Hell's Breaking Point
Chapter VII – Inner Conflict
Disclaimer: I do not own Slayers…..I just don't…..
Xellos was assigned a peculiar 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.
Oni-san : Big brother
Yare yare : Oh boy....(something like that)
Mazoku : Evil race/Monster
Minna : Everyone
Warning! There will be plenty of swearing from Lina at the end of this chapter so be prepare….
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"Hellmaster..?" Xellos repeated the name, unsure of what he had just heard. The man in front of him smirked at his confusion.
"Don't tell me you've already forgotten about Ruby Eye-sama's number one subordinate?" he teasingly asked as he smoothed his long blonde hair.
"But that's impossible! I saw oka-sama kill you!" Xellos was baffled by the Hellmaster's sudden appearance, How could he have survived the Lord Of Nightmare's attack!? And-
"How did you get into Gourry-san's body!?"
The smirk on Gourry's face never faded, "Shocking, isn't it? To think that I was able to possess this human body," Phibrizzo calmly said as he pumped a fist into the air.
"Aah, I never had a buff physical body before. This is nice," he continued as he analyzed his new body. As Hellmaster was strutting manly in front of the mysterious priest, he didn't notice the disbelief look still plastered on the other's face.
Xellos was still having a hard time swallowing the fact, No one, not even a Dark Lord can survive oka-sama's wrath, but-
"It seems that you need an explanation from me," Hellmaster suddenly spoke as he put a hand on his hip, "Before oka-sama could finish me off, I managed to transfer what's left of my spirit into this body. And since some of my power which I had used to control this human was still inside of him, the chances of me succeeding in possessing it increases. But, unlike those lesser demos where they merged with the other spirit, I merely divided mine from the human's. You can say that this body now contains two spirit or souls,"
Xellos' surprised face disappeared and was replaced by his usual calmness, "Are you still a pure Mazoku then?" It was suppose to be a simple question but somehow it came out as an insult.
Gour- uh, Phibrizzo's eyes narrowed at the sudden question, "Don't mock me, Xellos. I'm still a pure Mazoku but the only exception is that this human body is now a part of me," he replied in disgust.
But Xellos was still being persistent, "So, you're saying that you are half Mazoku, half human?" He knew how greatly Phibrizzo will be insulted by that statement since for the Mazoku, they only thought of human as nothing more but some low-life and as their prey.
And he was right, "If not because I'm still recovering my powers back, I would have killed you for that remark," Phibrizzo answered in a threatening tone as he balled up his fists.
A sly smile cracked on Xellos' lips, "Ah, does that mean that at this moment I can manage to destroy you?"
"Try me,"
There was a drawn out pause. Even though learning that Phibrizzo was now part human had lowered Xellos' respect for the Hellmaster, he still knew how powerful he is even with half of his power, "What happened to Gourry-san?" Xellos changed the topic using a calmer tone.
Hellmaster's frown disappeared only to be replaced by a smug expression, "Oh, his spirit is still inside. It's just that now I am dominant over this body," he spoke, ignoring Xellos' earlier statements.
The mysterious priest was still trying to figure out howbeing both Mazoku and a humanwill work for Phibrizzo, Maybe oka-sama knows something…Heh, Perhaps I could have my own fun with these new circumstances, "So then, what are you're plans from now on?"
"Do what I was created to do. Bringing this world back to chaos," Hellmaster spoke with an evil grin.
"Let me guess. With the help of Lina-san's Giga Slave?" Xellos' asked remembering his past experience with the Hellmaster.
But to his surprise, Phibrizzo just looked at him in confusion, "Lina Inverse?" he suddenly spoke before setting his gaze at the bloody figure on the ground, "Isn't she dead?" he gave the unmoving figure a hard kick that send it flying crash unto a tree nearby.
Hmm, this body's strength is more powerful than the rest of those puny humans. I better learn how to control it.
"There's no reason to kick it since it's not Lina," Phibrizzo turned his attention towards the talking priest.
