New Light

Chapter 9

"My, my, left all alone now were you?" Xellos says as Zelgadis tries not to flinch at the sudden intrusion into his mind. After a sudden blast of wind and heat, Zelgadis assumes that the threatening monster is meeting its maker.

"You can't stay here Zelgadis," Xellos says as he grabs the young mages shoulder.

Zelgadis bites back a sarcastic quip and asks a simple question. "(Why do you care?)"

"Oh look, your signing has improved, but why ask such a needless question? Of course I care about what happens to my human companions. Especially when it means the life or death of the Mazoku race," Xellos says.

Zelgadis tries to give Xellos the most sarcastic grimace he can muster, but he is cut short when his ears and eyes begin to burn. Shutting his eyes and closing his ear, Zelgadis tries to warn Xellos that the enemy might be listening.

"Hmm, seems like this evil sorcerer is quite the shameful fellow isn't he," Xellos says in a tone that suggests a happy revelation.

"(You are one to talk, He you same)" Zelgadis says unable to resist the snarky comment at the expense of uncovering his ear. Quickly, he regrets his hasty remark and covers his foreign ears once more.

Xellos laughs, "While I agree that keeping your eyes closed is wise, covering your ears is pointless. After all, I am speaking in your mind; they can't very well hear me."

If Zelgadis could give an audible grunt he would, but he sheepishly removes his hands from his ears instead.

"Well I think we should bring you someplace safer, this is no place for a man such as yourself." Xellos says as he takes Zelgadis by the arm.

"(I can't (won't) leave my friends)" Zelgadis says sharply with his hands.

"Well you can't very well help them as you are now, they can handle things fine without you. But I do have an idea. Why don't you practice some of those magic skills you seem to have recently acquired, hmm? Unless, of course, you want to succumb to defeat, having failed to find yet another cure for yourself? Submit and be forever plagued by the same blindness that drove your great grandfather to insanity and into an alliance with dear old Ruby Eyes."

"(I will not grow into a monster like my grandfather! And how do you know that I have been (before) practicing my magic?)" Zelgadis says angrily. His hands flail rigidly almost forcing Xellos to let go of Zelgadis. The mage isn't even sure why the cookie is holding him, but he figures it's for a reason. There had better be a reason.

"Well I've been keeping an eye on Lina for a while and I happened to notice your little Elmekia Lance attempt. As for becoming like your grandfather, well, if I remember your story correctly, isn't that what this evil man wants?" Xellos asks. "He doesn't want you becoming like your old man, but he obviously wants to destroy the universe. Actually, I hear that he even plans on destroying the creator herself. How interesting."

"(Who told you?)" Zelgadis asks.

"You were there too Zelgadis," Xellos says with a disturbing hint of mystery slinking into his cheery tone. "You mentioned it with your very own mouth last night. Our foe has promised to destroy our very mother, by using you, your friends and the monster race's best guarded secrets."

"(That doesn't make sense (work)! Why would I destroy the universe, Rezo (repeat) might of, but not me.)" Zelgadis says, he is speaking from his heart and it shows. The man has nothing to hide anymore.

"Perhaps he didn't expect you to find a cure for yourself and wanted you to fall into despair. Forcing you to lose all contact with the few people who actually care about you and making your life a living hell," Xellos says. "How about that for an explanation?"

"(You (really) think so?)" Zelgadis asks.

"I'm not sure," Xellos says happily. "Do you know how a deranged mad man thinks?"

"(If anyone could guess, it would be you. You're crazy mad man, you know how he thinks)" Zelgadis says in mild humor. "(But I don't harbor a fragment of the dark lord. Also, my magic is not impressive.)"

"Hmmm, Well I guess that just leaves one explanation," Xellos says.

"(And that would be/What)" Zelgadis regrettable asks.

"That he really is crazy" Xellos says through unseen grinning lips. "I find that the most troublesome humans are the ones that have little intellect and mounds of power. Quite a headache really, don't you think?"

Zelgadis doesn't feel the need to respond.

"Well, I'm going to take you somewhere this imbecile will never find you. I recommend you find a way to break the control the monsters have over your senses very soon."

"(Amelia, Lina, and Gourry . . .)" Zelgadis starts to sign.

"I'll tell them what's going on," Xellos says.

"(Really?)" Zelgadis asks.

"You don't have a choice in this matter Zelgadis. You never really did." Xellos says, words dripping with a dark undertone of friendliness.

