DISCALIMER: I still do not own The Slayers...
Now presenting Xelloss as the lead! (nn)
He certainly deserves it. (n-)
Enjoy!
Special Thanks To:
raywing: Oh! It's not Dade's fault! And he lives for a bit more, I'm afraid... Hang in there.(nn)
Story Weaver1: Your right about Dira and Dara, I was making them Dolphin's version of Kanzeil and Mazenda. I hope they are somewhat loveable. Designing an ex for Xelloss that wouldn't be hated was hard. I like her and I'm the XelFi fan so I hope you guys do too. I love Dara. Hee. And yes, poor Zel. He's quite smitten, ne? (n-)
Thanks for the love! (nn)
- Nicci
Chapter Six
Welcome Home…
Xelloss sat idly on one of the many balconies and stared out at the dead city as the day crept onward to high noon.
"Look Dara..." A cool voice stated casually as its owner and her partner appeared behind him. He paid them no mind as always. "Xelloss is afraid."
"More like perturbed, really." He replied smoothly as she leaned over the railing to gaze up at him. "I have more questions than I'm used to. It's a tad unfortunate..."
"Oooh!" Dara giggled, wedging between them as they shared an amused smile. "Master Xelloss hates questions, doesn't he, Dira?"
"Master Xelloss hates anything he can't control." Dira responded dryly, crossing her arms and smirking at the mazoku. "Ne, Xelloss?"
Xelloss ignored this, his eyes catching on the horizon something even more unexpected, and yes… he hated anything he couldn't control...
Things like questions... and things like... her...
Dira stared at him affronted, furrowing her brow in irritation. "Xelloss, didn't you..."
"Well..." He murmured wanly, standing to his feet and cutting her off. "If it isn't Filia..."
"Filia?" Dira asked in confusion. "Who's Filia?"
"Oooh!" Dara giggled, tugging on Dira's hair and pointing over the railing. "Lookie! A Golden Dragon!"
"What?" Dira muttered, following her partner's gaze and noting the glint of gold on the horizon. "But why here? Just what is going on in this town?"
"Yare, yare." Xelloss sighed, running a hand through his violet tresses tiredly. "Well, Dira, Dara... I'm afraid you're services are no longer necessary here in Saillune. The game has changed, most unfortunate really. I didn't see this. Especially not this..."
Dira glared at him. "No way, Xelloss. A golden dragon's involved now as well. One you know by name, no less. There is no way we're leaving here."
"Um...Dira" Dara murmured nervously, tugging on her partner's hair.
"I wasn't aware that was a request." Xelloss replied, appraising her coolly, opening his eyes meaningfully. "Go home, or I'll kill you."
Dira swallowed, giving a nervous bow. "As you wish, Beastmaster."
The duo phased out leaving him alone on the balcony and he sighed tiredly, turning and appraising the familiar gold as she came in for a landing.
"So..." He murmured softly, noting her extra passenger. "Zelgadiss I understand, but what brings you here to our lovely kingdom of Saillune, Filia?"
He closed his eyes with a smirk, mildly thankful for the distraction as she would provide.
She'd left him many unanswered questions as well, and even more irritating they were all self-reflective.
"I think I'll head down and meet them." He decided, cracking a smile and fading out. "It'll be interesting to see what Zelgadiss thinks of this new Amelia!"
O O O
"Look over there, my dearest..." Dade murmured quietly, pointing out the window to the approaching gold. "The last two of your friends have arrived... just as you said."
"So the time has come..." She whispered sadly, noting the glint of sunlight against steel. Mr. Zelgadiss...
"How do you want to do this?" Dade asked, meeting her gaze and she shook her head with a saddened sway.
"As of this moment, my part has ended..." She replied, raising her arms and straightening his cloak. "You are now the Master of this castle; I am not strong enough to continue."
He gripped her wrists pointedly. "You'll still play your part. In this you have no choice."
Amelia smiled and let out a little giggle. "Of that you needn't worry, Lord Dade."
"I look forward to it."
O O O
Outside the city gates, Filia flew in low, allowing Zelgadiss time to jump down. He let out a grunt of exertion, and landed with ease.
Calmly, he turned away to give the dragon maiden some privacy as she let out a cry, transforming in a shower of gold.
She opened her eyes, smiling at his turned back, and then let out a stunned cry.
"Xelloss?" She yelped, blushing and then calming herself. "I mean... what are you doing here?"
Zelgadiss whirled around with a start. "Xelloss?"
Xelloss smiled easily, ignoring the chimera as he beamed at the gold. "Oh? You don't know? Something's going on in Saillune. I figured you knew that, being as your here and all."
"I... I had vision..." She confessed nervously, darting her eyes away, uncertain if she should continue.
Xelloss arched his brows, crossing his arms. "Oh? Did you now?"
He sighed tiredly. "So this is how it's going to be now, is it? Every mission I'm assigned to, your side is going go and fight dirty by assigning you to it as well. Lovely."
"Fight dirty? What do you mean?" She asked, narrowing her gaze suspiciously. "And what sort of mission, Xelloss?"
"Sore wa himitsu desu." He replied easily, turning his attention to Zelgadiss, and the conversation off of him. "So! Zelgadiss, how bout you what brings you here?"
It then suddenly occurred to him, that the chimera was beginning to taste funny. What was going on with that? Very, very irritating, even moreso now that Filia was here...
Zelgadiss arched a brow, crossing his arms. "I'll share if you do, Xelloss."
"Oh." Xelloss pouted. "Well that's not fair. Fine I'll let it go, the princess is coming now anyway, and you don't want to miss this."
Filia stared at him perplexed, but he kept his closed gaze on the city gates.
Zelgadiss whirled around quickly, inwardly criticizing his eagerness.
He had lost her bracelet afterall, although if it hadn't been a dream, he at least had a good excuse...
"Mr. Zelgadiss." Amelia breathed merrily, holding up her skirts and running up to meet him, her eyes softly cutting through his fears.
Those eyes, he was certain could stare into them forever.
"You're finally here..."
She smiled, breaking away and turning to Filia. "And you too Miss Filia. I'm so happy."
"You were expecting us?" Filia asked, finding herself further perplexed. She snuck a look over at Xelloss, but his face remained that same smiling mask. Useless. Something, something was very wrong here, she just knew it.
"Oh, yes." She replied easily, turning towards the gates. "Miss Lina and the others are already inside, tonight is a very special night here in Saillune, I am pleased you can be here for it."
"Oh?" Xelloss spoke up, seizing the opportunity. "So then is it the night of the Harvest, Miss Amelia?"
Amelia smiled, and gave a soft nod locking her eyes onto the chimera's. "Yes. Tonight is the night of the Harvest."
Filia bit her lip, sneaking another look up at Xelloss. She was growing more worried by the moment.
Xelloss felt her probing gaze and smiled wider, determined to give away nothing. He had so few answers to give anyway. And now tonight was finally the night of this... Harvest... he was growing a bit worried himself.
Zelgadiss swallowed nervously, staring into those eyes feeling of peace and passion washing over him at the same time as they appraised him.
And in his mind they seemed to whisper ever so soft promises...
"Welcome home, Mr. Zelgadiss..." They whispered softly. "Welcome home..."
O O O
Dade smirked, watching his fiancée's work as she led them into courtyard.
Calmly he turned away from the window, fiddling with the talisman on his wrist.
That mazoku still had the other two but it didn't matter, they were connected, he could feel their power breathing through him and his bride to be.
And tonight, after they absorbed the power released in the Harvest... well...
The Talismans would be pleased, and he could take their brothers by force if need be.
And then, when all were under his control... well...
That would be something, now wouldn't it?