Hell's Breaking Point
Chapter X – Still More Complication
Disclaimer: I do not own Slayers, bla…bla…bla..
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
Juu Ou : Beastmaster
Minna : Everyone
'…….' Is for Phibby's thoughts
(…...) Is for Gourry's thoughts
The moon shone brightly in the midst of dark sky indicating that it was already night.
Lina : No duh!
In their search for an unwrecked restaurant, Lina finally found the idea to fill their bellies for free while getting free rooms for the night at none other than the Seyruun's palace since Amelia had already invited Gourry to stay the night there before all those Xellos related incidents came. But before the sun sets, Sylphiel had decided to say her farewell.
"It's going to be dark soon and I already promised my uncle that I would be back before dark……but if you ever need the assistant of my white magic, I'll be there!"
"Especially if it has something to do with Gourry-sama!" Those were her last words before she left the group, reluctantly that is…
So now it's just the four of them now, well five if you count Phibrizzo. Speaking of the Hellmaster, he never did took control of Gourry's body and as for the swordsman, he still tries to act normal while keeping the revival of Hellmaster a secret since the golden eye boy kept popping out of nowhere but still out of the others' sight to remind Gourry about their 'little agreement'.
The moonlight spilled into the window and on to Gourry's face as he gazes at the night sky. Countless thoughts swirled in his mind as he tried to a find a solution for his newest problem.
'Give it up,'
Gourry's eyes narrowed at the Mazoku's voice but he didn't say anything. He knew that since Phibrizzo possesses his body, the Hellmaster could easily read his mind. Wonder if he could read the Mazoku's mind? Anyway, what should he do know? What should he do to stop Phibrizzo from getting Lina?
"…..Lina," he murmured softly to himself. That's right. He had been shocked to find the sorceress in that restaurant that evening. But how can that be? What about that bloody Lina he saw back in the huge forest, who had let out her final breath in his arms. Gourry's eyes glistened as he recalls that horrible memory when he had lost his sorceress…
'That wasn't her, you foolish human but a mere shape shifting creature. What you saw and heard from that 'Lina' was nothing more than a fake act to invoke negative emotion from you which is the only way to recharge my power since I could not absorb others' without being dominant over your body but I could only absorb the ones coming out of your body,'
Gourry's eyes widen at his explanation, "..what? So, that wasn't Lina…?" he stutteredly asked.
'Of course not. She is still of some use to me,'
At first, the swordsman let out a sigh of relief feeling absolutely glad that it was all a fake but then anger filled him. How dare the creature tried to fake Lina's death? That was unforgivable! He thought in fury as he gripped his fists.
'So, do you want revenge? The creature is just in the vast forest northwest from here,'
Gourry turned silent at Phibrizzo's suggestion. The truth he wanted to destroy the creature but now is not the right time for revenge. As he Hellmaster, he was currently feeling delighted at the anger the swordsman is producing. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door of his room, startling the two of them. Oh man, he was not ready for company.
"Gourry..?" The swordsman gulped, knowing clearly who the voice was.
He knew that she won't leave him alone even if he ignored her. So, hesitantly, he unlocked the door and slowly opened it, revealing a strain-smiled sorceress.
"Lina..,"
"Gourry, could I talk to you for a second?" Both of them locked eyes for a moment before Gourry took a step aside, gesturing for her to enter. The sorceress took a hesitant step forward before walking to the center of the room in her normal pace, while the swordsman gently closed the door and steadily walks to his bed. All this time, he could hear his heart thumping uncontrollably in his chest. Oh god, was the room thicked with tension.
'Oh, this is nice. The sound of silence,'
Gourry ignored Hellmaster's little sarcasm and focused on the sorceress in front of him.
"Uh," he started to speak, "What is it that you want to talk about?" He mentally made a thumb up to himself at his attempt to slice the molded tension.
'Yeah, great job. Not!'
Gourry's eyes accidentally twitched at that small insult and unfortunately for him, Lina took it as his annoyance towards her and Gourry saw this as her expression quickly changed.
