AN: LOL, ok Moro, there's a little present in here for you. Hopefully it can hold you over till chapter eleven, wherein I'll REALLY mess with Zelly-kun's mind. ^_^ Yes, I am evil. Very evil. Oh, I was way way way hyper when I wrote this. Writing insane Mazoku when hyper is either really effective or really scary. Or both. For further demonstrations on this, go read my songfic (shameless plug). ^_^
Disclaimer: Mmmm....chooooocolate...... Huh? Oh, I don't own Slayers.
* Chapter * 9 *
The next morning dawned cold and gray, and a light drizzle dampened the ground. The travelers awoke to the sound of a distant rumble of thunder. Amelia sighed as she took stock of the soggy situation.
Now even the weather has turned gloomy, the princess muttered.
Things always seem to work like that, Amber said, giving Amelia an ironic half smile.
Come on, no time to grumble about some rain, Lina said, attempting to hurry everyone up. Her eyes were hard as rubies, and it was apparent that she was determined. Whoever this Koutero guy was, he was messing with her friends (even if not directly), and the flame-haired sorceress wasn't gonna stand for that. She was Lina Inverse. She had already faced down demons and Dark Lords. She had been consumed and restored by L-sama Herself. What was confronting one more powerful Mazoku?
Amber and Raven were not as confident about this whole situation. Not only were they wary of any information that came from a Mazoku; but they didn't have the quite the same experience as most of the rest of the troupe had (after all, it's not every sorceress and company who can defeat a handful of Dark Lords; otherwise, there'd be no more Dark Lords left!). So as the party began it's trek towards the Mystics' Cave, the two sorceresses spoke to Zelgadis, asking him about the most effective ways to fight powerful Mazoku.
An hour and a half later, and considerably more damp than when they set out, the group arrived at the Mystics' Cave. Now everyone understood what Raven had meant when she had said that the place stank of evil. The air felt thick with dank humidity that Amelia guessed had little to do with the rain. It was stifling, and the friends felt as though they had to fight for each breath against the oppressive moisture in the air. The ground steamed ever so slightly under their feet as they surveyed the scorched entryway to the cavern.
The darkness within the cave no longer seemed familiar to Faith, but cruel and threatening. The same kind of darkness that had threatened to devour her mind just a few days ago.
Oi, Lina, Gourry whispered, Are you sure this is the right place? The red-head only nodded in response, and the swordsman frowned slightly. It sure doesn't seem like it, he murmured to himself.
Should we go in? Amelia asked hesitantly, staring nervously at the foreboding darkness.
Standing around out here won't do us any good, Lina replied. Grudgingly, Faith, Amelia, and Filia nodded. Amber and Raven were both unsure, but neither was willing to show it. Gourry was prepared to follow Lina, as always, and Zelgadis was ready to help his friends and protect Amelia.
Faith took the first, uncertain steps towards the cave, her desire to see to her only lifelong friend, her adoptive family, overcoming her fear of what this Koutero might have in store. Lina fell into step beside the half breed, and the rest of the group followed along behind. Xellos decided he should follow them in and gather as much information as he could. Slowly, the troupe made it's way deeper and deeper into the cave. As they came to the back wall of the cave, Faith pressed her hand into her chest, as if her heart were aching terribly.
Something is very, very wrong, she choked out, sounding as though she might get sick. She stopped walking and the others followed suit. Amber had pressed her fists into her temples and her eyes squeezed shut as though trying to block out some horrible image.
Ah, at last! cried a new voice, My guests have arrived! Everyone started, including Xellos, and searched around for the source of the baritone voice. They spun to find their path blocked by a very...unexpected man.
THIS is the horrible Koutero we have to fight!? Amelia shrieked as she stared, dumbfounded at the man in front of her.
Remember Hellmaster Phibrizo, Amelia, Zelgadis said, Appearance is no measure of power.
Wise words indeed, young man! cried the man. Faith and Lina pushed their way past their friends to get a good look at the intruder. Lina almost laughed.
