SLAYERS TRY ( AGAIN ! )
Written by : TokyoFlame
Legend : Italic sentences = thoughts
Characters belong to the respective legal owners
~***~
The remains of a failed water attack spewed past Xellos, his outstretched palm having caught the onslaught. Within it embedded a glowing black ball, which had absorbed most of the impact.
" It seems that you have been secretly training just as hard too, Xellos. "
Lionel growled softly as Xellos slowly retracted his hand back to his side. A casual smile crossed the said Mazoku's face as he chuckled in a mock-embarrassment tone.
" Do you really think so, Lionel ? A compliment coming from you is rare indeed. "
" Xellos, you're after Lord Shabranigdo's power fragments, not me. "
" False. I was ordered to get rid of the root of the problem too. "
" They suspected I was the culprit ? "
" That is not for me to affirm, nor to question. "
" Oh Xellos, hear yourself out ! You sound like a lackey. "
" Your point being .. ? "
" Those Lords don't even give a damn to their subordinates. They expected 100% loyalty just because we were their creations. "
" I don't see anything wrong with that. "
Xellos momentarily shifted his eyes to the ground, his sharp vision caught one of the Mazoku showing him the bottles carrying Lord Shabranigdo's fragments. He nodded his head affirmatively, and the Mazoku army started to withdraw from the Kingdom.
" Don't you ever desire for anything of your own free will ? "
Xellos's eyes immediately clouded, but he did not look away.
" Come on Xellos, we've known each other for almost eternity. Do I not know what you desire most ? "
A flicker of surprise shot by Xellos's expression, and his eyes hardened. Almost defensively, he aimed his weaponry staff at Lionel, as though he was willing Lionel to stop talking.
The growing menace in Lionel's smile was increasing.
---
Valgaav watched with growing anger as the young toddler slumped to the ground, the Mazoku culprits having finished their round of fun. As the wretched figures ambled away, Valgaav was reminded of the monstrous flashbacks he suffered during his sleep. He hardly dared to confide in Filia, for he knew how guilty she still was when it came to the issues of his race. He quietly kept the flashbacks to himself, and he had to bite back his lips to prevent him from crying when he was younger.
Against Jilas and Glavos's advices, when Valgaav turned 16, he decided to find out exactly what had happened in his " past life ", as what Filia had rather reluctantly dismissed it as. His journey to seek Queen Amelia Wil Tesla Saillune's guidance had turned out to be fruitful, as the 30 year old elegant and regal Queen then told him all that he had ever wanted to know. He went back to Filia's side after a week, bracing himself for a severe reprimand. Instead, he received a heartfelt embrace by his guardian, and despite his age, he remembered he started to cry in her arms.
( Author Interrupts : I'm taking Amelia's age to be 14 during the end of TRY ).
His hands were starting to shake involuntarily, furious at himself for being so helpless. His short-cropped hair was blowing in the rough wind, caused by the violent activities of the Mazoku.
Ah.
A very sharp change in his immediate atmosphere was brought to his attention, and he noticed a glowing pillar of light emerging from a distance. The air converged around it, and he could see white wisps of it being sucked into a portal. The light was suddenly amplified and a human silhouette formed within it. Then slowly, the glare gradually softened into a pale shimmery glow, and Filia stepped onto the human sphere, the ends of her clothing lightly falling back into place as the winds dissipated around her.
Valgaav found that he could not speak, as he looked at Filia again.
Is this a dream ?
Filia's aquamarine eyes landed on him, and she smiled almost in a relieved manner.
" Valgaav ! "
" Onee-san … "
Valgaav suddenly found the Ryuuzoku in his arms, as a crying Filia embraced him with a ferocity unmatched with any of her previous ones. He suddenly did not know whether he should laugh or feel embarrassed.
" O .. Onee-san ! "
Filia released him slowly and stood back to have a good look at her charge.
He's changed so much.
Valgaav had to smile, as he did miss his guardian a lot. He called her big sister, because he had grown up hearing Jilas address Filia by that term.
