Slayers: Final
Chapter 5
The Odd Burning Sensation
"Welcome Light Warriors. You will come with us." The tall man said. He was the tallest of the group of ten said. They were all dressed in odd robes, like those of a priest. The robes were white with red triangles hemming the edges. Their hoods obscured their faces, giving them a somewhat creeped out feeling. But what really concerned me were their staffs, and the way they seemed so comfortable with them, as if they were extensions of their bodies. If this comes to blows they could cause some major damage if we aren't careful. I doubt my tiny daggers will be of any use defending against those. Ah well, time to put on a brave face.
"It's rude to be making demands of us, mister! Especially since we don't even know who you are!"
"There is no time for that! We must get inside, quickly!" He had a sense of urgency that seemed real enough . . . but what if he is just trying to lull us into a false sense of security and leads us into a trap?
"We are not going anywhere until you explain what is going on. We are not fool enough to let people who pop out of no where lead us around." Way to tell em' Zel!
"Yeah, but what about Xellos? He pops out of nowhere." The dumb-ass swordsman strikes again.
DONK!
"JELLY FISH!"
"You have done well to capture Naga the White Serpent, as well as the extraneous others, but! You cannot hope to conquer the ones who posses the orbs!" Whose extraneous?
"Then it IS true! We had thought that the mysterious priest was lying when he told us the Light Warriors were upon us, but here you are!" He doesn't seem like he wants to hurt us, but he does seem a little too anxious to get us to where ever he wants us to go.
"Why do you want us to come with you so badly? What's the rush?"
"The Beast Master's army is on the move. . .No one may enter or leave the temple, less they discover it!"
"What temple? All I seem is ancient ruins." Zel's hostility, now only thinly veiled, showed that he isn't in the mood for games, neither am I frankly, but we don't need him picking fights with people we just met! Even if they are dressed strangely and appeared out of no where like a demon would.
"Come, everything will be explained in time." He walked up to a seemingly nondescript wall, he uttered a few mumbled words and his hands gestured in precise patterns. A door suddenly appeared in the wall.
"Magic! Magic DOES exist in this world!" If I can learn the fundamentals like the names of major demons of this world and some chaos words, I may be able to come up with a rudimentary attack spell!
"Well, yes. Everyone who guards the temples knows how to use at least some magic, and so will you, to a much greater degree, if the legend is true. Follow." We didn't have to be told twice. I eagerly followed the ten Priest through a labyrinth of stone until we finally reached a large chamber. The room was spacious but still it was filled with all kinds of dwellings and stalls carved into the rock, in the center was a large spiral staircase which reminded me of a sea snail's shell. I saw no signs of masonry and could only come to the conclusion that it was somehow grown magically.
The place was bustling with activity, all manner of beings other than humans milled about, carrying belongings, gathering supplies and setting up defenses. Their faces were that of fear and hope, like one would have if you learned that someone you loved was involved in an accident, you'd be afraid for that person, but you would also pray for the best. None took much notice of us, no big surprise I suppose. The other priest went off to help with whatever they can.
"It looks as if you are preparing for a fight." Gourry, well versed in war (many would say that war is the only thing he's versed in) was quick to notice that many of the younger, stronger men were arming themselves with swords, pikes and forming up in battle formations. Archers were positioning themselves in the stalls to be able to cover the foot soldiers from a distance. Many of the younger boys and girls, young teens it looked like, were setting up barricades and the like in the less defensible positions.
"Well, you see Master . . ." The priest looked at him questioningly.
"Gourry, just call me Gourry."
"Yes, Gourry, my name is Pringle by the way, The White Priest Pringle. Anyways, we are expecting a fight, very soon I am afraid. You see, this temple is covered by two illusions. One is a visual one, to disguise this place as an abandoned city. That keeps out any of the mortal spies the Demon Lords may send to find us.
"The other, is one of an Astral nature. The Fire Crystal protects us by making this place invisible to the Astral Plane."
"But if you are all preparing for a fight, someone has discovered this location." Zel, while trying to be sympathetic, couldn't mask the excitement creeping in his voice. He wants this fight, like any other fight it seems as of late.
