Enjoy Loves!
Chapter Eleven: Bandits?! Trolls and black Holes? Oh my!
"Oh you little arrogant bitch! You will pay you kid! After them boys!" The mass combination of that with human bandits and over sized trolls began to swarm at us with their weapons charged overhand. Zelgadis, Proserpina and I readied ourselves with magical energy as Gourry placed himself in a defense stance.
I was first to launch my spell. Since they were coming at us in full speed, I figured I'd slow them down, by freezing them of course!
You who crosses between sky and earth,
Gently flowing water, gather in my hand and grant me power!
DEMONA CRYSTAL!
A fog began to swirl as it took form on the ground ahead of us, spreading out at a rapid rate. Beneath the fog was a frost that was forming, tiny crystals of ice budded out of the earth, waiting for the poor soul that tramples on it. A few of the bandits and a couple of trolls that were nearby stormed across the ensnare area, their legs buckling under them, as they topple over and feel to the icy trap, freezing to their deaths. The trolls on the other hand, cried out in agony as they flesh continue to battle with the parts of them that have already frozen. I squirm a bit as they withered, Zelgadis blasted them into icy shards as he casted a Vice Flare to the two. More collided to the ground as the ice casted over their bodies, the ones left where the older group of more veteran looking bandit, and handful of trolls, and the boss man in red. The leader seemed rather impressed so far, as he clapped his hands together in applause.
"Good show." He praise as he stopped to kick one of his fallen, and frozen solid comrades. The deceased's torso shattered from the man's forceful kick, he then gazed at the four of us with a murderous intent.
"Clever little girl, aren't you?" Well yes. I don't call myself a genius for nothing! "So far, the term brainless does not suite you, but let's sees how you hold up against anything that is considered as a projectile." A heavily scarred man with braided bread steeped forward, A bow stretched steadied in his grasped as a handful of arrows where launched above.
"Heads up Gourry!" Zelgadis shouted as they both unsheathe their blades, the arrows accelerated to the ground. Gourry move fluidity slicing the multitude of arrows that where plummeting to us, as many of them where cut in half in one motion. Zelgadis handled the rest in a couple of movements, quickly stopping before he touched the area affected by the Demona Crystal.
"Very impressive." Again the leader snapped his fingers, and a hefty sized troll lurch forward, carrying massive size cannon in his grasp. "Oh you have got to be kidding me!" I snorted loudly. Who just totes around carrying a cannon nowadays? The big guy posture himself in front where we all stand, with a smaller troll behind him, setting fire to the wick attach to the cannon. The troll then takes its aim as the fuse sizzles, holding it steady at Proserpina. With a thunderous boom it goes off as the iron ball is fired, propelling though the air. She moves within a blink of an eye, and a loud SMACK is followed. No way! She caught the damn thing! Smoke rolled off its round and dark surface as her fingers curled around it. She rolls it in her palm, assumed of its appearance.
"I've seen these things in museums." She softly states before looking at the boss guy in red, and then to the troll that held the cannon. "They're not as new looking, like this one. You should hold on to this, it may be worth some historical value in the future." She hurls the cannon ball back; it zooms though the air and smacks the troll dead in the face. There was a loud, sicken popping nose, and the troll falls backwards on top of the smaller troll. The cannon snap in half and roll off in opposite directions.
"Oh! I think that might've turned me a little." The leader licked his lips as he grabbed his crotch, nodding his head at Proserpina. "I wasn't expecting that from a lady of your stature. You surprised me there! So tell me sweet heart, what else are you able to do?" The man in red sneered as he casted what looked like a Vice flare, which created a dense fog that shroud us. Who knew a simple bandit leader knew a little magic. You would be shocked at the things this world has to offer.
"Ugh! I can't see!" I heard Gourry from my left as he shuffled though the veil of white, His hand grasping my shoulder as he pulled closer. "There you are Lina!"
