A/N: It's been a while since I've posted, yeah. I have m reasoning; to that of a busy work schedule (It's not at the point where it is something brought at home to finished up where others had sacked) to getting sick, twice, and the chaotic whirlwind of that of the holidays altogether. I still worked on this here and there, and fully caught up once I was recovered.

I'm glad I was able to finish this up over the course of my birthday weekend. I would like to resume whatever pace I can to get this fic completed. It appears that I'll have to make a second part…but when will see. It's going to get pretty crazy after this point.

And now, one with the show!

Enjoy Amigos!

Chapter Thirty one: Keeping pace is a chore?! No Sleep till…

"ARGH-Was that necessary?!" I barked while I reroll the blankets around my torso and legs. I wanted to snooze for just a bit longer; with who-knows how long of a journey ahead of us, and with the lack of sleep I've gotten last night. This was all no thanks to Amelia, whom still insisting on thrashing about as she inclined closer.

"Well," The princess breathed cupping her chin with her hand. "I'd figure at some point you eventually had to get up…"

I exhaled as I tilted my head at her. I'm pretty sure that is not the real reason of why you decided to wake me in such a rude fashion… All I could do was blink my smoggy eyes until vision cleared.

"What makes you think that now was the time?" I pined as she stuck out her tongue.

"Everyone else is up and atom, but you're the only one that is still in bed…" She then also included the fact that she wanted to obtain me before Gourry consume the majority of breakfast. That alone set a jolt though my body I suddenly sat up, causing the princess next to me to jump back at the unexpected result. Nothing is ever more serious then food, and as much as I would actually be pleased with just fifth teen more minutes of slumber, I couldn't stand the very idea of a certain blonde patting his full belly as I approach a barren table without a single leftover of a morsel in sight! I soon found myself in a whim as I moved as fast as I could while getting ready. The least I want is an empty stomach with a long journey ahead! There was a trivial amount of panic that filled itself through my own gut the more my mind raced around with that idea alone. With a jump to skip the last few steps, I landed on the balls of my feet before sprinting into full speed as I was nearing those double doors.

What I was expecting was the complete opposite; Instead of the anticipated emptiness, there was at least a remainder of a bit of each dish as I went with a clean plate, greeting everyone as I claim the rest of whatever was left. I tussled at Gourry's golden mane before taking the chair to his right. Grabbing my fork I scuffed down the lukewarm breakfast as quickly as I could, finishing within moments within my usual pace.

"Geez, the way you chow that down would make anyone think you don't ever eat…" Proserpina lowly commented standing behind me with her arms crossed. I flinched as my fork dropped from my hand and landed. She had completely caught me by surprise; I suppose I was too busy with the meal that I didn't take note of her of her appearance at a point until now. I swallow whatever remnants I was chewing on hard and gave her a slow nod.

"A girl's gotta eat, ya know!" I full heartily commented as Zel sighed heavily. "Between Gourry and him," He tilted his head towards Pokota, who just sat there silently shaking his head in total denial. "I wasn't excepting anything to be left."Meanwhile Amelia over hears this, and gazes from her conversation while her father remained unfazed and continue with their mid morning chatter. Gourry sat forward, with a slight amused smirk forming his handsome face.

"Nah I don't think that's the case," He remarked as his eyes gleam a serious light as he placed his hands before him and leaned towards me. "I think it was more of she was scared that I was going to eat up all the food!" I scrunch my face to fringe divergence while I violently shook m head. The princess's mouth fell agape as she reacted

"I wouldn't be so quick to say that." I reprimanded briskly feeling the muscles in m face twitch defensively. If you would consider that think, that is. More so Gourry here blurting on sheer instinct instead of what would be consider as a basic fact. Then again, I could be wrong; this particular jellyfish tends to be a bit more observant then we all think. I try to just brush it off as I rose from my seat and stretched, pushing in my chair as I turned to Proserpina.

"I can say that I'm good and full," I patted my stomach as Gourry bent forward, eyeing me while I ignored him. "I'm ready whenever you are-!"

"Hey what did you mean by that anyway, Lina?" His querying was wasted on deafen ears as I proceed to continued my attention elsewhere other then at him.

"We can set out in the next hour or so." The pearly woman stated as she quickly glance about. "Give the others time to digest before we set off."

We all- Well most of us- set about onto the next adventure by the time noon had crept around. All in the exception of Prince Phil and Pokota, who reluctantly watched Amelia, ease dropping with a long face as she plead to her father about joining us. The younger prince then walked towards the two, tilting his head in a particular manner as he wrinkled his face.