" Onee-san, how have you been ? "
" Still the same. I don't think you'll expect anything to happen in quiet old – "
Filia caught herself, as she remembered the first Mazoku attack in their neighbouring town. It was also the day when the fateful encounter with a certain Mazoku had taken place. Things had NOT been peaceful ever since then.
" Onee-san ? "
" N .. nothing, Valgaav. How have you been ? "
" Obviously I'm fine, though I've learned quite a lot since I travelled a fair bit. In fact, you are here as part of my adventures because of the chaotic scene over here. "
Worry seeped into Filia's eyes as she hurriedly walked past Valgaav to peer at the streets. Streams of black smoke were rising from certain parts of the main town, wailing cries were consistently heard, and random Mazoku were still rampaging through the broken pathways. She was surprised to see most of the bulk of the Mazoku streaming out of the city though. Of course, her attention was soon captured by a certain purple-haired Mazoku levitating in mid-air.
" Is .. is that Xellos ? "
Valgaav's query was cautious.
" Yes, Valgaav. Yes, that's him all right. "
Filia sighed softly as she turned away from the scenes of carnage beneath her. Valgaav studied his guardian carefully, knowing that Filia had a long history with that infamous character. Apparently, he had a run-in with him too, in his " past life ".
" Valgaav, leave all this to me. Judging from the lingering scent of the Mazoku, there could easily be a hundred of them still running amok in this city. I suppose the army is withdrawing because they had accomplished their mission. Listen to me, you must leave now. "
" Leave !? What are you talking about, Onee-san ? I want to help too ! "
" No, Valgaav. "
Filia's expression was serious, and it spelt no compromise. Valgaav almost growled in disagreement, a habit he had caught on when he started to develop his phenomenal abilities. Filia had laughed and teased him quite a bit with being a temperamental dragon.
" Onee-san, you're definitely trying to hide something from me. "
" Do not question your elders. "
Valgaav looked away, knowing it was difficult to argue with Filia when she had made up her mind. However, he was still fuming within. She had always been secretive about many things, and he had to resort to other means of obtaining the required information he badly wanted. She was all informative about everything except the Ryuuzoku, the Ancients, and the Mazoku.
" Onee-san, I really --- "
" Valgaav, I give you 5 minutes to teleport to an area 10 miles away from this Kingdom. "
" But --- "
A loud explosion interrupted Valgaav, and both dragons turned to see a huge cloud of smoke in the sky.
" Xellos … "
Valgaav caught the immense worry in Filia's expression, and he narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
---
Xellos found himself in the thick of a stiffening environment, poisonous gas emitting from everywhere around him. His eyes darted around, scanning for any sneak attacks breaking through the blackness.
Damn Lionel, he managed to distract me for a good second.
Xellos was trapped in a dimensional cube, which was bellowing a lot of smoke aimed to reduce his vision to disastrous low levels. His weaponry staff had been summoned back into the Astral Plane just in time, for he knew it was useless to wield it in a dimensional field. The vital link to the Astral Plane was now sufficiently cut-off, and he had lost one avenue for regeneration.
Thank goodness for Deep Sea Dolphin's gift.
" Xellos ! 300 years had gone by, and you're still as immature as ever. "
The gloating voice of Lionel boomed around him, the scorn and hint of laughter clearly evident. Xellos remained silent, as he focused all his senses to track him down.
" This is one of the ultimate chants I was fortunate to have picked up, from Lord Shabranigdo's remaining fragments of power. You will never have enough energy to break through, unless you are the direct descendant of him ! "
You didn't even notice that we've gotten the fragments already …
A loud frenzied laughter howled through the blackness, echoing continously around Xellos, effectively interrupting his thoughts.
" Then kill me. "
The laughter was cut off suddenly, and an eerie silence reigned for a few seconds.
" I said kill me, Lionel. I have failed in my mission to finish you off, and I will have to be silenced. "
" KILL you ? Why should I follow YOUR order ? "
Xellos closed his eyes, and folded his arms across his chest. Still, he remained silent.
