Overcoming Strength
Battle of Wills
~ Chapter 6
As soon as Zelgadis opens the door, he can feel Lina's fire. Quickly, the blazing woman greets her useful items numbers two and four while scattering several magical clues aside. There is no doubt in Zelgadis's mind that she has made no efforts to look at the artifacts. She hasn't even bothered tidying up.
"Well, how did it go!" Lina asks in ecstasy.
The glowing joy at seeing his return bothers Zelgadis. Any dread he once felt is replace with aggravation once again. Just seeing her face, figuratively, is enough to cause him to forget any growth he might have made from his thoughts at the temple. "We failed," Zelgadis lies moodily. The lie almost comes too easily to his lips.
Raising a hand to swat Zelgadis, Lina barley stops herself from physically abusing him. For perhaps the third time, Zelgadis somehow escapes her wrath. With a clenched hand, she returns it to her side and waves a finger at him with her other hand. "Now come on Zel, play nice," Lina says instead.
There it is again, Zelgadis is amazed to see Lina refrain from physically abusing him. The red head used to do it all the time, even when he was blind, deaf and mute the first time around. But now something is different, perhaps his actions towards his friends these past few months have left an impression. Or perhaps the return of his decrepit condition is the reason. Zelgadis leaves his thoughts on the issue here and allows his expression to remain placid.
"What makes you so sure that we succeeded?" Zelgadis asks.
"Oh, I just know since you wouldn't return otherwise," Lina says.
Zelgadis sighs, she is right of course.
"Geist is no longer among us, Miss Lina," Xellos says, allowing Zelgadis to hear his words on the astral plane. "The arrogant ghost was hiding in the head priest. Zelgadis and Amelia made very quick work of him."
"They certainly did," Lina says. "I barely had enough time to even pretend to be busy studying these magical items."
She didn't even get around to pretending, Zelgadis muses, unhappy about the mess.
"So I take it you didn't make any progress?" Xellos asks and Zelgadis studies the monster quizzically. For some reason, the monster appears to be a bit anxious. Zelgadis is slowly beginning to realize how much Xellos is relying on Lina's answer. Perhaps, he should warn her, but that may cause unnecessary trouble with the monster.
"Of course not," Lina says. "I have another plan to try first before I waste my time with these little trinkets." Turning to face Zelgadis and giving him her full attention Lina makes a conscious effort to ignore Xellos. "Zelgadis, you mentioned that you could recognize the man's astral signature on these items right?"
"Yes," Zelgadis says again trying to keep any emotion and concern he feels far from his face.
Lina smiles, barley able to contain her excitement. "Alright then, I want you to track this villain down the same way you tracked down your sealed senses when you faced off against Ralnker."
It is becoming difficult for Zelgadis to hide his annoyance.
"Isn't that idea, I don't know, kind of like . . . cheating," Zelgadis asks through tight lips.
"No it isn't," Lina says. "I really doubt these items will help me find this guy, even if I did take the time to decode it all. By that time he might have an army of bandits equipped head to toe with dangerous items. I don't trust this guy as far as I can throw him. If he's really so smart, coming up with a clever plan like this just to get my attention then I sure as hell am not going to throw away my chances sitting around here. In situations like this it's best to track down the bad guy and give them a good beating before they beat you. I won't make that mistake ever again."
"I . . . guess I can see your point," Zelgadis sadly admits. He looks at the floor and tries to think of any excuse to get out of this situation, but none comes to mind. Lina is good at what she does. In the distance, Zelgadis can distinctly see Amelia making her way towards them. Maybe he still has a chance to get out of this.
"But Miss Lina," Xellos interrupts. Zelgadis can tell that the monster's interruption irritates Lina. And Zelgadis is a little confused by the fact that Xellos is actually questioning Lina's plan. Usually the general priest agrees with anything and everything Lina suggests.Why is there a feeling of trepidation gnawing through him? Xellos continues, "Even if these items do not reveal this man's location, they could give you a hint as to what this man is up to and how to defeat him."
Zelgadis gets the distinct impression that Xellos is revealing a secret to them, which is something Zelgadis has been avoiding.
"Which leaves me with the same problem," Lina answers. "I am once again left with letting this guy get away with challenging me. This man has been messing with me long enough. And it is a 50/50 chance that these items can tell us something useful as you suggest. By the time I read these it might be too late to do me any good."
"I assume that there is no way for me to convince you to change your mind," Xellos says.
