The Price of Self

Chapter: 2

The Confrontation

Next chapter up. I going to be having fun with working on my action scenes here so I hope you all enjoy and keep the reviews coming please.

Lina rose early that morning as the sun began to rise in the sky. She looked out the window for a moment before thinking, 'Well, time to get ready.'

After she had finished taking a quick bath she came back into her room and sat in front of her mirror. She took out her comb and began to brush her hair as was her usual morning ritual. After a few minutes of brushing Lina set the comb down and turned to her outfit. She sighed as she dressed because of what she knew was coming. 'I have to fight Zelgadis again...I'm not going to fool myself here he can be a dangerous opponent if he has no inhibitions,' she thought as she finished putting on her should guards.

Lina then fastened her rapier at her side before going out the door and heading downstairs. She got to the tavern and was surprised to find Gourry already awake and eating. "Hey, Lina! Look at all the food they're giving us!"

Lina smiled slightly before sitting down and fixing her plate. Her movements and eating habits were much slower this morning and even Gourry noticed that this was not the usual Lina. "What's wrong," he asked with a worried look.

"It's just that this is Zelgadis we'll be going up against and not some out of control mazuko. He's our friend and yet we can't take it easy because he is quite dangerous in his own right...I'm just not happy with this at all," Lina sighed before popping a grape into her mouth.

Gourry nodded before saying, "It'll be like that time when we went after Rezo at his tower and then Zelgadis started attacking us," before placing his chin on his hand in a thinking posture.

Lina facefaulted into her plate of food. After a moment she sat up and quickly wiped the food off before glaring at Gourry. "How can you remember that and then just yesterday not remember to not talk about that time of the month right now," Lina shouted at him.

Gourry nodded and said, "Ohh, yeah it is that time of the month for you isn't it..."

The swordsman did not finish his sentence as he was socked in the head by Lina's fist. Gourry flew into the next table before crashing to the floor with Lina yelling, "Gourry just be quiet and let's go!"

Lina stormed outside the inn with the somewhat beaten Gourry in tow as they headed out into the forest to hunt their friend.

After about three hours Lina sat under a tree as she held her head. 'I don't know what is worse...dealing with that time of the month or dealing with Gourry,' Lina thought as her bad mood continued.

She sighed before looking up to see Gourry coming back towards her. He stopped and smiled while saying, "Well, still no sign of Zel. Are you ready to move again?"

Lina nodded and stood up as she was about to start walking she heard a voice she recognized, "You haven't seen me because I've been following you."

As both Lina and Gourry drew into defensive stances a shape jumped out of a tree and landed in front of them. Lina's eyes widened as she looked upon her long time friend. Zelgadis stood in front of them in a tattered rag of an outfit. His cloak was gone and his shirt was getting to the point of nonexistent. His pants and belts where in order and well but his shoes were missing. He stood in front of them with an evil smirk on his face as his red eyes glowed unnaturally, "Zel what has happened to you," Lina asked as she started to approach him.

Gourry put a hand on Lina's shoulder and stopped her from moving before saying, "That's not our Zelgadis."

Zelgadis smirked before replying sarcastically, "The dumbass finally gets something right. I'm much better than your Zelgadis...I'm here with nothing holding me back and now I can test myself against Lina Inverse."

Zelgadis took off with his demon speed going directly for Lina. As Lina went to draw her rapier Zelgadis appeared right in front of her ready to strike. Lina rolled back as a loud metallic sound rang over the area. After recovering from her roll Lina looked up to see that Gourry had parried Zelgadis' strike with his blade at the last minute. The two men stood in a duel of strength as sword when against stone hand. It was about this moment Zelgadis smiled and said, "Rule number one. Never leave yourself open."

Zelgadis then dropped down and spun on his right heel. His left leg shot out as he swept Gourry's legs out from under him. As Gourry flew into the air Zelgadis sprung up like a wild cat as he kept in his spin. As Zelgadis hit the peak of his leap his leg shot out to kick Gourry in the side. Gourry went flying into a tree with a loud crack from the brutal blow. Zelgadis landed gracefully on his feet as he looked at Gourry sprawled out on the ground coughing. Zelgadis then turned his attention to Lina before saying, "Now that the announce is out of the way I can test my true ability against you."