Through his closed eye lids, Zelgadis can see light through the membrane of his eyes as Xellos transports them to the astral plain. Again he is surprised that his senses seem to return to normal while on the astral plain. He wonders why this is and decides to investigate, when Xellos isn't dragging him across the world.

"Before I drop you off I need you to do something about your senses, I can't have you accidentally putting yourself in danger," Xellos says still inside Zelgadis's mind.

"Hmft, that's simple," Zelgadis says in a near croak through his mouth. He tries to hold back his joy for being able to talk once more, but it is difficult to do. It's amazing to hear his voice again, his own voice.

"Any more joy Zelgadis and I might have to drop you into oblivion," Xellos says in a warning tone. So that's why he's holding him.

"Right," Zelgadis says. "As I was saying, the solution is simple. All we have to do is have you (a monster) seal my senses again. That way neither the monster nor I will be able to hear, see, or speak."

"Well aren't you clever," Xellos says. "But what makes you think I will give back your senses when all of this is over?"

Zelgadis grunts and dares to open his eyes to glare at the priest. But his eyes burn, so he quickly closes them again, in spite of himself. "I don't have any choice, but to trust you."

Xellos doesn't say anything, but Zelgadis can sense the monsters shock at accepting his fate. Zelgadis's magic sense is improving in remarkable ways.

When Xellos fails to respond, Zelgadis continues. "I suppose I could try perform the task myself, but then we run the risk of 'our' enemy breaking through my weak spells."

A cold gloved hand grips Zelgadis's head and the mage feels a burning freeze envelope his senses.

"I will not give up," Zelgadis says. "I will not fall into despair; I've come too far to go back to that kind of life."

With that said, Xellos quickly warps them to their destination. When the world goes dark once more, Zelgadis figures that they have reached the other side.

Feeling a moment of weightlessness, Zelgadis realizes that he is floating, with Xellos keeping him in place. Zelgadis's blind eyes fly open in search of the monster, but he is only rewarded with the rush of gravity forcing him down. Luckily, he falls on his back, but he happens to land on what he assumes is someone's table.

Zelgadis's stick whacks him in the face as it falls on top of him. Frantically, Zelgadis grabs his helper (the stick), and staggers to his feet. Through his magic gaze Zelgadis see's plates and glasses scatter from underneath him.

In front of him, he sees a female form (with a very large magic capacity) in a fit of rage, but she isn't facing Zelgadis. She is pointing and screaming at something above him to his right.

Zelgadis figures that it is Xellos she is screaming at.

Glancing around the table, Zelgadis notices two beastmen and a young boy with a very large magic pool as well. The two beastmen are moving to the woman's side, apparently trying to calm her down. Meanwhile, the little boy is jumping up and down with excitement at the sudden interruption to his meal.

Not even turning his head, Zelgadis 'sees' Xellos's large astral presence and slams his walking stick hard into what he assumes is the monster's gut.

Needless to say, Xellos isn't expecting such a move, so he falls to the ground in a fit of uncontrollable giggles. Reading the monster's astral presence, Zelgadis can see and almost hear the monster laugh while trying to explain himself to the woman. Well, Zelgadis has figured out one small matter concerning his magic sense, it obviously has something to do with astral magic.

Zelgadis also realizes by this time that he is interrupting Filia, Jillas, Gravos, and young Val's once quiet dinner.

Carefully, Zelgadis manages to safely traverse to the ground on the left side of the table, away from where Xellos now lies laughing on the floor. Reaching out in front of him, Zelgadis locates a vacated seat and considers sitting in it. But he is also curious about using his magic to see and hear the world around him. He hasn't stretched his abilities like this ever before and he is curious with the results. His magic pool isn't feeling the strain as he taps into a source he has long forgotten about. He doesn't even realize what he is tapping into at this moment.

Making his decision, Zelgadis begins to carefully travel around the room, using his magic to get an idea of his surroundings.

This magic vision doesn't work like eyes do. Instead of seeing walls and doors, Zelgadis sees the entire house, including the adjacent mace/vase shop and grounds surrounding the area. Unlike before, he can now see things that aren't moving and he can see further. As he tries to interpret the information reaching his mind, Zelgadis stumbles into a wall.

After rubbing his nose in slight pain, Zelgadis ignores how stupid he probably looks and continues his exploration of Filia's home. He is through with tormenting himself over how silly he looks, it is pointless.