"I guess I know when I'm not wanted," she stated quietly although her anger was evident as she turned to face the exit but Gourry was quicker when e swiftly yet gently grabbed one of her arm.
"No, Lina. I'm sorry, It's just that….maybe I'm still a little tired from that long journey here," It was a pathetic excuse and a lie. He never wanted to hide the truth away from the person he trusted the most but he had no choice. He was now no better than a puppet, a useless puppet controlled by Hellmaster Phibrizzo…
Lina turned to face him and as they locked eyes with each other, Gourry noticed that there was still suspicious lurking in her eyes but somehow she went along with his excuse, for now at least….
"So," Gourry cleared his throat as he released her arm, "What's wrong?"
It seems that little question had taken her by surprise.
"What's wrong? That's what I should be asking you!" she shot back, "And don't tell me that nothing's wrong! We, no, I noticed that you have been acting very weird since we found you!"
Gourry mentally cursed at the guilty Hellmaster.
'Hei! It's not entirely my fault!'
The swordsman mentally rolled his eyes as he recalled the incidents that as Lina had told him; acting very weird…
...Flashback...
"Well everyone, I hope you'll enjoy the cuisine made from the excellent chefs from the palace," Amelia spoke with a wide smile. Actually, she couldn't wait to start her feast. It's been a long time since she feasted the delicious food from home.
"We'll definitely will!" both Lina and Gourry replied in enthusiastically, already holding their spoons and forks.
Zelgadis just smiled at their usual enthusiast for food. The four of them was sitting side by side as they watched piles and piles of food being served on the large dinner table by the palace's servants. Amelia had ordered that they would have a 'little bit' of privacy for their dinner. That means no King of Seyruun, no Uncle Christopher, no servants (except the ones that are serving the food) and most of all no need for manner. All of this for Lina and Gourry's sake..…But that doesn't stop Prince Phil from crashing their dinner.
"Well then," Phil, who was sitting across them spoke as he raised his glass. The Slayers followed his motion.
"Kampai and itadakimasu!"
It seems that the four of them had been more starving than they thought as they ate barbarously, ignoring the fact that they were currently eating inside the palace with the prince of Seyruun…As usual, Lina and Gourry were fork-wrestling, Zel was slicing and gobbling his food using his chimera speed (it's a miracle he didn't choke..) while Amelia was piling up varieties of delicious morsels onto her plate before trying to devour it before the other could notice.
Phil was the only one who still hasn't touched his food as he stare in awe at his company's wild table manners but mostly because his daughter was currently stuffing her face with food; an act he never sees before when she was in the palace without Lina and the others, no matter how hungry she was. A fond smile appeared on his face as he realize how happy his daughter is being with the group and he couldn't help but wonder where his other daughter might be…
A/N: Okay, okay! I know that that had nothing to do with Hellmaster! I'm getting to that part right now!
'Ooh, hei! That's not a bad soup,'
Gourry froze and Lina noticed.
"What's wrong Gourry? The soup's not that bad other than its damn spicy," she wondered out loud as she took another sip of the spicy food with her spoon.
Gourry regained his composure, "Ah? Oh, I, uh just candle that much spicy…." He explained as he pushed the bowl aside to make way for another dish.
'Hei, hei, hei! Bring that bowl back!'
(What for? I don't think Mazoku need to eat?) Gourry countered back.
'If you didn't know, your human body is now a part of me. And so is your tongue. To put it simply I too have to take care of my human body by eating something and now with your human tongue, I finally noticed that I rather enjoy eating spicy food. So, eat that damn soup!'
(Hei, didn't you hear me! I said that I can't handle spicy food!)
'Well that's too bad for you! Eat it! Or else!'
Gourry nearly growled at the persistent Mazoku and his threat. But knowing the Hellmaster's capability, he had no other choice. In the end, he reluctantly dragged back the bowl to it's former place.
Lina arched an eyebrow.
"I thought you said you can't handle the soup?" she asked, confused.
(Hoo boy…why me..?)
"Um, I guess the taste got to me," he randomly spoke as he let out a strain laugh.