Before them stood an attractive man, with hair the color of fresh snow and eyes the greenish white of sea-foam. Tan skin covered his striking facial features and perfectly proportioned muscular arms. But the most...intriguing factor in his appearance was the fact that he stood just under four and a half feet tall.
Taking a deep breath to regain her composure (and remind herself that this creature WAS a Mazoku), Lina turned her ruby glare on the tiny man.
Look buddy, the fiery sorceress said, I don't know what you think you're doing here, but no one gets away with attacking my friends, even if indirectly--
Or kidnapping my Val-chan! Filia cried hoarsely.
You shall face the power of justice for the evil deeds you have committed! Amelia added, striking a few awe-inspiring poses. Lina picked back up without missing a beat.
So give us back Val and get ready to face the consequences of messing with the beautiful sorcery genius, Lina Inverse!
Ano, Lina, Gourry muttered, Don't you think it would be better to threaten him AFTER we get Val back? Lina spun and glared at him.
Are you questioning my judgment? she growled. Gourry put his hand up defensively.
No! No, of course not! he said quickly. Lina nodded in satisfaction and turned her attention back to the Mazoku in front of them while Gourry heaved a silent sigh of relief. Koutero seemed to be deep in thought.
Hmm, Val you say? he asked as if puzzling over it. Ah, do you mean this charming little Ancient Dragon? With a snap of his fingers, baby Val appeared, suspended in mid-air. Amelia was surprised for a moment to see that the child was not human in appearance, but dragon. Then she reminded herself that Val WAS, after all, a dragon. The human forms that he and Filia wore were not their true forms. So the only clue to Lina, Gourry, Amelia, and Zelgadis that this white dragon-child in front of them was Val was the tuft of green hair growing from the top of his head down his neck like a small mane.
Filia screamed, trying to rush forward and grab her adopted son, but Xellos held her back. The white-haired Mazoku turned to stare at them. Or more specifically, he stared at Xellos.
You... Hmm, I remember you, he said, his white-green eyes glazing over ever so slightly as he seemed to get lost in a world of his own for a moment. You almost stepped on me once, long long ago. Your energy was so different than the others, so so different; BUT, you were still too much like them.
Xellos, what is he babbling about? Lina hissed. The priest looked genuinely confused, and shrugged, still holding onto the struggling Filia by her arm.
I told you I brushed against his energy once, but other than that, I have no idea, he said, sounding about as confused as Xellos ever sounded.
Well, you did say this Koomaro guy was crazy, didn't you? Gourry asked, scratching his head. Don't crazy people not make sense?
Very very very true young human! Koutero cried, pointing at Gourry. The swordsman looked up in shock at the sudden outburst form the Mazoku. Of course, my brand of what has been labeled insanity' by those overstuffed stagnant trolls that the world calls Dark Lords is far more complex than a simple matter of not making any sense! They have simply not allowed their minds to reach the complex level of thought that I have reached in my years of exile.
Talk about being delusional and in denial, Zelgadis muttered under his breath, raising an eyebrow at the white-haired man. Apparently, the Mazoku's sharp ears picked up the comment though, and in an instant, his pale eyes had focused on the shaman, narrowing to dangerous slits.
Your puny mind could never begin to comprehend the things that I have learned, human! I know more of the mysteries of this world and the others than you could ever dream! And with this knowledge, I will succeed in doing that which every other member of my race has failed in doing! I, Koutero, Lord of Terror, will single-handedly destroy the balance of this world and send it reeling back into chaos! Koutero snapped, and before anyone could react, the powerful Mazoku sent out a burst of energy that hit Zelgadis full in the chest, slamming the shaman back against the wall of the cave like a rag doll.
Amelia cried, rushing to his side while the others kept a wary eye on Koutero.
