Hell's Breaking Point
Chapter XIV – Naga's Comeback
Disclaimer: I do not own Slayers, …..sigh…
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
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"Ohohohohoo!"
Lina instinctly plugged her ears with her fingers (even Zelgadis was cringing) and quickly shut her eyes as she turned to the opposite direction of the horrible laughter, hoping that if she ignored it, 'the woman' will leave her alone…
…but was she so damn wrong…
"I've finally found you Lina Inverse!"
Still having her back facing 'the woman', Lina replied, "Ohohoho! Ah, you must have mistaken me with someone else. My name is Sophia!" using her most high pitched voice. Zelgadis looked at her in total confusion.
…Sophia...? …where have I heard that name…?
The person snorted at her respond, "Like I would not recognize that pancake chest and that unshapely body of yours, Lina!" she ended with another round of 'ohohohoho's.
"P-PANCAKE?" Lina roared as she turned to glare at the 'woman', "After all these years, you still have the guts to insult my breast? Eh, Naga!" she screamed as she stomped one angry foot in front of her and another….and another…
As for Zelgadis. Being the intelligent chimera he is, he knew when not to butt in in a dangerous situation…especially if it involved Lina. But he did had a hard time taking his eyes off Naga's skimpy cloth. He may not know about the latest fashion, but that is one very bizarre clothing…
A sweat trickled down Naga's cheek. Finally she had found Lina but she didn't want to suffer from her wrath on their reunion, "Uh, c'mon now, Lina-chan. We finally got reunited again…Let's put away that..that scary scowl of yours and put on a smile instead…Y-you know! Greet each other….and then talk about the good old times!" Naga pleaded with a strained smile as she retreated a bit from the fuming sorceress.
A wicked grin crept up Lina's lips and that, Naga knew, was not a good sign.
"Okay. I'll greet you! With this! DILL BRAND!"
Naga managed to let out a yelp before the earth exploded underneath her feet. Smoke, dust and small chunks of dirt flew in the air, covering Naga's figure from Lina's sight.
Minutes later…
"Y-you're still as violent as ever, Lina…" Naga managed to mumble as she sprawled on the ground, twitching slightly.
"Hmph! Well you're as arrogant as ever, Naga!" Lina scoffed at her as she folded her arms, "What brings you to this part of land? Just to find me and insult my figure?" her voice dripped with anger and sarcasm.
"Ugh, that stings," Naga whined to herself as she sat on the ground, crossed legs, "Actually…" Lina looked at her, surprised at the sudden seriousness in her voice, "..I heard what happened to Seyruun last night…" Naga drooped her head, her long bangs hiding her expression.
"Eh? That fast?"
"How's Seyruun's state?" Naga asked in a low tone.
Why is she so concern about Seyruun? Lina asked herself but she decided to answer her so-called rival, "Well, a part of the city was destroyed but we managed to scare off the attacker," ..scare off…yeah right… Lina thought solemnly. But no one needs to know that.
"How about the palace?"
Again, Lina was surprised by Naga's sudden concern towards Seyruun, "Uh, the palace is fine. No royalties were harm. Lets see…the King of Seyruun, Phil, Christopher, and Amelia were fine the last time I checked on them," Lina ticked the names off with her fingers, one by one.
A sigh could be heard coming from Naga, "I see,"
"…Naga..?"
The tall woman got back on her feet, "So I guess that means you weren't able to stop the attacker! I guess you can't do anything without me in the team!" Naga spoke. This time her tone was back to her arrogant type as she smirked at Lina.
"What did you say?" Lina countered in anger and in annoyance.
"By the way Lina, who's that?" Naga pointed to the silent chimera, "Oh, let me guess! Your boyfriend?" she spoke in a teasingly manner.
Both Lina and Zelgadis blushed.
"N-NO!"
"Oh, c'mon now Lina! You don't have to hide it from me!"
"I said no, okay! Can you stop it already! Oi, Zel! Tell her! Tell her that you already have Amelia!"
Zelgadis' blush doubled, Well you have Gourry! He yelled in his head although he didn't have the courage to voice it out…
"AMELIA!" It came from a very shocked and slightly angry Naga.
"Eh? Do you know her, Naga?"
"N-no…O-of course not! Ohohoho! Don't be silly!" Even though Naga had said that, she was glaring daggers at the blushing chimera.
Lina cleared her throat in embarrassment, "W-well anyway. Where are you heading Naga?" She had to change the topic NOW.
"I should be asking you the same thing!"
The petite sorceress looked at her ex-companion for a while as she had second thoughts on telling her the reason for this two person journey. But, past experience told her to trust Naga. Even though the White Serpent could be a BIG pain in the butt, she could also be very useful in battles…..sometime. So in the end, she had told Naga everything there is to know.
"So, basically, you're trying to find a way to destroy the Mazoku who had possessed your tall, buff and long blond haired companion's body?" Naga repeated again, just to make sure that she got all the details right.
"Yeah,"
Hmm, this man must be important to her if she's willingly to face one of the dark lord's subordinate without any reward...Naga thought to herself, "So, this Gourry…That's your real boyfriend?"
