SLAYERS TRY ( AGAIN ! )

Written by : TokyoFlame

.::.

Legend : Italic sentences = thoughts

Characters belong to the respective legal owners

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Dynast Grauscherra slowly rose from his seat, his mind deep in thought. He was truly good-looking, his boyish human features merely a few years older than the deceased Hellmaster Phibrizzo. Casually running his hands through his short black hair, he sighed to himself, catching the attention of the lesser Mazoku, Decas. She was his servant, and she carried out his every bidding without question. Young, bright black eyes and short straight hair, Decas was chosen amongst the masses to wait on Grauscherra-sama personally.

" What is wrong, Master ? "

" Hmm ... nothing really. "

Decas bowed her head humbly, accepting his answer without prodding. Grauscherra knew that she was loyal and faithful, one who would never question his authority. Truth was, he really felt a slight affection for the seemingly innocent lesser Mazoku, but such a fact would not only endanger Decas, it would also spell lots of trouble for himself.

Decas was not his direct offspring. She was borned through a human mother and a father of an unknown origin. Like the case of Valgaav, she was initiated into the Mazoku through the exchange of life and blood, performed none other than Grauscherra himself. He found her, close to dying, a Mazoku under his reign being the culprit. In a rare display of compassion, he revived her and took her in from then on.

" Master, would you like to take a rest ? "

" No Decas, I am waiting for news from the Kingdom of Luthia. "

" A power struggle has occurred in the Astral Plane in that area. "

Grauscherra frowned slightly, causing Decas to shrink further away from him.

" Decas, you are not supposed to use your powers again. Remember, you're a Mazoku. You have been reborned. "

" Yes Master. "

Decas had the uncanny ability to sense any disturbance in the Astral Plane of any unprotected areas in the universe. Grauscherra sighed again. He wished his messenger would return soon. It was troublesome to be without a Priest and a General.

Sherra ... Grau ...

" Grauscherra-sama, I come with news from the Kingdo --- "

" Get on with it. "

Grauscherra had no patience for long-winded greetings. Sitting down again, he commanded his messenger to convey what he had seen a few moments ago.

" Viwa has launched into battle with Xellos. "

" Xellos ? "

" Hai, Grauscherra-sama. "

" It seems that Zelas is at it again. "

" What is your command, Grauscherra-sama ? "

" Let them fight it out. I found the source of power, but I will let Xellos bring it back to his Master. "

" Hai, Grauscherra-sama. "

When the messenger left, Decas reappeared in front of Grauscherra, her eyes showing deep worry and concern.

" I suppose I should thank Xellos someday. "

" Why, Grauscherra-sama ? "

" If he had not killed Sherra and Grau, then I would not have adopted you. "

" But you're without a Priest and a General, which is abnormal for a Mazoku Lord like you, Grauscherra-sama. "

" Rules can be broken, tradition can be lost. What more could be strange ? "

Grauscherra stood up, a rare display of his charming smile appeared as he turned to caress Decas's cheek. Decas turned red against her will, causing Grauscherra's smile to widen further.

" Let Zelas Metallium do whatever she likes. As long as she does not tread on my toes, I won't give as much as a glance. "

Decas bowed low as Grauscherra's authoritative figure walked out of his chamber, merging into the crystal-white surroundings of the North Pole.

" Yare yare, Viwa-san, are you tired already ? "

" Damn you, Xellos ! "

The two Mazokus reappeared into the human sphere, Viwa obviously on the losing end. Xellos had a long cut on his left arm, but Viwa had lots of fatal injuries on her body, her face now contorted with pain. Xellos was merrily feeding off her, but he decided that he wouldn't taunt her right now. Aggravation could do miracles, and it would be to his disadvantage.


" I only wanted to bring back the source of power to my Master. "

" Damn you all then, you and your pathetic Greater Beast Zelas Metallium ! "

Viwa spitted viciously, black pools of blood were forming rapidly around her as she slowly collapsed into a heap. Xellos remained where he was, containing his immediate anger at the insult thrown at his Master.

" Why don't I elevate your pain to greater heights ? A punishment for insulting one of the Mazoku Lords. "

Xellos closed his eyes and performed a chant quietly, winds of golden dust gathered around him. Viwa, in the meantime, had started to perform a shield.

Your shield is too weak.