" Xellos, you are one hell of a trickery. A living paradox ! You're not human, but look at yourself ! You disgrace the Mazoku with your looks. I am fed-up with your reputation. You ! We had been created at the same time, but somehow, you keep rising in your power. Me !? I was relegated to nothing. I had to default from our race because I craved for more power, simply because they wouldn't part theirs for me ! "
" Lionel, you do know that Deep Sea Dolphin-sama highly regarded you back then. "
" So ? That was just talk. She was always comparing me against you. I'm sick of it ! Her suspicious nature wouldn't let her part her powers to me, so how was I going to improve ? Xellos this, Xellos that. You're such an irritant. "
" I'm sorry to hear that. "
" So I left, and I was determined to upsurp you. I think I succeeded. "
" Good for you. "
" It's of such joy, to see you trapped under my hands. So helpless and vulnerable. "
Xellos remained where he was. Never moving.
" Time to die, Xellos. "
---
The ominous smoke continued encroaching in that particular area in the sky, and it was evident that they were contained in a cube-like structure. Filia badly wanted to be there, wanted to know how Xellos was, wished that she could dispel that menacing spell, but she remained rooted to the ground. She realised that her palms had been clenched for some time now, and she gradually pulled her concentration back to where she was.
" Onee-san, you want to help Xellos ? "
" Valgaav. "
The tone was final, meaning that he was not to continue asking. Valgaav hesitated, but upon looking at Filia's mournful features, he couldn't contain his curiousity anymore.
" Onee-san ! Tell me what is going on ! "
Filia looked at Valgaav in surprise, knowing that Valgaav had always respected her privacy.
He must be really troubled.
" I … well … what do you want to know then ? "
" Who is Xellos to you ? "
Great.
" Next question. "
" Onee-san ! "
" I do not have an appropriate answer for that. "
" Have you been in contact with Xellos then ? "
" Well, yes I have. "
" When ? "
" Recently. "
Valgaav realised that this conversation would take years to unravel what he wanted to know from Filia, judging from those answers she was giving.
" Onee-san, you seem to be very very bothered with that Mazoku. "
Filia looked at Valgaav, gazing at his serious expression.
He had really changed. So grown-up, so matured ..
" Valgaav, I admit that I have mixed feelings towards that Mazoku. Only him. "
" Onee-san … "
" I am regarding you as a proper adult from now on, as I know that you have grown a lot more ever since you went travelling. There had been many things which were not advisable to tell you, as they were complicated and very illogical to explain without a mature mindset. Do you follow, Valgaav ? "
" Y .. yes .. Onee-san. "
" The Kouma Sensou had been the beginning of the age-old rift between the Ryuuzoku and the Mazoku. I was not borned during that period, but my parents were. They barely survived, and I was conceived 20 human years after. My hatred towards the Mazoku may be unshakeable, but above all, I belonged to the second generation and I had not personally experienced the horrors of the war. As a training priestess, I had dedicated my whole life to serving Karyuu-oh-sama, and I knew nothing of the outside world. In that sense, I was very immature and naïve in my thinking, and I started off with that mindset when I was approached to convey Karyuu-oh-sama's vision of Darkstar to Luna Inverse, and subsequently to Lina Inverse. The rest … as you know … is history … "
Valgaav nodded affirmatively, as Filia struggled a little to collect her thoughts.
" Xellos was already acquainted to Lina, Gourry, Amelia and Zelgadis, but I wasn't. I felt an immediate dislike towards him when I saw him, for he was THE Mazoku who had created the most well-known massacre during the Kouma Sensou. No matter what, I could not forgive him for his act, even though I did not go through the war. Things broke down between the both of us, although we were both arguably the strongest members amongst the group. "
" Why did Xellos join in the fray ? "
Filia turned to look at the ongoing scene outside the window, her eyes conveying worry still.
" I have no idea. He was always so secretive, and even Lina could not get him to talk. We understood his orders, and that he was always ready to abide by his Master's commands, but it was really unnerving to have a Mazoku at our tail. "
" Queen Amelia commented that in reality, both of you have very good chemistry. "
" I don't know … "
Filia's voice was thick with doubt, as her eyes never left the window. They were standing in an abandoned shophouse, which had earlier been rummaged through by the Mazoku. Burnt and scattered belongings were all that remained around them.
