Disclaimer in Prologue.
This has been rewritten because I couldn't find my original version of it. It's been a long time since I even thought of writing more of this, but once I got started I couldn't stop. This is way different then where I had been planning to go. Hopefully I'll be able to finish more soon.
(internal thoughts)
Chapter Two: in Darkness
As Zelgadiss floated in the darkness his panic started to rise. 'What have I gotten myself into? This cannot be happening.' He went to draw on this magic to cast a Ra Tilt but he found no energy there to draw upon. Where there had always been a fountain of white pure energy there was now nothing. More then nothing, there was now a dark well giving off a similar feeling as the space he currently found himself floating in. He looked at Xelloss shocked.
"What did you do to me?"
"Ah, my poor little chimera. Oh, but maybe I shouldn't be calling you that anymore." Xelloss' smile seemed to grow a little more sinister. "After all, you aren't Human, demon, and golem any more." He moved closer to Zelgadiss and grabbed his chin and forced him to look into his eyes as they opened. "You are now 100 Mazoku. Just like me."
The Color drained away from Zelgadiss' face as he processed this information. The fact that he had inadvertently given up his humanity in order for him to look human again was not lost on him and he momentarily lost himself to hysterical laughter. Xelloss never lost his smirk.
"I'm glad you can appreciate the humor in your predicament Zelgadiss, because from now on you are my subordinate. I am to train you in the ways of Mazoku until Zellas-sama deems you are capable of taking your place in the Mazoku hierarchy. I have told her of your exploits and she ordered me to obtain your for our ranks. She has great plans for you Zelgadiss, of which I will take great pleasure in showing you. Until you calm down though I will leave you to think about what you will do now. When I return you will begin your training."
As Zelgadiss watched Xelloss seemed to fade out, his smile the last thing to go. He waited in the darkness, unable to do anything. He tried to move and maybe find a wall or something to ground himself, but the only thing he could make out was himself against the darkness. There really was no way out. Since he could not do anything to affect his surroundings he decided to do a mental check up to see what had happened to him.
First he wiggled his fingers and toes. 'Yep, those are still attached.' He seemed to be breathing but it felt more instinctive then necessary. He tried holding his breath and counted for minutes, much longer then he knew he should be able to. 'That's new. Ok, breathing is optional.' Last he reached up and felt his face. It was now as smooth as the day he was born. He almost felt like crying. This at least was real and try as Zelgadiss might he could not say that Xelloss had not kept his promise. 'This isn't what I had planned on. I'm more of a monster now then I have ever been.' He really did begin to cry then. He felt a great sorrow for what he had lost and was pretty sure he would never be able to regain again.
"You know, you don't have to cry about it. Once you let go and embrace what you have become you'll me much happier."
Xelloss' voice startled him and he hurriedly wiped his eyes.
"Xelloss, I want to go back. I don't want this and I'm sure you knew that before you did this to me. Please let me go."
"Well. I can't say I'm shocked Zelgadiss, but there is no going back. Now, we can do this the easy way, with you not complaining and dutifully following my commands; or we can do this that hard way, where I have to break you. Now I really do prefer way number two but I also like to have a willing pet, especially because you are such an exquisite creature." He came over and slid his hand across Zelgadiss' cheek. "It's a shame that you like this form really. I preferred you're blue skin and metallic hair. Maybe when we're done you'll decide to keep your guise off all the time."
Zelgadiss shuddered at the contact after the cold darkness. He partially expected Xelloss' hand to be cold but it was warm to the touch which made Zelgadiss notice that Xelloss was not wearing his customary gloves. "What do you mean Xelloss?"
"Well, before we begin tell me if you're going to be a good boy while I train you. I would have no problem with forcing you should the need arise." Xelloss looked at him waiting for an answer.
Zelgadiss looked into Xelloss' eyes and knew the Mazoku spoke truly. If he dared try and fight back he could and would cause Zelgadiss great pain. The thought of being tortured into submission was not one that Zelgadiss cared to pursue at this time.
"I'll be a good boy." he said in defeat.