"Shut up Gourry! I'm trying to concentrate!" I could hear Zelgadis from somewhere in the right. "Bomb Di Wind!" He shouted as a power gale blasted the whole area, blowing away that of the fog, stirring up the layers of decomposed leaves. The man in red, along with another tall man clad in an aquamarine blue garb with a rather pale complexion and icy blue short hair, held up a shield of what look of defensive energy around the both of them. I didn't notice him before, and it almost felt like he came out of nowhere. The rest of the bunkered down alongside with the remaining trolls, a few of them lost their grab, and was off along with the gale. The leaves settled as the winds came to a halt. The pale man lowered his hand, dropping the barrier in the process.
"Well that was certainly a neat little trick," He leaned in to the other guy, whom groaned at him. "Not bad for a freak show, what do you say then, Roane?" The man in aquamarine crossed his arms. "" I say that we need to hurry up with this, Reaver." The man he called Roane spat at him as he turn his head away.
"Right! Of course!" He brushes his chocolate brown locks out of his face before snapping his fingers again! The remainder of the trolls and bandits jumped to their feet, awaiting their boss's command.
"I didn't say it was time to quit." Reaver barked at his men as they scramble towards us. As they drew near, I heard Proserpina mumble the following as energy collected around her at an alarming rate.
Twilight beyond that lies beyond the worlds
A sea of golden chaos is where you await
I call upon you; lend me your power of destruction
Bright, golden yellow ball of energy formed in her palms as more was gathered. In a motion similar to how she threw the cannon ball
CHAOTIC BLAST!
There was a loud crackling noise as the energy makes contact with the first three trolls, their limbs disintegrating as the energy course though them. That was the same energy that was used against the kraken, and now it's being used against a being well known for being one of the hardest things to take down. I observed the trolls as they trash about, their limbs failing to grow back. Wow. That spell Proserpina casted did something to hinder that ability, keeping them in that feeble state. The energy that was enveloping her started to take a change, it went from the brilliant gold to a vast, dark shadowy one as balls collected and gather into her two hands. Her lips moved as she muttered words that I could not completely make out, but the more she chanted this, the more strong the energy grew, to the point where I felt it tugged at both my cape and hair.
"Starving Maw." The orb of darkness waved its way towards the injured trolls, it started off roughly the size of my fist, and expanded as it grew in size, there was the sound of air being sucked into a vessel, and then the orb grew triple in size, it grew large enough to where it started to take chunks of earth out of the ground, and absorbing it into its dark core. Before long it was tugging at the surviving group of trolls, lifting them up from varies of angles, pulling them closer to its consuming center! Their struggle against its gravitational pull falls short as they along were tugged with the bits of rock and dirt. I watched as they were stretch out like thin string and pulled into a swirling into oblivion. WOW! That was something extraordinary to witness! After the last of the fallen trolls where consumed, it began to pulsated, and that is when Proserpina stepped in and threw what looked like another chaotic blast at it. It devours the spell, but instead of growing bigger, it reduced in size, until it dissipated into nothing. The air felt idle as the leaves settled, until Reaver started a tantrum out being that only Roane and he remain.
"HOW IN THE HELL WAS SHE ABLE TO DO THAT?" He shrilled as Roane grabbed the bridge of his narrow nose. "NO ONE SAID SHE WAS TALENTED IN MAGIC!" Hey guy, I'm excited about what I saw, but I'm not freaking out here! Though that was really freaking awesome! I would love to learn that, but I feel like I would not be able to master it. That seems like something that would go complete haywire and out of control if used in the wrong manner. Even Proserpina appears to have expertise, for she knew when to cancel it out with a different spell.
"Reaver, no one knew of anything of her, hence why we were sent to capture her…" The other man stomped at the ground as Roane scolded him with a reminder. "She would prefer her to be alive, as she requested."
