Overcoming Strength
Searching for Excuses
Chapter 3
Over the next few days Lina fills up on food before heading out to investigate the growing numbers of bandits. Amelia is stuck finishing paper work and pushing suitors' aside, while Sylphiel offers her services to Zelgadis in healing his body.
Although he doesn't want to admit it at first, Zelgadis's body begins to ach more and Sylphiel gladly helps him with it. In the morning his back is always stiff and his knees hurt. Unfortunately, Zelgadis feels like an old man while still appearing to be a young man. When Amelia sees' Zelgadis bent over in slight pain, as he sifts through numerous notes in his office, she becomes slightly anxious.
"(You) (hurt/in pain)?" Amelia asks him using sign language as she passes by. She doesn't bother casting the Tansaku spell since she has other places to be right now. It takes Zelgadis a lot of concentration to make out her signs on the astral plane, but he manages.
Looking up at Amelia with slightly weary and completely blind eyes, Zelgadis offers Amelia a soft smile. As should be apparent, Zelgadis doesn't need to be looking up with his eyes to see Amelia. "(Please) (don't) (worry)," Zelgadis signs to her while speaking the same aloud. He offers her a believable expression to back up his words. While Zelgadis assumes that he still has a voice, Zelgadis wants to practice sign language just in case. "(Not) (Die) (easily)," he jokes.
She smiles.
Carefully watching the princess's astral presence, Zelgadis notes a slight nod of relief from her, before she drifts away down the hall. He continues to watch her through the halls and walls as she makes her way to the large council room at the other side of the palace to discuss business with the elders and her father. It is obvious to Zelgadis that Amelia has gone out of her way to see him and check up on him. He cannot help, but feel touched by the simple act. In addition, Zelgadis wonders if she realizes that he can see her before she steps in through the door.
"Out of curiosity," Xellos says from his perch above Zelgadis's left shoulder. "How far can you see through the astral plane?"
Once again, Zelgadis is slightly put out that the monster seems to know exactly what he's thinking without reading his mind. Honestly, Zelgadis is beside himself with anger at the Mazoku priest. The monster has been by his side, invisibly, for more than a week, ever since their little meeting together about ten days ago.
"Far," Zelgadis says out loud. Now, Zelgadis cannot hear his voice, but he doesn't give the monster the pleasure of using sign language for the monsters benefit. Although, Zelgadis assumes that he can still talk since he can still feel the gravely vibration of his throat when he speaks.
"Blow Demons sure are curious astral beasts aren't they?" Xellos says casually. "Of all the beasts made, they are by far the strangest. A creature who is almost entirely made from astral energy without being considered a Mazoku. Makes me wonder how Rezo was able to catch one in order to make you? No one else has dared try it unless they are putting it in a simple gem."
"Well there was no one quite like Rezo," Zelgadis says mildly. In actuality, Zelgadis is a little troubled by Xellos's sudden choice of conversation. Hoping that Xellos is only purposefully trying to discuss random topics, Zelgadis refrains from adding to Xellos's comment.
"I'm really surprised at how well you are handling yourself, you don't seem worried at all," Xellos says.
Zelgadis really wants Xellos to leave, so he doesn't entertain the monster with a response.
"Aren't you worried that the cloned body you are currently residing in will fail and you will die?" Xellos continues undeterred. He is now openly grinning at Zelgadis, and even though the monster does not have a mouth right now, Zelgadis can tell it is there.
"Are you too proud to admit that your perfect cure is flawed?" Xellos banters in a relaxed fashion. It is as if the monster is not even talking about death and failure, but about colorful flowers in a beautiful garden.
For the next three days, Xellos torments Zelgadis with his cruel banter and Amelia and Sylphiel are none the wiser. Finally, on the third day, Zelgadis has had enough. The monster just won't leave him alone.
Clenching his teeth, Zelgadis does his best to ignore the monster, but he is at the end of his rope. Why is Xellos even bothering to stick around? Shouldn't the happiness and white magic of Seyruun be getting to the Mazoku priest by now? Swiftly, Zelgadis gets up from his seat and walks out of his office. As is expected, Xellos follows after him, but Zelgadis doesn't care. He just keeps walking.