"Not unless you want to tell me what is really going on," Lina bites back. She crosses her arms and gives Xellos a hard look, daring him to take a gamble. Only she can get away with this.
The room seems to feel a few degrees colder to Zelgadis's fair skin.
Luckily, Amelia finally makes it to the office and opens the door. "Hello everyone!" She says cheerfully. "Mister Zelgadis, I just wanted to tell you that Mister Pokota has just arrived. I told him that we would be down for supper soon."
"That's good to hear," Zelgadis manages to say to Amelia.
"Is something wrong," Amelia asks sensing the disturbance in the room.
"Lina wants me to use my knowledge of the astral plane in order to track down her secret admirer," Zelgadis says in an attempt to lighten the mood. Things have certainly changed if he's the one attempting to remain in good humor.
"What!" Amelia says. Needless to say Zelgadis is a little surprised by Amelia's uptight response. He can feel her justice blood boiling. "I assume that in order to track this awful man Zelgadis will need to leave the palace. Zelgadis is sick, you can't just leave with him!"
Slightly embarrassed, Zelgadis shuts his mouth before he can even attempt and say something. He had nearly forgotten about his slight handicap and the pain ebbing on his skin. With his astral vision and his friend's willingness to use the variant Tansaku Spell to communicate Zelgadis has been getting by alright. That and, when Lina returned the other day, Zelgadis became easily distracted and overpowered by her plans.
The influence she easily displays over him is staggering and is enough to make Zelgadis uncomfortable.
"Aside from being blind and deaf, Zelgadis seems fine to me," Lina says weakly. Even she knows that her argument sounds pathetic. For the past couple of day, Lina has been doing her best to ignore the discomfort she feels towards Zelgadis's condition, partially explaining her behavior of late.
"Miss Lina you need to think about this more clearly," Amelia does not back down.
In Zelgadis's mind, he is silently cheering Amelia on. He may be freed from being useful item number two.
But then Amelia keeps talking.
"Mister Zelgadis isn't showing it now, but he has been in a lot of pain. He has not been eating like he should and he hasn't been sleeping much either," Amelia say honestly.
When did Zelgadis ever tell her these things? Actually Zelgadis never did, but Crowling, Sylphiel, and Amelia have noticed because they care about him. Part of Zelgadis is touched that they took the time to notice, the another part of Zelgadis is upset that Amelia is bringing it up now.
"Zelgadis isn't strong enough to go chasing after some enemy you have made," Amelia cannot stop.
Now this comment stabs Zelgadis in the chest. Being called weak so openly by Amelia really stings. Mentally, Zelgadis falls to the ground in shame, but he manages to keep a calm expression on the outside.
His pride has been dreadfully injured since Amelia has come into the room.
"He might even by dying," Amelia finishes quietly. For Amelia to admit this is enough to wake Zelgadis from his mental injury.
"Speak up Amelia, and according to Xellos, Zelgadis isn't dying," Lina says. Nervously, Zelgadis bites his tongue. While he is partially grateful that his friends are allowing him to hear what they are saying to each other, another part of him doesn't want to hear this conversation. It must have taken a lot for Amelia to admit that Zelgadis might be dying, especially since she has been against the idea from the start. What Zelgadis would do to become completely deaf again to these infuriating women.
Amelia is surprised, but shows signs of joy at hearing that Zelgadis will not die. "Really?"
"Well Xellos doesn't lie last I checked," Zelgadis manages to say only half believing it.
"It's true," Lina slyly confirms.
"So you aren't going to die," Amelia shouts happily. "This is wonderful news Mister Zelgadis. We need to tell Sylphiel and Crowling, they will be so pleased!"
"Look, I don't have any proof. I only have what this monster has said," Zelgadis says in exasperation. "We still don't even know why I went blind and deaf in the first place."
"But still, "Amelia beams. She might even have tears in her eyes but Zelgadis cannot see them.
"So . . ." Lina starts again. "Now that you know he isn't dying, can I take him with me to find this annoying thorn in my side?"
"NO!" Amelia shouts indignantly to Lina. "Just because Mister Zelgadis isn't dying doesn't mean he's up to this. He's still ill and like he said, we don't know what's wrong."
"But you have to let him come with me," Lina says impatiently. "The bandit rise is only getting worse and I can't be everywhere at once. Do you think you can defeat the bandits with your army? No, you can't because bandits are not organized and if you go after one group, you risk another cluster or two robbing and destroying a town when you aren't looking. The best thing any of us can do is track this guy down and destroy his magical black-market before it gets any worse. Stop all of this at the source."