Eventually, he notices Filia standing behind him and turns to give her his full attention. Coming up with an idea, Zelgadis uses his magic to try to communicate with Filia. He tries to say, "Sorry for landing on your table." But she doesn't react in the way he expects.

She turns towards the form of Xellos and confirms something from him. After she is satisfied, Filia turns back towards Zelgadis. Hesitantly, Zelgadis raises his hands and touches her face, using his magic to probe her as well. Her features come into full focus in his imagination as his mind interprets what he feels with his magic.

"You have no choice but to trust me Zelgadis," Xellos says in Zelgadis's mind. "So I will leave you with someone I unfortunately trust."

And with that, the monster's presence zips across the astral plain, far away from Zelgadis's new senses. Zelgadis is surprised that Xellos's form doesn't just simply vanish, but he can actually watch the form of a dark spiral spinning off away from them.

"I guess the Namagomi wasn't lying to me." Filia says to Zelgadis in his mind, while he gently removes his hands from her face. "You are really trying hard to use your understanding of astral magic to see aren't you? I knew you were an expert in shamanistic magic, but this is quite a feat. Try not to over work yourself though; I've never known a human to perfect such spells. It's dangerous." She pauses, letting her words sink in before changing the topic abruptly.

Zelgadis can sense Filia's slight unease. She is still frazzled about having someone dropped on her table in the middle of her meal and Zelgadis is trying harder to observe others sentiments. "Please, join us for dinner won't you Zelgadis?" Filia says in his mind.

Zelgadis nods, as Gravos brings him another chair, setting him next to a lively Val.

As they eat their meal, Val starts to eventually get curious about his new companion with the light bluish purple hair. The little one starts to poke Zelgadis's soft pale skin, when Filia isn't looking. Zelgadis figures it has been about five years since the little Val hatched from his egg, but he has no idea how old that would make the young dragon. He knows that dragons grow and mature at a different rate than human children. He desperately hopes that the ancient dragon is old enough to take a hint, as Zelgadis gives the child a slight glare after the tenth poke.

Filia prepares a place for Zelgadis to sleep. She sets him up on a cot in the family room, telling him to rest easy and relax.

He finds this difficult to do, considering the fact that he has left Amelia, Lina, Gourry, and all of Seyruun behind to face the armies of numerous fearful and crazy countries who don't know what they are doing. Not to mention the possible monsters sent from the new curse of his life. In the end, Zelgadis realizes that he cannot blame himself entirely for all of this. One cannot be held responsible for the deeds of a deranged lunatic, but Zelgadis still wants to do something.

After a fairly good night's rest and enjoying a hearty breakfast, Filia demands that Zelgadis tells her exactly what is going on. She wants to know what the monsters are up to and she wants to stop them if at all possible. Zelgadis wonders briefly, if Filia will turn him out of her home if she deems his involvement in this current war to be a Mazoku plot.

Zelgadis desperately wants to avoid writing out his story again. There must be a better way to communicate to the eager dragon priestess. Slumping his head onto the table, Zelgadis tries to figure out a way to avoid the slow and tedious process of writing since Filia doesn't understand sign language.

Filia is slightly put out by Zelgadis's blunt refusal and is about to resort to mental shouting when Zelgadis get's an idea.

There is a shamanistic spell that allows two people to communicate through the astral plane. It requires both people to cast the spell for it to work though.

Grabbing the piece of paper and pencil from Filia, he asks her to cast a Vision spell with a variant of a Tansaku spell. He writes the words of the spell for her, in case she doesn't know it already.

Filia hesitates, but her need to know the whole story outweighs her discomfort with the spell.

The spell works perfectly.

In Filia's mind, Zelgadis begins to show her and tell her all he knows. No one has seen what he last saw the moment he lost his sight. Part of him is appalled that he is laying everything open for her, but the other part of him is ecstatic that the spell is working. The once silent and moody chimera is a bundle of excitement and babble again. He has found another way to communicate with the world, which is enough to make him thankful once again. After the last two and a half weeks, he has learned to open up a little more. Zelgadis has come a long way when it comes to interacting with people, because of his current adventure.

It is funny how becoming dead to the world strengthens his desire to become a part of it.

When he finishes his explanation it is time for lunch, but Filia doesn't feel up to making anything. Zelgadis has successful flabbergasted her.

