SLAYERS TRY ( AGAIN ! )

Written by : TokyoFlame

.::.

Legend : Italic sentences = thoughts

Characters belong to the respective legal owners

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Peering at the Ryuuzoku's face, the Mazoku frowned slightly, his features betraying the fierce mental debate that was raging within him. As he awkwardly held her, the warmth that was radiating from her human body was affecting him in a strange manner he had never felt before.

Filia, please wake up soon …

Xellos sighed out loud, albeit softly and resignedly. He was sitting in a cross-legged fashion now, Filia's head carefully placed on his right lap. He was still in a daze, his mind having some trouble trying to register the events which unfolded the night before.

Well, actually, it was what SHE said that I cannot understand.

Xellos looked sharply down at Filia, his eyes narrowing when he remembered her last words, before she slipped into this comatose state. It really sounded as if she wanted him to stay.

HIM.

The liquid aquamarine eyes.

The lips.

The touch.

If there was something that bugged Xellos, it would probably be the clenching gesture that Filia did to his cloak before she slipped away into his arms.

It felt desperate.

" Really, Filia, you made me feel less inclined to leave you here alone, after what you've done. "

Xellos softly spoke to her, his fingers adjusting her dark golden hair neatly, almost in a casual manner. He realised that the colour had darkened to the current shade, as compared to the bright yellow she once sported.

You've aged … just like me …

A darkened look suddenly flashed past Xellos's face, as he remembered the many nights he had spent alone, just wading around in the eternal darkness.

Emptiness.

Xellos looked up into the brightening sky, and he wondered why he felt this way.

The silence was deafening.

The residents in Wolf Pack Island were in a frenzy, as Greater-Beast Zelas Metallium left the premises to visit Deep Sea Dolphin once again. Rumors were rife on an apparent power struggle / planned battle / secret conspiracy, and no one could pin-point accurately which rumor was true. If the Dark Lords were in action, then there was something huge brewing behind the curtains. Jyuushinkan Xellos was seen zipping in and out of Zelas's private chamber far too often, and if he was being more active than usual, Zelas Metallium must have had something up her sleeves.

Decas bowed low as Dynast Grauscherra swept effortlessly across the sprawling white grounds of his ice palace to retrieve his orb of power. As he was carefully observing it, he addressed Decas in a quiet voice.

" Decas, I want you to sense whether Xellos is in the Astral Plane. "

" Hai, Grauscherra-sama. "

Decas closed her eyes and dark blue wisps of energy started forming around her body. It took her only a few seconds to sniff out the Mazoku's scent.

" No, Grauscherra-sama. He is not in the Astral Plane. "

" So he is in the human sphere. Very well. I am heading over to Dolphin's now, take care of the affairs while I'm gone. "

" Hai, Grauscherra-sama. "

Xellos snapped out of his daydream rudely, his eyes blazing with recognition.

Someone was trying to track me down ?

Xellos almost laughed out loud, wondering who had the nerve to do so. He wanted to use his tracking powers, but was afraid that the dark elements would interfere with Filia's recuperation.

Could something have happened ?

It wasn't a daily occurrence that he felt such an intrusion to his privacy. In fact, the only figure who could pin him down and summon him back was Zelas. No other Mazokus did that, not even the Dark Lords.

They wouldn't dare.

But .. but I can't leave her now ..

Xellos tried to reason with himself. Firstly, if something HAD gone wrong, Zelas would never hesitate to summon him. Secondly, he had given his word to Filia that he would teleport her back, although he never expected that she would recuperate in THIS way. Thirdly, there was an increased awareness of Filia's presence to the Mazokus, and if he left her alone in the wilderness, anything could happen to her.

Yet, he was now curious. Very curious. He wanted to know what was currently happening.

" I suppose I don't have a choice now. "

Xellos closed his eyes and performed a quick chant, erecting a shield to hide her away from prying senses. Her scent was eradicated and she would be invisible to almost everyone, except him.

" I suppose this would do well, for the time being. "

Xellos gently laid Filia's head onto his cloak, which he had taken off and folded into a makeshift pillow for her. He summoned his weaponry staff, gave Filia one last look, and disappeared.

Right in the middle of the Demon Sea, the elusive Deep Sea Dolphin was busy playing with the strands of her hair, waiting for her two important guests to arrive. After all, there could only be two. Maryuu-oh Gaav was dead, killed by another deceased Hellmaster Phibrizzo. She smiled wryly at the thought, wondering why the two Lords ended up in such a pitiful state.

Especially Hellmaster Phibrizzo.

That boy form of his betrayed the massive power of destruction he held, as he was the official leader of the 5 Mazoku Lords. Now that he was dead, his position was empty, for countless years.

