Chapter Twenty: A Light That Knows No Despair
Note: Again, I'd like to remind everyone that while scanlations of Knight of Aqualord exist, we haven't read them. So Riksfalto and Huraker are not in character due to a lack of familiarity. This will likely not be corrected at a later date, as I would like to get to work on the sequels to Search for the Aqualord.
Deep Sea Dolphin was a being shrouded in mystery. It was possible that she was the Mazoku Lord that the world knew least about.
She resided over the Demon Sea, the body of water created in the Shinma War, and held up the south east portion of the Mazoku barrier before Hellmaster was defeated. Though not many knew of it even now, a small band of sorcerers were responsible for calling on the powers of the Lord of Nightmares and killing the Mazoku Lord Hellmaster Phibrizo, thus breaking the barrier.
It was that event that directly led to their battle with Valgaav, the Mazoku-Dragon's unholy merging with the Dark Lord of another world, Dark Star, and of their fight now. It was Phibrizo's death that Lord Dynast Grausherra was avenging by casting the Curse of Humanity on Xellos. Little had they known the true part Xellos had played in the whole ordeal; or rather, his master, Greater Beast Zelas Metallium. To get back at Greater Beast, Dynast had waited until the perfect moment, then struck at Xellos when he least expected it. His human friends had been used as bait to lure him into the trap.
Now, he would never again be a Mazoku. He would live out the remainder of his days as a human.
Not content with this, however, Dynast had spread the word of what he had done, and now Deep Sea was out to kill the abomination that she saw a human Xellos to be, just as the Lords had with Chaos Dragon Gaav. Chaos Dragon was cursed similarly by the Ryuzoku, in the conclusion of the Kouma War a thousand years ago. But the Curse of Humanity worked differently, and Xellos was not exactly like Gaav. Gaav had retained part of his Mazoku spirit inside his human body, while Xellos kept only his memories of his life as a monster. The spiritual energy he did possess now was strictly that of a human's, though he seemed to have the makings of a sorcerer in league with Lina Inverse and Zelgadis Greywords.
Xellos wasn't a threat to the Mazoku, like Gaav had been, but it was doubtful that explaining that to Deep Sea would do any good. What reason did she have to believe them?
Three young women appeared in the forest in front of them. Standing in the middle was a woman of regal bearing that seemed to come as naturally to her as breathing did to everyone else. Her large eyes were very blue and strangely gentle, like the rest of her face. She had long hair that flowed down her back and a dress that looked delicate to the touch. Both were decorated with an assortment of pearls in different colors and shapes. She was, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful women Zelgadis had ever laid eyes on.
"It's actually her?" he asked softly.
Xellos nodded, his gaze never leaving the woman. In contrast to her soft eyes, his violet ones had gone hard and serious. There was fear there too.
Noticing that did not make Zel feel any better about what was happening. He shifted closer protectively to his lover and studied the other two women.
He recognized them from Xellos' descriptions. The one with sea-green hair was Riksfalto. She had the appearance of a young, muscular woman wearing light armor, and one of her blue eyes was closed due to a disfiguring scar. This was Dolphin's general and she bore a large, three-pronged sword.
Her counterpart was Dolphin's priest, Huraker. The top hat and overcoat she wore were reminiscent of shrine priestesses of the past, possibly modeled after some long forgotten religion. Her features, just as beautiful as her master's, were without malice.
If he had passed by any of them in the street, though they appeared strange, he never would have taken any of them for a Mazoku. If not for the feeling of bloodlust in the air, strong enough to choke on, he wouldn't have known now.
"It seems you have finished fooling around," Xellos noted in a strained yet cheerful tone.
Riksfalto smirked wide. "Right, you traitorous liar. You've never been well-liked by other Mazoku anyway, so it's not like it's a great loss."
Xellos placed a hand over his heart. "I'm afraid you are mistaken, Riksfalto-san. I may evade the truth and deceive people, including my friends, but I have never lied." He didn't deny being a traitor or that the other Mazoku didn't like him, Zel noticed.
"What's the difference?" she demanded.