Not only is his current turmoil overwhelming, but the fact that Zelgadis is easily able to master such a complicated spell in order to show her these things baffles her. "Mister Zelgadis, I thought you were completely human now."

Zelgadis is caught off guard by her question. "Well, when I made this new body I did make most of it human, but I did transfer some of the sight and hearing capabilities of my old form into this one. That is the reason my ears are slightly pointed. I didn't think it was that noticeable with my hair covering them so it doesn't bother me and people don't stare."

"But Zelgadis, how are you able to cast a powerful astral spell like that?" Filia says. "Were you a powerful sorcerer before you turned into a chimera?"

"Well, no I wasn't," Zelgadis admits. "I could manage a few minor spell, but I couldn't even cast a decent flare arrow at the time."

"Perhaps I am missing something Mister Zelgadis," Filia continues. "But when you re-create a new body, are you able to re-create a large magic pool?"

Zelgadis doesn't answer right way. "No, you can't." He finally says. "As far as my knowledge reaches, it is impossible to artificially give someone a large magic pool. Eris, an old colleague of my Great-Grandfather's, was able to give a copy body a large magic capacity. But the copy was unstable because of it and incapable of recovering his magic like a normal human being. The clones Lina and Gourry made all those years ago would be magically unstable too, even if they had completed the process correctly. As far as my research shows, someone's magic is attached to their astral form and to their soul. Unless you are given the ability through chimerism or at birth, it is nearly impossible to duplicate successfully."

"Zelgadis," Filia says in a serious tone. "The enemy must have known this when he gave you this trial. If he believes you have the ability to surpass Rezo than he must have meant it. We need to figure out what this means so we can stop him."

Zelgadis notices that Filia has said 'we' in her statement and gives her a questioning glance. "We?" he says. "Besides he's a mad man, you cannot take what he say's seriously."

"I'm involved in this matter, whether you like it or not," Filia says matter-of-factly. "All of us are. When this idiot challenged you, he challenged all of us. Not just the chimera you saved, not just Xellos and this Wizer person, but all of us. As for listening to a mad man, in my experience one has no choice but to at least consider their words. Xellos and Lina are prime examples." With that said she rises from her chair and prepares to make some lunch.

Zelgadis decides not to bother trying to figure out when Filia became a close friend.

While Filia makes some lunch, Zelgadis spends his time babysitting Val and practicing his shamanism and astral spells. It's a different way of seeing and hearing the world around him, but it is better than what he has put up with the last couple of weeks. Some might think it impossible for him to see the world using astral magic, but here he is proving them all wrong. Rezo knew the secret, now it's Zelgadis's turn.

Zelgadis wonders if his enemy has known this from the beginning.

Over the next few days Zelgadis tries not to get in Filia's way, but even with his wood staff and magic helping him see he is either running into Jillas, Gravos's or the dragon herself. Val is the only one who isn't bothered, he actually finds the stumbling purple haired pale man quite entertaining; a new excitement to satisfy his daily needs.

On the third day Zelgadis trips over a potter's wheel, while exploring Filia's shop. He isn't satisfied with simply stumbling through Filia's house and is trying to remain entertained. Rather sad considering he is now stooping to the level of Val. Finding a potter's wheel, however, raises his spirits. After this discovery, Zelgadis sets to locating some clay. Unfortunately, the only clay in the shop is already fired and has a price tag on it. Zelgadis realizes that in order to find the clay he needs he will need to make a trip into town.

After all he's been through; Zelgadis should be wary about going out in public, but even after mending his obstinate personality he still has enough determination to accomplish this small feat. It brings back memories with the first family he lived with at the beginning of his curse and he wants to remember their kindness. With his mind made up Zelgadis makes plans to go into town, but he isn't stupid.

So he goes out with Val.

Actually Filia asks Zelgadis to go out with Val, since Jillas and Gravos are busy obeying her. Come to think of it, Zelgadis is now busy obeying the dragon woman as well.

Trying not to show his embarrassment, Zelgadis gingerly takes Val's hand and walks down the teeming street. A few people turn to watch them pass, but it is usually in order to say hello to Val. Apparently the town is quite familiar with Filia's family and they treat Zelgadis with the same kindness. Zelgadis can only imagine what Val is actually telling the people about Zelgadis as they pass.

"Oh yes this is my bluish-purple haired friend," the imaginary Val says in Zelgadis's mind. "He likes to give me piggy back rides, play with my toys, and be my personal slave. He also can't react to anything because he isn't really here and he likes running into walls."