Lina stare at him in disbelief before popping a piece of meat into her mouth, still never moving her eyes from him.
You know that it'll be your fault if your secret's got out
'…….just eat it!'
Still under the Lina's watchful eyes, Gourry slowly dipped his spoon into the bowl, trying his best to look normal before bringing the soup-filled spoon close to his lips.
Here goes nothing… And he inserted the spoon into his mouth, swallowing the soup in process.
'Delicious! More please!'
The first gulp wasn't so bad but after the fifth scoop, Gourry's face had turned red and was panting heavily
"Um, you do know that you can stop eating if it's too hot for you," Lina suddenly spoke in confusion and a bit of concern.
Gourry just waved her off as he tried to swallow the sixth scoop of soup in his mouth. Bus suddenly, in his attempt to force the soup down his throat, he accidentally bit a chunk of hot pepper and this is where it all started.
"AHHH!" Both Gourry and Phibrizzo yelled as the unbearable burning sensation on their tongue, sends out a jolt to their body, shocking his fellow companions.
"Hot, hot, hot!" the swordsman yelped as he tried to cool down his tongue by waving his hand vigorously in futile.
"I told you to stop eating that soup!" exclaimed Lina in a hard tone, "Drink something quick!"
'Well you heard her! Drink something for Ruby Eye-sama's sake! Drink it now!'
"Could you please stop yelling? I'm looking for it now!" Gourry suddenly yelled out loud as he frantically searched for something to cool off his tongue. The others froze.
"WHAT?" Lina snapped, thinking that he was yelling at her but Gourry was still busy scanning the table for any cold drink other than wine while spewing sentences after sentences out of his mouth (basically he was talking to Phibby) which freaked the rest of them while Hellmaster was getting impatient with the unfamiliar yet scorching pain on his tongue.
'You imbecile! If there's no water here then go search in the damn kitchen! NOW!'
"Alright! Alright!" Gourry yelled in frustration as he started to sprint out of the dining room, "But if I get lost in the way, it'll be your fault!" he managed too add before his figure disappeared from the others' sight.
The rest of them remain silent as they tried to figure out what had just happened. Phil was the first to break the silence.
"Was Gourry-dono talking to himself..?"
No one dare to answer.
…...Then there was the stomachache incident…...
"Oh man. My stomach hurts…." Gourry moaned as he wobbled his way along the corridor. His stomach has been churned and growling ever since he drank the overly spicy soup.
'Ugh, you mean our stomach! I can't believe this..no matter who was controlling the body, our actions affects us both!'
"Heh, at least knowing that I'm not the only one suffering makes me….oh god…" Gourry never managed to finish his sentence as his stomach made a freaky growl followed by an immense stomachache. After the pepper incident, he had forgotten to communicate with Phibrizzo mentally.
'Uhh, just..shut up..and do whatever you humans do to relieve …this damn pain!'
Gourry's face turned even more pale, "Oh..I know what to do to make the pain go away…..but it ain't gonna be pretty. For you or for me…" he let out a groan, "First we gotta find a bathroom,"
"Um, excuse me?" Gourry turned to look whoever it is behind him, "Who were you talking to?" One of the servants asked.
(Oh crap!)
"I, uh, I didn't said anything!" Gourry stutteredly answered back in panic as he waved his hands in defense.
The servant just smile in return, "Hehe, don't worry. I won't tell Princess Amelia that her companion was talking to himself like an idiot," he simply said. Maybe he's the one who is an idiot….
(Oi, oi, oi!)
'Forget him! I'm still in pain you know!'
Gourry scratched his head violently. There were too many things to do in such a short time….His stomach made another monstrous growl which quickly made his decision easier. Ignoring the annoying, still-smiling servant, the swordsman continues to wobble his way towards the nearest toilet, praying that the servant would keep his mouth shut.
Unfortunately for the two of them, the palace's servant in the end had report everything that he had heard to the princess and she in turn had told the sorceress and the chimera.
...End Flashback...
(Stupid servant!)
'I agree,'
"Gourry!"
