Slayers: Final

Chapter Seven

Fragility

(Yes I know it's different from my preview.)

I looked upon Lina's limp form with worry and relief. Relief that she was not taken away by the Lord of Nightmares as I feared she would and that she had managed to defeat the demon lord Kari, the Beastmaster.

Worry, because she hasn't moved since she collapsed onto the floor since she destroyed the demon. That was over an hour ago. During that time the former demon lord Garirand excused saying he was going to excess the losses to the temple after congratulating us, of course (probably because that is one less enemy at his back rather than what this means too the world).

Amelia has tried to cast a few healing spells but that was to no avail. Naga then, tried to wake Lina up by pointing out the greater many differences in relation to their respective figures. Even I thought that might have work, we all know how sensitive Lina is about her looks, petty as they may be.

I heard some stone cracking and looked around the ruined marble chamber.

"We need to get out of here, this place isn't safe anymore," I said as I scooped up Lina and began to lead the rest down the none too stable looking stairway. Not the most comfortable perch for her, I know, but my strength reserves will outlast the girls easily. I'll just deal with a cranky Lina when she wakes up. If she wakes up. . ..

We made our way down the spiral staircase with trepidation, it looked as though it would collapse at any minute.

CREAK

Our fears became reality as if planned from the start! The stair well was crumbling from the bottom up, much too fast for are liking. Quickly looking back the way we came it was clear that we wouldn't make it in time.

The stairs fell out from under us and I braced myself and Lina as much as I could for the inevitable drop.

Nothing happened. I glanced down at the disconcerting sight of all us (except Lina who I was still carrying) was standing in mid-air! The dropped section of stairs crashed with a jarring sound only marble could make and looking at the rubble with nothing supporting my feet left me with a question.

"What the hell?" I wittily ventured. Amelia let out a relieved sigh.

"I Cast a floating spell when I saw the stairs begin to collapse," she explained.

"Well, can we move like this? I would feel rather silly if we had too wait around like this just to eventually fall again."

"I don't know."

"Amelia-"

"Oooohohohoho! This is fun! Amelia, you should have cast this hours ago!" Naga was upside down and flying around backwards, having a blast at the most inappropriate time imaginable. Well, at least we now know we can control our movements.

After a few moments I discovered that it wasn't too different from flying with a Rei Wing spell. Amelia figured it out about the same time I did and we all quickly descended the rest of the way down. At least we would have if the spell hadn't given out about ten feet above the ground.

Garirand was there to meet us at the entrance along with the remnants of the Metal Militia and some surviving temple personnel.

"What ever you are going to say, please save it until we are alone," the demon lord whispered to me. I left the girls telling the conscious ones to restock our supplies with what they could find and I then followed the demon outside the temple and under a low hanging cliff.

"You know what I am then," not so much a question than a statement if you ask me.

"Yes, you are Dynast Garland, a demon lord."

"And. . .this does not bother you?" It may have been my imagination but, he sounded almost hopeful to me. Very strange.

"I wouldn't say that. It is just that every time we find a demon helping us, he either twists our goals to suite his own or bites us in the ass completely. I am just wary of your intentions." Take our overly smug Xellos for instance. Speaking of Xellos, where is that bastard, anyways?

"I see, it is a matter of trust then. I don't blame you, who'd believe that a demon, much less a demon lord, would turn completely against his own kind?" He probably got backstabbed and is out for revenge, using any means necessary, of course.

He continued, "Do you even know why I help these mortals? Why I help preserve this world and your own as well?"

"I can imagine."

"No I don't believe you can," He rolled up his sleeve on the arm that was previously severed, revealing a red scar tissue circumnavigating his former wound.

"What the hell?" Demons don't get scars. Hell, they don't even get bruises as they don't fully exist on the prime material plane, therefore they don't have blood as us mortals know it. Something is very wrong here.

"Exactly my first thoughts when I first discovered scarring. It was a different wound, much smaller, but no less shocking to me." He seemed to be sad but there was an edge of excitement in his voice, a slither of anticipation.

"You see, Mr. Greywhyrs, I believe I am becoming human." Whoa.

"How? How is that possible!?" For a demon to become human. . .I've never heard of such a thing. . . or I would have tried to discover the methods long ago.

"I'm not really sure, but it began soon after I came into contact with the gate to your world. You see, my former colleagues had decided to turn against our master plan of world destruction and opted for domination in its stead. I tried to stop them by destroying the gate, but they caught me before I could and they decided to test the gate on me.