" When you left .. I was thrown into a lullaby of silence .. "
Guilt seized Valgaav's heart immediately, and he looked down in remorse.
" I knew I could cope with your departure, but it was difficult. Still, I managed, with the help of Glavos and Jilas. Things were back to normal, and I led a life of .. admittedly .. loneliness. "
" Onee-san .. "
" I didn't know I was lonely. I suppose I was too busy trying to comfort myself that I hardly realised it. The turning point was when a Mazoku started attacking our neighbour, Yelissa. I thought it was safe for me to pray for the destruction and death, for I told myself not to interfere with the affairs of the secular world. Yet … Xellos was there … and we met for the first time since 18 human years. "
" 18 ? Isn't it this year ? "
" Yes, Valgaav. We separated when you were reincarnated, and you are officially 18 in human terms this year. You could imagine my surprise when I saw him again. He started dropping by often, sometimes ranging from once a few months down to once every two weeks. There weren't any promised dates, and I never looked forward to them. Still, I realised I was starting to yearn for his company. I must admit, maybe I was tired of being alone. I just needed someone to talk to. "
" Onee-san, it is my fault. "
" No, Valgaav. You must leave my side, and explore the wide world around you. I was kept within the boundaries of Karyuu-oh-sama's temple, and I was insufficiently educated in terms of being wise in the ways of the world. I didn't want you to end up like me. It was right of you to leave, and it would be wrong of me to stop you. "
" Onee-san, did he tell you of this attack ? "
" No, he would never tell anybody. His activites are all confidential, and he would say sore wa himitsu desu. "
A hint of nostalgia was in Filia's teasing tone, and it made Valgaav smile involuntarily.
" Valgaav, I know you are dying to help the innocent citizens of this town, but you must trust me, and leave before Xellos finds you. I do not want to test the waters, I do not want Xellos to see you. "
" Onee-san, I .. I understand .. but you must take care of yourself. "
" I will. Now go. "
Valgaav gave a last lingering look at his guardian, and he slowly peeled them away to concentrate on his teleportation. As he melted away into nothingness, Filia swallowed the lump in her throat to prevent the tears from spilling, and averted her determined eyes towards the direction of the ongoing battle in the sky.
---
A loud roar pierced through the crushing blackness, and Xellos strained to sense the direction where it was coming from. Snapping his eyes open, he raised his hands in front of him, forming an incantation sign with his fingers whilst mumuring a chant in an unknown language, quickly and furiously. As Lionel's body pounced right through the camouflage, Xellos finished his spell with a gusto right at that moment and Lionel was thrown into suspended motion, effectively slowing down his movements.
" WHAT THE … !? "
The darkness surrounding Xellos slowly spun around him, causing a whirlpool. Xellos started on a new form of incantation, in the same language that Lionel could not understand. His fingers were shifting into another sign, and Lionel could not decipher the meaning. The whirling smoke was soon sucked into nothingness, dispelled forcefully in a sudden, and causing Lionel to gasp.
I can't move fluidly, damn Xellos ! I must break his spell.
Lionel tried to pounce onto Xellos, but every movement of his muscle seemed to be tied down with a brick. He started to chant a counterspell, his eyes never leaving Xellos.
It's working !
The counterspell eased the constraint on his limbs, and he was already launching an impossibly heavy attack on Xellos. Jumping high up above Xellos, he growled with anger as he focused all his energy on him.
You will be torn into shreds, Xellos !
Xellos was rather reluctant to finish off Lionel so soon, but Lionel was impatient on killing him, and he didn't like to be killed by Lionel. He knew of the serious consequences of the action he had decided to take, but he had no other options. Xellos breathed in deeply and started to summon a powerful chant in Mazoku language. The bangle of Dolphin's prowess, the sash of Grauscherra's dominance, and the necklace of Zelas's authority on Xellos's body started to shine concurrently upon the activation, and Lionel's eyes grew wide with recognition. A radiant powerful combination of blue, white and black translucent auras circled Xellos's being, filling the Mazoku with undefeatable flows of pure strength and power, causing Xellos to start laughing in a crazed manner. The amethyst colour of his eyes was starting to waver, as the influence of the surge of pure energy polluted the orbs. The dimensional seal burst into tiny fragments under the cackling power of the representation of the three Mazoku Lords, all absorbed into one body.