"Oh, did I hit a nerve Zelly?" Xellos says. "I didn't mean it, I actually believe that the cure you have is perfect for most chimera, but isn't the right fit for you. Someone of your constitution is quiet special."
Finding the astral form he is searching for, Zelgadis makes his way to the shrine where the white mages work. As soon as Zelgadis enters the temple grounds open to guests, Xellos stops at the entrance and doesn't go any further.
"Is something wrong Xellos?" Zelgadis says playfully. Tempted to stick his tongue out at Xellos in victory, Zelgadis quickly makes his way inside the building and locates his assistant, Crowling. The assistant isn't too difficult to find, since his astral presence is unique from the other White Mages.
"I'll be waiting here for you," Xellos calls to Zelgadis from the astral plane. At this point, Zelgadis is well within the confines of the shrine, but material walls and doors cannot keep out Xellos's voice while Zelgadis is depending on his astral senses to see and hear.
Again, Zelgadis ignores the monster.
Coming up behind Crowling, Zelgadis gently taps him on the shoulder and offers a wave of greeting as his assistant turns to face him. The assistance seems surprised, but is happy to see him nonetheless. Applying the Tansaku Spell the two begin to talk to one another.
"Sir, you startled me," Crowling says to Zelgadis. "What brings you here?"
"I needed a break," Zelgadis honestly reports. Looking around the room, Zelgadis takes note of the special artifacts kept in this particular portion of the shrine. These items possess excessive magical attributes and are used for a variety of practices. Some items help with healing, others for exorcism, and still others are for amplification purposes. Zelgadis finds it curious that Crowling would be researching here of all places for a cure. "Did you find something of interest here?"
"Yes and No," Crowling says as he looks at the amplification jewel lying in front of him. "Before you came back from your trip with the princess, I was researching magically enhanced items."
Zelgadis nods, using his astral vision, the blind man can easily see the power emanating from the various items in the room. Some are definitely more powerful than others.
Crowling continues. "When you came back I stopped my search in order to help you, but yesterday I had a thought. A chimera is kind of like these items, a fusion of magical energy and physical material. Now we both know that it is possible to separate the magic from an item after it has been contained in a vessel, but only after destroying the original physical portion of the object. That is part of the cure you discovered for yourself and the other chimera cases. Destroy the original container, but transfer the soul and magical energy of a person into a new vessel using a Hellmaster's Jar."
"Soul's Cradle," Zelgadis quickly corrects Crowling. Zelgadis doesn't like to refer to his method of saving people as the Hellmaster's jar, even if it is the same premise. Crowling should know better by now than to refer to the magical case as the Hellmaster's jar.
"My mistake Sir," Crowling says apologetically, but he quickly continues before he can lose his train of thought. "Now where was I . . . oh yes, after the soul and astral form is successfully transferred the subject can live a new life without the curse that was attached to his body, but here's the thing. Bringing me back to where I started with magical items. As soon as you transfer certain astral magic into another item, the physical appearance of the item may change depending on the properties assigned to it. If the magical property is too strong this may even destroy the new vessel."
"Are you suggesting that my astral form is killing my own body?" Zelgadis says thoughtfully. Trying to hide his unease, Zelgadis is truly concerned by this new hypothesis. If this is the case, no matter how many times he creates a new body, none of them will be able to hold him for long.
"We will need to run more tests to be sure, after all this is only a theory," Crowling says to Zelgadis. "But I'm sure that if we diagnose the problem we will easily be able to overcome it."
Zelgadis cannot help, but smile at Crowling's optimism. "Alright than," Zelgadis says. "Let's go back to the lab and office. We might be able to make some real headway today." While the prospect of possibly dying does not bode well with Zelgadis, it is better than dying and not knowing why. Making his way to the door, Zelgadis stops and notices that Crowlings astral form seems to quiver. "Is everything alright Crowling?"