"WHAT?" Lina blushed...yet again.
Hah! Zelgadis mentally smirked to himself, It's payback time Lina!
"N-No! He…he's just…H-he's just….uhh…." Now it was Lina's turn for her blush to doubled as she was lost for words.
"Ohohohoho! You're so easy to read Lina!"
"A-all you need to know that he's a far more reliable companion that you! A-anyway! We can't waste anymore time!" Lina suddenly blurted out as to change the subject.
Naga frowned at her statement, "What! Are you saying that I'm not reliable enough for you!" she yelled back, feeling very insulted.
"Yes!"
"What?"
"Calm down you two!" the chimera finally had the guts to speak out. Naga glared at him, making him feel very uncomfortable but fortunately for him, she didn't yell back.
"So, are you going to invite me into this journey of yours?" Naga asked after a while.
Lina reluctantly took a moment to think about the offer as she cupped her chin, "Nope!"
Naga was clearly taken back, "What! You're going to ignore your eternal riv-!"
"I have another mission for you," Lina cut her off, "I want you to keep an eye on Gourry for me," she looked back at her. Oh well, she'll need all the help she can get…even if it means getting help from the skimpy, gold fish poop sorceress…
The tall sorceress looked at her petite companion as if she was crazy, "You're kidding, right! Why would I waste my precious life and wondrous beauty for that suicide mission?" Lina's eyes twitched at her snobbish reply.
"Well you're the one who said not to ignore my so-called eternal rival!"
"Well I don't want to keep an eye on someone who has been possessed by one of Shabranigdo's subordinate! Who knows what will happen to me if he finds out that I'm spying on him!"
"But Hellmaster has never seen your face and beside this will be a good idea to keep track on his plan!"
"The answer is still no!"
Cht! How stubborn can she be! Lina thought wryly. Then an idea hit her, Maybe I could bribe- uh, I mean reward her with something….
"What if I give you a priceless, valuable and precious item for doing the job?" Lina bargained with a small smile.
Naga's ears twitched at the proposal but she forced herself to refuse it, "Hmph! Nothing is worth my priceless life!"
"Uh, how about…how about…" Damn you Naga! C'mon Lina, think! Think of something, "….the Hikari No Ken!" Ooops…that did not just slip out…oh, crap! Lina thought in alarm.
Even Zelgadis had his mouth dropped by her sudden proposal.
"T-t-t-t-t-t-t-the Hikari No Ken! The legendary sword which was used to slain the Demon Beast Zanaffar? You have that sword?" there was a crazy glint in Naga's eyes.
"N-no! The sword is mine! I-I'll give you something else-!"
"If it's not the Hikari No Ken then you can say goodbye to that spying mission," Naga cut her off quickly.
Damn it! Me and my big mouth! "Okay, fine! You won, okay! But, Gourry has the sword so in order for you to get it; you'll have to help us defeat Hellmaster first!" Lina exclaimed in an annoyed tone. The chimera's jaw dropped even lower.
…unless I steal it from him first… Naga grinned from ear to ear, "Okay Lina! You got yourself a deal!" she shook her hand with Lina's reluctant hand in agreement, "So, where's this Gourry anyway?"
The petite sorceress glared at the grinning and enthusiastic Naga for a while before answering, "Hellmaster said to meet him in Sairaag in seven days but I'll bet he won't just go straight to Sairaag. He'll probably stop by the towns on his way,"
"How can you be sure?"
With him possessing Gourry's body, I'm sure he'll stop to every restaurant he can find, "Just call it my woman's intuition," Lina grinned back at her.
Naga stared at her in confusion, "…you have a woman's intuition? …But you don't look like a woman…" Then her usual arrogant smile appeared, "…with that breast of yours! Ohohohoho!"
Lina immediately growled at her, "Y-you over-flated breast witch! Don't you have a job to do! Mega Brando!"
"Aiiiiieeeeee!"
A smile of relief crossed Lina's lips as she watched Naga being blasted off towards possibly Hellmaster's current location, "Phew, glad that's over," she spoke cheerfully before turning to the still-in-silence chimera, "Gee Zel. You've been quiet the whole time. Don't you have any curious question about that more-stuck-up-than-Martina woman?"
The chimera folded his arms, "…I don't think I want to know anything about the relationship between you and that woman…"
"Good!"
"But why did you send her to that dangerous mission?"
"Trust me. I've spent enough time with her to know that she's indestructible…Naga will be fine," Lina replied back, as old memories of when Naga kept surviving from her Dragu Slave popped into her mind…
"Okay…Another question please,"
Lina looked at him puzzily, "What?"
"Why did you just bargained Gourry's Hikari No Ken to her?"
Lina froze for a moment, "Eep. Hehe, but don't worry! I'll do something about it!"
Zelgadis' narrowed his eyes at her, "…uh-huh…But, she seems to be the persistent type. Your blow-up-people-and steal-their-treasure-and-then-run away plan won't work against her,"
"Well, Naga is not going to take my Hikari No Ken just like that! No way I'm gonna let that happen! I'll find some way, if it's the last thing I'll do! I'll stake my life on it! Kyahahaha!" the sorceress put both hands on her hips as she laugh maniacally. Zelgadis sweatdropped…
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"Damnit! Could you stop that growling!"
