Overcoming Strength
Chapter Eight:
Body and Soul/Souls Cradle
What seems to be a warm blanked of golden darkness wraps itself around Zelgadis as he drifts through unconsciousness. Zelgadis knows that he is not in any immediate danger and yet he still feels frightened. "If you want something from me you will need to pay a price of equal value," a beautiful and dangerous woman says from behind Zelgadis.
The once pained man sits erect and turns to stare at the golden woman. "I don't need anything," Zelgadis says honestly without really giving his answer much thought. The man assumes he is dreaming.
The woman seems to smile but her eyes and mouth do not move. "You do need something; you just don't know what it is. That's alright."
Looking down at himself, Zelgadis is slightly bothered by the new form he now possesses. His skin is so pale it appears almost blue. And while his body is not decorated with grey rock, his skin is tough. Dark cracks, like the lines of a blow demon, stretch across some parts of his new form to the careful observer.
The woman continues to speak. "What about your new form? You have turned into the very thing you worked so hard to rid yourself of," she sharply points out. It is as if she can see right through him and read his mind.
Zelgadis assumes that he is dreaming, but even so entertains the woman with an answer. "I've learned that there are more important things than wasting my time searching for something that I already have."
"But you're a monster," she says with possible amusement.
"A monster is based on ones decisions not their appearance. I only become a monster when I act like one."
"Surely I have mothered an interesting race on my red world," the woman says with an unfeeling smile. "You have no need to be here, my child, but I do desire some momentary pleasure. Would you amuse this old woman with idle conversation? I enjoy company."
Unable to make heads or tails of the situation, Zelgadis merely nods his head. He doesn't feel that he has a choice for some reason, not because of any unseen force; he just doesn't want to leave. He is strangely content.
"I have a dream too, my child," the mother says moderately. "I wish to be with what I have created. That is the reason people return to chaos when their time on the physical plane is at an end; all in order to be with me forever. Monsters and Dragons do not fully understand this concept for some reason. Instead they bicker amongst themselves over who is right and who is wrong. At least now they realize the gift of choice these days, but does it all really matter in the end?"
The woman pauses and looks at Zelgadis waiting for his answer. While Zelgadis cannot place his finger on it, he feels that he knows this woman.
"No, I suppose it wouldn't matter, since all life ends in the same place no matter what their choices may be," Zelgadis muses. "That's why it's important to live life to the fullest while you can, the best you can, you only live once. There is no going back."
The mother studies him coolly for a moment.
"You know so little, if you truly believe that living life to the fullest will be fulfilling, you will be surprised when eternity opens its gates." She pauses and changes the subject, purposefully not giving him the answer. "You really are amazing creatures with the potential to consider ideas beyond yourself and think for yourselves. Monsters and Dragons can only accomplish this occasionally, but with mortals the answer will one day be known."
Zelgadis tries not to glare with annoyance. Her words are not condescending though, merely a statement of fact. "You really like your creation don't you."
"Of course I do," she says matter-of-factly. "I care about them, I abhor their faults and sins, but I still desire to be with them."
"If you are so immensely interested in your creation, why don't you live with them?"
"Someday I will, but many will reject me because they are afraid of what they do not understand and proud of the gifts I gave them," the mother says this with no emotion, but Zelgadis gets the impression that she does care. She cares deeply. Perhaps she only appears to be unemotional because Zelgadis cannot understand the depth of what she feels.
She is beautiful, but full of a frightening power.
"I haven't met anyone like you and I haven't talked with you for very long, but I don't see why someone would reject a mother who clearly loves them," Zelgadis musses after becoming momentarily lost in his thoughts.
"Loves," the mother says, now she seems to smile. "Many would sacrifice their lives for someone they love."
"Would you?" Zelgadis asks.
"What do you think?"
For some reason an image of seeing Lina saving Gourry and her friends from an ice like coffin plays in his mind's eye. Didn't Lina sacrifice her life to save the one she cared about?
When Zelgadis studies the woman he is again filled with an immense sense of awe and fear, but not a fear for himself, a fear of knowing that she will justly punish those who deserve it. Amelia would like this woman.