"Oh my. I believe it is something I've tried to explain to you before, Riksfalto-san."
"And I still say you're a liar!"
Xellos sighed and focused back on the Mazoku Lord. "Please, Dolphin-san. Let these others go. There's no need for this."
Anger surged in Zel and he glanced at the determined look on his lover's face, meeting it with one of his own. "I'm not leaving you."
Xellos did not spare him a glance. His eyes remained fixed on the beautiful Lord's.
Dolphin tilted her head thoughtfully. "Perhaps. But they are too easily manipulated, by us and the Gods. In the past five years, they have destroyed a piece of our lord, not to mention my brothers, and then there was that embarrassing incident with Dark Star. There is a danger in that kind of Light that knows no despair." She stepped back. "Kill them all, my dears."
Riksfalto was the first to strike, bringing her strange blade up and swinging fast at Xellos' head, too fast for him to move, but Zelgadis was ready. He parried the blow and cast a Ra Tilt directly into her bare abdomen.
"Zelgadis," Xellos murmured warningly as Riksfalto tumbled to the ground, rolling head over heels, hitting foliage.
He readied another spell, not wasting time to glare at Xellos again, though he wanted to. He wanted to grab the former priest and shake him silly. "Don't ever ask me to abandon you again, bastard. We're in this together. We promised each other a future so you can't just give up when the situation isn't that dire yet."
Xellos hummed softly and hefted his dragon weapon. "My only excuse is that love can be an unusual motivator."
Zelgadis dropped the matter for later. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Amelia and Gourry fight against Huraker. Lina was standing back, away from the fighting. Zel hoped that the Mazoku could not guess what she was up to, like he could. Riksfalto was getting grumpily to her feet.
"Those are unusual objects, Xellos-san," Dolphin spoke up again. She was sitting on a tree stump, looking exactly like a fragile and sophisticated noblewoman. "Dragon?"
"I am human now, Dolphin-san," Xellos answered, his eyes on her green-haired servant. "The Aqualord does not mind offering me his aid."
"That's cheating!" Riksfalto yelled, throwing dark energy toward them.
Zel threw up a magical shield and grabbed Xellos around the waist, pulling him out of the way. Dust flew every which way and for a moment, he lost sight of Riksfalto.
Xellos gasped in his ear and a sudden Ray Wing had Zelgadis flying off into the trees, cutting a path through them with his unyielding body.
Grabbing hold of a sturdy one, Zel threw the wind spell off him, and saw Xellos barely evading Riksfalto, his supernatural speed long gone. The idiot had tossed Zel away to protect him.
"Xellos!" he yelled, growling, and brought his hands up. "Elmekia Flame!"
Riksfalto saw the Shamanic spell coming and as she evaded, Zel flew back to the scene, intent on protecting Xellos despite the former priest's efforts to the contrary.
"Zelgadis!" Xellos cried, and Zel caught sight of his terrified expression before the pain hit him.
He barely felt the ground when he fell. His entire world was filled with crippling agony beyond description.
He had assumed Dolphin would not interfere so soon and Xellos cursed his negligence, watching the dark energy cascading over Zelgadis' body like rippling currents. Through the chimera's sheer force of will, he refused to drop his blade while he was overcome with pain.
Before he could save his lover, Lina was already moving. A long blade of chaotic energy was in the small girl's hands as she went flying at Deep Sea.
"Master!" Riksfalto cried and got in Lina's way. Noble though her intentions were, she did not anticipate the strength of Lina's Ragna Blade, which sliced her sword arm clean off. Her arm and blade disintegrated, flowing back to the Astral Plane.
Riksfalto fell to one knee, grunting and holding her stump, energy steaming out of it and into the air. "Nngh…!"
Xellos frowned as Lina struggled to hold onto the Ragna Blade, even as it drained her. She was using her dragon weapon to somehow keep it together, as she had done with the Sword of Light before, but it was still hard on her.