Pursing his lips, Crowling shakes his head slightly as he studies the artifact in front of him. "It's strange Zelgadis," Crowling says, actually choosing to call Zelgadis by his name rather than referring to him as Sir. "I don't really remember why I was studying these magical articles to begin with." Turning towards Zelgadis, Crowling tries to clarify his sudden change in topic. "True, right now it makes perfect sense to be researching this given your current predicament, but why would I be doing such things before having a reason?"
"Well I did leave you in charge of the chimeras while I was gone," Zelgadis says calmly. "Why shouldn't you investigate magical items and their effects on a physical object?"
"I suppose," Crowling says, obviously he is not entirely convince because Zelgadis can see his astral body fluctuate in form.
Rather than ignore his companions distress like he would have done four months ago Zelgadis stops and looks at Crowling. Wanting to put his assistant's mind at ease, Zelgadis asks his assistant a question. As is should be apparent, Crowling loves answering questions and offering his opinions to anyone who will listen. "Is that item you're looking at a new addition to the collection? I haven't seen it before."
"Yes," Crowling answers happily. "Amelia brought this particular item to us from one of the bandit raids. Many of the mages here have shown an interest in investigating the magical items these bandits have been carrying in their possession. Since everyone here knows that Lina Inverse will most likely pawn the items she pilfers from the bandits before the mages ever see them, they are treating this item with special attention."
"Have they found anything of interest about this particular item?" Zelgadis asks patiently.
"Apparently this item was recently crafted," is Crowlings response to Zelgadis. The assistant shrugs and it is apparent to Zelgadis that learned man is not impressed with what the other mages have discovered so far. "It is a magic amplifier."
Walking back towards Crowling, Zelgadis faces the artifact and studies it closer than before. The artifact in front of him is a ring with a green jewel at its center. Using his astral vision, Zelgadis can just make out a little of its makers magical finger prints on the device. There is something odd about the items make up that bothers Zelgadis. Lina's talismans are derived from unknown origins, but Zelgadis has observed that one of the gems takes its power from Shabranigdo. Moreover, it has been known that Blow Demons can be sealed in gems for their magical abilities. In this case though, Zelgadis cannot identify the magical source of the ring.
Without asking for permission Zelgadis picks up the ring and carefully probes it. Zelgadis verbally grunts, not that he can hear it, but Crowlings probably can. "It is incomplete or a failure of sorts. The ring is supposed to contain powers derived from Ceifeed, but it doesn't look like the sorcerer who created this was successful."
After a moment's pause, Crowling closes his mouth from shock. "How do you know that?"
"When my senses were sealed, I was able to track down the monsters responsible by using my astral vision," Zelgadis explains. "At the time, Lina had tricked me into doing it, since she was getting tired of waiting around for Ralnker to show up on his own."
Making a funny face, like he's tasted an old strawberry, Crowling shakes his head. "Lina Inverse is not a very patient person is she?"
"I like to think that she has improved a little over the years," Zelgadis laughs.
"Can you track down the one who made this ring?" Crowling asks with growing excitement.
"I'm afraid not," Zelgadis admits. "This ring doesn't have enough energy to go off of."
"That's too bad," Crowling says and Zelgadis notes a slight change in his assistance astral form again. It is as if a quivering candle has been relit. "Well, we should get working on the real issue at hand," Crowling says, he is now inspired again and ready for anything Zelgadis might throw at him. As they walk out of the temple and towards a waiting Xellos, Crowling looks over at Zelgadis with brimming admiration. "Thank you, Zelgadis," he says.
"Don't mention it," Zelgadis says. Inconveniently, Zelgadis stiffens as another ach hits him in the small of his back. The slight ebb of pain does not go unnoticed even by Crowling.
"Maybe you should visit Sylphiel again," Crowling says trying his best to mask the immense concern he feels for Zelgadis.
"Yes, I think I'll do that," Zelgadis admits, not even bothering to argue the point. "I'll meet you at the lab."
