AN:

Important fact is that this story is an attempt to REWRITE the one called Beyond the Known Universe. The vision I had back then and the vision I have now slightly changed. The main advantage of this one it that the vision is complete (in my head anyway) so there is a chance for completing the story here. Some scenes are just copied from the previous story, some are completely new, so there are things that might sound familiar and things that, well, won't.

I can repeat myslef from the original start of the story, motive of Val kidnapping might not be the new one as much as travelling to the other dimentions. But as every writer has their own vision I hope that mine could be interesting and worth to take a look at.

Since my writing has got pretty rusty recently and this story is not beta-read, I'm open to every helpful comment.

Disclaimer: I do not own Slayers, all credits belong to Hajime Kanzaka and Rui Araizumi.

Prologue

It was easy to notice, that the window on second floor was open.

Especially for someone who had been observing the shop and the flat above it, for the whole day, waiting for a chance like this.

Through the large shop window it was not only possible to see the new exhibition but also the interior of the shop. Currently it was was full of customers, fox merchant and giant bodyguard seemed to be really busy dealing with the situation.

Quick look around.

The street was quite empty. It wasn't the main artery of the city, it only led into one. And by that, usually only someone who had a business here, was eager to walk there. Small coffee house next to the pottery store was lacking windows coming to this side, and the other stores were also full of customers. It was no use to wait any more.

A figure clad in dark grey neared the store. Another quick look and, with one swift movement, he jumped and grabbed the cornice. Using a small fissure in the stone wall for leverage, he quickly pulled up. Clinging to the wall behind his back, he scanned the street warily.

Nothing had changed.

Maybe some voices coming from the shop sounded a bit lauder. Like the hard negotiations had just begun.

The rush wasn't necessary at the moment. Dark grey robes practically blended with the stone wall behind him, so no matter if there were people on the street or not, he was almost invisible now. Besides, no one was expecting the robbery in a broad day.

Carefully he moved towards the open window. It wasn't far and he was skilled enough to not fall down, so it didn't take long when he finally reached his goal.

Quietly he slid into the room.

The flat was quite small and cosy. Even in a broad day it was a bit dimly here, but the place was tidy and by that quite transparent.

The egg was laying on the cushion in the bay window just within his reach.

For a moment he wondered if it was protected in any way, but even if it was, there was no turning back already.

He grabbed the egg and wrapped it in his dark grey cape. Quickly he slid off the room back on the cornice. To keep the impression that nothing had happened, he pulled the window back to its previous position. Quick glance on a street.

Still empty.

He jumped down and slowly walked towards the main street, directing his steps where the city city gate had been located.

It would be much easier if he could use his magic, he thought.

But magic was leaving the trace.

He didn't have much to worry, though. When he was out of the city, he would be able to take advantage of his enormous speed. His mission should be over soon.

The spring in Seyruun erupted suddenly, flooding the whole kingdom with the scent of fresh air, sounds of birds' chirping, and many sunny mornings. The nature was awakening. Trees in parks had been covered with leaves and flowers, decorating the pats with petals whenever stronger gush of wind shook the branches. Mornings were beautifully energetic with skies so blue that, with their icy coldness at that time of the year, filled the air with the overwhelming sense of freedom.

Amelia spend her morning fulfilling her duties of priestess. Before lunch she headed to infirmary to see if maybe some stronger white magic spells weren't needed. There were many healers and herbalists in city, but it also was a common knowledge that priestesses were keeping infirmary for emergencies.

On her way, she was about to pick some flowers to decorate Ceiphied's statue at the entrance, but her hand stopped just above the roses. Flowers were pretty, but if she pluck it from their natural environment, they wouldn't last long. Deciding it would be unjust, Amelia turned away. She heard the noise of horseshoes on the paved path and looked up, just to meet determined gaze of a man who just arrived.

In a second Amelia recalled that she hadn't ever met that man, yet he was riding towards her. Considering the way he was dressed, he must be some kind of a messenger.

"Princess Amelia?" he asked, getting off the horse.

The girl nodded and he decided that the description he had received was quite accurate, although a bit vague.

"My sincere respect for you, your majesty." he bowed. "I've been sent with very important correspondence, that must be delivered only to your hands, your highness."