"But that is so impossible!" Reaver screech as Roane flinched. "It's nearly impossible to capture anyone who uses magic, ESPECAILLY ON A LEVEL LIKE THAT!" He had a point, but in my opinion, it is more knowledge of the type of magic Proserpina uses that would make taking down trolls as simple as their bandit companions. Magic is just magic; the only difference is that our magic is known from the sources that reside in our universe, allowing the inhabitants here, such as myself, to call on and use within our will. Proserpina's case is in opposition, what she had relay to me is unknown in my knowledge, but it seems to still function here with no issues currently listed. Proserpina just stood there with her head slightly tilted, glaring at the two men that argue before us. She may have been wondering the same as I as in what they were going to do next. The four of us watched the men as a sense of suspense rise; the men shortly caught on that we were just standing there, with these dumbfounded look on our faces. They switched glances before facing us, the man called Reaver pointed at Proserpina, heaving up his chest. "DON'T THINK THIS IS THE LAST YOU SEE OF US! WE'LL BE BACK FOR YOU BEFORE YOU KNOW IT!" The other man, Roane, raised his hand straight above his head, gathering energy as it formed around the two of them.
"JUST YOU WAIT!" With a flash, the both of them vanished from plan sight; nothing but a few bodies of the decease where the only things that where about. With no more danger, the guys withdraw their swords as they sheathe them. I crossed my arms in disappointment, I was excepting more of a battle and not this running away, talking it up about that whole 'Till next time' bullocks. I felt Zel's gaze on me, and found out that he was looking at me with a rather puzzled expression. He blinked a he register that I've took notice of him.
"What do you make of those two?" He asked as his voice was laced with apprehension. "Do you think they are working for Zelas or Deep Sea? Or do you think there may be another boss involved?"
"That Roane guy got energy about him…" Proserpina joined in as she muttered lowly. "And I get the feeling that asshole, Reaver, is his employee?" Zel and I glimpsed at each another then at Proserpina. "What makes you think that?" I felt my eyebrow twitched as she shrugged. "He said something that made it sound like they are being hired to capture me, quoted 'She would prefer her to be alive, as she requested' from what that Roane guy said."
"That guy wore blue!" Gourry ring in, commenting on the guy's color choice in clothing. "And the other one worn Red!"
"Gourry," I felt more of my face twitched as I felt a vein form by my temples. "What does color have to do with this?"
"I dunno." He looked so innocent about being so stupid at times. "Red Fish, Blue Fish?" I slap my forehead instead of walloping like I wanted to on him. I could hear both Proserpina and Zelgadis sign heavily.
"Wait a second…" I hear her say, and then I caught on to the same train of thought. Fish…That guy…Roane…Wore Blue…Blue Fish…Proserpina said there was something about him… Red Fish… Reaver… was basically the first one we encounter along with his men and trolls. I've never heard of either, so who exactly are they? And why the hell did Gourry make a reference about them like that? What the hell goes in that man's mind, if there even one, I want to say yes, he has functioning gray matter. The basics are working, and he seems healthy, but his intelligence, I wish it was as strong as his looks.
"Maybe Roane's a monster…" Zel went a bit wide eyed as he peeked at me though is hair. "I had that same notion. He was able to cast magic, and rather well even up against Proserpina's spell. Also he wasn't there in the beginning; he didn't make himself known until after we all engage in combat."
"Do you think he could be one of the guys that one snaggletooth geezer mentioned?" There is that possibility, but I didn't really get a close look at his neck to see if he had gills. As for Reaver, he was a basic human, who knew nothing other than telling people what to do and running his mouth like he is a top dog. He did manage to cast a fire based shamanic spell, but anything else pass that is not know of. Roane, the other man in blues, had more knowledge where he is more consider a threat then the extra. Someone like Reaver is just a warm up until you have to face someone like Roane. Wonderful! More foes to worry about!
"Do you think they may have this offense and defense type strategy? " Proserpina inquire any of our opinions as she walked between the distance of Zelgadis and I. Gourry of course, walked in the space of my shadow, and occasional I would bump into him, hissing at him to move his ass. I think Zel was the more responsive to her questioning.
"That could be something to consider." His forehead rose, as both of his hand came up in a gesture. "But we can't say that much just based off of that brief encounter. That is mostly likely something to ask around in a town nearby." He stared up the path ahead of us. "I think we are close to some kind of housing. We may actually be in one of the bordering towns." I wouldn't entirely call it that, but it look like we were passing though a property; a villa at on the path ahead. "We can discuss more about this once we are somewhere more enclosed." There was something off about that villa, I couldn't say what it was, but with the shutters still shut tightly and there was no smoke coming from the chimney tells me that this home may be vacant, or abandon.