"But how? Was it a spy?" Amelia being all to familiar with treachery had a look in her eyes that for told death by justice speech to any who would betray this temple.
"It was you, actually."
"WHAT!?" We all exclaimed.
"It seems that the enemy has learned that Naga the White Serpent has come and they hope to destroy such a threat by catching me unaware! OOOOHOHOHOHOHOHO!"
"That MUST be it, Naga! Or have you forgotten that you just tagged along!?" I guess she hasn't learned humility in the past few years.
"That's enough, Lina." Gourry pulled me away from the fast developing conflict. I wouldn't have normally been that abruptly viscous with Naga, but I had forgotten how stressful traveling with her could be. This is going to be a very long quest. . . ..
"I should say it will be you, sorry. You seem, as soon as the crystal gives you its power, this place will no longer be shielded from the Astral Plane and we will be beset by the Beast Master's forces in no time."
"Then why are you helping us?" I'm not sure I would in his situation.
"Simple, really. If you gain the powers of the Five Crystals you will be able to defeat the Demon Lords and this world will prosper once again. While it is sad that many of us will die in the process, it is preferable to being the Dark Lord's slaves for all eternity, providing the demon's natural resources for their extra planar conquest."
"I suppose, but it still makes me feel like crap. Anyways. . .you know about the demon's plane to take over another world?"
"Oh yes. We have one among our order who was a slave to one of the highest ranking demons. In fact here he comes now!"
We heard the marching of a hundred pairs of armored feet, clanking towards our direction. Soon we saw them, a platoon of heavily armored troops lead by a garishly armored figure who wielded two scimitars. They marched in perfect unison right up to our position in front of the entrance.
Pringle stood next to the platoons leader, "I present to you, Captain Garirand! Leader of the Metal MiliTIA," he coughed a bit, "Excuse me, the Metal Militia!"
Garirand bowed as low as he could in his grandiose armor,"Pleased to meet the legendary Light Warriors, I did not believe they would appear in my life time."
"The pleasure's ours I'm sure." There is something odd about his voice. . .it was almost to subtle to detect, was he mocking us?
A beaming Pringle continued his introduction, "Captain Garirand has protected this area this past year, none have ever seen such swordsmanship before! He has cut down lesser demons than most men would quake in fear before!"
"Hmm . . .looks like you may have a new rival to practice swordplay with, Gourry."
Garirand with his oh so subtle condensation replied, "I do not believe that I would be a match for such legendary figures, after all, it is you who must save this world, as well as your own!"
"Speaking of, how did you manage to escape slavery?"
"There is not much to tell actually. I simply did what I was told, feigning complete loyalty all the while learning all that I could about my "masters", strategies, strengths and weaknesses. Eventually they were convinced that I was no threat and there monitoring of me laxed to the point where I could escape with only minor difficulty."
"I see," well actually I didn't. How can a mere human hide his emotions from demons? There is something more to this guy than meets the eye, and I have a feeling I don't want to know what it is. "In any case, I'm sure you have more preparations to do and we have to go see the Fire Crystal soon, but first!" I grabbed the white priest robe and pulled him close. "YOU WILL TAKE US TO FOOD!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Came his weak reply.
Later, after we had cleaned out the temple's remaining food stores, we started up the giant spiral stair case to the temples top level, the Chamber of the Fire Crystal. After climbing a distance that seemed a lot longer than it should have, I looked up and discovered that we haven't even climbed half way up yet.
"Hey, old man Pringle! What is up with these stairs? We aren't even close to the top yet we've been climbing for at least an hour."
"This stair way and the top of the bottom chamber is covered by an illusion to trick any enemies that discover this place and lead them into a bottle neck at the top of the flight, should they get that far" They have it all figured out, don't they? "In the top chamber, we can also set loose a number of traps rigged through out the length of stairs. In short the Crystal is very well defended, but even so, we expect the enemy to make it to the Crystal, that is were you will come in."
"I assume the Crystal is going to give us some kind of magical power?" Zel asked.
"Yes, to any who has natural magic ability."