He needed time to think. He needed a plan. Running into these situations without a plan was what had nearly gotten him killed last time, when he had defended his human friends against the Ghost of Shabranigdu. It was true that the Greater Beast had absolutely no interest in a world where the ghost of their Lord existed, but she had never ordered him to go to such depths to keep Lina and the others alive long enough to destroy it. Rather, it was Xellos' own plan to nudge his friends along the right path, to set them up to fight against the resurrected Rezo and Dark Lord.
At the time, he could not imagine that there was an evil they could not defeat. He believed in their power, believed in them enough to put his life on the line. Lina accused him of going too far and she was right. He almost died.
He believed in them still, in that light that knew no despair. He believed in them enough to die for them.
Xellos closed his eyes and gripped the weapon in his hand tighter. Slowly, a reckless plan began to form.
Zelgadis ordered his pained limbs to move. This was nothing, he told himself; he had born worse pain. Rezo changing him had done worse than this. The others were counting on him and so he had to keep fighting! He had to be strong!
He harnessed his will and his arm moved. He brought his blade up and skewered Riksfalto through the abdomen.
She cried out weakly and began to evaporate, from her stomach first, then as the nothingness spread slowly. As if the light of the sword was infecting her.
The pain was suddenly gone and Zel almost sagged to the ground in blissful relief. Free of the hurt, he could think and move easily again, and panted harshly for breath.
The reason the pain was gone, he noticed as he raised his head, was because Dolphin had broken it off to pull Riksfalto to safety. She cradled her hurt general in her arms as if she were something precious. Zelgadis did not have time to marvel at this revelation, however, as the Lord looked up again, meeting his gaze.
Her slitted eyes were filled with hate. "No," she whispered. "No more."
He didn't have time to dodge, and neither did Lina. When Dolphin attacked again, they were both caught in the blast.
The chimera fell to the ground once again. This time, he could not keep hold of his sword. Lina cried out in pain, losing her grasp on the Ragna Blade, and all he could do was writhe in the dirt.
Gourry sent a wave of holy magic from his sword toward Dolphin. Huraker was there in a millisecond, breaking off her fight with Amelia to block the attack.
"I apologize," said the priest with a cute smile. "Your fight is with me."
But Dolphin was distracted, worrying about both her servants. Xellos finally made his move.
He brought his weapon up and used it to cast an amplified Ra Tilt at her.
The grunt Dolphin made when she blocked the blow was only partly gratifying. She frowned at him. "Does this one mean so much to you, Xellos-kun?" She motioned to where Zelgadis was still twisting on the ground. There was a trickle of blood on the corner of his mouth. Even as she spoke, she kept up the attack on him and Lina.
The sight made Xellos' own blood boil and he struggled to remain collected. His plan was rash enough without his emotions making it worse. "I am too heavily invested in these people to let even one of them fall now."
"How interesting." She set the whimpering Riksfalto down. "I wish we had time to discuss this further, but I'm afraid this ends here."
To his utter amazement, Zelgadis moved again. Despite the horrible pain he must have been experiencing, he raised his hands at the now unprotected Riksfalto.
"RA TILT!" his chimera cast through clenched teeth, eyes bloodshot and wild with agony.
"Ah!" Riksfalto screamed as Xellos and Dolphin watched. She had no more energy to defend herself, not after the holy blade filling her with magic that was the antithesis to her existence. "Master!"
And then she was gone.
Xellos gaped at other man. "Zelgadis."
Zelgadis gave him a weak, pained grin. "I'm okay."
Still shocked by his lover's impressive show, Xellos did not react at first. Dolphin did.
In an instant, she was kneeling down next to his chimera, her slender hand wrapped around his throat. She was lowering herself to a physical attack in her anger, and Zelgadis could only grasp at her arm uselessly as he struggled to free himself, to breathe. His blade was still out of reach.
No more time for hesitation. Having a clear shot, Xellos put all of his energy into his dragon weapon. She was too close to Zelgadis for him to use a powerful Black Magic spell like the Dragon Slave. He needed something finer, and he would succeed even if it took all his energy to do it.
"Zelas Brid!"
