towards the swordsman.
"Why Xellos, I'm hurt," Gourry said in a mocked tone. Xellos stopped his movement as he watch the man in front of him suspiciously.
"It's me, Hellmaster,"
To Be Continue...
Ranting :
Gerao-A : Hehe, and there you have it! The 'disembodied voice' from Gourry's dream was Hellmaster Phibrizzo all along. Not Xellos. Oh, and about that lemon Air Jay, well I did thought about including some L/G lemon in this fic but.........between you and me.......if my family (my father especially) founds out that I DID, oh that will be the end of me.........
Shaman Priest : Wow, your second review for this fic! ::sniff sniff:: I thought that you had already forgotten about me....Hehehe! Well...yes I did said that the next chapter will be out in December but I guess I'm just random.......Oh, and pray that I will still be a L/G supporter forever!!
Lady Fiore : You know what? I think your right! Most of the Xelloses in other Slayers' stories act more like the sly and mischevieous mysterious priest than the cold and heartless Mazoku. Glad that you like my Xellos!
Xellos: Just call me Zelas-sama's sly, cunning, mischevieous, naughty, cold and heartless general!
Don't forget cuddly and lovable!
Xellos: ........am NOT!!!
Kaeru Soyokaze : Oh, another canon coupling lover! Hehe, if you're a canon dork than that must be I'm even more canon dorkier!
Zel: But didn't you just said on that last chapter that you're staring to like X/L coupling?
.....................I said that I'm even more canon dorkier!
Lina & Xellos: Lets hope you are!!
BlueJellyFish : Uh, don't worry I won't hurt Gourry! I'll hurt him emotionally....hehehe..he
Gourry: You do know that I can hear you whispering to yourself...
.....ah? W-what are you talking about Gourry-chyaaan ::smiles:: !!
Slayers no miko : Ummm, you know, you don't have to go for all the trouble to give a review for every chapter. You can just put all your comments from chapter I to chapter V in just one review.
Lina: Even though Yumekage said that, we all know that she's damn happy about getting 4 extra review...
Ahahahaha! Tralalalala! Woohooooo!
Lina: See what I mean?
Kristall : Hehe, thanks for finding my author's note entertaining!
Minna: It's NOT because it's only entertaining for you and the readers!
Shuddup foo'!
Minna: ..........foo'?
Author's Note :
Yumekage: ::sniff sniff:: Now isn't that a sad chapter...
Gourry: How can I fall for that simple trap!?
Minna: Ha?
Gourry: I mean, if that was the real Lina, she should have said something like this. Ahem, 'Jellyfish, where were you!' or 'Damn it Gourry, stop standing there and find me a healer!' or 'Geez Gourry! You were relaxing here all a long while we fought some Mazoku!' or 'Idiot Gou-'
Lina: I GET IT ALREADY!!
Zel & Amelia: I agree with Gourry......
Yumekage: Well, that's true. Gourry is a bit more observative when it comes to Lina.
Lina: WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSE TO MEAN!?
Yumekage: ::ignores Lina:: But, at that moment you're better judgement was clouded by fear and other emotions. So, you can't think properly.
Gourry: Oh, now I get it! ::smiles proudly::
Yumekage: Now, Lina! Stop being such a brat! Gourry just cried for you in this chapter. And he never cries! (I think...)
Lina: Well, that, I mean- ehm..... ::blushing profusely::
Yumekage: So here's my question. Would Lina cry like that for Gourry?
Lina: WHAT!? ::blushing madly::
Zel: Heh, it's too obvious, is it not?
Amelia: Of course, she would!
Lina: .....................well it's normal to cry when a close friend is seriously injured..
Zel & Amelia: ::whisper to each other:: ...close friend...?
Yumekage: I bet that Lina will be all whiny and cries a river no- a sea for Gourry. Then she get all hysterical and then commits suicide!
Minna: ..................................................................
Yumekage: Hei, it could happen.
Lina: Hell no! No way I'm gonna commit suicide! I'm to young and beautiful to die.
Amelia: ::whispers to Zel:: Did you realize that she didn't deny the 'becomes whiny and becomes hysterical' part.
Zel: .....I'm beginning to worry for her...
Xellos: Lina-san, if you want to commit suicide, you can call me anytime to 'assist' you!
Phibby: And if you have the urge to cast the Giga Slave, call me! ::grins::
Minna: ::glares at them::
Xellos & Phibby: Oya! Why are you all emmiting such negative emotion? ::smiles cheerfully::