"Don't bother with formalities." Amelia waved her hand and then she grabbed the pale blue envelope, that was handed to her.

Amelia's eyes lit up with a hope that it was a letter from Gracia. It had been a long time since her sister had shared a word, and even if her letters were a bit cheesy and not very emotional, Amelia missed them. At leas she would have known Gracia was doing well.

The urge to rip the envelope off and read Gracia's letter was so strong, that Amelia forgot to thank properly.

"Your highness, I've heard that the noble swordsman, Zlegadis Greywords-san, happen to stay in Seyruun occasionaly." The messenger half asked, half stated, bowing even deeper than before.

Amelia stopped in mid gesture. If he was asking about Zelgadis, then the letter probably wasn't from Gracia. And considering he had used noble swordsman description, Amelia had a suspicion who the sender could be.

"He visits Seyruun from time to time." Amelia confirmed with a little sad smile. "But he's not here now." She rubbed her chin pensively. "All I know is that he decided to travel South. Do you have a message for him too?"

"Yes, your majesty. It's unfortunate that Greywords-san isn't here. I must be on my way then." he bowed once again. "I bid you farewell, your highness."

Saying that he was back on the horse.

Amelia looked at the letter suspiciously. Now she noticed that the handwriting with the address was pretty neat. Nothing like Gracia's.

Oh well, it was sink or swim. She carefully ripped the envelope only to find a small piece of paper. It was thick and resembled the one used for official invitations. In the right corner there even was engraving of the dragon.

Message was short, and utterly disturbing.

'Please, help! Val was kidnapped!'

And then, the signature: Filia Ul Copt.

Well that much Amelia could already guess. She only nodded in self confident satisfaction of the accuracy of her guess. Then the actual meaning of the message hit her.

She clenched the letter in her fist and run. According to her knowledge, her father should be in his study. She had to tell him. This was a serious matter. It didn't only get Filia involved but also a baby dragon. There was only right thing to do, to help Filia along with Lina, Gourry and Zelgadis. Whoever did this to Filia and poor Val, needed to taste the hammer of justice, and Amelia was going to make sure that it would happen…

The questions were rising in her head while she was running through the corridor. Who could kidnap Val? Why? Would unhatched dragon be safe in hands of some stranger?

And the most important – How long did it take to reach Filia's place?

"I don't think it's real." Lina decided, reading the short line over and over again.

The letter had come during the meal, and it had almost been destroyed in the feverish battle over the chicken leg. There had been only five words inside (and the signature), but contrary to Amelia, Lina had become rather suspicious.

She shook the letter in front of Gourry, who seemed to be surprised by her hesitation.

"Look jellyfish brain, everybody can send us a letter signed as Filia, just to drag us into the trap." Lina explained, massaging her temples demonstratively.

"But who would do something like that?" Gourry asked with a serious face.

"Do you want me to make a list?" Lina muttered with annoyance.

"But Lina, all of them are already dead." he noticed happily.

Lina sighed. There was some logic in his words, but considering everything that happened to them, it was clear that eliminating one of their enemies always created the new ones, which only made this list longer and longer. Especially that some of those killed enemies were very reluctant with staying dead.

She tousled her hair in desperate manner to figure what was all of it.

"So, do we believe in that letter or not?" asked Gourry after a while.

"I'd rather not... But..." she couldn't make the decision. "Why just we don't find Filia and ask?" she clasped her hands in fists and grinned happily. That was the best solution she could come with.

"Wouldn't it be just... answering the letter, then?" Gourry scratched the back of his head in confusion.

Lina looked at him with annoyance.

"Going and helping would be answering the letter. But we will try to find out who's behind it! Can't you see the difference, you jellyfish brain?!" she shouted.

"Uhm..." he looked at her seriously. "Not much."

One hit in the head with a slipper later Lina and Gourry were on their way. Ready for a new adventure, gold and good meals. Especially those two later.

Zelgadis Greywords had never got the letter.

He went way further than the messenger was suspecting him to. And despite his rather unforgettable appearance, he know what to do to not be seen. In that circumstances, it was not easy to track him or follow.

The messenger had given up, deciding that three out of four was acceptable enough and promised to never again take the job that contained looking for some weirdos.