"I thought you were going to help me out with waking the rest of my kingdom-"His interrupting appeal fell on deafen ears as she constant with her debate of why she should go with her father. A sheer look of frustration grew on his features as he grew impatience as he listen more in to their discussion.

"Amelia-"Prince Phil barked interrupting her in mid sentence. . "You did agree to help out on things-"

"Yes daddy I'm aware of that, but-" He took a deep breath as she kept on. "-I really feel like I should be a part of this-"

"-And you need to feel the same way about what you promised, dear! Something like that just can't wait-"Pokota leaned into Prince Phil's shoulder, nodding with agreement with a stern gaze. Though to me, it seemed like he was just siding with in favor of keeping Amelia around. A tactic that might've worked, but the princess's determination was too inclining on the idea of venturing with us.

"Is everyone all set?" I flinched as I recognize that voice being that of Proserpina. I failed to notice her at first, but she stood behind me with her sporting her usual black. This time instead of just having that shiny pistol of hers; this woman was strapped tightly in a harness that held one of those unnaturally size guns abroad, along with a series of large ammunition, which draped around her hips like a loose belt. I had to give to her; it gave her a sense of undeniable intimidating.

"I think so." I said with an uncertainly as my eyes darted back at the debate as Amelia wagged her finger in Pokota's face. Her father on the other hand seem to have concluded to going with what she wanted, he sends her off, reminding her to "live up to her end of the agreement" upon her return. She eagerly nodding while trotting towards us, the sheer look of excitement she had soon melted at the sight of Proserpina.

"Umm…" She softly stammered eyeing the woman's humongous firearm with orbs widen enough that they would of budge out of her skull. "Don't you think that is a bit much, Miss Proserpina?"

"Nah," The pearly woman laughed as she rubbed the back of her neck. "I think I might've been a bit unequipped if you ask me." The princess's face twitch; I'm guessing she wasn't excepting that sort of retort from the other.

"Do you think that is a tad…hazardous?"

"Not as much as what probably waits for us ahead on that island…" She had a point there; Amelia huffed in her place as Gourry pushed open the door. The sunlight greeted us with a bright glare as we took our exit from the Inn.

"You don't think she will be excepting you at the slightest?" Beast Master Zellas Metallium lampooned dryly after a great dragged from the cigarette, exhaling it in a taunting manner as the puff curled itself Xellos disappointed posture. The priest slowly shrugged as the smoke swirled away into nothingness before his mistress clicked her tongue at his choice of silence.

"You should know that standing there isn't going to get anything accomplished, Xellos?-."

"Yes, Master. I am aware of that-"

"-Then what's the hold up?"

"There isn't one." There was as strong silence that stopped the argument between the two as the priest locked his gaze with that of his mistress. "How can something be considered as procrastination when it's already done?" There was this sheer look disbelief on the elegant blonde's face. Her eyebrows narrow sharply as seriousness took over.

"Now," she started as her face quivered into a smirk tilting to the side of her chair. "By what you meant by that is whatever we had discuss prior was already completed?" Xellos nodded with a simple motion, which cause Zellas Metallium to burst into a fit of hilarity. "I suppose all we can do wait and watch?" His Mistress's laughter came to a halt as she refused herself to her usual cool posture.

"For now, since we are already ahead of things as of now." She coldly commented taking a final drag before snuffing the cigarette out. "Well since that is relocated and been taken care of, is there any updated on that blasted assassin?"

"Why, Yes." The priest happily confirmed affixing his staff to the floor. "The last I've seen of Thanatos was still tending to that Copy."

"He's still babysitting that thing?" There was a hint of irritability that clung to her inquiring commentary, which made Xellos slightly cringe at her choice of tone.

"Unfortunately yes," He included briskly. "From my understanding, the Copy remains dormant."

Mistress Metallium grew quiet once more, her lips pressed firmly together as she formed over anything else that was required furthered questioning. Then it dawn on her the need to be in the known of the other who resides within the Sea.

"Have you obtained any knowledge of what Deep Sea has been up to? She's being awfully quiet since you last reported seeing her agents…" There was a pause while Xellos's gloved hand rapped on the surface of his staff.

"I've haven't heard a single thing, but nor have I paid them a visit in the longest time!" He suggested with a rose brow, while she in return gave him an approving gesture before disappearing without a trace. Left now to her own devices, the woman rises from her seat and makes into a part of the room; a bookshelf with many of an assortment of aged tomes written in tongues long forgotten by man. A clawed finger traces several before stopping on a certain one with a black faded spine. The tome was decayed from the stretch of its existence over the ages that passed.