"I guess that leaves Mister Gourry out." Quipped Amelia.
"Do not worry, the Crystal will bestow upon those who lack magic an increase in ability to ones natural skill and talent."
"So does that mean that Gourry is going to become an even MORE skilled swordsman?!" Already Gourry has the greatest swordsmanship I have ever seen, and the Crystal can make him more formidable?
"Yes indeed. If your talents lie in between martial and magical abilities, the Crystal shall also upgrade your skill, but split evenly between the two."
"This is great! I wonder if they have any spells that are similar to our own?" Maybe I can find this world's equivalent to the Dragon Slave!
"Sorry to disappoint you, but you yourself will be coming up with the spells."
"How are we to do that?" I asked. "Do you have any names of major demons or spirits we can draw spells from?" To create a spell on our world you need a name of a demon or spirit, an exceptional knowledge of magical theory and a fair amount of luck. I can only hope it is the same on this world, or else we are sunk.
"You will not need them," Huh? "On our world the only thing you will need is the knowledge imparted to you by the Crystals. You do not need to recite any lengthy spells or shout words of power and the like."
"But you were casting a spell earlier at the entrance to this place, were you not?" Zel questioned.
"All that gibberish? No, I was just saying the password."
"What about the gesturing?" Amelia continued.
"I was just getting some air into my robes, outside IS a desert you know!"
"Oh."
"Anyways, here we are." We stopped infront of a huge door, the door itself was a bas-relief carving of some epic battle long ago, I suppose. Like the stairway before it, it seemed to be grown rather than made by mortal hands, as the work and detail were to perfect.
We entered and found ourselves in a large circular chamber. The walls also lined with bas-relief but instead of depictions of war, the "carvings" were of vines and tree trunks which gave the room a very organic feel. The vine reliefs continued from the walls and onto the floor, leading to the center of the room which stood an ornate pedestal.
On top of the pedestal was a crystal, a stone of beauty and inner fire whose likes I have never in all my years of treasure hunting. It was large, easily the size of my head, and the color was a rich fiery crimson, I would easily go as far as calling it transcendent. It glowed softly, but more so than an ordinary gem had any right to, casting the room a ruby hue.
There was also, a kind of holiness about the place, a sense of reverence and peace. I am not a pious person, never have been taken with any religion like Amelia, Filia or Sylphiel. I never had much use for them. But even so, nothing has ever made me come so close to fallen to my knees in humility in that room in the presence of such a thing, no not thing, an entity. After gathering my head I looked at the others and saw that they too were in a similar state of awe. Gourry looked as if his jaw would hit the floor and his crystal blue eyes were the widest I had ever seen them. Naga, for once, looked speechless, just staring at the Crystal, lost in its multifaceted depths. Zelgadis seemed more human than he had since he rejoined the group, his eyes losing the hard edge and veiled hostility, as if the mere presence of the Crystal pushed his inner demon away. Amelia, possibly subconsciously sensing the change in Zel, leaned against him, for her knees had gone weak.
"Yes, it does have that affect on people doesn't it? I always feel like dropping to the floor in prayer every time I see it, even after all my years as the head Priest of this temple," Pringle took each of our orbs and placed them in slots surrounding the Crystal. He then went to the entrance of the chamber. "I will know leave this in the hands of our god, Iifa, the Fire Dragon God, whose last remaining power and wisdom is entrapped within the Fire Crystal. May he guide you in mercy." With that he left the chamber and shut the great door behind him leaving us alone with his god.
"So, what do we do, Lina?"
"I-"
I was interrupted by a voice in my head. It was many voices but one, it was melodic but flat, high in pitch but with a bass rumble undertone. It spoke, "Welcome Lina Inverse, the avatar of our mother," Our mother? The Lord of Nightmares? "Yes, that is the title those of your world had given her. But on to more pressing matters. You know why you are here?"
"To save the world, I suppose. I haven't really been given many details." I thought my words, somehow sensing that spoken dialogue would not be needed for this engagement.