"I think you would," Zelgadis finally says as he thinks about that day. Didn't the Lord of Nightmares spare them all? Why?
Wait, the Lord of Nightmares? Mother all things? The creator? As this realization begins to enter Zelgadis's thick skull his supposed dream begins to blur.
"It seems our intriguing conversation must come to a close my child," the mother says. "It is not yet your time to join me in the sea of chaos. I have one demand; make sure you do not let my daughter go astray. Her soul belongs to no man."
This last part is obviously a command.
The first face he see's is Amelia's. She is smiling her bright warm smile at him and holding his arm in her strong hands. Zelgadis is happy. There was a time not too long ago when he would have found such endearment from Amelia cumbersome, but right now he is grateful for it. Zelgadis doesn't remember his dream, but life seems a bit brighter.
Even though he doesn't remember the dream, Zelgadis does have a desire to find Lina as quickly as possible. For some reason he feels like he will be punished otherwise.
"Welcome to the land of the living," Xellos says from behind Amelia. The princess immediately glares at Xellos and unintentionally squeezes Zelgadis's hand a little tighter as her just anger slightly builds.
"Don't you have anything better to do," Pokota says from Zelgadis's left.
"Yes, I do," Xellos says. "But I cannot be on my way until Zelgadis is ready. Now that he is awake we should be going."
"NO," Amelia says. "You can't expect that from him." Standing to her feet she purposefully places her body between the monster and Zelgadis. The once blind man takes note of his surroundings and is slightly surprised to find that he is not in his room. Now he has no way of knowing if this room is in fact the same as before, but he assumes that it is. Not as much time has transpired as he would more readily accept. Besides Xellos, and Amelia, Crowling, Prince Phil and Sylphiel are also in the room. With a slight wince Zelgadis decides to use his actual eyes for once and studies his right hand. While it is expected, he is distressed at observing its physical appearance; it is an exact replica of how he appeared in the dream just moments before.
The dream that he doesn't remember well.
When Amelia begins a justice speech Zelgadis breaks his attention away from his hand and back onto the brave and somewhat foolish woman standing above him. She looks exhausted. "Mister Zelgadis has just experienced a pain that no one should be forced to endure once let alone twice in a life time! He needs rest."
She is leaving no room for argument.
Zelgadis is a little surprised at the simplicity of her speech; she isn't nearly as wordy as she could be.
"Unfortunately, princess, time is something we do not have," Xellos says pointedly. "We are leaving now."
"He's right," Zelgadis prepares to stand and Crowling immediately comes to his side in order to help. "I assume Pokota is gathering the things I asked for, the rest of you should pack." He is lead to a nearby table and takes a seat. He actually feels surprisingly good, like a weight has been lifted off his back, but Zelgadis knows better than to push himself given what has just happened.
"Are you sure," Crowling asks in concern.
Zelgadis smiles back. "I am."
With clouded concern Amelia carefully studies Zelgadis. Her eyes jitter slightly as if thoughts are flying by and she is considering each and every one of them. Finally she reaches a decision. "Alright Mister Zelgadis," she turns to the others. "I'm going on a quick trip Daddy!"
"Be safe my daughter, let loose your justice for your friends," Phil nearly yells.
Thoroughly pumped up, Amelia turns to the others and raises a fist. "Let's get ready guys!"
Prince Phillionel nods as Sylphiel and Crowling exit the room behind a determined princess.
"Are you up to this?" Phil asks Zelgadis with a thoughtful gaze.
"If Amelia, Sylphiel, and Pokota are with me I'm sure I'll be fine," Zelgadis reason's. "I just need to find Lina before this Lord Del`join does something irreversible. Even Xellos will actually be useful."
"I am sure it will be alright," Phil laughs which is encouraging to Zelgadis. Usually the large man's guffaw can be a bit annoying but after such a long period of not hearing Zelgadis is thankful.
Patiently the three wait for the preparations to be complete. Eventually, Pokota brings Lord Del`join's artifacts for Zelgadis to study along with two Soul's Cradles. While the others finish up, Zelgadis starts analyzing the items Pokota has brought.