(It's not my fault that my stomach's hungry!)
"Well stop it from growling then!"
(It'll only stop the growling when it's stuffed with food!)
"Gaaaaah! Fine! Lets stuffed it with food then!"
(Yaay!)
"Cht!"
It was the most bizarre thing to look at; a man yelling to himself. One could think that he was just lonely and was longing for a companion…
Wow, what a load of bull…
Anyway, all eyes were on him as he trudged grudgingly through a small town just outskirts of Seyruun, searching for a restaurant to dine.
"..damn it! Your, my, I mean our stomach is starting to feel weird…." Phibrizzo whined to Gourry as he rubbed his still-growling stomach.
(Well, that's another sign that we need to eat)
"…..ugghh…" Hellmaster moaned.
(…..You know, what happened to that kid who kept following me back in Seyruun?)
"The kid? He's still following us from behind. See," Phibrizzo spoke as he turned his head to face behind him so that Gourry could see and like he had just said, the boy was quietly following them, not far away.
(B-but, I didn't even sense his presence…!)
Hellmaster let out an amused laugh, "He's good, isn't he? His great talent is the only reason why I kept him in the first place," But Gourry wasn't listening to him as his attention was glued to the grim faced boy. Even though the boy had tried to threaten him before, somehow, now, looking at him walking with a slight frown on his face, Gourry felt sorry for the boy.
(…why don't you let him join our brunch?)
"Why? It's against my nature to help other beings especially humans," Hellmaster replied back in an emotionless tone.
(….but..!)
A sudden crashing sound startled the two of them as Phibrizzo halt himself.
"….!" he swirled himself towards the direction of the sound. Even the boy was copying his action. Not far from there, smoke or most probably clouds of dust were flying upwards, filling the air.
(..what happened..?)
Hellmaster didn't reply as he stood still, his eyes narrowed at the rising clouds of dust before turning back in front of him, "Lets just find someplace to eat…" he finally spoke as continued walking with the boy slowly on his trails.
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In a nearby restaurant…
(Hehe, it's a good thing you ordered set A! I can't get enough of meat! But I don't think this will be enough though…)
Phibrizzo was currently busy chowing down the meal in front of him when Gourry was 'talking' to him. Taking a couple of gulps from his drink, he set the glass back on the table, '…you know. You've being awfully friendly lately…' he replied back as he grabbed another chicken wing to munch on.
Gourry didn't reply instantly…
(To tell you the truth, I can't forgive you for what you did last night…)
'What? Ah, that kiss incident..?'
(You toyed with Lina's feelings! That look she had when you kissed her….I could never forget that expression…)
'It was exquisite, wasn't it?'
(!...but, I realized that getting angry and furious at you won't help the situation. That's why I forced myself to cope with you…for the time being…)
'For the time being? What makes you think that you'll be free from me?'
(Because Lina will defeat you…)
'Heh! The only thing Lina Inverse will do is cast the Giga Slave!'
(No, she won't. She'll never cast it!)
'She had done it before, what makes you think that she won't do it again?'
(Because…..because I believe in her…)
"You-!"
"Master!" the boy popped out of nowhere and was currently standing beside him. Hellmaster looked at him and saw the boy nudged his head towards the outside of the restaurant. Understanding what the boy was indicating, Phibrizzo quickly stood up from his chair, spat out the chicken bone in his mouth, gripped the hilt of the Hikari No Ken, and slowly made his way outside the building.
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Naga was crouching on the ground, trying to come up with a strategy to accomplish her spying mission.
Kyuuu….How am I suppose to do this…Just watching him from afar isn't going to get me anywhere…I need to hear some of his conversation with Lina's Gourry if I want to find out about his plans…
'A-all you need to know that he's a far more reliable companion that you!' Lina's earlier statement echoed in her mind. Anger and frustration started to build up in her.
The nerve of her saying like that! Hmph, to let a Mazoku easily possess his body…that's what she calls reliable!
Naga gripped her fists, "I'll show that Lina! I'll show her that this Gourry is not even in league with me!" she suddenly yelled out loud.
"Lina? Are you perhaps referring to Lina Inverse?"
Naga quickly turned to face the owner of that voice. Her eyes went wide when she saw her prey standing in front of her, his hand gripped the hilt of his sword.
That must be my Hikari No Ken! She thought in glee and then reality hit her hard, Um, okay this is not the right time for that…
"One of her companion I presume?" Hellmaster spoke as his lips curved into a wicked grin and his grip on the sword's hilt grew tighter.
To Be Continue…
Ranting :
Sorry for the late update. My modem was having some technical difficulties…
Lina : Yay!
But now I've got a new and a more reliable modem!
Lina : Booo!
Sorry if Naga's a little OOCin this story…I think she is anyway…
Lina : No, she's the same!
But I'll try to make her more Naga-in-the-anime like!
Lina : Noooooo!
R&R please!
Lina : Nooo..Uh, I mean yeeees please!