"Yes, well, those who are Light Warriors seldom know what they are until destiny calls. An often they find out in the most interesting of ways. You for instance, believe you were tricked into coming here by the demon known as Xellos. And so did he."
"You imply that even though he thought he was using his own volition, he was actually playing into your hands?" Serves him right, the Trickster being tricked!
"Typical Inverse genius. Yes he proved to be of great use in getting you here and providing you with the orbs of power, which are not, by the way, part of a silly lottery used by some obscure god of marriage. They were scattered by the enemy in hopes of deterring the return of the Light Warriors. But, the Light Warriors will always return, until the very Staff of the God's is destroyed and we are all plunged into the Sea of Chaos. But, luckily for us, the Demon Lords have other plans. Instead of playing out their role in trying to destroy the Staff, the have decided to try for multi-universal conquest."
This is different. I have never heard of such a mass rebellion of the higher-ups before. Sure our Demon Dragon Lord Gaav rebelled against the 'system', but he was put down by his own kind. We will be so lucky this time.
"But why? How can they just go against our mother's grand design, whatever it may be?"
"Some demons have more free will than others, just look at your Valgaav, wasn't he the free thinking fellow? But they have a grander scheme in mind than just conquering all that exist, they wish to resurrect their lord, Chaotic Black or Bardradigdo. To do that, they need to destroy the God's Crystals and break the seal to the Dark Crystal the other Gods and I managed to entomb him in.
"But enough of such things, and on to the details of your quest; you need to find and visit my brethren, the Earth Dragon God Terra, the Wind Dragon God Valefor, the Water Dragon God Ashura, and the final God our own God, the Flare Dragon God Ziepheid. They are entrapped in their respective Crystals and well hidden in the temples scattered throughout the world."
"Nice, so all we have to do is find the temples and receive the power the other Crystals give us? All the while blindly searching this unfamiliar landscape with little to no indication of where to go next and being hounded by a horde of hell spawn."
"You disapprove?"
"Nah, it just sounds a little routine to me, that's all."
"Ha! I knew we could count on you! Now, on with the show! As soon as this conversation ends, you will have received my power. You need not worry about not knowing how to use this power, it will come as naturally to you as breathing, though it may take you a try or two to get the hang of it. It may not seem like much at first, but it will prove to be invaluable. But do not rely on it too much, not until you have visited at least one more temple after this. I bid you farewell, Lina Inverse, say hi to my brothers for me. Oh! By the way, the temple is being attacked as we speak, so as soon as my power is drained the enemy will know exactly where I am. Bye!"
The conversation ended, and I was thrusted back into reality. It was momentarily disorienting, mostly due to the stress of talking extra planarly and something else. . . .Magic! I've got it back! It doesn't feel nearly as powerful as it did before we came to this world, but at least we have some magical power again. I looked to the Crystal. No longer was it glowing with holy inner fire. It now was as brilliant as a piece of volcanic glass. We all removed our orbs from the now inert pedestal. As soon as I touched mine I felt a familiar surge of power.
"Hey, Lina?"
"Yes, Gourry?" He seemed a little shaken up.
"I just had a conversation in my head with that rock."
"Hahaha! So did I Gourry! Guess what?! I got some of my powers back!"
"Really!? That's great!" We embraced joyfully at the first real good news since we came here. "Now that you mention it, the big quartz thingy did mention a massive stat increase?"
"Stat increase?" What the heck?
"Yeah, something about me becoming a better swordsman."
"Yes, he did mention that Light Warriors with no magical ability would become better at what they're good at."
Pringle then burst into the chamber, looking pale and terrified.
"It looks like we are about to get your chance to find out how much you've gained, a horde of beast men is storming the stair! We didn't have enough time to fully prepare our defenses! Except for the Metal Militia, we are being slaughtered!"
"Did you get the women and children out?" Asked a worried Amelia.
"Yes, most of them. Some of them stayed to fight with their lovers and children. You must hurry! The Crystal gave you his power did he not?"
"Hold on!" I yelled, "We don't even know how to use our power yet! We'd be about as useful as a fuseless stick of dynamite!"