Gourry snapped back from his daze.
"Eh?"
Lina sputtered in response, "What do you mean 'eh'?" she yelled in an angry tone.
'Sigh…she's asking if you're 'alright' oni-san. And you what? I'm the one who is not alright. Having a human body has more cons than pros which is not surprising,'
Gourry completely ignored Hellmaster as his full attention was now at the petite sorceress in front of him.
"Lina…I..," he didn't know what to answer. Telling her a lie was out of the question since the sorceress knows him well, too well….and telling her the truth means that he'll be taking an innocent life.
But he was surprised when Lina suddenly grab his hand and softly placed one hand on top of it and the other beneath it. Gourry stared at their hands before moving his eyes towards her face. He unconsciously gulped when he saw her face. Lina's expression was holding countless feeling but her pure concern was the most evident.
"Gourry," she slowly spoke in a soft tone, still gazing at his crystal blue eyes, "we've been traveling together for a long time now and we have become very close, become…." she stopped for a moment, "…bestfriend," Gourry noticed the sudden unsure in her voice when she had said that word but soon he dismiss it as disappointment washed over him.
"…bestfriend," he echoed her in a weak tone, "..yeah,"
Lina's eyes widen at the tone he had used and hope glimmered in her eyes but as soon as it came, the glint quickly vanishes. A small smile made it's way to her lips, "So, you can tell me anything that bothers you. I…may not seem like it, but…I'm always there for you Gourry like how you're always there for me," she managed to wink at him, to cover up her stuttered words.
Gourry countered her smile with a loving smile of his own. Her words meant a great deal to him and it made him want to tell her everything but…
'Lets see how you get out of this one,'
Gourry kept his smile as he spoke, "I know Lina. But, this problem that I'm having right now, I just can't tell you yet,"
"But you were talking to yourself!"
Gourry stopped her from continuing by placing a finger on her lips. Blush crept to the sorceress' cheek.
"Just trust me on this Lina. When the time is right, you'll be the first one to know. Okay?" Gourry softly spoke as withdrew his finger.
"But-"
"Lina, do you trust me?"
Lina's eyes wavered from his at his question but she somehow force herself to look at him straight in the eyes, "Of course I trust you Gourry," she finally replied. Gourry slowly removed his hand from her grasp and gently placed both hands on her shoulder.
"Actually, there's something I want to ask you, Lina," he spoke in a serious tone.
"O-okay," Lina stammered, wondering what kind of serious question Gourry was going to ask her and then her mind processed something. Her face turned several shades of red while her heart started to thump loudly. 'Could he be asking about…..'
"If you have to choose between the world and….some…thing precious to you, which would you choose?"
Lina mentally fell backwards. When she finally regained back her composure, she let out a sigh, 'I should have known better…' she thought to herself as she push away her own disappointment but there was also a feeling of confusion. 'Why did he ask me this all of a sudden….? Oh well, better answer him,'
"..well, that's easy! I'll take precious something of mine thank you very much!" she answered in a proud tone, hoping to lighten the mood but looking at Gourry's unfazed expression, she knew that he wanted the correct answer from her.
"..but, that would be wrong. The correct choice would be choosing the world," she slowly answered. Her face softens and so does Gourry's.
One hand made it's way on to of her head and Gourry affectionly ruffled her hair and because she was so use to it, it didn't bother her anymore.
"That's right but personally it doesn't matter to me which choice you take because if you ever gotten yourself in that situation, I know that you'll come through for yourself, for the rest of us and for the world. I believe in you Lina. Always have and always will," he spoke gently as a loving smile grazes his lips.
Lina's blush came back full force so she tried to hide it from him by bowing her head as she bashfully replies.
"…thanks, Gourry"
The both of them stayed like that for a while just enjoying each others' presence. It's been a while since they were alone, just the two of them, without any interruption from Zelgadis, Amelia and of course the fruitcake priest.
'C'mon Lina! This is the right time to spill my guts out. It's just the two of us, alone in his room, beside his…bed…' Lina abruptly stopped herself as her face now completely turned crimson. 'Woah there….I've gotten WAY over myself!'