"Any progress?" Xellos asks as soon as Zelgadis completes his initial test.
"Why can't you do this? Someone of your ability should have little trouble," Zelgadis does not state this with any aggression; he is merely falling back into his habitual calm when handed an imposing task.
"Like I already said, I need to concentrate on transporting you all," Xellos grins and opens one eye. "Unless you want me to drop one of you."
"You wouldn't . . ."
"You aren't in a position to doubt me, do you know where Lord Del`join is?"
"I have a general idea. . ."
Pokota comes into the room, "we're ready!"
In one swift motion Xellos snaps his finger causing the two Soul Cradles to vanish physically, but Zelgadis can see them clearly as Xellos stashes them on the astral plane along with his staff, collection of tea and favorite china set. Next the monster does something Pokota and Zelgadis are not too happy about. Taking both of them by the arm he transfers their essence onto the astral plane along with Amelia and Sylphiel.
Sylphiel screams and does her best to remain upright as Amelia comes to stand beside her.
"Lead the way," Xellos waves a hand forward as if he is inviting a guest into his home, a home which happens to be a large expanse of strange colors and forms.
"Xellos! What did you do?" Pokota demands.
"We're on the Astral Plane aren't we," Sylphiel panics.
Around them a violent sea of energy swirls chaotically and seems to snap at the air. Zelgadis can tell that something is wrong; it isn't as obvious on the physical side.
"We are running out of time aren't we?" Zelgadis wearily takes in the perturbing sights and sounds buying for his attention.
"We are?" Pokota asks.
"I cannot transfer all of you unless we move quickly," Xellos says trying to keep his smile and closed eyes firmly set on his face. From Zelgadis's end, the monster cannot hide the pain and effort he is enduring from transporting four humans safely. "I do hope this trip isn't too far."
Zelgadis nods and dashes forward, "let's go."
After traveling for an unknowable amount of time through the strange plane, the small group final reaches a place emitting chaos. The four heroes' tumble awkwardly from the Astral Plane as Xellos crumbles to one knee. They are surrounded by ghosts and distraught spirits which have followed them from the other plane and are letting their anger out on their intrusion.
"Protection Barrier," Amelia immediately yells successfully blocking the undead beings.
"Windy Shield," Zelgadis shouts doing his best to support her.
"Buy me some time," Sylphiel says as she begins to chant one of the most powerful white magic spells she knows. "Wandering eternity, forced into this distorted form on this earth, Purifying light caress this light, Become the light that does not fade away in the distance that connects this world and the world Beyond! Holy Bless," Sylphiel has just enough time to finish as Amelia and Zelgadis's shields shatter at the spirits immense power.
The white magic spell lives up to its calling and successfully destroys every ghost and spirit within the radius of their current location.
"Thank you Sylphiel," Zelgadis is impressed, but doesn't waste time. "Pokota and Amelia this way!" He grabs Amelia by the arm and dashes forward.
"Stay there and rest Sylphiel!" The princess looks up at Zelgadis and smiles at him. "Let's go, Mister Zelgadis." Unhooking her arm, Amelia races forward on her own and blasts through a false wall with her bare fist.
Zelgadis is the first to locate Lord Del`join and Lina as they enter an impressive hall. Nothing else in the room matters to Zelgadis and without hesitation he steadily nears the despicable man with a hard unsettling gaze. With his unseen eyes Zelgadis searches the immediate area on the astral plan and knows that every ghost has been successfully sent packing from Sylphiel's powerful spell. Unfortunately, this also means that she will be unable to cast another spell like it, if the need arises.
Behind him, his companions enter the room. Amelia and Pokota are ready to go, but Xellos is showing a bit more wear. He can just make out the priestess not too far away. She is trying to stand, but the brave priestess slumps to the ground, before trying again. Even though she is completely spent and exhausted Sylphiel continues to slowly makes her way towards them. Zelgadis doesn't have time to worry himself and only hopes they can stop Del'join before she gets involved.
"Xellos?" Amelia turns to the monster at her side out of concern, but Xellos lightly brushes her aside and tells the princess not to worry. "We have more pressing matters."
