Amelia opened her eyes, realizing that she was alone in a dark hallway. "Hello? Is anybody there?" When she got no reply, the princess stood up. She walked with her hand running along the walls hoping to find a door. Suddenly she felt a change in the surface and put pressure on it. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the brightness in the new room. Ah, it's a little girl… "Excuse me"
The girl laughed. "So, you finally got here. Are you ready"
"Ready? Who are you? Where am I"
She turned and stood. The princess stepped back in shock. The child looked exactly like her friend Lina, but in a dress and with pigtails. "C'mon, we have to go"
"Miss Lina? How did you"
"Stop asking so many questions!" Lina grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the door. "We don't have much time"
"But"
"Let's go. You have somewhere else to be." She pulled the elder girl out the door. "Look, this place won't stay safe for very long"
"Oh." She began to walk with Lina, noting that the hallway had changed immensely. There were no doors, but several picture frames with the words 'loading' inside them. The child stopped in front of a door. "Where"
"Look, I'm just a guide. Get in there and don't"
"Don't ask too many questions. I won't"
"Good luck." Lina shoved her through the door.
Amelia fell hard to the floor. "Ow…" She got to her feet and looked around. The far wall had a frame on it with the words 'please fill out the form on the table.' The princess was resigned and did as instructed. After filling out what she could, the dark-haired girl was surprised to see a slot and further instructions on the wall. She slid the paper into the slot that was provided. This place is so odd
"It's about time. I was thinking you hadn't"
"Mr. Gourry"
"No time to explain. We have a lot of data to get through"
"All right"
"Just watch the screen for me." He pushed her down in her chair. Pictures began to appear on the screen, slowly at first. Soon they were going by very quickly, but she could tell there was nothing there. It soon stopped completely. "Amelia"
"What was that?" She touched her cheeks and felt the tears on them. Why do I feel so sad
"There's a lot gone, but you'll be able to function. Come with me." Amelia followed, not asking questions. "This is your last stop." He gestured to another door.
"What happens here"
"You have to go in to find out"
"I see." She pushed the door open and went inside.
"Are you all right"
She jumped a little. "I think so." The princess looked at him expectantly. "Who are you"
"It doesn't matter. Do you want to go back"
Exasperated, she asked, "Go back where? I don't know where I am now"
"To your friends and family. You can go or stay, but this is the only chance you'll get to make this decision"
"But you…aren't you one of my friends"
He sighed. "I'm sorry. I can't tell you that"
"I want to…" I want to stay with you, she thought unexpectedly. "I need to go back. If I knew the others, I must know you. I want to know who you are"
"Then go through there." He pointed to a small door. "Don't worry, you'll be fine"
"I hope so." The princess opened the door.
Sairaag…
It had been three days since they had arrived in the city and Amelia was still unconscious. Lina had been trying to figure out what to do, but really had no luck. This looks hopeless. She peeked out to the hallway where Zelgadis was sitting outside the princess's room. "Hey Zel, do you want to take a break"
"I'm fine"
"Alright." The fiery-haired sorceress shut the door. "She'd better wake up before he goes crazy"
"You really think that would happen"
"I don't know. That stuff they were using on her wasn't that strong, but when Zel broke it open…" She stopped, trying to think of an easy way to explain it to Gourry. Simply stated, Amelia didn't have all her memories anymore. The liquid that had dispersed held those memories, but some had gotten on Gourry, Zelgadis, and herself.
"I thought you said that stuff took Amelia's memories"
"Yeah, it did, but only some of them got back to her"
Gourry thought for a moment. "So she wouldn't remember giving Zel her bracelet, huh"
"What? She…" He did get some on him. "So, you have that memory"
"Does that mean Zelgadis does too"
"Probably…" Which may be why
The door opened and the chimera came inside. "Lina, I think you'd better go in there"
"She's awake"
"Yeah." Lina stood and went out without a word.
Amelia blinked her eyes open and slowly sat up. "Where am I?" Dizziness came over her for a moment. You're all right. You're fine, she thought. After a moment, the princess got up. I must be at the Purification Temple. It's the last thing I remember… However, after three days of unconsciousness her legs wouldn't support her weight for very long and she fell halfway across the room. "What…what happened to me"
Her door suddenly came open. "Amelia"
"Miss Lina"
"What are you doing on the floor?" She helped her friend up and set her back on her bed. "How're you feeling"
"All right. Where are we? I don't remember"
"We're in Sairaag. That temple was a bad place to be. You remember being there, right"
"Yes, but…" Amelia hesitated. "I don't remember anything after going inside"
"Well, you did hit your head pretty hard. What's your name and how old are you"
"Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun. I'm eighteen"
"What about your family"
"My father, Prince Phil and my uncle, Christopher"
"Good. What do you know about me"
She smiled. "Lina Inverse. You're known as a bandit killer as well as many other things that would get me in trouble if I said them to your face"
"Where did we first meet"
"When I got Mr. Gourry help me find my father." Her smile faltered a little bit.
Lina quickly asked another question. "What do you remember about Zelgadis"
The princess flinched, but didn't realize she had done it. "I don't know who you're talking about"
Is she for real
"Why did you ask that"
"Because you've known Zelgadis almost as long as you've know me and Gourry"
"But I don't…" I know that name from somewhere, but I can't place it. It feels like… Tears began to run down her cheeks. "Miss Lina"
Lina had an idea. "Well, Zelgadis is your fiancé"
She looked up suddenly. "My fiancé? But why"
"You're an eighteen-year-old princess and the last heir in your family. Don't you think that your dad wants you to get married as soon as possible"
"I guess…" So that's why I feel that way when I hear his name. Amelia blushed. "How can I tell him I don't remember anything about him? I don't even know what he looks like"
"He's here. I could go get him"
"Ah, I don't know. He might"
Lina patted her on the shoulder. "I'll let him know what happened"
"Thank you."