"They threw me in and I was sucked into your world at the exact moment the original Darkstar gate began to collapse. I barely made it back before the gate was completely destroyed. And when I did return, my former allies were long gone."

"But how did that begin your change? Nothing happened to us when we went through."

"I do not know. Perhaps it is because another powerful being was using it at the time, or perhaps it was just the gate itself, we can never know for sure know.

"But because know that I am partly human now, I have begun to see things in a different light than any demon would. Before, when I looked upon mortals, I saw food, I saw entertainment. Now I see a tormented peoples caught up in a war that has really nothing to do with them. I want to help them, Zelgadis. I want to help them because I now know what it is to be mortal! I now know what it is to fear having your own already short life cut even shorter because something more powerful than you wishes it

"That and maybe because I am becoming human in more than just body. . .."

He didn't finish, he did not need to, I found myself believing him. It wasn't just his scars, though to many that would have been proof enough, but it was the conviction and complete sincerity in his voice that clinched it for me. I still believe he may have an ulterior motive, but I do not think it is to cause harm to any of us.

I excused myself and headed back to the temple to help the girls gather supplies for the road ahead, and their will be a road. It's just that Xellos has not shown up to tell us where to go yet.

"Hello!" I spoke too soon.

Seeing the supposed priest smile like he always does, even after what had just happened almost made me lose it.

"What is it now, Xellos? Ready to send another one of us to his death?"

"Whatever do you mean my dear, Zelgadis?"

"You know EXACTLY what I mean! Gourry is. . .Gourry is dead! And it is your fucking fault because you sent us to this gods-forsaken place!" Not exactly true, but I need to vent my rage and what better target to shout obscenities at than Xellos?

"Oh dear. You mean to say that Mr. Gabrieve is no more? That's terrible news! Whatever shall we do without him?! It's as if the very heaven shall fall for my sorrow is so great! I-"I wasn't sure what was worse; his overly melodramatic voice or his equally ludicrous gestures.

"Okay, that's enough! Spare me your mock pity. We all know that you could care less if one of us should die."

"Don't say that! Not only would it pain me greatly if one of you should die, but it would also set back our quest quite a bit." Something didn't seem right about the way he spoke that sentence. . .

"Yeah, whatever, why have you come then?"

"I have directions for you."

"Where, to the next Crystal?"

"Not exactly. . ."

"Xello-"

"It is to someone who can get you to the next Crystal. From the temple, head due north until you hit a mountain range. Then keep the mountains to your right and march on to the coast where the range ends. From there head north again following the coast until you find a village. Ask about a man named 'Cid'."

"Cid? Is he the one who'll take us to the next temple?"

"Possibly. Anyways, I have brought something to help you on your journey." I followed his gaze behind me and found another one of those diahrea birds in all of its giant, yellow feathered glory.

"Xellos, you know we can't eat those things with destroying our lower intestinal tract."

"Of course I do! You see though, the people of this land have discovered a rather remarkable use for these birds. In fact it's no wonder you haven't figured it out yet."

"What?" I was clueless, what else can you use a giant chicken for besides eating? Making the world's largest throw pillow?

"People use them as steeds my dense as a rock friend."

"Oh." I wanted to kick myself for being "dense as a rock" (ha ha, Xellos). Even more so when I noticed the bridal secured on the birds beak. This would help. Maybe we can rig a sled or something for Lina and our supplies. Wait a minute. . .there's always some kind of horrible catch when dealing with Xellos.

"This thing doesn't have rabies or something, does it?"

"Hmpf! I'm not even going to dignify that with a response!" With that he vanished, leaving me with more than a few questions I didn't get a chance to ask.

"What did you mean, if any of us should die? One of us did. . .." I spoke aloud and I thought I heard the faint words 'That is a secret', but it may have just been the wind blowing softly through the desert canyons.

My big sister and I scrounged through the remaining supplies in the store house, taking whatever may be of use to us. But somehow, I doubt vast quantities of alcohol should be counted among the essentials as I repeatedly told Gracia as she stuffed bottle after bottle into her pack.

I don't know what to do with her. . .it's been years since she ran away from the castle, leaving father and I alone, still grieving for mother. Years of not knowing what became of her, not even a whisper (though I thought I might have caught a glimpse of her at the docks of San Doria a few years back). After three years of nothing, even father finally gave up, and he is the most vigilant of persevering man I know.

Then I finally meet up with her, traveling with Miss Lina and. . .Mr. Gourry in our mother's battle bikini no less (thank Ciephied)! I was so happy, I couldn't believe she was still alive! But also I was sad and a little angry that she didn't try to contact me or father. As we traveled together though, I slowly began to realize that she isn't the same proud but caring and very artistic sister I used to know.