Lina backed up slightly as she drew her rapier and replied, "Zel, listen to me. I don't want to fight you...fight it Zel!"

Zelgadis threw his head back in laughter before moving forward slowly and replying, "We'll you might not want to fight but I'm not giving you a choice. You can either fight and die with some dignity or you can die like a coward. One way or another I will...," before he was cut off short by a flash of light.

Zelgadis jumped away from the spot before landing in a low crouch about ten feet away. He glared with hatred at Gourry who now stood in front of Lina with the sword of light drawn. The blood swordsman's stance was a bit dull and he had blood running from a cut on his head but he stood strong before saying, "If you even touch her I'll make sure you regret it."

Zelgadis laughed as he stood to his full height and replied, "My ever the faithful dog you are. No matter how bad she treats you you still protect her. Walk away and you won't have to die...all I want is Lina Inverse."

Gourry steeled himself before readjusting his stance and replying, "You can say what you want but I belong right here. I belong in-between you and her."

Zelgadis laughed before replied, "Fine, then you will be the first causality. Now, as a reward for your stupidity you'll be the first to see one of my new techniques."

Lina watched from behind Gourry as Zelgadis motioned for a spell but she could not hear the spoken components. After a few moments Zelgadis levitated up into the air before both his hands became encircled in flames. Zelgadis then moved both his hands together which caused the flames to spread down his body. In an instant the flames exploded and Zelgadis' body was engulfed. He looked down at Gourry before shouting out the name of the spell, "Inferno Rush," and taking off at the swordsman at incredible speed.

Before Lina could react she was shoved out of the way by Gourry. Lina watched as Gourry swung at Zelgadis just to have the two clash as fire met light. The two clashed until Gourry pushed Zelgadis off to the side and the shaman blazed into a patch of trees catching them alight. Gourry turned and watched for the chimera but did not see any sign of him. "Do you see him Lina?"

"No...I don't...," Lina froze as an arm wrapped around her neck.

Gourry looked back to see Zelgadis with his arm wrapped around Lina's neck. 'If he squeezes then Lina won't be able to fight back,' Gourry thought as he lowered his blade and let the light go.

"Good boy," Zelgadis smirked before moving his other hand out and shouting, "Bomb di Wind!"

The gust of wind shoot out and knocked Gourry back into the burning forest. "Gourry," Lina yelled as she tried to run to him but was reminded she was being held.

"Oh no, we have business to finish my dear. Why haven't you attacked me surely it can't be because you actually feel you can win by talking," Zelgadis inquired as he stood behind Lina.

Lina sighed before an idea came to her, 'Whatever has happened maybe I can jog some of his memory.'

Lina then looked back at Zelgadis with the best vulnerable look she could muster before saying, "It's...It's that time of the month."

Lina watched with hidden enthusiasm as the smirk on Zelgadis' face slipped. His eyes seemed to dull as he looked at her. Before he could say anything Lina added, "So if you did beat me now it would be just like when we meet. You would only prove that you could beat me at my weakest."

Much to Lina's surprise she was released quickly as if she burned Zelgadis. She spun before landing on her bottom and looked up to see Zelgadis holding his head before he said, "Not...Not again I will not do that again."

"You'll do whatever you have to...these emotions will only make you weak," Zelgadis replied to himself while staggering forward.

"I...I...will not hurt her anymore," Zelgadis shouted before a white light erupted around his body.

Lina watched as the light engulfed Zelgadis' body and shot into the sky. After of moment the light disappeared before Zelgadis fell to his knees and whispered, "Lina."

Lina moved to catch Zelgadis as he went limp and began to fall. She caught him before lowering his head down onto her lap. Lina slowly ran her hand over his steel hair before saying lowly, "Don't worry Zel...I'm here now."

Disclaimer: Any characters or ideas from The Slayers do not belong to me. I am not selling this material, just writing for the heck of it as I go.

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