"But," Amelia attempts to continue to reason with Lina, but as far as Zelgadis can see, the princess has lost her edge. "This villain said he wouldn't make any more magical items for bandits if you took the time to read his clues."
"And you think that a villain is the type of guy to keep his word?" Lina asks.
Mentally Zelgadis sighs; it appears that Amelia has lost this round.
"But Mister Zelgadis . . ."
"Don't worry Amelia, it's not like anything bad will happen to him," Lina says losing her patience. "The cleverest sorceress and strongest swordsman are going to be with him. And I don't think Xellos will be going anywhere either, am I right."
"I'm not going anywhere," Xellos says darkly, while Zelgadis lists off several different curses in his mind. All of his friends are acting as if Zelgadis is unable to protect himself. Didn't he just find a mutant ghost and help destroy it? This thought stops in its tracks as soon as the ach on his skin distracts him. Logically speaking, going out in this condition, would not be the wisest decision. Zelgadis needs to figure out what's wrong before tracking bandits and going out on an adventure.
He feels trapped.
This situation, his condition, he is reminded again of his short comings and his inability to find an answer. Zelgadis's difficulty in staying put also begins to gnaw at him, barring the door.
The slight ach persists.
"Then it's decided," Lina says with glee. "Zelgadis will track down the villain so we can defeat him."
"He's probably in the kingdom of Ralteague," Zelgadis says at length, distracting himself from the ache with answers he knows. "Given the language that is written on these items it would suggest that they originated from that country. It will be the best place for us to begin."
"Alright everyone we have a plan, now it's time to eat," Lina makes her way to the door with a slumping Amelia following behind her.
"I wonder how Pokota is going to take this," Amelia says to Zelgadis as she passes.
"He'll probably want a piece of the action," Zelgadis answers with a lost smile.
"Are you sure you're up to this Mister Zelgadis," Amelia asks as they fall into step next to each other.
"The way I see it, I don't have much of a choice."
"You shouldn't let her do this to you."
"But we all do things for the ones we care about, I'm sure I'll be alright," Zelgadis pauses in thought before continuing. "Besides, whatever this disease happens to be, it isn't killing me. Perhaps it's just a side effect to the Ralnker incident, a lot of strange things happened because of that mad man." As Zelgadis says this last part he actually takes the time to study his cursed hands. His astral form hasn't changed in appearance since the first time he noticed it those many months ago.
"I'm actually more worried about what Xellos is going to do," Zelgadis glances back at the cone like form following behind them.
"Who me?" Xellos asks pleasantly.
"Yes you," Zelgadis replies stiffly. There is no turning back now. "I get the distinct feeling that you are discontent with Lina's decision." Now Zelgadis chooses to smile. "But just like the rest of us, she has you under her thumb."
Xellos muses over this for a moment. "Perhaps," he says. "I'm just surprised you can read my mood so easily."
"Comes with the ability to see people on the astral plane," Zelgadis says to both the monster and Amelia. "Everything is laid bare there."
"That it is," Xellos says. "That's one of the special features that separate monsters from most humans."
"I'm pretty sure Mister Zelgadis isn't the first human to use the astral plane to see," Amelia says. Zelgadis assumes that she has her pointer finger touching the bottom of her chin in her usual 'I'm thinking' pose. Wishing he could see it, Zelgadis is left to imagine it instead.
"You are well read Princess," Xellos says. "No Zelgadis certainly isn't the first, but it is not common. I'd say Rezo is the most recent example of a person able to use such techniques. And, as I have mentioned before, this ability requires a lot of power, which also makes it rare."
"Oh I see," Amelia ponders, as if the world now makes perfect sense.
If only it were all that simple, Zelgadis broods and momentarily sinks into a puddle of melancholic thoughts. Actually, didn't Filia tell him something similar all those months ago? What a conversation that had been. Zelgadis wonders what the dragon priestess might be able to reveal given his situation now.
At dinner, Lina and Pokota have an argument. Nothing new really. Not only do the two young people fight over their meal, but also over the issue of the bandit's plaguing the land. Zelgadis doesn't hear most of the conversation since the two sorcerers are speaking to each other with their mouths, but Amelia will offer commentary for Zelgadis every so often when he asks. Crowling isn't there at dinner. Either the man is still recovering or choosing to avoid Lina like the plague. Zelgadis cannot blame him.
