DISCALIMER: I still do not own The Slayers...
Alright, originally this was going to be really graphic, but I like the charcters too much, sorry, I'm weak that way.
However, you want something graphic, go read my story TRICK-OR-TREAT, it should tide you over... if not, I have a darker one coming out on November 13th... (LINK on my profile page)
If that doesn't do it for you, well Hostel Part II comes out on Tuesday, and 30 Days of Night came out today.
Halloween is a great holiday! (nn)
And now! The mysteries of the talismans revealed!
Heh, bout time... (n-)
Enjoy!
Special Thanks To:
Rêisi: Heh! Isn't he though? Unfortunately, no Xelloss this chapter. But no worries, he's mentioned at least! (nn)
Story Weaver1: Wow! You got it! Good job! You win a Dade plushy! Do with it what you will. Sorry about canceling the gore, you really should read TRICK-OR-TREAT though, I'm very proud of it. (nn) Oh, and that story you sent me too is two steps over naughty, I'll take one step back. Only Steven King, Eli Roth, and Sam Raimi are aloud to make me squirm. Heh, yes, I'm a horror writer who hates gore, crazy ne? (n-)
HieiWannabe: Heh. Excellent observations! Bravo, you rock. Oh, and Dira's the hot one who had a thing with Xelloss, Dara's the one who looks like a kid. Dolphin's servants are never named, ever... so I made them in her higher ranks, but not Priest and General. I'm glad you're here. (nn)
Chapter Eight
The Red Queen…
Lina followed behind Amelia quietly, noting the way the hall seemed to be getting darker the further down they went.
Amelia, all dark and swaying seemed to melt into the surroundings as though she were one of the shadows herself.
Lina swallowed, she wished she could have brought Gourry, but Amelia had really put her foot down that one now hadn't she?
Lina wasn't really sure she wanted to know why that was but she was sure she'd find out anyway…
"So where are we going anyway, Amelia?" She asked adjusting her eyes to the darkness, as the princess pushed open a set of doors revealing a descending staircase.
'To the dungeons, Miss Lina." She replied merrily, not turning back or slowing her decent. "It's nearly high midnight, we have to hurry, the moon will be in position soon."
Lina arched a brow at this, halting atop the staircase and then shook her head.
She really didn't want to know what she was talking about. Hell! She didn't want to be here, but alas... so was the life of Lina Inverse, besides... heh... she was Lina Inverse!
She could take it.
"So dungeons, eh Amelia?" She stated wanly, heading down the stairs after her. "I'd have figured Saillune would be more progressive than that."
"Having dungeons is very progressive." She replied easily, continuing down the stairs. Lina was relieved to see a dim light spilling out from the hall at the end. She had been beginning to fear they would go on forever. "When you consider the alternative to be execution. Trials are the only truly Just means."
"Well when you put it that way..." Lina acknowledged, following her into the dimly lit hall. So few torches… spaced so far apart... great...
"You know something, Amelia..." She went on, looking over the paintings on the walls, to her left was a bizarre one of a shark fighting a squid; to her right a tornado blowing out a forest fire. Yeah, this was getting a bit cliché, something bad was definitely going to happen down here. "I think that's the first time you've said anything about Justice since I've been here. What's up with that, Amelia?"
"I've found something greater than Justice..." She whispered turning and flashing Lina a sad smile as she pushed open a door at the end of the hall. "And tonight so will you..."
Lina already could think of quite a few things greater than justice in her book, but for Amelia to say such a thing...
"What's happened to you, Amelia?" She asked in a stunned whisper.
Amelia's sad smile grew sadder and turned and headed into the room. "This way, Miss Lina. We're almost there."
Lina swallowed, for the first time that evening beginning to feel truly afraid.
Whatever was in that room, she wanted no part of it, none at all.
If it could change Amelia like this...
But who else even stands a chance of saving her? She muttered to herself dryly. This is why you're the hero, Lina, 'cause no one else will be...
Really, when you looked at it that way, it didn't really seem fair...
She groaned inwardly, knowing this was the exact sort of situation she would have walked away from a mere six years ago, but now she had friends.
And her friend was in trouble, big trouble...
The room was dark and she quickly tried to adjust her vision... there, that red glow, that helped somewhat...
What was it? And where was Amelia... and... what's this feeling...
Time seemed to slow, her being resonating as though her soul and heartbeat were connected all at once.