"There you are." She mutters using a swift motion yanking the book from its place. She sets it on the table adjacent from her, shuffling carefully throughout its yellowing pages. After fumbling around with a few pages, she encounters this strange art; this illustration depicting that of seven ghastly images with a ruin encrypted on places of their beings. A wave a paranoia surged though her as she glanced over her shoulder; for she was the only one in this world to come in contact with such evidence of these creatures; a primordial race that predates even of her own existence and the others, as well as that of some of the well known gods of this world. This made her wonder with such rareness to this item, of exactly how much is known about these creatures, or if they were purposely eased to ceased the knowledge of that being process by the humans. From what she had so far decipher to her understanding; these very being were extremely powerful and had an odd connection though the sea of Chaos. They were the abnormally strong, yet humanoid offspring of a woman whose name Zellas yet learn to utter. This was extreme new to the Demon Lord and an excitement quivered itself though her very essence as she sank more into the depths of translating these strange texts.

We skimmed the outskirts of the Kingdom of Saillune and if anything, close enough to where Prince Philionel felt it was appropriate to grace us with his depart. With Amelia being the very last (as she clung on dearly to her father) it was only moments before the carriage took off as in a hurry to the capital before sunrise.

"It's going to be another day's travel to Taforashia," Pokota quipped unraveling a huge map as he tried to get everyone's attention. "But if we keep the pace, and take no camp tonight, then we should be there a bit pass morning." I don't anyone was really hearing him out on what he was suggesting, though with the exception of me, because you know, I'm always listening.

"Do I get first dibs on which room I'm staying in?" He gave me this absurd look before sighing, realizing that I was the only one paying him any mind.

"You know what… "His face twitched as he continued this side-ways glance at me. "If you can get everyone attention for me, then I'll let you have first pickings at any room in the palace!" Okay! Fair enough! I thought momentary to myself before grinning from ear to ear. My face broadens as my palms grew hot-

"-Wait! Lina! What are you doing-?"

"-FIREBALL!"

No one was expecting this; the bundle of flames whizzed its way toward Gourry, and then exploding as the blond and the others jumped high before posing for an attack! I giggled lightly as the others begin to shout.

"That was a fireball!" Gourry growled as he unsheathed his sword. "Where did it come from?"

"Over here!" I waved, and I caught a soft scoff from Zelgadis while he placed back his sword. Both Amelia and Proserpina stepped forward from their places with matching scolds.

"Dammit Lina!" The pearly woman hissed as she shifted her rifle into her harness. "You had me all excited there!"

"You also can't just decide to attack us like that," Amelia chimed in with an annoyed tone. "That's call treason, and that isn't very justice-like at all-"

"Well-"I butted in to clarify tapping at my chin. "-It was actually Pokota's idea-"

"It was not!-"He assertively fumed though his teeth. "-All I wanted was for you to get everyone's attention!"

"Yeah, I know," I gave him a reassuring wink. "But look, it worked right?"

"Yes, but that's not what I had in mind that you would do-"

"Yet, you weren't specific on how so, so I went with my best idea." Pokota let out a low growl as he shoots me a murderous glance. I shrugged him off and continue to keep my end of the bet.

"-He wanted to let everyone know that if we this up for the rest of the night-meaning NO camping, then he would allow us to be guest of honor at his palace!-"I finished as he glared at me with a redden face.

"-Not exactly what I meant, Lina!"

"...Here we go…" The blue chimera grumbles as he folded his arms letting out a passive sigh. "It's always something with her…"

"Lina…" I flinched as the warm hand from Gourry touched my shoulder. I glanced at him fully as he said with a stern expression. "You know that wasn't very nice of you to throw a fireball at me like that…"

So, after I hastily apologize for all the commotion I've stirred up apparently, the disgruntled bunch grouped together to hear out the younger prince's plan. After everyone surprisingly agreed, though somewhat woefully at the least; we then returned to our pervious pace marching forward as we continued to ventured deep within the woods.

Dusk begins as the skies into that of an intense fiery orange, making me wish I oppose to Pokota's "no camping" idea as my legs started to become wobbly with each step more. What the hell was I thinking? This feels like this is going to take longer the he expected… I glanced around at everyone else, who were quiet with content as they made their own hast. I don't think anyone here has anything to complaint about really-

"Say!" Gourry's baritone shattered the silence, causing to nearly take a leap from my skin. Maybe I thought too soon? I glance at him as the other gestured their focus at him. "Does anyone know where the bad guys are? I'm bored-"

"S-seriously?" I made the attempt to laugh it off awkwardly, but he had a point. There hasn't been a single baddie spotted for the distance we traveled.