Overall, Zelgadis isn't immensely troubled with the two sorcerers little skirmish; he is more concerned about his itching skin and the ebb of a headache coming his way. Perhaps, it is a Lina induced migraine. While Zelgadis enjoys Lina's company and the interesting conversations she can offer, her stubborn personality is trying. Thinking about Lina again is pathetic, Zelgadis speculates. Finally, he stands from his place and prepares to leave with his dinner plate still more than half full.
"Goodnight," Zelgadis says aloud. His companions say goodbye in their own ways, whether he can hear them through the astral plane or not. Gourry has his own wave length that is fun to interpret on the astral plane. Just as obvious and simple as expected.
"Are you in any pain," he hears Sylphiel say. Momentarily Zelgadis considers lying to her, but decides against it. He's been lying enough today. If he goes off on this journey with Lina, he won't have Sylphiel to help with these aches. Might as well take advantage of the healer while he can.
Zelgadis simply nods and the two leave the room, no one questions it. Sylphiel is an honest person, so she probably just tells them all the truth. This makes Zelgadis feel like an old man, but he does want Sylphiel to use some of her white magic to ease some of his pain. In embarrassment Zelgadis's face turns slightly red and he can easily see Sylphiel's astral form giggle.
Surprisingly, Xellos doesn't follow Zelgadis and stays at the dinner table with Lina and the others.
In his room, Sylphiel does what she can for Zelgadis, but it only offers minute relief. Whatever has been happening to him is reaching its pinnacle.
"Maybe I should travel with you," Sylphiel says at length.
"You just want an excuse to travel with Gourry right?" Zelgadis laughs.
This time it is Sylphiel's turn to blush. "Well, I would enjoy traveling with dear Gourry," Sylphiel admits sheepishly. "But while Lina is decent at white magic she may not be able to help you with this and I doubt Amelia will be able to travel with you in order to help. Pokota and Amelia will be busy making plans with their countries about the bandit problem." Leaning forward, Sylphiel's determination can easily be read. Briefly, Zelgadis is reminded of when they first met; only the rolls have switched. "You shouldn't go out like this; I don't know what Miss Lina is thinking. But she always gets her way."
For a couple of moments Zelgadis doesn't say anything.
"I trust her," Zelgadis finally says. "It is not a matter of control. Lina will be Lina. Control and trust are two different ideas that should never be mixed." Saying this out loud is enough to quiet his own thoughts on this issue. With a smile Zelgadis continues. "That aside, I wouldn't at all be against you traveling with us."
Sylphiel is probably smiling right now as well.
"Try to get some sleep Mister Zelgadis," Sylphiel says as she leaves the room.
Before attempting to catch up on some rest, Zelgadis packs up his things for a long journey along with his old wood cane. When he is confident with his packing job, Zelgadis goes to bed and for once easily drifts off to sleep. Peaceful hours pass, until an unwelcomed nightmare comes, breaking through his bared door.
In his dream Zelgadis is searching tirelessly for something. As is common in dreams, it doesn't matter what Zelgadis is looking for just as long as he finds it. Everything in the dream is how the world looks to Zelgadis when he uses his astral vision in order to see. But even with this ability to see in more directions than one, the pale un-aging man cannot find what he seeks.
Desperately, and with growing frustration, Zelgadis lashes out at the dream, attacking the strange images that dance around him.
Taunting him.
Zelgadis's outrage successfully causes the fluid translucent images of his dream to seemingly shatter around him as he suddenly plummets downward. As he falls through the black void of his mind something cold and familiar catches him. Zelgadis feels the odd sensation of floating before this supernatural occurrence is cut short.
A sharp cold ach slashes through Zelgadis's body making everything momentarily turn white. At its worse Zelgadis screams out in pain and is released from the dream.
The first thing Zelgadis is conscious of is the warm rays of the morning sun hitting his sore dry hands, but they do not hurt nearly as badly as last night. With a sharp sniff of the air, Zelgadis smells the familiar quilt blanket and aged wood, reminding him of the kind home he stayed at in the outer world.
Reaching for the edge of his covers, Zelgadis is immediately confused. For some reason he cannot see on the astral plane, everything is dark. Like an empty void. Quickly, Zelgadis speaks the spell aloud in hopes to reestablish his connection to the astral plane, but again he is unsuccessful.