"Meet Mimic," Xellos continued as he pointed his staff tpwards the limping figure. Phibrizzo turned and saw 'Lina' changing it's appearance back to it's original form before groaning in pain.
"……my bad," the Hellmaster plainly said.
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"Gourry!!"
After Gourry's disappearances, Lina and the others had started a search to find him and after countless minutes they knew that it was a useless attempt since they had a lot of ground to cover. But that didn't stop Linafrom ordering the others to split up and continuing to search for the missing swordsman.
Each passing minutes made Lina's worries rising, Damn it Lina! Calm yourself! She mentally scolded herself as she tightened her fists before connecting one of them violently on a tree's trunk. Exhaustion took over the sorceress' body as she collapsed against the tree.
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 disappearance,Zel's statement came back into her mind. Somehow, Lina knew that there was something off withthe chimera's wordsso she forced her brain to find out what it was.
"Lina-san…?"
Lina quickly jerked herself away from the tree to find the others standing behind her giving her a worried look.
She was not in the mood to receive sympathy from the others. It made her look weak, "Did youfind anything?" she impatiently asked but when the others suddenly cast their glances towards the ground, she already knew the answer.
"Gaaah! Where is that stupid jellyfish!" she suddenly yelled in frustration as she let her emotions engulfed her.
Zelgadis folded his arms against his chest, "Calm down. Letting rage consume you is not helping the situation," he calmly said hoping that Lina would follow his advice. But he received the opposite of what he had hoped for.
"Shut up Zel!! How can you asked me to calm down when who knows what happened to Gourry!?" she yelled in anger as she stomped one foot on the ground, releasing all her frustration and anger towards the chimera.
"Well being angry and yelling at others are not helping us finding him, is it!" Zelgadis yelled back with a hard tone. Lina was ready to make another heat comeback but the chimera quickly cut her off. "You think you're the only one who's worried about Gourry!? If you haven't notice, we are as worry as you are but we don't go lashing at other people, do we!!" The chimera was starting to get really irritated at the sorceress sudden outburst.
That was the last straw for Lina as she shook her fists violently, "You know what Zel! You're starting to really annoy me!! Why don't you just get lost and continue that search for that stupid cure of yours, huh!!!" she practically screamed on the last part as her rage completely took over her actions.
"Lina-san!!" both Amelia and Sylphiel yelled at her angrily for her crude statement but their words didn't reach Lina nor Zelgadis.
The chimera was taken back, "Stupid? Stupid!? You don't know what I have been through because of this body!!!" he roared at the sorceress. Knowing there maybe hope for curing his condition was the only reason why he is still breathing in this world. And she called it stupid!? He had killed so many people, willing to do the most despicable job just to obtain that cure. Just to become human again…..
But Lina didn't feel anything but anger towards Zelgadis at that moment, "Well then, why don't you go and cure your hideous, god-forsaken body!!" she roared back hinting that she didn't give a damn about his condition. Zel's eyes widen at her respond, his hands was shaking as they made their way to his hood before engulfing his face with it. He was shocked. Didn't she had just said that she didn't thought of him as a freak? Wasn't she.…his friend?
"..you disgust me," the chimera quietly said after a long silence, his unreadable expression was covered behind his hood. Suddenly, he turned his back towards the sorceress and started to walk away. At that moment, something clicked in Lina's head as she saw the retreating figure but before she could call out for him, Amelia had already started sprinting towards the moving chimera.
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"Zelgadis-san, wait!" Amelia yelled from behind but Zelgadis didn't decrease his pace.
"Forget it Amelia. I'm not going to be mocked by Lina or anyone anymore. I'm tired of this stupid life already…," he replied tiredly in a quiet voice not even bother to look at her. There was no respond for a while so Zelgadis had thought that Amelia had given up. But, he was so wrong…
"Zel…gadis-san….please. At….least listen to….what I…have to….say," Amelia suddenly spoke, every word followed by a large gasp. When Zel turned around to see what was wrong, he was shocked to see the princess carrying a very large boulder with two hands, her face showing that she was having a hard time supporting the weight as she gritted her teeth.