"You do have a point, Mister Gourry." Amelia chimed in from my right. "There hasn't been a single person, no less any monsters. Where did everyone go?"

"Maybe they had other things to do…" Zelgadis passively suggested. "I image they have other dealings to do other than just rob and maunder travelers."

"I was though here roughly weeks ago," Pokota stipulated briskly. "My men and I combed though this area, eliminated any possible threats. I just think they haven't had the gull to regroup and return."

"Well, I'm digging it!" Proserpina expressed blissfully stretching her arms behind her head. "I like for once not feeling like I'm being hunted." I can imaged that; being constantly chased after can be pretty damn exhausting if you ask me. I feel myself grinning watching her currently be worried free. At least for the moment, until a certain priest relocates her, and back to her being on edge again! I had to simply agree with her with enjoying the peace and quiet myself. How did she put it? Oh yeah… I dig it too!

I'm uncertain of the amount of distance we covered, but the sun eventually peaked from the horizon. I apparently lost some track of time, by occupying my thoughts just to stay awake. There was an occasion where good old Jellyfish brains would either ask or state something irrelevant. Yet this time, he chooses a more personal inquiry.

"Say," Gourry peered over in Proserpina's direction, which I want to assume that she was thinking similar as I was; that he was addressing this her. "I had something come to mind…"

OH boy! "What is it?" Brave woman, but prepare yourself, this is Gourry after all.

"Did it hurt?" Now everyone's attention was included; Pokota's chatty conversation with Amelia abruptly stopped and Zelgadis nearly trips himself midway in his own sulk. I rubbed my eyes, hoping this was out of being sleep deprived. What the hell kind of question was that?

"Did what hurt?" A genuine confusion grew on her face as she took a stab for him to clarity what he was getting at, but I think it might've been the move that killed the cat…

"Uh, you know," He tapped his fingers together. "When you got changed… Do you remember?" His headed tilted sideways as the whole group- minus Proserpina, whose face redden as she gaze down- where taken aback by Gourry's boldness!

"Mister Gourry!-"

"-YOU"RE AN IDIOIT!" The blond remain unfazed to the insult the younger prince shouted at him as he continued to wait for her to tell him.

"Well…" She begins, chuckling softly. "They sedated me, so I wasn't awake during the process-"

"-They put you to sleep? She just said that Moron! I gritted my teeth as I could feel myself grow hot as somewhere I could hear a loud smacking noise from where Zel made the attempt to catch his own face. "Is he really doing this" He mutters lowly into his palms. Yes, I am afraid so!

"Ah, yeah." She had a bit more patience then I or the rest of us do when it comes to Gourry and his air-minded antics. "They did, and when I woke up, I was like this." It was until what he responded that nearly had me swinging at him. "Oh that's a relief! Because I don't know how I would feel if I had a set of horns grow from my head! - AH Lina! Hey Watch it!-"

"You'd figured he would learn…" I huffed, squeezing my grip I had as I locked my arm around the blonde's neck. He struggled as I heaved to retain my hold on him. "You figured with Zel around, he wouldn't dare to ask, but there are moments like these that I like to call "The Jellyfish effect; where he just goes for it. Care for an example? Let's start with Filia! Where you first claim to see her tail!-"

"-But she did have a tail!-"

"Yeah but that's not the point I was trying to make! You need to know when to keep your mouth shut!-"

"Lina- It's fine!" Proserpina sighed shaking her head as her request was left unheard as I continue to give all of my might to subdue the Jellyfish. "I had way more worst things said to me than that." I let go of Gourry, and he scramble about, gasping for air as I rose to my feet. He wobbled with wariness as he steadied himself, gaze not leaving mines as he wipes the saliva from the corners of his mouth.

"Sheesh girl, I thought you were going to strangle him!"

"I'm pretty sure that is what she was attempting to do…" Zelgadis mumbled shrugging his shoulders as he peered in a Gourry's vitals. "It's would not be the first time."

"It won't be of the last either…" I heard a very voice that made my blood run like ice as I spun to be greeted by the sly grin of a certain trickster priest.

"Oh Son of a bitch!-"Proserpina's counted enthusiasm as she stamp hard at the ground ;inching her way from the captive stare down Xellos had on.