Zelgadis stepped up with a solution. "Alright, you, Amelia and Naga stay here and figure out a way to use your magic. Gourry and I are the best with weapons, we will try to hold them off until you come up with some kind of rudimentary offensive spell." The bloodlust was clearly back in his eyes now that the Crystal has been drained. He probably wouldn't even mind if Gourry stayed behind as well if it meant more killing for him.
"All right, Mr. Zelgadis, we'll think of something!" Amelia seemed more determined than ever in this quest. Probably because we know have something tangible to work with, and that she may be has forgiven Zel a little.
"I'm counting on you Amelia."
Gourry pecked me on the cheek. "We'll keep them off you, Lina. Hurry and make them regret messing with the legendary Lina Inverse!"
"Damn straight! Don't worry, I'll come up with a spell they won't soon forget! Even on the afterlife."
"That's my girl." With that Gourry and Zel left for the quagmire that is close quarters combat. Leaving the other girls and Pringle in the chamber.
"So. . .any ideas?" I asked. I can feel the magical energy but with a spell to work from I am finding this to be a little difficult. But. . .no one can ever say that Lina Inverse has backed down from a challenge before!
"Well, the Crystal did say that we should be able to just use it."
"That's all and well, Amelia, but I really don't know where to begin here."
"Ha! Can this be the day that Lina Inverse admits her inferiority to Naga the White Serpent!?"
"Oh come on, Naga! It's not like you know how to do anything with this seemingly useless power too, ya know?"
"Oh? Watch this!" She began to gesture wildly, as a child would will making up her own dance.
"Gracia? What are you doing?" A perplexed Amelia asked.
"She's being Naga, that's what she is doing! You should have seen some of the stunts she pulled when she followed me around! Like the time-"
"Miss Lina! Look!"
"Huh!?" I could only see Naga's silhouette as she was engulfed in a steadily growing light. Her wild movements were now joined by chanting. Her tempo rose and so did the light though it did not hurt our eyes. Just what kind of a spell is she casting here? "Naga! Are you sure should be casting something like that here!?" I don't know what 'that' is exactly, but it looks to be something big and dangerous.
Her chanting had reached its crescendo and the light that surrounded her withdrew into her body. What I saw next would stick with me until the day I die.
"Ooooohohohohoho!" Dozens of jellyfish , sea cucumbers and inchworms spewed from her hands. Carpeting the floor with a writhing mass of flesh. After what seemed like an eternity, it ended and the chamber stuck of fish. In the middle of it stood a victorious looking Naga, waist deep in jellyfish.
"Wonderful, Miss Naga!" exclaimed Pringle who was busily throwing levers and switches to various traps to help buy us more time.
"Congratulations, you have succeeded in making us sick to our stomachs."
"Genius is never appreciated in their own lifetimes." She idly brushed off some inchworms from her hair.
"Gracia, how did you do that?" At least Amelia's happy about her making the room stink like a beached whale carcass.
"The feat was not so difficult for the likes of Naga the White Serpent!"
"Seriously. . ."
"I just kind of knew what to say and do. Like I already knew how to do it."
"Hmm. . .well, if SHE can do it, so can we, Amelia. Let's see if I can do a little fire magic." I leveled my arms out in front of me and cupped my hands. If magic here worked like it does back home, I should be able to gather the magical energy into my hands and fling it at whatever target I choose. I began to chant words of chaos that I did not know until I started my spell. I felt the spells power grow in my hands, growing warmer and warmer. My hands began to glow and my hands became uncomfortably warm. Magic doesn't usually come with odd burning sensations does it? "OH SHIT!" I screamed as my hands began to smoke.
Authors Notes: Well, I got this chapter out sooner than I had anticipated. Sorry about all the boring plot related dialogue but do not worry; things are going to heat up real soon. . .or have they already? Stay tuned next time for an earth shattering plot twist and a bit of the old ultra-violence as the Beast Master makes her appearance in the next episode of Slayers: Final "Birth of a KnightMare"
BTW: I have stopped using grammar check because it sucks and tries to make me write like a hill-billy, so I am sorry to any of you who can't stand bad grammar.
Thanks for reviewing!