"Hey guys." Proserpina climbed up to the forth porch, furs hung from a raft, along with bottles containing a brown liquid sat along with a solo table and a rocking chair. The front door was ajar, she froze at the entrance. "Something seems off here." As I peered though the opening, I too felt an uneasy feeling that something went down in there. As brave as she is, Proserpina steps inside. The floor boards creak as she softly treaded though. I follow behind her, with Gourry and Zelgadis in pursuit.
"Hey." Gourry whisper, tapping Proserpina on her shoulder. "Didn't someone tell you it's not polite to just walk in people's houses?"
"Yeah." She scoffed. "But normally people don't just leave their front doors open like that. Something went down in here." As soon as she said that, I made contact with what looked like a man, well he would have been if he wasn't scalped and was alive instead of being seated in a chair, with a horrendous amount of blood lost that waterfall down his front of his shirt. His throat was sliced open; bits of the trachea were exposing, as if someone had done it with a dull blade.
"What a way to go." I felt more remorse as I realize the guy was a trader, who lived on the outskirts of Mane. I guess he had an object that someone really wanted. His house was ransacked; piles of clothing and papers where shred about the living quarters. I couldn't help but to think of what he possessed to make someone resort to this violence?
"Poor guy." I wasn't the only one who felt some kind of pity toward this tragic victim of possible foul play. Proserpina had kneeled by him, her nostrils flared as she observed his condition. "This is more recent. Not all the blood has coagulated yet."
"We could respectfully dispose of him and stay here for the night." Zelgadis join up and got a gander at the corpse as well. "He's drenched in blood though."
"I'm not touching that." Gourry held his hand up in defense as he shook his head. "I don't do blood on me as well nowadays." Are you pulling my leg? You're a Swordsman! You hack and slice though people like butcher in battle, but you can handle a bit of blood on your hands?
"Maybe he doesn't like touching the decease?" Proserpina suggests and Gourry nodded. "It's that too."
"That's understandable. " She got back on her feet and clapped her hands together. "I'll guess I'll have to do something about it since everyone else isn't." What did she mean by she was going to do something about it? What do you have in mind? I thought she was going crazy until she glowed bright at first then focus the light to her hands, which she then brought it to the man's head; which a flash happen. Her eyes appeared white, and so did the deceased man's.
"Stand." This guy, dead as a door knob, rose to his feet. Now I've seen some necromancy before, but this, is a bit different. This had a more complex nature to it, there was also no invocation or summon circle, yet she was able to make a man, who has been dead for a decent amount of time, stand to his feet like he wasn't dead. "Walk." The corpse stagger its steps as it follow after her lead as she guide it to the door, and then to the side of the house, where a mass of shrubs grew.
"Go and rest." The man came to a complete halt at the edge, a collapse facedown into the brush. As the body gave one last heave, the white light from before was unleashed, and had flew back to Proserpina.
"Gyah." She shivered, trying to get herself back as she rubbed her arms. "I hate doing that."
"-But you know how to raise the dead." This time I was the one with the questions, my curious roar like the flames that licked at the bits of the chair the dead man was in, that the guys took honor in destroyed and manage to start one. I couldn't let that go. That such a sensitive subject within the circle of mages and sorceresses alike, even at the mage's guild, necromancy was such a hushed subject, and many had study it in secrecy. It's something that isn't usually used, unless by the morally corrupted or demons who have that influence over that domain.
"It was something I ran into." Yeah but where? At least you can explain to me of how it's done.
"Part of that was in a book my mother had. It's a form of necromancy where instead of invoking a random soul to occupy that of a deceased, you filled it with your own essences." Fascinating! It would seem like you would have more control over the zombie then how it's traditionally done. As advance as it sounds, I know it has to have it consequences.