"Amelia! What are- Oi!" Zelgadis yelped when Amelia suddenly flung the boulder towards him. The chimera could only stare at the incoming boulder before it crashed unto him, pinning him against the ground.
Amelia gave out a big gasp of relief before dusting her hands, "You can't blame Lina-san for being like that," she started to speak as she walked towards the trapped chimera.
"Wha-" was the only muffled reply from him.
"Gourry-san is missing and you know that it bothers Lina-san a lot, more than you, Sylphiel-san and me combine. Not only that but recent events are eating her away. She's just afraid that she might lose him like at the time with Hellmaster Phibrizzo," she tried to reason with him. But the chimera didn't respond back so she decided to continue.
"I know that you won't forgive her for what she said but we all know that she didn't mean it! You have been traveling with Lina-san for about two years now, you should know by now that she will say or do something drastic to hide her own weaknesses,"
Still no respond from him.
"Hiding your own weaknesses…..Of all people, you should know about that, Zelgadis-san," she said softly in a sad tone.
"Amelia…."
"Please Zelgadis-san. Lina-san is so vulnerable now without Gourry-san by her side. Who knows what she will do in her current state," Amelia pleaded, hoping that he would come around.
There was a long silence.
"….get this boulder off me,"
Her hopes were crushed at his words, knowing that he would never join the group again. But before she could help him free, he started to speak again.
"We have tohurry back and rescue Sylphiel from the exploding sorceress," He let out a small chuckle, showing the princess that he's willing to go back.
"Eh? Really!? I knew that you're on the side of Justice!" Amelia was ecstatic by his real answer while the chimera was muttering something about not wanting to be an ally of justice, "Hold on Zelgadis-san! I'll get this boulder off of you!" she said in her usual energetic tone.
"Justice Hammer!!!"
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At the same moment, Sylphiel and Lina were also having their own conversation.
"Lina-san, that was an awful thing to say," Sylphiel scolded her, but she managed to use a softer tone. After Amelia had chased after Zelgadis, Sylphiel found that she was the only one left to comfort the sorceress. She knew that Lina didn't say those words on purpose and she also knew how broken up she is without Gourry, which is an upsetting news to the shrine maiden.
"…Lina-san?" the shrine maiden called out again when the sorceress didn't respond.
"…I'm sorry…" there was hesitation in Lina's voice as she spoke, but the tone she used showed her sincerity.
Sylphiel was surprised to hear a sincere apology from her, "T-then why didn't you tell him that?"
Instead of continuing being gloomy, Lina's sudden mood swing came back, "I don't know, okay! My brain wasn't functioning properly," she said in a hard and frustrated tone.
"..Lina-san,"
Lina's eyes narrowed at her words, "Damn it, Sylphiel! Stop pitying me!! I don't need yours or anyone's sympathy!" she yelled before turning her back towards the shrine maiden.
The shrine maiden was baffled at her sudden change of attitude, "But I was just-"
Lina turned her head to looked at her, "What? Worry? Don't treat me like I'm some kid okay!? I can take care of myself!"
SLAP!!
Lina stared dumbfounded at the shrine maiden while one hand touched her sore cheek. That was new. Sylphiel had slapped her! The sorceress just stood there as no certain action came to mind.
"Listen to yourself! Yes you are strong! Yes you can cast the most powerful spell! But without us, without your trusting friends, you probably won't last long with all those past events! So stop thinking that you can manage everything by yourself and stop thinking of us as some nuisance!" Sylphiel was closed to yelling but she was able to maintain her anger.
Lina's eyes widen but she quickly casts her gaze to the ground, "S-Sylphiel……I'm sorry….It's just that I feel like trash right now…." She quietly replied.
A soft smile crossed the shrine maiden's lips, "Well that's what friends are for, comforting each other, sticking with each other no matter if the situation is bad or good. So, don't exhaust yourself anymore, Lina-san. You can always count on me, Amelia-san, and…Zelgadis-san if you need any help. And right now, we'll help you get Gourry-sama back," she said reassuringly.