She knew that feeling, she was intimate with it.
It was the feeling of magic, but not her magic…
Her magic made it feel as though the sun was burning in her veins, pouring out from within her ready to consume the entire world in one big fiery blaze!
This however, it felt as though there was another sun shining with a light tingle though her skin and into her veins where it made her blood boil and churn...
"Wha..." She murmured in awe bordering on horror. "What..."
She couldn't move, she couldn't breath it was suffocating and empowering at the same time, it was so close to her magic yet... foreign... and evil, yes it was definitely evil...
"Your blood has awoken the true power of the talismans, Lina Inverse..." Lord Dade's voice spoke up from the darkness, the red glow growing larger, causing her pupils to contract. "And for that we the vessels thank you..."
Lina said nothing, her pupils contracting further. My Blood... She thought tiredly, a flash of her fight with Yucinda cutting into her haze.
That cursed dagger! She thought in horror. It stabbed right through me... into the talisman! It wasn't the dagger that broke the talisman! It was my blood! My blood and that curse! Oh crap... fight it Lina, some on!
She groaned inwardly, trying to fight the grip of the magic but it had the advantage, it had tasted her blood and her magic, and every thought against it was only making its hold stronger.
Her blood felt as though it were bubbling in her veins, her pupils contracted even tighter and she realized in terror that she was loosing control...
And then all was well, yes, the power from the Talismans would make her even more powerful.
She would have power and riches, and the world would bow at her feet, for it was her blood that had awakened the Talismans, and she was their true vessel...
"Heh." She smirked icily, the cold look a foreign contrast to her normally hot-headed demeanor. "Thanks Amelia, you two have been great. Now I can take over, just as I always do."
The prince and princess each bowed low and she smirked smugly down on them, she could see perfectly fine now... in fact she was certain this was the clearest she'd ever seen.
Oh yes, the Talismans were going to do wonders for her, Lina Inverse, sorcery genius and soon to be queen of the world!
She let out a throaty laugh and the pair raised their heads meekly. The Talismans had chosen their true vessel, they stood in awe...
Amelia swallowed sadly, looking up at her queen. "Miss Lina? May I still take Mr. Zelgadiss? I... I can't imagine going into this without him..."
Lina smile graciously. "Naturally, Zel is a great aid to the cause. I shall take Gourry for myself, for I truly can't imagine a life without him. He's a perfect king, meek and easily led!"
The trio grinned at each other, laughter echoing around the dungeon although their lips didn't move.
"What of the dragon?" Dade spoke up thoughtfully. "Can she be taken?"
"Filia's naive." Lina replied easily, waving him off. "You have many tricks in your repertoire, and with the power of the Talismans behind you, your thrall should be irresistible. Take her, I want all of my friends at my side."
She smirked wider, showing her fangs. "And then together, all of us, we shall take Xelloss and with the Talismans distribute his power amongst us. Then..."
She smiled wanly. "When he is close to our hearts..."
The trio let out another snicker, and she held their gaze meaningfully.
"No one, monster nor dragon..." She grinned wickedly. "And certainly no human can stand against us! We shall rule all!"
They let out another laugh, the shadows flickering to its melody.
She turned to Amelia calmly. "Now. I must have power, have you and Dade already acquired your fill?"
Amelia nodded quickly. "Yes. Present the prisoners."
Dade gave a short nod and opened the cell door behind him, revealing the frozen statues that were Dira and Dara...
Lina smirked holding up a hand, and Dade winced, placing the Talisman onto her wrist.
"Don't worry..." Lina stated softly, clasping it closed. "You can have it back; I'll have no need of it at soon as I consume them..."
She smirked at the frozen duo, letting her hands fall to her sides as she approached the duo. "You know something? I always wondered what emotions tasted like..."
She shrugged wanly. "I suppose I'll never get to know, however..."
She met Dira's terrified gaze and lifted the Talisman bound hand to her throat squeezing tight. "I'll sure know how you taste..."
Dira's eyes grew wider and Dara looked pleadingly around the room, tasting her sister's fear...
Lina smirked, black essence pouring into the Talisman like tar into a pond.
"Well what do you know..." She muttered coolly. "Tastes like screaming..."
O O O
Originally Dara was going to go first, screaming in terror and Dira was going to cry and beg, but I decided to spare you and them the pain. As I said, I like 'em too much. Damn. (nn)
See ya, Monday!
- Nicci