"Well, since it is part of your own Soul, I've heard of stories where people who have done that too much, then to get what call "Necrosomnia.' It's a coin on words, being that if you have extended yourself too much, eventually it starts to consume at your conscience. One person, who was a notorious necromancer, went completely mad over time, saying that he kept seeing 'them' and stop sleeping completely. They did research on him, unfortunately he passed away violently as he had a seizure and bit off his tongue. He wasn't the only one." She then stated that according to several other subjects to the madness, claimed that they were expose to the realm, the land of the dead, and what they call 'Psychocomps' begin to search for them, which is why they refuse to sleep. Night terrors were just part of the suffering that is beyond recovery. The results of being involved in thing humanity have no business in. So these Pyschocomps, from what she explain further, where being of their mythos, that would gathered the souls of the deceased and take them back to the Amina Mundi, from there varies from opinion, but it's rather similar to how it is here. If you're heroic, you get rewarded with being with the gods, and if you're evil, you get thrown in with the demons into the underworld. If you stand neutral, you stick around as a shade until you feel released from your burdens, then you can move on to the either. It gets really deep from there, but these things do not like when mortals play with life or death, and start doing what is outside of our functioning. If you step too much over that boundary, they sought you out and rive you to the point of insanity, to where you crave death. That is very frightening to hear, and I can feel a wave of goose bumps travel though out my limbs. That is even more of a reason why I should stay away from that art entirely. I like my unique sanity (Though some would say otherwise. Eff 'em) and I prefer to keep it as is, Thank you.
"So that is why I shy away from doing that." Her leg shook as she sat hunched forward in a chair. "Besides, I have a hard time sleeping anyways, the last thing I need is something bugging me while I'm trying to get some beauty rest." I could tell she was a bit uncomfortable with explaining that, but it's not like you run into a person who is capable of that on a daily, or travel with them as well. Even though it's hope to not be expected, a part of me felt like there was a chance or so that she will have to use that gods forsaken ability, probably for the greater good. I guess raising the deceased to remove it from a living space could be considered a good deed, yes? Who am I to judge? I'm just glad that the thing is gone and outside, out of mind and out of sight. Speaking of out of sight; the shutters where still wide open from earlier. Rushing out of my seat, I felt the urge to start closing them, one by one. I couldn't help to shake off the paranoia feeling of being watched. I don't think it's a ghost, unless the dude who died here is still with us, he hasn't made a huge issue about us squatting in what used to be his home. No, the feeling was from experiencing the same sensation of being hunted, and now that we are tagging along with Proserpina in this, there that possibly that we are being pursuit as well. After all the shutters where closed, I treaded quietly back to my chair, and plopped back down, crossing my legs. I felt less noticeable, aside from my staring companions.
"Are we feeling like we are in my shoes here?" Proserpina battered her eyes as she propped herself in her chair again. "I have a feeling that very soon, it's not just me that they're going to be looking for…" I think we all came to an agreement, as we glance at each other before nodding.
"It's not the first time." Zelgadis closed his eyes tightly. "And it won't probably be the last."
"Things like that are completely normal to us." That is if you lived the same lifestyles that we have, then you have more situations where people frame you just because they can. Though that comes with having power, it's just so easy to begin a man hunt out of nowhere. Now that I feel more secure, time to think of other things that are more important!
"Proserpina!" I could feel a grin tug at the corners of my mouth. "Would you be up to cooking tonight?"
A man in dark assassin robes sat quietly perch on atop of a temple's ruin in silence. His eyes darted around as he scans the area for a particular priest. An eerie fiery glare from the sunset beamed from the distance as night crept in the sky above. The assassin remains still as a dark figure paces from the woodlands. As the silhouette comes into what is left of the natural light, the man recognizes the person as the man he was waiting for. The assassin leaps upwards, and landed graceful next to the priest.
"Master Xelloss." He began. His voice horses from the days and days where he said not a single word. "I waited for you to present to you my report of the woman." The priest nodded his violet head to signal that he was interested in what the hired man had to say.