Held down as he was, Zel could only watch as Xellos began to glow with power, his hair and cloak stirring from it, and the dragon weapon in his hands turned from inky black to a burning red. As the spell Xellos cast arced toward Dolphin, who raised her other hand to block it, he also saw Lina move.
The redhead grasped his lost sword and swung at Dolphin, catching the Mazoku lord in the arm. Distracted, Xellos' attack hit her dead on.
The hand gripping him let go as she fell. Zel had no time to enjoy it, or being able to breathe, because he saw Xellos collapse to the ground as well. His love did not move to rise again and was deathly pale, his chest still.
He had drained himself. Just like Lina had warned him not to do.
"Xellos," he heard Lina murmur. "You went too far again, you idiot."
Fury filled him in a rush, pure and irresistible, as strong as any hatred he had ever felt for Rezo. As Dolphin raised glowing hands to throw some sort of attack at them again, Zel chanted fast.
"Ra Tilt!" he screamed, and sent another right after that, barely giving her time to block them. "RA TILT!"
Dolphin actually stumbled back, looking surprised, and Zel snatched his sword from Lina's limp hands. The girl tried to snatch at him, but she was too weak from the Ragna Blade and he easily shook her off. Blood rushing in his ears, he charged after the Mazoku Lord, swinging his blade madly. He was dimly aware of the incoherent screams coming from his own mouth, but it was unimportant. All that mattered was seeing this Mazoku destroyed.
"Peace, child," he heard a deep, feminine voice in his ear, and suddenly the strength in his arms was gone. The energy his rage had fueled him with all but evaporated. He almost dropped his blade again and swung around, but the person was already walking away from him.
"Sister," Dolphin gasped, as she too stared.
It was a tall woman, taller even than Gourry, with short blonde hair and curves that rivaled Sylphiel's. Her pants clung tight to those shapely hips and she had on some sort clingy breastplate.
Even Huraker stopped attacking Gourry and Amelia at the woman's appearance, giving the two humans a momentary reprieve as she stared.
Zelgadis had no doubt in his mind who this was, especially when she glanced back and favored him with a purple-eyed stare.
This was the Mazoku Lord that had plotted so much of their lives in the background. This was she who dwelled on Wolf Pack Island, the guardian of the southernmost edge of the Mazoku barrier.
She knelt down on one knee, her movements fluid as she reached down and touched Xellos' pale and vulnerable neck.
"No!" Zel ran toward them, gripping his sword tight.
To his utter amazement, she pulled her hand away, after doing nothing. "He is alive, Zelgadis-san. You can relax."
He stopped short and stared at her in confusion. "You…" He hesitated, thinking he should speak to her more politely and Xelloswasalive. "You're Greater Beast, aren't you?"
She smiled in what seemed to be amusement and stood, turning toward her 'sister.' "Hasn't this gone on long enough, my dear? It is not in these people to simply lie down and die."
Taking his chance, Zel ran to his lover's side and pulled him close protectively, checking his pulse. Xellos' heart was pumping steadily and Zel let out a sigh of relief, holding his lover's lax and soft body. By whatever luck that ruled their lives, Xellos had not drained his life energy completely.
"This is a fight you cannot win," the Greater Beast continued, her hands on her hips, thumbs hooking into a gold belt that decorated her waist. "They fight for something we Mazoku can't begin to imagine."
"Ra Tilt!" Amelia, having likely waited until Huraker seemed truly distracted by the confrontation of the two Lords, struck at the priest. At the same time, Gourry released another wave from his sword.
The two attacks collided, but when the dust settled, Huraker was nowhere in sight. In a blink, she reemerged from the Astral Plane to stand at her master's side, a heavy pout on her lips.
"That was rude," Huraker said, and would have moved again if Dolphin had not placed a hand on her shoulder.
Deep Sea's eyes remained on Greater Beast's, confused and betrayed. "You want us to give up? Surely you saw them strike down Riksfalto. If nothing else, my general must be avenged."
"And you will surely lose Huraker as well if you don't give up this folly now."
"My," Huraker murmured with a sweet smile. "It seems that the Greater Beast has been corrupted like Xellos-chan."