At this point, the retreating army of the Mazoku had stopped where they were, and they turned to stare at the sizzling figure, feeling the pressurising aura all the way from the sky. They were in awe at the supreme demonstration of power, which was rare as the Mazoku Lords had not wielded theirs ever since the Kouma Sensou, and none of them had been there to witness the spectacular displays.
" Thank you for giving me the opportunity to abuse the powers of the Lords. "
Xellos's voice had a different edge to it now, it was somewhat deeper and rougher. The grin he was wearing had become wider, and his shoulder-length hair had grown considerably longer in an instant. A surrounding arc formed around him, and it was expanding rapidly.
" Xellos … you … you cannot fuse with the powers ! You can't control it ! "
" As if you care. "
Xellos snarled and aimed at Lionel with his hand, emitting a powerful beam of cackling energy towards him. Lionel managed to duck in time and Xellos glared murderously at him.
It'll be the perfect opportunity to attack him really, since he's awfully unstable now. He's dead, anyway. Once he fused with those powers, he won't be able to contain them and it'll eventually consume his Astral Form. What a dumb Mazoku.
Lionel decided to wait for that to happen. In the meantime, he'll just have to avoid being hit.
Oh really ?
Xellos had also gained the power to read the minds of anybody he wished, as he had inherited Deep Sea Dolphin's psychokinetic powers. All he had to do was to finish Lionel, in whichever way he deemed fit.
---
Some distance away, Filia was mesmerised by the awesome power that Xellos had summoned, and she did not catch the scent of a Mazoku lurking behind her. A shuffle soon followed, and the Mazoku was surprised to pick up the scent of a Ryuuzoku from her.
" A Ryuuzoku !! What a prized find ! "
" Oh no, you don't categorise me as a find ! "
Filia gathered her strength together and with a good grip on the Mazoku's arm, she flung him towards the nearest wall. A loud crash ensued, and the Mazoku was almost properly knocked out by the impact. However, he was still conscious enough to alert the remaining Mazoku of her presence by giving out a loud bellow.
" Oh no .. "
Filia started to prepare to teleport, but the other Mazoku were swift. Before long, she found herself surrounded by seven Mazoku, all of different species. She found it odd, for the Mazoku usually hung out with their respective kinds. Still, she had no time to ponder about that. She started to summon her powers.
---
Valgaav watched in silence as he couldn't believe the spectacular display of power that Xellos was wielding. It looked almost ethereal from his distance, and he was eyeing the last lines of the gist of the Mazoku army. They seemed to be returning to where they were coming from. Hiding at a secluded area, his dragon senses allowed him the convenience of watching without having to be too near.
" I hope Onee-san has performed the Purification Ritual. "
Valgaav wanted to see Filia once again, as they hardly had the opportunity to talk things out. He was starting to understand Filia's viewpoint, but unfortunately they were interrupted. He wanted to know more, but he found it silly to return to her at this point.
" What do I do ? "
---
A ball of energy started to form rapidly in Xellos's hands. Lionel started to inch away, trying to use the Astral Plane as a shelter, but Xellos had erected a similar dimensional shield around him, this time much stronger. Lord Shabranigdo may be powerful, but his fragments weren't so.
It was a weak shield you summoned, but mine is different.
Soon, the rolling ball of power found itself exploding upon contact with a cornered Lionel's body, and a loud lingering cry of pain pierced through the immediate surroundings. It sufficiently melted away 90% of Lionel's astral form, and he was on the brink of complete destruction. Xellos smiled, almost in a gentle manner, but the hint of menace was still there.
" You .. you just .. had to .. do that .. to me .. "
" Yes Lionel, for you won't survive for very long now. "
" I .. I really .. hate you .. sometimes .. "
" Thank you. "
" You .. you .. won't .. survive either .. you're too .. fused .. "
" Maybe. "
" Made .. made a puppet .. always .. always a pu --- "
The remains of Lionel's astral form melted away, and Xellos stared on impassively. The auras were still diffusing in his body, and he knew he could not dispel them completely. This was the expected consequence. He could feel his own astral form struggling to contain the power.