Before his mind can comprehend what might be happening, Zelgadis's body breaks out in a cold sweet.
Am I dead? Why can't I use magic? What happened? Is this real? Am I still dreaming? In a moment of panic Zelgadis grips the edge of his covers and is reminded that he can still feel. Carefully, Zelgadis moves his hands over the fabric and to the edge of the bed. At least now he knows where he is. This moment reminds him of that day many months ago, waking in an unfamiliar bed and strange house. Only this time he isn't lost, he knows where he is.
As a final check Zelgadis tries to pinch the top of his left hand, but he finds this difficult to do. His skin is extremely dry and it hurts. This is enough proof to him that he is not dreaming.
Standing from his bed, Zelgadis slowly makes his way to his desk and chair. Hands outstretched Zelgadis manages to make it to his destination without falling and sits down. This is so familiar that it is nearly enough to break him.
With the small victory of reaching the chair alleviating his mood, Zelgadis attempts to cast another spell, but nothing happens. Without stopping Zelgadis attempts to cast several more spells, each simpler than the last, but none of them work. This can only mean one thing.
In frustration and fear Zelgadis slams his fist against the desk, causing it to slightly crack. Zelgadis knows that his connection to his magic pool has been severed. Wringing his hands through his wild hair Zelgadis tries to grasp at any coherent thought. Something to do. A way to solve his problem.
A way out.
An answer.
A cure.
Before he falls back into old ideals and habits, Zelgadis remembers the touch of someone's hand. Zelgadis knows that it is not a cure he seeks; it is something far more important.
"What am I going to tell the others," Zelgadis unconsciously murmurs under his breath. Whether he admits it or not, Zelgadis has truly begun to rely on his friends. As his dread grows, Zelgadis becomes lost in thoughts he cannot follow. For minutes or maybe an hour, Zelgadis sits there trying to get a grasp on reality.
He is waiting for that hand.
When a fresh breeze flows over his low hanging head, he is awakened from his melancholic stupor.
He isn't alone.
And with this lone thought a spark of hope is lit.
"Good morning Zel!" Lina says into his mind. "Are you ready to get going?"
Zelgadis's hopes rise again, Lina can still talk to him. While Zelgadis's magic pool may be sealed off that does not mean others cannot talk to him, since it is dependent on their magical ability, not his.
"Lina," Zelgadis croaks out deafly.
"Speak up Zel," Lina says. Zelgadis can imagine that she is putting her hands on her hips. "Honestly, you keep getting worse every day. You're not a mumbling teenager."
"I'm sorry Lina," Zelgadis apologizes with dead eyes. "But I will not be able to find this man."
"What?" Lina shouts into his mind. Her loud astral voice hurts a little, since Zelgadis can no longer control her volume in his mind with magic.
"I've been completely cut off from my magic pool," Zelgadis says with a wince.
Everything goes silent, which causes Zelgadis to panic momentarily. Her voice is all he has at the moment.
"You . . . You're just . . . trying to get out of this again right. Just like yesterday when you said you failed to kill Geist."
Sadly, Zelgadis shakes his head. "I'm not kidding Lina. I wouldn't joke about something like this." He is not angry; he is not frustrated with her, only proving his sincerity.
Zelgadis is surprised when gloved hands grab him tightly by the shoulders. Taken aback, Zelgadis slightly jumps in his chair in surprise. Her hands offer a strange comfort.
"You really can't see me can you," Lina asks softly.
Unable to bring the words to his mouth, Zelgadis simply nods his head.
Lina's hands shake slightly on his shoulders before disappearing and leaving Zelgadis alone. Fighting the urge to reach out towards her Zelgadis chooses to let his head relax forward, looking blindly at the floor.
Unexpectedly, the ground begins to shake and a slight breeze can be felt. The trembling beneath Zelgadis becomes a bit erratic and it is only after the trembling suddenly stops that he realizes what it is. Lina must have been pounding the wall with her fist with all her strength. She may have even punched down the door.
After a moment of feeling nothing, Lina's hand returns and grabs his. "I'm sorry Zel, I really am" Lina says. "Let's go tell the others." And with that she carefully leads Zelgadis by the hand. Guiding him through something perhaps more dangerous than she realizes.
Author's Note: So, it wouldn't be the sequel without putting Zelgadis through something this terrible all over again. Sorry it's taken so long for me to get around to posting this. I'm awfully distracted these days.