Dolphin was itching for something to happen. As a true-blue Mazoku, a dull and peaceful life was tormenting for her. When she heard of the suspicious source of power, she immediately desired for it. However, the origin was unknown, and she was slightly worried about her safety if she recklessly brought it back. Hence, she lured Zelas to retrieve it instead. Zelas obviously didn't trust her, but she herself craved for more power too, and so she took the risk anyway.

In the form of Xellos.

Dolphin's smile widened, almost sinisterly.

Xellos.

That Mazoku was one of the most well-known figures in their race, since he was so active in many affairs. Whether it was the Humans, the Ryuuzokus, the Mazokus, the Overworlds, or even the Lord of Nightmares Herself, he had a foot in it.

She liked people with power, immense power to say the least.

He would greatly increase her position if he joined her side, or rather, serve her instead.

It's been ages since I had a competent subordinate.

" Deep Sea Dolphin-sama, the guests are arriving very soon. "

" All right. "

The lithe figure slowly uncrossed her legs, her hands carefully arranging her light-blue wispy strands of shoulder-length hair. The human form she was using was very young, probably only 18 or 19 years of age. Donning on a white long piece of clothing ( which resembled like a Greek goddess ), the design showed off her curvy legs and thighs, a delight for the messenger indeed.

" Prepare the Hall. "

" Hai, Deep Sea Dolphin-sama. "

Let the fun begin.

Xellos reappeared in the hallways of Wolf Pack Island, immediately realising that his Master was no longer in the premises. Before he had the chance to think, most of the lesser Mazokus had scampered up to him, eager for news.

" Jyuushinkan ! Tell us what is happening ! "

Xellos peered carefully at the many faces, his expression completely blank.

" Where did Greater Beast-sama go to ? "

There was an eerie silence after this, most of the eagerness now replaced by puzzled looks.

" Y .. you weren't told ? "

" I am trying to find out where Greater Beast-sama is. "

" Greater Beast-sama has made her way to Deep Sea Dolphin-sama's premises. "

" When ? "

" Just a few hours ago. "

" Why ? "

" We honestly have no idea. We thought you … "

Xellos noted the disappointment amongst them, but he felt nonchalant. After all, he wasn't supposed to know EVERYTHING. Zelas Metallium would be really stupid enough if she trusted him to that extent.

" Did anything else happen ? "

" No Jyuushinkan. "

" Is Greater Beast-sama going alone ? "

" No, Dynast Grauscherra-sama had made his way there too. "

" BOTH Lords ? "

" Yes Jyuushinkan. "

Xellos's mind started working furiously. No wonder it was causing so much excitement amongst the Mazokus. It was a clear sign of something huge going on.

Grauscherra-sama left, so his servant would most likely be entrusted to look after his affairs.

Xellos frowned, wondering what he should do. The Mazokus were restless, and he couldn't afford to be away at this juncture. Yet, the Golden Ryuuzoku was still left behind on the mountaintops. He felt severely insecure at that thought.

" Did you see Tencho anywhere since this morning ? "

" No, she didn't seem to be in the shop house at all. "

Glavos looked worriedly at Jilas, as both of them paraded up and down in front of the empty shop house. They were supposed to be opened for business by now, but Filia had not unlocked the door as she would have done so since the break of dawn.

" She seemed to be rather out-of-sorts lately. "

" True, something had been bothering her a lot. "

" Remember that odd presence we picked up some time ago ? "

" A scent … oddly familiar … "

" It felt like Valgaav-sama in his past life. "

" Not really. Close, but still … "

Jilas's eyes glazed over for a while, and realisation struck him deeply.

" A … a Mazoku ! "

Xellos retired to his private lair, desperate for a moment to himself. He threw his staff onto the bed, and sat down wearily on his chair, heaving a sigh.

I can't believe I'm allowing myself to be strained like this.

His eyes seemed to burn brightly for a while, as though he was very furious at the wall that he was staring at. The crisp atmosphere hanging around the whole building was almost threatening to explode at the slightest spark. Every creature was anticipating, chattering, whispering, cackling, hissing, laughing, sniggering.

It was driving him nuts.

Why must everything happen altogether ?!

The mental image of Filia refused to go away, and the noises the Mazokus were creating greatly disturbed him.

Breaking point.

Author's Rant :

Oh boy oh boy, did anyone tell you it's hell to be in your final year in University ? No ? Well, I'm telling you now. It's ABSURD. Anyway, here's the new chapter. It might sound a little off-ish, due to my brain cells which were killed in huge numbers during the first 5 weeks of school. Oh yes, it's fun.

New chapters will be out sooner. December holidays are approaching !

5th November 2002