"Hush, Huraker," Dolphin ordered softly. "Do you stand with them, sister?"
Zelas looked back at Zel and Xellos suddenly, her inhuman eyes strangely kind. Zel noticed that Amelia and Gourry were moving in, and Lina was struggling to her feet once more. He could not look away from the Greater Beast though, his arms tightening around Xellos.
Her eyes softened further. "No. I am merely an observer pointing out what I know of Lina-san and her friends." She smiled. "There is a reason I use them so often, as I'm sure you've noticed. They are… light."
Lina finally made it to stand beside Amelia and Gourry. "We'll kill you if you don't buzz off and stay gone. You came after him for no reason."
"Actually, that's true," Zelas confirmed. "There is no trace of Mazoku left in Xellos but for a few remaining senses from memories and personality. He's completely human now. It seems Dynast-san has tried to trick us both for his own machinations."
"Gee, what a huge surprise," Lina muttered sarcastically.
Zel clenched his teeth, his anger returning. "I should kill you for trying, Dolphin." He did not care that he was threatening a Mazoku Lord. Having Greater Beast's faith was weirdly heartening. He thought he could take Deep Sea.
She blinked at him and Zelas laughed softly, confiding, "He's very protective of his mate, Dolphin-san."
"I see…" It was clear from her expression that she did not. "I will look into this, Zelas. You would not lie to me, but Dynast is another matter."
"Attack again and it'll be your last," Zel snarled, just so that it was clear.
This only gained him another confused look before Dolphin was gone, not leaving a trace behind. Huraker shrugged and left with her master.
In the forest, where their fighting had made a clearing as whole trees were bent, blasted, or cut down, they were left alone with Zelas Metallium. As she did not seem intent on attacking them at the moment, Zelgadis dared to turn his attention back to his lover.
He touched Xellos too-pale face, feeling his still steady pulse rate. The weapon was still clutched weakly in his hands and Zel carefully untangled his grip on it, tossing it aside. He almost wished they had never found the things.
Then Amelia was there, and she was transferring some of her own energy into Xellos, for which Zel gave her a grateful look. Neither he nor Lina had enough strength to spare Xellos.
Xellos whimpered and his face took on a more healthy pink.
Zel smiled tiredly, the events of the last few minutes starting to catch up with him. "Xellos."
Purple eyes blinked at him tiredly. "Z'gadis?" he slurred.
He almost cried in relief and his eyes became wet, which he ignored. "Thank the gods. I thought you were…" He kissed Xellos' forehead and focused on holding him, unable to speak of his fears fully.
Shaking fingers touched his cheek. "Sorry… What happened?"
"You ignored my warning, you idiot," Lina said. She sounded relieved, not angry.
"Sorry," he repeated, laughing weakly. "And after that?"
Zel gave him a small, reassuring squeeze. "We had help." He motioned toward where Zelas still stood, watching them, and Xellos' eyes widened in surprise, his body stiffening.
"Master?" he asked softly and the arms around him tightened, which was not nearly reassuring enough. Xellos wished he could stand, or even lift his head. Though receiving some of Amelia's energy helped, he was still very weak. He was embarrassed to be seen damaged in front of his master.
She gave one of her soft, familiar laughs. "No longer, Xellos-san."
He noticed her fingers twitch; a habitual action that meant she wanted a cigarette but was trying to appear dignified and would not pull one out. He wondered how she was getting her packs now that he wasn't around to fetch them.
"Will you attack us also, Greater Beast-sama?" he asked, getting straight to the point.
She shook her head. "No. You are no danger to us."
Xellos sagged in Zelgadis' arms, more relieved than he could say. "I see."
"I do, of course," she added, "regret that you were cursed with humanity, but nothing can be done about that."
Xellos really wished he could bow. The informality was torturous. Even now, it went against everything in him. "I apologize that I will be unable to continue to serve you," he said as dignified as possible. "But even if there were a way, I no longer wish to return to my previous form."
"Unsurprising. You became rather attached to these humans."
He felt it as Zelgadis began to droop and looked up at his chimera's tired face. "Zelgadis?"