Xellos shot his magic right at Viwa, the full impact threw her off-guard and she was thrown some distance away. Writhing in agonising pain, she started to choke on her own blood.

" Viwa, you have thoroughly entertained me today. "

Xellos smiled dismissively as he raised his staff into the air, a piercing red glow starting to emit from the crystal ball.

" You .. you have killed so many fellow Mazokus .. even .. even Priests and Generals .. "

Xellos's hand stopped in mid-air, impressed by Viwa's determination to speak her last words.

" You .. you will get your retribution .. "

Viwa's crumpled body started to disintegrate by itself, bit by bit. As the strong cruel winds picked up speed, they blew away every single trace of Viwa. Xellos slowly let his hand down, the power from his staff had dimmed and disappeared.

Her Mazoku form had been badly injured, to the point that she could no longer recover.

Xellos knew that he enjoyed the sensation of killing, regardless of any origin. Furthermore, he was usually acting on Zelas's commands. He would be killed if he did not obey her. He was 100% loyal to her. Always. For eternity.

So were the other Mazokus.

Mazoku was a harsh race, a powerful race. It was always the strongest who survived in the end. Xellos had to be strong, and he must become stronger. He had the powers of a Priest and a General. Officially, he was the most powerful non-Mazoku Lord.

It was also dead wrong that Mazokus had no feelings whatsoever.

Such nonsense spoken. A dying Mazoku and still no words of wisdom.

In reality, Xellos knew he was trying to comfort himself. Dismissing quickly the whole ordeal, he snatched the magnificent black orb of power and disappeared into the Astral Plane.

Filia wandered into the nearby forest, one arm holding an empty basket. She was on her way to collect the rare Siam Petal, a kind of flower which blossomed only 4 days in a calendar year. The flower could be found anywhere, but the fact that it lived for only such a short period of time made it a collector's item. Filia read about its healing properties in a book, and she was determined to search for it. Its fragrance was perfect for a nice brewing pot of tea, and Filia could not pass up on such a chance. Her sharp eyes scanned the green woods, determination etched across her face.

What was that ?

Filia thought she saw a quick flash of something purple from the corner of her eyes. Feeling surprised that she was already thinking of someone in her mind, she wondered whether she should pursue the truth.

" I ... I shouldn't be like this. He has nothing to do with me anyway. "

Filia sadly turned away, attempting to divert her attention back to the search.

If it was him, he would have appeared. He wouldn't play childish games like these anymore.

Suddenly, a loud scream pierced through the serenity of the woods. Filia dropped her basket and sped through the greens, her senses all awoken and working.

What happened ?

Filia stopped at a small opening in the midst of the forest, a purple creature had pinned down a small struggling boy. Filia took in a sharp breath as she recognised the creature to be a troll, disguised as an animal.

How could it be ? This entire part of the world is sealed away from magical creatures. Why are there sudden attacks by Mazokus and non-humans ?

Filia closed her eyes and whispered a spell, in a language so ancient and lovely, used in the beginning of time. White gusts of wind picked up around her, her face deep in concentration, a scene so marvellous and spellbinding. A shining ball of energy merged in her hands, her long golden hair all fluttering in the air like a descending goddess.

" Shamanic Blast ! "

The troll screamed before it disappeared in a binding white colour. The small boy looked entranced, not knowing what to believe. He could not even move a muscle, his whole being all paralysed from the display.

Filia knew she had to leave immediately. If the small boy remembered how she looked like, she would be in danger of being recognised.

With power.

Her hopes of merging into mankind would be shattered, her normal life would be disrupted.

She couldn't risk all that, but she had to save the boy. Quickly running away from the scene, she snatched her basket and made a beeline for home. Along the way, she prayed sincerely that all would be well.

Then again, why was there a sudden increase of non-human sightings ?

Filia had to know. They were attacking more frequently on the vulnerable and helpless peasants, who could not afford to employ sorcerers to perform protection spells. She could not publicly display her prowess, thus forfeiting all the efforts she had put in over the years, to protect them either. She was in a dilemma.

What should I do ?

But Filia had no time to fret about the public. An intruder had appeared in her house.

She could feel it.

" It couldn't be ... "

Author's Rants :

Gah ! Busy busy busy ! I've got to start packing soon, for it's time to leave for UK to study. I hope this chapter wasn't too late, or too diluted. I'm somehow writing into a plot, I guess. ^__^

3rd October 2002