"I would be impressed companions of Lina Inverse except you are too late," Del`join calmly says as he lifts an all too familiar object for all to see.
"It's a Hellmaster's jar!" Pokota yells with a pointing finger. Behind Del'join is the limp body of Lina upon an alter. A large glowing magic circle pulses beneath her as the evil sorcerer begins to laugh.
Zelgadis can hardly believe it. How did this man overpower Lina?! A hard look creases Zelgadis's face. The bastard will pay, but if Del'join is this powerful they need to be cautious. Wisely, Zelgadis waits, while searching the astral plane for Gourry.
As Del'join finishes the spell, Pokota doesn't hesitate and races forward only to be blown back as the jar snatches Lina's essence from her limp body.
"Lina no!" Amelia struggles to stand beside Zelgadis. "We have to help her!"
"Wait, not yet, we don't want her soul to get lost," Zelgadis firmly puts an arm in front of Amelia in case the frightful wind isn't enough to hold her back.
Instead of letting her soul completely enter the jar, the man begins to transfer his own soul into Lina's body using the same Hellmaster's jar.
Because of Zelgadis's new sight he can easily see what is happening to Lina's now powerless form. As he focuses on Lina, Zelgadis catches grips of Gourry's soul as it flickers from the astral plane. "Xellos, the Soul's Cradle! Amelia and Pokota, Gourry is on his way and he is possessed."
With a stiff nod, the monster materializes one of the vessels in front of Zelgadis as his friends position themselves defensively in front of him.
Zelgadis grips the small container and sits on the ground in order to concentrate. He is worried that Lina's astral form and spirit will vacate this world along with the other spirits. While it has been several minutes since Sylphiel cast the powerful spell, the area is still saturated with the holy magic. It doesn't show, but Zelgadis is not just worried, he is terrified. This Del'join doesn't seem to realize the risk he is putting himself through.
And how pointless it is.
As Zelgadis delicately collects Lina's essence into the Soul's Cradle he can just make out Amelia and Pokota race by him. Energy grazes past Lina as Amelia attempts to cast a Megido Flare spell onto Lina's body. Instead, the possessed Gourry comes forward to engage them in battle.
The swordsman has a shield of some kind surrounding him, possibly the reason Sylphiel's spell didn't work. Pokota smashes the shield with the replica sword of light, dashing to the side as Amelia moves in. This time the Megido Flare Amelia cast does not fail and the multiple entities possessing Gourry vacate his form.
When the holy light fades, Gourry falls to the floor twitching like a jelly. "Gourry are you alright?!" Pokota shakes the large man, but it doesn't do any good. Just like Crowling, Gourry is left in a weak state, only magnified by being possessed by three ghosts at once.
"Lina is safe," Zelgadis calls to his friends followed by a quick sigh of relief. "But Lord Del'join has successfully taken control of her body."
What once was the body of Lord Del'join falls limply to the ground, essentially dying without the presence of a life force inside it. Since this man doesn't know how to preserve a body like Phibrizzo or Rezo, he has just willingly killed himself.
"What do we do now?" Pokota asks rolling Gourry comfortably onto his back.
"Megido Flare didn't work," Amelia whispers. "There must be another way."
"There is not," Lord Del'join calmly reports to them in his new slim form. "I now have the power to destroy worlds, if you wish to live I suggest you bow before my power and beg for your lives." The team of heroes tries not to flinch as they hear the words of a deranged man in the voice of their dear friend.
"Never," Pokota yells as Amelia joins him. "Fire Ball!" Pokota screams.
"Flare Arrow!" Amelia casts alongside him.
The possessed Lina blocks the attacks and casts Spirit Bind, immobilizing the royal duo in a tangle of light.
An unnatural silence submerges the room with the only sound permeating the unnatural hall being their heavy breath. Clutching the jar in his hands a little tighter, Zelgadis glares at the false Lina. On the astral plain he can see Xellos preparing a spell, but the monster doesn't unleash it. The monster is waiting and for good reason.