"We need to get you two into bed," Lina muttered, moving to help hold Zelgadis up.
"Oh my," Greater Beast murmured, smiling, almost benevolently. "I believe that it is alright if I help you, just this once."
Then they were no longer on their impromptu battlefield. They were on the outskirts of Avalo. It was highly disorienting and Gourry, who was still on his feet, stumbled.
"Whoa," said the blond swordsman, grinning at Zelas. "That's way better than how Lina gets us around quick, ma'am."
Ma'am. He called her ma'am. Xellos closed his eyes and tried not to squirm, aghast. For anyone to speak to his master with such casualness! It was hard to comprehend.
Zelas continued to smile as if Gourry were charming to her. "I suppose it would be. But you don't seem to be afraid of heights as much as you were, Gourry-san."
Gourry shrugged. "Sometimes I just don't think about it."
"I see."
"Lina can be really distracting like that."
She laughed again and Lina threw a glare at her self-proclaimed guardian, but knew better than to attack him with a slipper right now.
"Thanks, Greater Beast," Lina said, awkward and just as informal.
"Of course, Lina-san." The Lord looked at Xellos once more. "Take care, Xellos-san. It is unlikely that we will speak again, but I do think I will be keeping an occasional eye on you. I look forward to seeing the rich life you will have with your mate."
Xellos flushed and bowed his head as properly as he could. "Thank you, ma—Greater Beast-sama."
She smiled and was gone. Xellos felt a strong sense of loss, like a punch in the gut, and truly believed he would not see her again.
"We should get inside the barrier," Amelia urged gently, and with the help of their friends, Xellos and Zelgadis made their way to the inn. The innkeeper recognized them—it had only been a few days, but it felt longer—and offered them their previous rooms. All three were still vacant.
They somehow managed to get upstairs without breaking their necks, stumbling all the way, and Xellos tumbled with his lover into the bed. It creaked alarmingly under the chimera's weight, but held firm, and Xellos relaxed onto the soft covers.
"You two gonna be okay?" Lina asked dubiously.
Zelgadis managed to maneuver his packet and cloak off his shoulders at the same time. "Yeah, fine. You go rest too."
The redhead nodded and waved, walking out with the others following her. The door closed behind them.
Xellos, envying his lover's dexterity, finally managed to remove his own pack and set it next to Zelgadis' on the floor. His limbs were weak and utterly useless. Giving up on the rest, he moved close to his chimera, not cuddling so much as simply laying on him.
Zelgadis pressed a light kiss to his forehead and he sighed, falling asleep.
He woke later to someone petting his hair. Xellos yawned and rubbed at his eyes, which felt glued together. It was a strange sensation, so he was glad it didn't last.
The sun was low in the horizon, nothing more than a golden hue that shined through the thin curtains in the window. He vaguely remembered, in that very room, complaining how he wanted thicker curtains to keep the morning light out of the room.
Xellos tilted his head and met Zelgadis' blue eyes. "Zelgadis…"
His chimera looked relieved and a little shaky as his fingers wandered down to touch his face. "Xellos."
"Zelgadis?" He could tell that his lover was not well. "What's wrong? I can't sense what you're feeling..." Xellos wished he could, even if it was cheating. He was still tired and very aware of the lack of his former power in that moment.
"I almost lost you," Zelgadis whispered.
"I'm sorry," Xellos told him, awkward but concerned. "I thought I would lose you and let my fear dictate my judgment somewhat." He thought, even as a Mazoku, he would have believed it was the most logical course of action.
Soft blue lips touched his almost reverently. "You're all I have."
"Not all," Xellos argued, startled. "You still would have had Lina-san and the others."
"You're my future," was Zelgadis' counter, whispered close to his mouth. "I don't want to ever go back to just surviving. I couldn't, not after having this with you."
Xellos nuzzled his pebbled cheek tenderly. "My dear. I'm so sorry for scaring you." It was not enough, but they were the only words he had. "It's alright now. We're back and it's over. We can begin our future now."