While none of this is true, Zelgadis cannot help but imagine the possibilities. It helps add some humor to his hectic and abnormal life. In all probability, Val is saying much more humiliating things, worse than Zelgadis can even envision.

Eventually, the two complete Filia's grocery list and they find some clay. With Val's bargaining skills they are able to get some for a decent price. By the time they get back to the home, Filia's shop is extremely busy with the people Val has met on the street. So Zelgadis takes Val to the back and the two start playing with the special wet dirt.

Using his ever growing skill with astral magic, Zelgadis influences the shape and texture of the clay, pushing his shamanist magic skills to the fullest on the simple pot. By its completion he has a large beautiful jar, it is the largest he has made thus far and Val cannot help put gape at it. The wet piece of art is as big as Val.

Filia is surprised too, when she walks into the back of the shop and see's the huge piece of art.

"Why didn't you tell me you knew how to throw pots?" Filia asks in wonder.

It has never crossed Zelgadis's mind to actually tell Filia out right about his meager abilities with clay, but now he realizes how silly it is to keep such a secret. Come to think of it, Zelgadis must have forgotten to show her that portion of his story earlier. He could have just told her about his desire to make a pot at the beginning and avoided the trouble of traveling with Val to find some clay.

"Never crossed my mind," Zelgadis says truthfully reestablishing the spell from earlier.

"Well for a blind man this pot is amazing, I think you have just earned your keep," Filia says as she inspects the pot inside and out with a critical eye. No cracks, no bubbles, even the pots lip is even, she nods her head in approval as she finishes her inspection. "A good friend of mine has a kiln; I'll get you some more clay." And with that she walks out of the room.

'She didn't even ask me if I wanted to sell it,' Zelgadis thinks to himself.

It doesn't take long before Filia returns with bags full of red, brown, and white clay, which Zelgadis happily accepts. At least now he has a method of practicing his magic without getting in anyone's way.

For the next couple of days, Zelgadis and Val spend their time together playing with clay. Whenever Val gets bored, Zelgadis uses his magic to move the clay around like a puppet, keeping the young dragon out of trouble.

On the third day, since Filia's discovery of Zelgadis's secret talent, the young shaman is attempting to use his magic to communicate verbally with someone other than Filia. The first time he tries it on Jillas, who assumes that it is someone knocking on the homes front door. Zelgadis keeps trying, successfully making Jillas almost go insane after checking the door for the fifth time.

Val finds this vastly entertaining, since Jillas is the only one who claims to hear the knock at the door. While Zelgadis and Val are busy tormenting Jillas, Zelgadis's game is cut short when he feels and nearly see's a familiar presence approaching the house.

It is Xellos.

Realizing that his time is probably up, Zelgadis stops his little astral spell on Jillas and cautiously waits in his seat.

With obvious relief at the mysterious knocks abrupt end, the baffled beastman returns to his chores, leaving Val to find some new form of amusement. The young dragon comes to Zelgadis's side right as Xellos makes his grand entrance. Over the last five days Zelgadis has had a lot of practice using astral magic and with it he can see a whole new version of Xellos.

Without even realizing it, Zelgadis stares at Xellos openly. The monster doesn't look human at all, but appears to be an enormous cone of black chaotic energy. Meanwhile, Jillas notices Xellos's arrival as well and sets off at once from the room, probably in order to locate Filia.

Xellos says something, but Zelgadis cannot hear it. Instead Val simply nods and happily skips away, a ball of ancient magic hopping through the house and outside into the yard. At least this is how Zelgadis sees him.

"So how have you been fairing Zelgadis?" Xellos says cheerfully, interrupting Zelgadis's gawking.

(Good) Zelgadis signs, as he gazes steadily at the monster. If any of his friends saw what he sees now they wouldn't think twice about whether to trust him or not. He wouldn't trust him, but of course he doesn't have a choice either way. The form still has the strange raw comfort Zelgadis has grown to recognize over the past few weeks, but this time he feels something else. Something he hasn't felt from Xellos before.

AN: The spell Zelgadis uses with Filia is an actual spell from the series, I didn't make it up. But I did modify it slightly since it is usually used to communicate over great distances. Had to bring pots back into this chapter, which is hard to avoid with Filia since she owns a vase and mace shop. A lot of the stuff mentioned in Filia and Zelgadis's discussion will play a major role in the sequel to this story, but other than that you can happily ignore it.