She is still proud in a way I suppose, but instead of her pride stemming from her self-esteem and station as crown princess of Seyruun it seems to be more or less (okay, more) related to her imbibing from her flask at a scarily steady rate. What the hell happened to her? She left soon after mother was assassinated, taking very provisions and our mother's old adventuring outfit. But we didn't know she had left until a few days later as she had spent the previous days locked in her room. When we finally broke down the door and found the room in perfect order, as if it hadn't been used in ages. The only thing missing was Gracia, in her stead was a note that said "Do no trouble yourselves looking for me, I will not be able to set foot in this kingdom again.".

What did she mean by that? Was the memory of mother's death to painful for her to stay in the castle? Or is it something else? Looking at her now, she does not seem to be too depressed, merrily sorting through boxes and shelves for whatever spirits she can find.

Glancing at the collection of bottles and flasks that would make even the most well stocked bartender flush with jealousy. I wonder how she plans to carry all of those? Mr. Zelgadis walked in then, looking a little more pensive than usual. I wonder what Mr. Garirand said to him?

"How's the supply situation?" he asked while sorting through some scrap wood piled up in a corner.

"There isn't too much left but I did manage to find some salted pork, I think, at least it smells like pork, kind of. . ."

"Good. Anything else?"

"Well. . ." I pointed over to the pile of booze and if you squinted you could see my sister through the liquor tower, thoroughly examining each bottle as a critic would a collection of art.

"Figures. Hey, Naga! Do want to help us getting some real supplies? Or do you still want to be the most useless member of our happy little party?"

"Zelgadis!" Why is he always knocking her every chance he gets?

"What are you saying!? Spirits are essential in keeping up morale!" Naga strode up to Zelgadis with a full flask of some kind of booze. She stopped and drained the whole thing in a few long gulps. "How do you plan on stopping me from taking these?"

Mr. Zelgadis stared at he hard. He put raised his hand and pointed it at the mountain of bottles. "Ki Fist Wave!" The bottles shattered under the concussive force showering the room with glass and liquid.

"That's how," he broke off eye contact with Gracia and walked towards the exit. He gave me the briefest looks of apology and he gathered up his bundle of wood and left, leaving a stunned Gracia and I wondering what the heck just happened here.

We finished getting our supplies without another word, both of us lost in our own thoughts. We then built a sled for Lina and our supplies. We couldn't make any wheels so we made wide skis so it would have an easier time over rough terrain, which we will run into if we our going over the mountains Mr. Zelgadis told us about.

We set off the next morning along side the remaining temple personnel and the Metal Militia which surprised us as we thought we would be going out alone. We are to travel together until we reach the mountains where we will split up, we the Light Warriors (still sounds cool if you ask me) will head west and the others will go east to another hidden stronghold where they would get directions to the next temple. The reason why we have to split is because we (Zel, Gracia and Ms. Lina) have become high profile targets after we killed that demon Kari. It would just be safer for the others to travel with us only as long as they could. I wonder if we will see Mr. Garirand again after we had parted? He seems like a good and just person, if a bit haughty.

The journey would take nearly a month to get to the mountains according to Mr. Garirand who has a map of the region. So we all did what we could be make to trip more comfortable for us all. Naga summoned seafood to help save our steadily dwindling supplies which actually scored her a few points in Mr. Zelgadis's book, I think. She actually stared to carve little, incredibly detailed figurines made out of fallen branches which I think are pretty neat, she carved them for everyone in the caravan saying "Soon, all will know the artistic genius of Naga the White Serpent!", but, as much as it hurts to say it, I believe she is just trying to ignore her headaches she's had ever since she has stopped drinking. At least, except for the unbridled arrogance, she is starting to act like the sister I used to know.

Mr. Garirand knew the land better than any of us, obviously, so became the defacto leader for our group. He picked out defensible places to rest and set camp and often scouted ahead to check for any trouble, leaving Mr. Zelgadis in charge during those expeditions. He seems to be a natural leader, even picking up on his men's emotions and giving them the duties they would be best suited for at the

time.

Ms. Lina remained unconscious, so laid her on a thin mattress of blankets on the chocobo drawn sled. We tied her down when we found out that the road wasn't as smooth after the desert as we thought it was and poor Lina was knocked off the sled, leaving a nasty looking bruise. We can only pray that it fades before it wakes up, as there is nothing worse than a cranky Lina. But. . .that is assuming that. . .she does wake up. I have never seen Ms. Lina like she was when Mr. Gourry died, sure it was similar when she was possessed by the Golden Lord of Nightmares, I think, at least she looked the same as then.