Zelgadis nodded and kissed him again, firm and demanding. Xellos could only submit to it, clinging to his chimera and letting him take control. It seemed the rest had done Zelgadis good.
Himself as well, he noticed with a flush, as his body began to respond. It was unusual for Zelgadis to take the initiative in bed like this, but he really liked it, if not the reason for it.
His chimera rolled on top of him, his fingers slipping under his shirt as he broke the kiss. Xellos panted as his shirt was tugged up and Zelgadis' head moved to ravish his chest. "Zelgadis…"
"Want you," Zelgadis panted softly, rubbing their hips together firmly. "Take me."
Moaning, Xellos reached over the side of the bed for their bags, but Zelgadis had to be the one to get the lubricant from their belongings.
"It has been a few days," Xellos warned as they rolled on the bed, putting him on top. "This could hurt again, like the first time."
Zelgadis was flushed and squirming faintly beneath him. "Worth it."
Xellos smiled and kissed him, taking those words to heart.
It was all worth it. Every second of pain, of fear, as they had struggled to get here. All the long years he had traveled in this world, then discovering free will and breaking away from his kind—it was all very much worth it.
Zelgadis curled around his lover once they were both naked and spent, and focused on his lover. Xellos was warm and soft, his skin a little sweaty from their activities, and very much alive. He was smiling, his eyes glittering, and his cheeks were still a little flushed. It was almost enough to get him aroused again, and might have normally, if he were not still recovering from the last fight.
Instead, he trailed his fingers lightly down his cheek, then Xellos' tender neck, over his shoulder, skidding lightly along his chest. Zel's eyes followed the movement of his hand, and the blush that came in its wake, spreading down Xellos' shoulders.
Zel grinned. He'd never noticed Xellos do that before, but it was amazing and gorgeous. "Help me pick a plot of land tomorrow," he requested suddenly.
Xellos' own pleased and slightly smug smile widened. "Of course. If I remember right, there was a divining crystal in our shrine. It should help us find a location in the woods that is still within the protective barrier."
He grasped Xellos' hand, kissing it lightly. "Close to a water source would be nice too. Like a stream. There's a lake nearby, so it shouldn't be difficult to find." Otherwise he would be digging a well and that would hold up construction.
"Then I shall begin translating those books," Xellos added, his eyes fluttering into small, pleased slits. "Did you wish to speak with a contractor? As I remember, you were very talented in rebuilding the Ryuzoku shrine."
Zelgadis smiled, a little bashfully, and did not call Xellos on his stalking or on not helping them rebuild. He would have before but Xellos wasn't the only one that had changed. "So long as Lina doesn't do the design, it'll be fine." Xellos giggled and he smiled wider. "I'll start designing myself as soon as I get an idea of the landscape. Then I'll find some local work. Or hunt bandits or something."
"It will be good to acquaint ourselves with the locals, since they'll be neighbors."
Zel nodded, seeing the practicality in it, but it made him nervous nonetheless.
Xellos rubbed his bare, hard shoulder. "It will be alright. Do something that plays to your strengths and that'll make them grateful; then they will certainly see you for who you are. You are a better person than you believe yourself."
"I hope so," Zel said, kissing him gratefully. He didn't know how he'd gotten so lucky, getting Xellos like this. He must have done something to deserve it. Maybe all those times he'd helped Lina save the world…
"And if anyone else ever calls you a monster, I will punish them severely," Xellos said.
Zel sighed. "It's going to happen, you know. I hate it, and I know you hate it too, but we can't change how people think. At least not everyone thinks so. I have you and our friends. I can live with being this way." He was still upset, still angry, but it was a little better now. He could begin to move on.
Xellos looked surprised. "That is strangely philosophical of you, my dear. Very… mellow."
"Maybe it's the great sex talking," Zelgadis muttered lowly, daringly, and was rewarded with Xellos letting out a surprised burst of laughter.
End of Search for the Aqualord. Thank you to anyone still reading, and to everyone who will review or has ever reviewed. The support was greatly appreciated. And yes, I missed the deadline online. However, I finished the majority of the chapter November 29th and it's been beta read a few times since then, which was the real delay.