"There's a good boy." Xelloss said and smiled. "Now, to answer your question. All Mazoku have an astral body which is their true form, a physical manifestation of that body, and then a guise they wear on the physical plane. The stronger the Mazoku the more human that guise looks. You and I are the most powerful Mazoku under Zellas-sama therefore we are the most human looking. Weaklings appear as monstrous and are easy to kill."
"So I look human because I'm powerful, why didn't Lina-tachi see me this way?" and the thought of his friends waiting for him at the campsite he tried to think of how much time could have passed between when he left and now. Without a reference it was impossible though, so he hoped he hadn't been gone long and they were not worried about why he disappeared.
"I didn't want them to know yet and so I didn't let them see your new guise. In fact I don't think they should know yet, so we aren't going to tell them."
Zelgadiss wasn't shocked. Everything with Xelloss was a secret. Lina-tachi didn't know he was a Mazoku and now that Zelgadiss was one also he didn't want to tell them.
"One other thing I need to teach you today is how to contact me or Zellas-sama. This is really something all Mazoku know instinctively when they are created in the astral realm. We don't have many humans turned, or chimeras even. You should feel grateful I'm taking the time out of my busy schedule to teach you something so basic."
Zelgadiss grew very annoyed at that comment. It wasn't entirely his fault that he was even here. If Xelloss wanted to be snobbish about things he would just have to be difficult in learning it.
"Well, if you're too busy you could just let me go. I don't mind not knowing, I could happily leave and never see you again."
Xelloss chuckled "Now really Zelgadiss, you must know I'm just baiting you. You aren't the kind of catch any fisherman would catch then release. You are an easy target to feed upon and your emotions flare so beautifully. Now pay attention. As you already know how to draw upon your inner magic this should be easy for you. Now imagine all your power is contained in a sphere."
Habit caused Zelgadiss to close his eyes as he was trained to as a young boy first learning shamanistic spells. He imagined what Xelloss spoke in his mind waited for the next step.
"Your sphere should have 2 black threads attached to it. One of the threads will be tinted yellow, while the other purple. You'll first want to knock on the thread, to make sure the party you want to reach is available. If you receive an affirmative response direct your thoughts along the thread. Now try to reach me along the purple thread."
Zelgadiss could see both threads that Xelloss had been talking about. Other threads were also visible but unlike the black threads tinted with color these were vibrant shades of red, yellow and violet. Once this lesson was over he decided he would try to find out where these other threads led to but for now he continued with his lesson. He concentrated on the purple shade and plucked it like a string causing a vibration to pulse down the thread. An answering pulse came back to him.
He pushed his thoughts into the thread. (Xellos, is that you?)
(Yes, good. Until I am satisfied you've learned this well I want you to only communicate with me in this way. Discretion is advised when around Lina-tachi. If you disobey me I will punish you. Do you understand?)
Zelgadiss felt like he was being trained like a dog, but didn't see that he had much of a choice. (Yes, Xelloss, I understand.)
Xelloss smile never wavered. (Good. Also I would have you remember your manners. When referring to your master you must refer to her as Zellas-sama and until you have finished your training you will refer to me as –sama as well.)
(Must I around Lina? If we're trying to keep this a secret that certainly would be out of character for me to all of a sudden start to refer to you with an honorific.)
(You are right about that, I will concede this point to you for now.)
(Thank you Xelloss. Is that all for this lesson?) A sharp pain entered Zelgadiss' head behind his eyes, like an ice pick being rammed into this head. If he could have fallen to the ground he would have.
(Already you forget. Naughty thing, say it again.)
Zel quickly figured out his simple mistake. (Thank you Xellos-sama. Please stop.) and then the pain went away.
(Now don't forget. Part of your beauty is that spirit of yours, I'd hate for you to lose it. Now I'll take you back to Lina-tachi. Rest, we will continue our lessons later.)
The both vanished from the dark space and reappeared around the still burning campfire. Zel stumbled over to his tent and collapsed into his bed roll, he was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
End Chapter Two