Making his way across the grounds, Zelgadis easily locates Sylphiel and walks towards her. There are only a few times the blind man stumbles over a step or wayward box, but Zelgadis eventually makes it to his destination. Maybe he should consider using his wood walking stick again. As usual, Xellos is right behind him the entire time, but the monster doesn't say a word, much to Zelgadis's silent joy.
"Hello Sylphiel, do you have a minute," Zelgadis calls as he knocks on her door. Watching her carefully, Zelgadis is pleased to see that she hears him as he watches her head raise and walk to the door.
"I can spare some of my time," Sylphiel says happily from the astral plane. "Have you found a new cure?"
"Not exactly," Zelgadis says as he sits down on a seat and rubs his back. "Apparently, my body might be dying."
"Really?" Sylphiel says in shock. "That's terrible news."
"Personally, I'm not sure it's that simple," Zelgadis admits. "Crowling is smart, but it doesn't explain why this hasn't happened sooner. Why now?"
Nodding her head, Sylphiel can quickly tell that Zelgadis is exhausted and sets to work. "I don't think your body is dying either," Sylphiel says.
"What makes you think that?" Zelgadis asks.
"Well," Sylphiel continues to work while she thinks about her answer. "I've seen and healed a lot of elderly people and your ailments do not seem to be caused by aging. If that were the case I could possibly help you see or at least hear a little, but I can't."
Zelgadis hunches over slightly as he begins to think deeply about what she has said, but Sylphiel stops him.
"Slouching will not help Zelgadis," Sylphiel says as she forcibly straightens him in the chair. "Of course, aging bodies are actually the signs of a dying one, but you don't have any wrinkles, bone loss, deformities or show any mental signs of a dying body. I do not think you are growing old and therefore your body is not dying for that reason."
Refraining from saying anything out loud Zelgadis thinks to himself, 'than why do I feel like an old man?'
"Sylphiel is right," Xellos says out of nowhere. Briefly forgetting that Sylphiel cannot see the monster; Zelgadis spins around in his chair and stares up at the monsters sudden reply.
"Is something wrong Zelgadis," Sylphiel asks. Her eyes search the room nervously as she wonders what on earth Zelgadis is reacting to. Perhaps his mental state is in question.
"No, nothing," Zelgadis says as he turns to face her again.
"Although," Sylphiel hesitates. "The change in your hair color is . . . disturbing and might contradict my theory."
"What do you mean?" Zelgadis asks.
"Your hair color is turning white I think," Sylphiel says as she takes a closer look at his head.
Trying not to let his irritation show, Zelgadis calmly thanks Sylphiel for her assistance and leaves the room. After running numerous tests with Crowling, both learned magicians are still convinced that Zelgadis's body is dying.
At dinner, Zelgadis breaks the news to Amelia who does not take it well. Sylphiel again, offers her opinion that contradicts their theory, but Zelgadis grudgingly points out that his hair is turning white. He also clarifies that he doesn't like the prospect of his body dying, but he refuses to ignore the possibility simply based on fear.
Amelia and Sylphiel do not respond immediately.
"This has nothing to do with fear," Amelia finally says. Her fear and anger can be seen by Zelgadis from her astral form, but she remains calm for the sake of making her point. "We just don't want to hear you talking about your own death so casually."
Zelgadis apologizes to the two girls, not because he is sorry, but because he doesn't want to upset them. He realizes that they are not on the same page as him and so he politely ends the conversation before it can go further.
Author's Note: Oh no, Zelgadis is dying… wonder how Zelgadis is going to get out of this mess. Again, I like the interactions the characters display, especially given the situation and what they have already recently endured together.
Moreover, at the time of writing this I did not realize that Relm Wanderer's story 'Pokota's Plight' would go the route it did. This story will have similarities, but they are not intentional and will go a different direction then Wanderer's plot. Read her stuff it's great!
And finally, it's been a while since I've updated anything (including on DA) I apologize but life happens and I will do my best to get back into the swing of things. I hope you enjoy this overdue chapter.