"What about you," Del'join turns to Zelgadis. Behind Zelgadis hobbles Sylphiel who comes to stand weakly beside Xellos. Although she is obviously tired, her gaze is firm and unyielding. "Will you who remain foolishly stand against me?" Del'join says.
"We don't have to," Zelgadis calmly stands. The cursed man fights back a cocky grin not wishing to accidently put Amelia or Pokota's lives in danger. They need to keep Del'join talking until he runs out of time or makes a mistake. "I assume that you have the misconception that you now have access to Lina's immeasurable magic pool and abilities."
The evil man does not grace Zelgadis with an answer, he merely glares at him.
Del'join attempts to cast a spell, but Zelgadis can easily sense the buildup of power and shields himself from the direct attack with a barrier. "I'll take that as a no," Zelgadis says.
"What are you waiting for Zelgadis? He's got Lina," Pokota hastily demands. Being pinned is not helping the prince's easily rustled aggression.
"No he only has her body, I have Lina," Zelgadis nods towards the vessel carefully held in his pale arms. Glaring at Del'join, Zelgadis stands erect, his senses focused in case of the slightest hint of danger. "Her body will do you little good; her power is right here in this jar. I'm sure you'll understand what I mean if you cast a dragon slave."
"Maybe I will," Del'join spits.
"What are you doing Zelgadis?" Sylphiel whispers. "Don't provoke him."
"I've been close enough to death to know the difference," Zelgadis continues.
Without a second thought the overconfident lord begins to cast a spell he never could before on his own power, "Darkness beyond twilight, crimson from blood that flows; buried in the flow of time; in Thy great name, I pledge myself to darkness! Those who oppose us shall be destroyed by the power you and I possess!"
As he recites the words, the spell holding Pokota and Amelia weakens and breaks. Meanwhile, Zelgadis steps forward between them and places his hand carefully over the lid of the Soul's Cradle.
"Come on Lina you aren't going to let this guy win right," Zelgadis says just loud enough for her to hear. In response the jar seems to shake angrily at him. "That's what I thought."
"Dragon Slave!"
Imagine the power and magnificence of the Dragon Slave and then picture the exact opposite.
Nothing happens as Lord Del'join's raises his hands directly towards his foes. The possessed woman blinks and stares at her hands. "What did you do?!" Del'join screams at them assuming that his enemy is to blame and not his own weakness.
"I haven't done anything," Zelgadis grins maliciously. "You merely use the power of others to get what you want, but even with that it doesn't change the fact that you are weak. Although . . . I know someone who is quite powerful and I doubt she will be merciful."
A bright red flame seems to erupt towards Lina's body as Zelgadis lifts the Cradles lid calling upon Del'joins spirit to forcibly leave the body it now inhabits. Immediately, a piece of Lina's spirit flies from the Cradle enveloping Del'joins soul in chaos until it is completely and utterly destroyed. All that is left is Lina's body, which collapses to the ground in a heap.
Only a piece of Lina's power does this, which speaks volumes of how powerful she is. Del'join had the knowledge and ghosts to grant him impressive abilities, but without it he is nothing but a conceited man with unreasonable ambitions.
Quickly, Zelgadis scrambles over to Lina's body and opens the jar fully, he has to do this fast before her body ceases to function properly. Lina's jittering soul floats into her body gently before her eyes begin to twitch beneath tightly closed lids. Abruptly Lina gasps for air and sits upright.
"Zel, where's Gourry," Lina asks desperately. She grabs him hard on the arms with painful fear glowing in her eyes.
"He's fine, just fainted is all," Zelgadis answers.
"You can hear me and . . . what happened to your face?" Lina asks.
Zelgadis doesn't answer her questions but turns to face the others. At that moment each one is smiling and Amelia is close to tears. "Miss Lina!" the princess scrambles across the room and nearly bowls Lina over.
"Hey, ow, Amelia," Lina complains lightly, but she is grinning. "Don't worry, can't hit the dust that easy you know. But after this I might consider taking up white magic."