Lina looked back at her before the same smile spreads on her face, "…Thanks," she bashfully replied.
Sylphiel's eyes diverted away from the sorceress, "Speaking of friends, here they are now,"
Lina turned her head to find Amelia and Zelgadis (who was not wearing his hood anymore) walking towards them. Seeing the returning of the chimera, the sorceress unconsciously put a hand behind her head before gulping in nervousness.
"Oh, and Lina-san, I'm sorry that I…slapped you.." Sylphiel quickly whispered closed to her ear while wearing an ashamed expression.
The hand behind Lina's head started to scratch it lightly, "Hehe, well, lets just call it a wake up call," she let out a weak laugh.
Sylphiel giggled at her before returning her attention towards the other two, "Welcome back,"
Zelgadis just nod in reply. As for Amelia, she made a victory sign with her hand, smiling all the way.
"Z-Zel.." Lina suddenly spoke in a stuttered voice, forcing herself to look at him.
The chimera gazed at her clouded eyes, already knew what she was trying to say, "It's okay, Lina," he said to her.
Lina shook her head, "No, I need to say it anyway. I'm sorry,"
Zelgadis mentally smile since getting an apology from the sorceress was very rare, "Well, it's partially my fault that the conversation went out of hand. I know how much you want Gourry back beside you safe and sound," The chimera ignored the flushed look on her face, "And we will, with the help of everyone. Just to be on the safe spot, lets not include Xellos in the group again….."
Something clicked in her mind at the mention of that name, …Xellos? Xellos!!
"That's it!" Lina exclaimed out loud, punching a hand into her other fist.
Zelgadis looked at her quizzically, "What is it?"
But Lina ignored him as her face turned back to her usual bad-ass expression, "I'm gonna have a BF," she quietly said with an evil grin on her face.
"A what?" the chimera asked out loud, puzzled by her behavior, but for some reason he didn't want to know what a BF is.
Amelia moved closer to him, "Bitch Fit. Don't ask how I know that…." She whispered weakly to him. The chimera's confusion just doubled at her explanation but judging by the shrine maidens' action; plugging their ears with their hands, he knew that it can't be good.
Suddenly the smirk on Lina's face disappeared, "Xellos!!! Get your bloody fucking astral ass over here right NOW!!!!" she yelled, frightening the other three.
"Xellos!?" the three of them asked simultaneously. But Lina didn't bother to explain as a figure suddenly teleported in front of her.
"Yare yare, what's all the commotion?" Xellos asked calmly, wearing his usual cheery expression.
"I know that you're somehow behind Gourry's disappearance!! So just tell me where he is!! And don't give me that 'Sore wa himitsu desu' crap!!" Lina clenched her teeth as she said it.
Xellos scratched his head, "Wow, was it that obvious?" His smile growing wider by the minute.
Lina's eyes widen, "What!? Why you bloody-good-for-nothing shit!" she cursed at him as she tried to grab him but Xellos managed to jump out of the way.
Xellos waved his hands defensively, "Hei, don't get so angry since I was just doing what I was ordered to," He made a mock pout which just irritates Lina more.
"I don't care if-if the Lord Of Nightmare ordered you! Just tell me where he is!!" Xellos mentally chuckled at her, Oh, you don't know how right you are Lina-san!
The mysterious priest put a hand under his chin, pretending to ponder about giving her the answer, "Unfortunately, I can't tell you that. But I can tell you that he is out of harm. Heh, only a moron would attack him at his current state," he snickered to himself.
Lina quirked an eyebrow as suspicion started to build in, "What do you mean 'at his current state'?"
"You'll find out soon enough," There was something disturbing about how he had answered and it bothers Lina a lot.
"When can I have him back?" Lina asked menacingly as she folded her arms against her chest.
The mysterious priest snapped his fingers, "Oh, he's on his way to your current destination right now. You better hurry, who knows what mischief he would start there! See ya!" He gave them a short goodbye wave before disappearing into thin air.