Was it that the sheer power she commanded knocked her out for so long or was it the emotional stress? Or maybe both? If I could use the powers I had back on our world I'd try a recovery spell, but, we'll just have to wait in this situation and pray.

Mr. Zelgadis, for the most part, brooded. He hasn't let anyone near him, even me, lately. It's as if he is lost in his own world, constantly brooding, even when he has been left in charge. But he hasn't completely shutdown, I don't think. He has continued to update his map he started when we first got here. It actually proved to be useful when we were crossing the desert again. Something is bothering him. He hasn't said what yet, but I believe it has something to do with what Mr. Garirand said to him. But what could he have said to turn Mr. Zelgadis back into the introvert I worked so hard to get to open up a little?

I have to find a way to get him out of his shell, I have to for his own sake. If he keeps on acting like this I fear he will revert back to killing people who don't really deserve it. I know he doesn't want that, but how to reach him?

The last time I got him to talk I practically forced him to, though I think he really wanted to bear his soul to me, he wouldn't have otherwise, he is just stubborn like that. But, I don't think that dragging him to the nearest log, sitting him down and interrogating him is going to work this time. He seems to be too much on the defensive for anything that blunt. Maybe I can subtly coerce some of his thoughts from him during dinner?

Later that evening, just before twighlight, we set camp in a clearing in the middle of a copse of thick trees Mr. Garirand found earlier in one of his scouting expeditions. It was a large area, but with only one clear opening, easily defensible.

Naga summoned some lobsters, and while they were cooking I went to find Mr. Zelgadis. I found him relatively quickly after scaling the highest tree with the most uncluttered view of the camp ground. He was behind some tents with a lantern, working on his map and occasionally looking to the stars.

I walked to him, making sure it didn't seem like I was sneaking up on him by dragging my feet slightly as I walked, something his sensitive ears would be sure to pick up.

"Mr. Zelgadis?" I started. And my surprise was complete when he literally jumped out of his seat and stated to go for his sword. How did I startle him like that? Is he that lost in himself now?

"Yes, Amelia?" His cold tone made me cringe, he seemed to notice and he visibly relaxed, gathering up his dumped map and writing tools and taking his seat.

"How's the map coming along?" I can't be obvious about my intentions, now can I?

"Amelia, somehow I doubt you came to talk about my map, and it's coming along by the way."

"Am I really that easy to read?"

"Yes. Now please hurry, it's almost my lookout sift."

"Well, since I can't be subtle, apparently, I guess I have to verbally beat you over the head then," I took a few deep breaths, how am I going to do this without offending him too much? "You've been, acting a little odd, lately and-"

"Odd, is it? Well, it looks like you aren't going to stop pestering me unless I give you some kind of an answer," He stood up, looking me face to face. "Don't worry yourself over me, Amelia, it would be better for all of us if you would just forget about me."

"What are you talking about?" I croaked out, I didn't expect things to go this bad! What did I say!?

"I'm saying that there is no use trying to change me. I am what you see me now, a heartless sorcerer swordsman. There is nothing to be had in a relationship with me." He turned to leave.

"W-wait! Was it something I did?! What about your humanity? Why won't you let me help you!?" I was practically sobbing, as unheroic as it looked, I couldn't help it. The man I have decided to love was telling me to get lost!

He turned to face me. His face showed the briefest flashes of regret as he spoke the words I'll never recover from hearing.

"I don't love you."

He left me on my knees, crying only as when my mother died.

Author's Notes. - Is it me, or have I been torturing these characters a little too much lately? Alas, it is for the sake of character development, though!

When's Lina going to wake up? What the hell is going on with Zel now? Is Naga going to become the next Wolfgang Puck? Stay tuned next time when a certain General Priest (no not THAT one) comes looking to avenge his fallen master and a certain engineer that shows up just in the nick of time, no less!

About the sporadic updates: School and work has been eating up my spare time like nobodies business. That and I am helping my old Marine recruiter whip some new recruits into shape to help them get ready for boot camp. On top of friends, family and other personal interest, I haven't been able to write as much per week as I used to.

But, please be patient. I plan to finish this project and start work on a new one eventually. One that is pure Final Fantasy and like this one (I like to think), completely different from anything else out there.

Keep reviewing! And if anyone would like to proof read these for me, just email me. Because my grammar sucks and so does Corel Word Perfects!

Tom the Mighty