"Oh Lina your so reckless sometimes," Amelia reprimands her. Behind them, Sylphiel and Pokota walk up, with Gourry crawling forward when Lina screams his name. It is far better than an alarm clock and seems to work the best on the idiot.
Leaving his friends to discuss what happened Zelgadis walks over to Xellos who has finally released the buildup of power he has been holding onto since Del'join possessed Lina. "Guess there wasn't anything for you to worry about," Zelgadis tells the monster. Crossing his arms, the man gives the Mazoku a careful look, mostly depending on what he sees from the astral plane to sense Xellos's mood.
"While it is true Del'join held no threat while possessing Lina, it would have been a calamity if her mind became unstable and she was unable to contain the chaos within," the monster explains calmly. "That and the monster race does not wish to see her die quite yet."
"Good to know." Zelgadis glances back at Lina and the others thoughtfully. "It's the same principle," Zelgadis observes not caring if he is changing the topic. "Just as my spirit affected my body, the same was true for Del'join, except he had nothing to give when he entered Lina. Lina's power is a part of her spirit, just as mine is for me. Del'join was a fool to think possessing a vessel would grant him the power of nightmares."
Beside him, Xellos lifts a grinning eye lid.
"Lina herself is the vessel of power, her body is merely built to contain it," Zelgadis crosses his arms. "She is the vessel of L-sama, isn't she?"
For several minutes the two stand there watching as Lina tells her friends how she and Gourry nearly destroyed Del'join without their help, but couldn't destroy all the ghosts since they don't know holy magic. When Pokota points out that she didn't even get close to beating Del'join and ended up needing their help from the beginning, Lina actually smiles. In a rare moment of gratitude Lina thanks them.
"Yes," Xellos finally answers.
Now it is Zelgadis's turn to answer an awkward silence. Unable to fight the instinct, Zelgadis reaches for his sword and leaps back from Xellos. Zelgadis draws the weapon and watches as a concentration of dark power grows behind Xellos. Instead of firing it at Zelgadis, Xellos turns towards Lina who is staring at the two intently. The others continue to prattle on around her, but Lina ignores them.
"Lucky for you, Zelgadis Greywords," Xellos finally says. "As long as Lina lives I cannot touch anyone she calls a friend." Having nothing more to say, the power he has been amassing encompasses him and shoots out across the astral plain farther than even Zelgadis can see.
"Hey! Get over here Zel, we've got to discuss plans!" Lina waves a hand at him jovially as if nothing questionable has happened in the last hour.
"And what plans might those be?" Zelgadis asks. The corners of his lips tip upward in a subtle grin.
"How we're going to celebrate of course!" Lina laughs and the others answer as one might expect them to. Most of them agree that food is the only way to commemorate their accomplishment. That and hunting down the remaining bandits, since nothing else would be more entertaining.
The small group heads out of the decrepit structure with Lina Dragon Slaving it for good measure once they're out. As Zelgadis stares at the ruins, he wonders if perhaps Del'join got the idea to possess Lina from him. Geist had been possessing Crowling for months and must have been aware of Zelgadis's own research despite the ghosts claim that he didn't. Given how little Del'join actually knew, Zelgadis is confused that the man would have been capable of coming up with all this by himself.
"Come on Zel! We're got places to go and food to eat!" Lina shouts to him from a ways up the road.
Oh well, he may never know, but it's probably for the best. As long as Lina and his friends are safe, he can move forward knowing that any new problem they unwittingly create can be met with determination and no small amount of destruction.
The End
Author's Note: After a year of sitting on this chapter and dreading it I think I might actually be satisfied with this ending. The only thing people might hate me for is making Lina and Gourry seem powerless, but mind you Zelgadis wasn't there to see what happened. Just imagine that it was epic and everything almost worked out except Del'join had access to thousands upon thousands of evil spirits. If Lina can get hand cuffed by Wizer she can get captured by this guy.
Aside from that you have my greatest thanks for sticking with this story and reading it. I am not especially proud of this story, but after reading many incomplete Slayers stories I've set out to finish my own, even the ones that give me some headaches'. Thank you again!
The part with L-sama was for Clang55, who has faithfully read/heard everything I've ever written.