"Awe! Did you think I would ditch you so soon?" He cooed crossly as he effortlessly vanish and then reappear to her opposite. "I'm afraid that isn't going to be the case; you see, there such a high interested that developed about you within recently. I'm at the point myself where I'm dying to see what all the fuss is is!" Then something small tugged at the back of his cape, and with a questionable eyebrow rose, he turns to spot the wee chimera. The little thing was annoyed the whole time as it trotted behind us, refusing any one from carrying them. With a half sleep gaze on its speckled face, and without skipping a beat, it looks Xellos dead in the eye and says:

"Will you get the hell out of here?" They had begun as they peer at him. "…I don't wanna deal with you!" I almost lost it; that was knee slapper, and I wasn't the only one humored by it. Proserpina busted out in a laughter herself and Xellos glance around to see what the other reactions were. Zel's was one of pure shock, as well as Amelia who let out a gasp. Pokota seemed assumed, while Gourry was just as clueless as ever.

"Where'd that thing came from?" Again, his memory serves him well! We all scoffed in unison, shaking ours heads, or picking oneself from the ground.

"Don't tell me he already forgot…" I overheard the young prince commented brushing bits of leaves from his robes. "The little thing has been with us this whole time since it was spawned!"

"When was that?" Pokota slap his forehead rather hard as he let out a long growl as Gourry's blights of amnesia; by now you'd figured he would of gotten used to it, yes? Well it appears that he's still in the same boat as the rest of us when it comes to these types of antics. I can't blame him for his annoyance; this has been the second time Gourry has pulled this off.

"You know, little one," I overheard Amelia as she kneeled next to Baby. "That wasn't really a polite way of telling someone to leave." They frowned as she slightly flushed. I don't think she was expecting that kind of reaction. "You should be aware that is considered rude, which is really unfair to others-"

"Frankly I quite agree with them." Zelgadis leered lowly as Xellos's face twitch. "We are pretty aware of what your business for here is, and it's getting rather old, if you'd ask me…" He folded his arms as the monster clicked his tongue.

"Well then Zel," He then smirk objectivity, moving quickly to the chimera as Xellos was soon inches away from him. "Unfortunate for you, and the rest, your input is merely an opinion. I am here on business; not for personal demand." Oof! That was pretty darn harsh! Yet Zelgadis remain unfazed, his glare grew piercingly as the priest stood still awaiting for his response.

"You know, I could give a damn about the reason of why you are here," The blue chimera flatly replied without blinking. "-But for whatever favor your are pulling for your master or whomever, the approach your using won't get you very far in whichever you are trying to find out." The assertiveness that emitted from Zelgadis was so thick, that I could slice though it with a butter knife. I want to assume that Xellos could sense it; for he reacted with such offense as he wrinkled his face in displeasure.

"Ah ha. I wished I was in the state where I could take such advice from you," He spat with a breath, and then paused. "Yet you all should be well aware by now, and my motto remains the same; That's a secret!-"

"-My ass!" Proserpina hissed though gritted teeth, "I wished your face was a secret!" Girl's got fire in her! I let out a chuckle and Xellos then whipped his head my direction.

"Is there anything you like to include as well, Lina Inverse?" Wow! Is he really trying to fish for inputs here? Maybe I could spare…

"I'm just wondering how long you are going to take…" I begin as I tore my burning eyes from here. "Look we been up all night traveling, Xellos. Many of us are pretty sleep deprive (Minus the chimeras, as the three appear energetic than the rest) and we just what to get to where we need to be for catch up on our rest!" There was a silence that lingered after that was all said and done. I swayed in my spot as a stannic feeling seize my very bones.

"Well if that's the case. " The trickster priest tone changed at a flip of the dime; back to his usual cheery as if he was never told off in the first place. "Then I suppose another time would be more appropriated where everyone is rested?" We just glared at him quietly as he placed his hand high. "Well then, with that note, I'll leave you all be, but I shall be back!" He then tapped his staff on the ground, and disappeared. All of us exchanged glances of shock and disbelief, waiting for one of us to come up with an explanation for the priest's behavior.

"That was too easy!" It was all on Gourry first to make a remark. "I wonder where he went off to."

"I could care less-," The pearly woman pace about with a hiss, scanning the area for any signs of Xellos. "I'm just he's fucking gone."

"That's for now, at least..." Zel added gravely, resuming the track as we set out in suit. "He did mention that he will be back, but that's not saying when and where he will decide to show up at."