With one big gulp, Lina steeled herself as she tried to express her true feeling for her protector. She bit her lip, "Um, Gourry….I-"
"Gourry-san!"
Lina literally fell backwards this time. Of all the time in the world, Amelia had to appear now. Gourry who was clueless about why Lina had 'fell', walked towards the door and opened it, revealing a worried Amelia.
"Gourry-san! Have you see-ah! There you are Lina-san!" she spoke in relief but then her eyes widen when a thought hit her, "Ahh! Was I disturbing you two?" she suddenly blurted out in distress, afraid that she had just ruin a L/G moment after seeing the sorceress' current face.
Lina's annoyed expression quickly turned into panic, "N-No! W-we were just-" she babbled in a stuttered voice before forcing herself to calm down and relax. She took a huge breath before continuing, "Why were you looking for me?"
"Ah! Zelgadis-san wants to see you in his room," Amelia replied, still wearing her I'm-sorry-that-I-interrupt-your-moment-with-Gourry-san's face.
The sorceress demeanor quickly turned serious as she nod at the princess, "Got it. Amelia, you go on ahead,"
Lina watched the princess scurried along the chimera's room, which was quiet far from Gourry's since each guestrooms in the palace were very large. After the princess' figure had disappeared, Lina walked through Gourry's door and stopped just outside of his room. Without turning to face him, she spoke, "Get some rest Gourry and remember what I've just said," Only then she turned her head so she could see him, "Goodnight, Gourry," she softly said, her lips curved into a rare smile. Before Gourry could respond, she had already closed the door and her shadow beneath the door reluctantly disappear.
"Goodnight Lina," was all the swordsman could say, even though he knew that the words wouldn't reach her. He let out a big sigh.
'Oh, splendid. Glad that's over,'
For a moment, Gourry had forgotten who the voice was but soon it's all coming back to him. "You've been quiet," Gourry spoke, wondering about the sudden absence of Hellmaster during his and Lina's conversation.
'I was using all my will power not to throw up…Seriously, couldn't the love you two emitting get any stronger?'
…..love….?
"W-what are you talking about?" He knew that he has feelings for the sorceress but Lina has…?
'What? Wasn't it clearly and disgustingly obvious? You two love each other so damn much that it sickens me…..'
"Lina….has feelings for me…?"
Lina Inverse, the dramata, the short tempered sorceress who kept 'injuring' him and calling him kurage and yogurt of brain, harbors feelings for him? There is only one word for it…..wow!
'Sigh…you humans are so slow. Tell you what? Just think of this new discovery as a token of my gratitude for sharing this body with me,'
The swordsman's fantasies about Lina quickly disappear. Thoughts about his and Lina's future has to be put on hold since now, in his current condition, was NOT a good time for that.
'Well now that that's over. Shall we begin?'
"…?"
To Be Continue…
Author's Note :
Woah, this must be my longest chapter yet…..Well, just think of it as a repayment for my long absent…Heheheh..
Xellos: Gourry-san and Phibby-san get along so well (smiles)
Zel: …I guess you don't know the meaning of 'getting along well'…By the way, where's Lina?
Amelia: ….Um, I think she's hiding from all the embarrassment in this chapter.
Zel: But, her fancy Gourry is so obvious! There's no need to hide it from us anymore.
Lina: (somewhere backstage) I DON'T FANCY GOURRY!
Zel & Amelia: …right…
Gourry: But I fancy Lina! …I think…What's 'fancy'?
Lina: (still somewhere backstage) …Gourry….
Xellos: Oh god! Not this! Not now! Gotta stop this! (runs to Zel) Zel-kun! I wuv you! Smoooooch!
Zel: Gasp! Get away from me! (starts throwing multiple spells) DIE!
Xellos: Ha! That's better!
Amelia: I don't know if I should get angry or be disgusted….
Wow…you guys…you're….just….oh! damn it! I WUV YOU GUYS TOOO!
Minna: Ack! RUNN!