Lina stomped the ground furiously, "That fuc-" But fortunately for both of the shrine maiden's ears, Zelgadis had cut her off.
"No time to curse now, Lina. We better hurry to Seyruun," he said to her calmly but his face showed the same anger she felt for the Mazoku.
"Ah, right!" And with that the four of them started sprinting towards their main destination, Seyruun.
Because they were rushing towards their destination, they didn't found out the true reason for Lina's sudden mood swings. And the coming of Lina'stime of the month will surely make their confrontation with the Hellmaster even worse.
To Be Continue…
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Ranting :
Gerao-A : Hmmmm, this story is kinda similar to your Trust and Betrayal fic, isn't it? Well, since there will lots of Lina and Gourry's angst, I guess you can say that! Hear that Lina, Gourry, lots of angst!
Lina & Gourry: ……I'm scared…..
CT : Well, the true reason why Hellmaster is still alive is connected to the Lord Of Nightmare. It'll be explained soon.
Kaeru Soyokaze : Fortunately for you, there'll be plenty of Z/A moments in this story and don't worry about Gourry-kins! He's still uh,…..somewhere in his body….
Gourry: ….why did you hesitate to answer…….?
No reason….hehe....
Slayer no miko : Thanks for the compliment XD. And I hope that this chapter has answered your question about Phibby's appearance. And about Gourry…..Lina take it away!
Lina: …….all will be explain in future chapters…..But I want to know what happen-
Next review please.
Lina: ::cursing under her breath::
Shaman Priest : Wow, you replaced your Lina and Xellos muses with Yoh? Cool, but I don't think those two will like it….
Lina: I don't care coz I'll get more free time with my lovely food.
Xellos: What Lina-san is trying to say is that she'll get more free 'alone time' with Gourry-san.
Lina: ::blush:: I did not said that!!!!
Xellos: ::smiles:: Well, your mind surely did.
Lina: Why you namagomiest namagomi eating namagomi!!!!!!
Xellos: Tsk, tsk Lina-san. Don't stoop yourself lower than that barbarous dragon.
Filia: Namagomi!!!!! Die!! ::swings mace-sama::
Okay, this is getting way out of hand……
BlueJellyFish : Haha, so many similar question. But don't worry of course those two will be together! I'll make sure of it!
Lina: ::blush::
Gourry: …..?
It's just that there will be plenty of pain in the way of their reunion!
Lina & Gourry: ….more pain?!
Author's Note :
Yumekage: Man, I love when people fight!
Zel: I'm beginning to think that you're actually are a Mazoku….
Yumekage: Well, unfortunately I'm not...
Lina: .....that time of the month!? Now!? How am I suppose to fight the bad guys now!?
Yumekage: Yes, it's sucks, isn't it?
Xellos: Hei, it's a good thing that Phibby-san possessed a man instead of a woman's body. Then he won't have to suffer like you Lina-san!
Lina: Are you saying letting Hellmaster possessing Gourry is okay!?
Xellos: Oh Lina-san....don't be so angry with me...I'm still trying to recover from the fact that you cursed at me! How could you! Boo-hoo..
Amelia: Xellos-san! Are you trying to hit on Lina-san? But what about Filia-san?
Xellos: ...........Amelia-san, please don't make me puke by saying THAT name!
Lina & Zel: ::looks at each other:: Filia! Filiaa! Filiaaa!! ::grins::
Filia: Yes? Did someone call me?
Lina & Zel: Xellos did. He said that you're the only golden dragon he loves.
Xellos & Filia: ::turns pale:: Please don't say that!!!! Please!!!
Lina & Zel: Xellos and Filia sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes love, then comes marriage and then comes-
Xellos & Filia: ::makes more sickening sounds::
Amelia: You two do realize that you're torturing Filia-san also.....Hei, I get the feeling that someone's missing....
Gourry: ::somewhere in the jungle:: Hello!! Lina? Zel? Amelia? .....I'm lost!!