I... I think I said something that hit a nerve, Zel said through gritted teeth. He reached up and touched the back of his head with his right hand and his fingers came back covered in blood. He could feel his left arm was broken, and his back protested loudly when he tried to move. Amelia grew pale when she saw the blood on his fingers, but she did her best to shake it off and began to heal him.
Everyone stared at Zelgadis, then turned back to look at the once-again-smiling Mazoku who had effortlessly smashed their friend against the wall.
See, I knew this would be simple once my plan got rolling! Koutero announced happily. With four of the worlds's most central balance points destroyed, chaos will begin to devour everything! He cast a glance around at the motley troupe before him, his eyes dancing with laughter. And the beautiful irony of it is, the central balance point will help me to do it! he added with a laugh.
What in the hells are you babbling about? Faith growled, not liking this in the least. She could feel the power radiating off of Koutero, and it was making her very uneasy. Part of it was the cold, dark energy that was a common thread among Mazoku...but there was something else. Something terribly familiar. A tendril of dread wrapped around her mind as she recognized the sickening, devouring blackness that had threatened to destroy her mind a few days ago. But... there was still something else, something even more dreadful, and something more familiar. Faith closed her eyes and reached out with her mind, following the thread that connected her to the cave to touch the very heart of it, something she hadn't done since the attack...
And screamed as she clutched her chest and stumbled back, reeling from the pain and confusion that assailed her senses.
Amber and Raven cried. What's wrong!? Faith blinked back tears and fought to regain her composure, recoiling and pulling away from the usually comforting presence of the life essence of the cave.
He... He's tapped into the heart of the cave, he's pushed his own power into it! He's twisted the very life of the cave, it's like it doesn't even know me anymore! The young woman looked and sounded as though she was trying very hard to keep from sobbing. Her voice cracked and was strained, and her eyes began to glow bloody as she turned her glare on Koutero.
Wait, do you mean to imply that this cave is the balance point from the battle between Ceiphied and Shabranigdo?! Lina demanded. The Mazoku simply grinned cheerily at them.
Well, at least you've finally figured it out. Not very swift, are you? he sighed, looking around at the people before him, as if disappointed. I had hoped this might be more fun, he pouted, But alas, genius must suffer the fools that too often surround it.
Zelgadis growled, struggling to his feet with Amelia's help.
Now you've gone and done it, Lina growled, her eyes blazing with fury. Gourry had drawn his sword and stood ready to do what he could. Amber and Raven had taken up fighting stances, both ready to let loose a spell at a moment's notice. Faith's eyes were fully glowing crimson again, and her hands had become claw-like. Filia struggled in Xellos' grip as he kept her from rushing up to grab Val.
Let me go, namagomi! Filia cried, trying to wrench her arm from the priest's grip.
I'd be happy to oblige you; however, for some strange reason, I'm actually not in the mood to watch Koutero kill you, Xellos snapped. Now be a good dragon and calm yourself down enough to fight sensibly, and maybe you can save that child's life. Filia was stunned out of her panic by the unexpected words from the Mazoku.
If I didn't know better,' she thought, I'd say he really cared about what happened to me and Val.' She ceased her struggles, and Xellos released her arm. They both looked up to discover that the battle had begun without them. Xellos watched Lina charging at Koutero through a storm of spells while Gourry tried to grab Val and get the child to safety. This all lasted for about a split second before the world froze around them all. Not even Xellos had time to react, since he'd been too distracted by trying to keep Filia from essentially committing suicide. And now the others had done precisely what he'd been trying to keep the dragon from doing.
Oh hells,' Xellos thought before he and everyone else saw nothing but blackness.
End notes: Ok, the next few chapters might be slower in coming, since I have an evil paper and three tests next week (stupid frickin college, taking up my precious fanfic writing time with useless studying and crap). Once I have the time, though, they should get written fast (I hope I hope). Fear not, loyal readers! I shall defeat the evil school-work demon and return to working on the IMPORTANT things (namely, fan fictions). Anyhoo, R&R, maybe you can inspire me to get my essay out of the way faster. ^_^