Maybe … maybe it's time …
---
Filia tried to catch her breath as all the Mazoku laid unconscious around her. They were low level ones, and hence were easy to defeat. As she looked up at the lone figure in the sky, she realised that he seemed to be in contemplation.
Should I appear before him ?
She bit her lip for a while, and as she was torn between her indecisiveness, she watched in alarm as Xellos started to tremble badly. Without a second thought, she teleported to his side.
---
Valgaav gave a loud gasp as he saw a familiar figure appear beside the Mazoku, Xellos. He immediately wanted to be there, but something held him back. He clenched his fists, hoping that Xellos would not harm his guardian. He knew he should not be there, as he had a strong feeling that Filia would never forgive him for that.
He started to pray feverishly.
---
" Xellos … "
A voice, so familiar and so near.
" Xellos ! "
He opened his eyes slowly, blinking a few times to correct the double vision he was experiencing.
" F .. Filia ? "
" What's wrong with you ? You're trembling and shivering. "
" Why are you here ? You already miss me ? "
" Xellos ! Stop fooling around ! I can't come near you, your aura is too repulsive to me. "
" Repulsive ? "
Xellos weakly smiled, wondering when he felt so tired.
Maybe I am older than I thought. I've lived almost long enough, and I've seen things that I did not really want to see.
A stray cackle of energy flicked at Filia, who recoiled immediately.
Leave me alone .. Filia ..
" Xellos ! Snap out of it ! Can't you see ? You're being consumed ! "
" I like that. "
" Xellos !! "
Filia watched in growing horror as the opaqueness of Xello's main body started to fade. He was rapidly disappearing.
" Xellos, you're .. you're disappearing .. "
" Yes Filia. "
The hint of resignation struck Filia like an arrow.
He sounded as though he was counting down to his death .. th .. this isn't Xellos that I know ..
" Lionel wasn't one of the lower-ranked Mazoku that I know. He could easily be as powerful as I am, and he was empowered by prolonged exposure to Lord Shabranigdo's fragments. He defaulted, and to a certain extent, I envied him. I would never betray my Master, but nevertheless, I envied him. I wanted to roam the lands, by my own free will. Travel the world, seeing things in the light of the humans, like Lina and Amelia. I was created to be a subordinate, and I resign to my fate. I should never have harboured such disastrous thoughts. I could have finished him off easily, but I let him have an edge over me psychologically, and I was trapped like a mouse. "
Filia was speechless at Xellos's unofficial admission on one of his many thoughts, and she had a combination of " being honoured " and " scared stiff " running through her veins.
" As the years went by, I got restless. A thousand human years and more had gone by, and I felt almost old. The world had become so peaceful, and the Lords refused to go to war because of some unknown reason. I would suppose that the collection of Lord Shabranigdo's fragments could be a sign of an impending battleplan, but I refuse to keep my hopes high anymore. I'm tired, Filia. "
Filia's heart was at her throat.
How many times have I told this to myself ?
" I think .. I think it was you who triggered off all those foreign thoughts, Filia. "
The Ryuuzoku stiffened.
" I never once felt that anything was wrong with my life, until I met you again. "
" I .. I felt the same too, Xellos. "
Both were silent for a while, before Xellos broke the moment by his strangled cry of pain. Filia was suddenly all anxious again, as she realised that he was rapidly disappearing at a quickened pace. She also noticed a sharp drop in the intensity of the power possessing Xellos's body.
Even if the Mazoku power is too suffocating for me, there is only one thing I can try to do now, to save Xellos.
" Forgive me, Xellos. "
To Xellos's surprise, and Valgaav's dropped jaws, Filia firmly planted her lips onto Xellos's.
---
Author's Rants :
Oh my, almost a MONTH to this update ! How was Minna-san's Christmas and New Year ?
I would be surprised if there is anyone still reading this fanfic. I'd like to think that this story is reaching its climax and I should be wrapping it up in a few more chapters or less.
Like it ? Hate it ? REVIEWS !!
12th January 2003