AN: Ok...so it's been over a year and a half since I wrote a word on this story...but now I want to finish it. So if any of my old readers are still around, feel free to beat me senseless for waiting so long. And any new readers, enjoy my monstrosity...(though by the time you get to this AN, you'll have already read most of it, heh)
Disclaimer: I don't own Slayers...hell, at this point, I barely own my story
* Chapter * 17 *
Faith's head was still reeling from the effort of pulling Amber back from the depths of Amber's own mind, not to mention the added shock of suddenly being much closer than she ever expected to Amber, Filia, and Xellos; but in spite of her relative confusion, she could still see as soon as she looked around the clearing that now Amelia was up as well, looking around as if to make sure that the rest of the party were all ok. The only odd thing was that the young cleric kept trying to wipe her hands on her tunic every so often.
So that meant that at last, everyone in their party was fully conscious again... well, everyone except for baby Val who seemed to have decided that it was now nap time, and was happily snoozing away as Raven handed him back to Filia.
Well, that was interesting, Xellos said cheerfully. Faith and Amber didn't say anything, but Filia cast Xellos an odd look -- as if she wanted to ask him something, but then decided against it. The golden dragon did look decidedly confused, though, as she was rather absently rocking Val in her arms and staring off into space.
It only took a few moments for Lina to come over and make sure the rest of her party was intact, casting her piercing ruby gaze over everyone in turn.
All right, the young sorceress said, summoning Zel, Amelia, and Gourry over to her so that the whole group could talk together, except for Xellos who wandered off to the side and sat against a tree with one of his unreadable masks plastered on his face again.
So let me get this straight, the redhead said, pacing back and forth, Koutero locked each of us inside our own minds, facing our worst fears. Everyone nodded, and Amelia and Raven both shivered slightly.
Maybe there's some way to block him from getting into our minds like that, Faith said, trying to think of a possibility.
Why, though? Amelia asked in a whisper. Everyone turned their eyes on the young princess, who had her arms wrapped around herself.
What do you mean? Gourry asked her, scratching his head in confusion, Why wouldn't we want to stop him from doing that again? Amelia shook her head slightly, and her voice quavered slightly.
That's not what I meant... I meant... Well, why would we have to go and face him again? We did get Val back... Amelia muttered, trailing off.
Lina said in surprise, staring at the princess, unsure of how to respond. Lina hadn't expected that kind of attitude from justice-driven Amelia. But it wasn't every day that the young woman was confronted with her deepest fears; and Lina did have to admit that everyone, herself included, was more than a little unnerved by the events of the day.
But Koutero still has my cave, Faith said, And the cave is as alive as you or I, or Val, and just as in need of saving. Amelia didn't say anything, she only sat staring down at her hands, folded in her lap, and sighed. Faith stared down at the ground, and thought for a moment before she spoke next.
But you don't have to go back there, the half-breed said. None of you do. The cave is in my care, as I am in it's, so I have to go back; but none of you should have to put yourselves back into danger like that, Faith added with a glance at Amber, who still looked rather unsteady.
Very brave, Faith-chan, Xellos remarked, Not to mention very stupid. Faith looked as though she was going to protest, but Xellos cut her off. Have you forgotten already what Koutero said about destroying the balance points of the world?
That's right, Lina said, If you go back there by yourself, and something happens to you and the cave, who knows what might happen to the balances in the world. Besides, I have never backed down from a fight, and I'm not about to start now, the firey sorceress added with a nod of her head. Gourry nodded slightly, knowing that when Lina made up her mind, he was resigned to follow her. Zelgadis and Amelia looked hesitant, but still knew that if the troup went back to the cave, they would follow their friends. Raven had a look of desperate determination on her face.
We all need to go back. We can't just let that bastard demon get away with this, the amber haired woman said. Everyone blinked in surprise and turned to face Raven. No one expected that kind of outburst from the usually quiet woman. Slowly, everyone nodded. Except for Amber, who had simply grown pale.
I'm not going back, Amber murmured. Faith and Raven turned to their dark-haired friend. m not going back. I'm not going to risk having my mind raped again.
But if we don't go back, Faith might die! Raven exclaimed.
Fine. You all can go back. But I'm not. Amber was regaining her color, and was standing up steadily now. Faith stared at her friend in disbelief. It wasn't simply the fact that she didn't want to go back to the cave... Faith cold at least understand that, since she had felt the pain in Amber's mind after her ordeal. It was the fact that Amber was so callous to the situation. She really didn't seem to give a damn what happened to them. Faith thought for a moment about what she had felt when her mind had brushed against Amber's... she had felt a cold, dark energy. At first she'd thought it was Xellos... but now she couldn't help wondering what extent of damage Koutero had really done to the woman who had once been such a loyal friend.
Amber, I think Koutero might have left a connection between the two of you in your mind-- Faith began, but Amber shot her a dirty look.
Don't you think I would have sensed something like that? she snapped. Faith was so taken aback, she didn't know what to say. The hells with all this. I don't need you second guessing my abilities, and trying to put me in situations where I'd probably lose my mind. Hell, you're half demon anyway, maybe this has all been one big game between you and Koutero, or Xellos. Either way, I'll be damned if I'm going to continue along with you suicidal bunch. With that, Amber picked up her cloak from the ground, threw it over her shoulders with a flourish, turned around and stalked away from the stunned and silenced group.
I don't understand, Amelia finally whispered. She was your friend. Why would she do that?
There was a demon shadow in her mind... like she's infected by evil, Faith whispered.
Indeed, I sensed it as well, Xellos said. Filia simply nodded and held Val close to her chest. Gourry looked puzzled.
How could it have made her change so fast? the swordsman wondered.
The greater potential a person has to succumb to such things determines how quickly they can change, Faith began, but saw the blank look on Gourry's face, so decided to make it simpler. I guess Amber had a much larger dark side than I ever realized.
I didn't see this coming either, Faith-chan, Raven said, wrapping her arm around her friend's waist.
Look, I know that this is crappy for you two, Lina said, But if anything, this just proves how powerful Koutero is, what a danger he can present. We need to stop him, and we need to get a move on now. And if we're going to kill this demon, we're going to need a plan. So we need to focus now. The sorceress's angry and determined face wavered for a moment as she looked at Faith and Raven. Besides, maybe when we kill him, your friend will get back to normal. The women gave each other weak smiles, and the group huddled around to brainstorm a way to kill a Mazoku who fights in the plane of the mind.
End Notes: This chapter might help ya understand why the end of this story has been so long in coming. I know the stuff with Amber was very abrupt, but that's the way it goes, folks. Anyhoo, please R&R. Comments only take a moment. :)