"They had venture more North from the last you have encounter them." He whispered. "From there they had encounter the pirate king Reaver and a man known as Roane along with a band of bandits and that of trolls." Xelloss scoffed at the sound of one of the men's names. "Roane… I'm surprised she still has him around. It has been a while since he's been out. And here I was thinking he had gotten destroyed centuries ago." The assassin stared at the monster as he had not a single idea of what he was even talking about. The priest gazes at the silent man and raise his eyebrows in utter shock! "Shame. He is so uninvolved, even humanity has forgotten about him. Tsk Tsk!" he slowly shakes his head. "It's hard to even believe that he is older than me, at least by ten years. I suppose it is the way how deep sea handles her on goings. If it doesn't have anything to do with her oceans, then she doesn't get involve."
"Yet that strange woman was the one that landed in the sea." The assassin dark eyes peered from behind his wrappings. "So that is why the other two are involved…"
Xelloss pinched the bridge of his nose. "As annoying as it is, it seems so. Although the approaches are quite in differ; Deep Sea wants to capture Proserpina, alive if possible, to perform maybe experiments. Whilst, my master, has other arrangements that aren't as simple in that same nature."
"What are your master arrangements after catching the woman?" The priest smirked and folded his arms. "What with people thinking I am going to speak of that matters publicly? I'm going to tell you the same thing I tell everyone else; that's secret. Do I make myself clear? Thanatos?" The assassin bobbed wordlessly, locking his eyes with the closed silts of the priest. Xelloss saw the man understands of the importance of not prying about the nature of his master's orders. After all, that was his originator; his utter loyalty is only a byproduct of his function. Her orders were strict and exercised precisely in the manner of her following. There was no way he was going to rebel against her at any cost. Thanatos kneels at the priest. "What is your next command, master?" Xelloss rapped his staff at the ground. "Continue to watch." Growing, purple energy around his figure as his staff glowed. "Do not make your presence known, not until I further say so. Farewell Thanatos! Till next time!" The energy burst with a flash and Xelloss disappeared, leaving Thanatos alone in the approaching evening.
The stew that sat above the flames bubbled as the bits of meat and vegetables (Freshly preserve at that! Though I believe the meat is venison) swirled as Proserpina stirred it with a large wooden spoon. It also smelt out of this world, my mouth watered as the scent of the stew filled the villa's space.
"Mmmm." I took a deep intake though my nostrils. "Is it ready yet?" Proserpina must've sense my impetuosity; she narrowed her eyes at me the same way my mother done to me when I was up to no good. "Lina, it needs another hour. It's not ready yet."
"Ugh!" I exclaimed, stomping my boot on the hardwood flooring below. "It just smells so freaking good."
"Yeah because that means it's cooking."
"Well it needs to hurry up!"
Zelgadis, who was the first on to take intuitive to be the first to relax on a cot nearby, loudly sighed as he moved his arm covering is eyes. "Do you have no conception of time, Lina?" I could hear him groan from under his arm. "You asked those ten minutes ago."
"And I'm going to keep asking until its ready!"
"Lina." Gourry said softly as he twirled a bottle that had a brownish liquid in it. "Calm down I think Zel's trying to rest." Are you serious? You're really going to look out for cranky ass over there, after hours of the grueling walk we had treaded to get here, who also didn't allow you to rest after you carried me for a couple of miles on your back? Then again, I have to remind myself that Proserpina did carry you until you felt like your dignity was dying or you were ready to actually walk. I glared at him but remain quiet and I rested my chin in my arms, ignoring the grumbling that took place in my stomach. I shut my eyes, trying not to stress myself as we waited for dinner. I've must have dozed off at some point, because shortly there was a knock I heard that woke me up. Proserpina stood next to me with her knuckles pressed against the table. "It's time to get up Doll. The food is ready." I yawned as I gathered myself to my feet, and dragged my steps as I follow the gang to the area where the homeowner stored his utensils. I reached for the biggest bowl I could find, along with a matching spoon.
"Lina." Gourry grabbed a yet larger bowl then I had. NO FAIR! "Do you think that spoon is big enough for your mouth?"
"Oh Damn!" I heard Proserpina exclaim as she giggled while I knock Gourry dense skull as hard as I could with the spoon I intend on using. I hope a knot forms from that! "You shut yours, Air for brains!" I stormed away as fast as I could to the pot, in my attempt to grab the ladle and help myself to the goods.
"Wait Lina!" Proserpina moved as swiftly as I did, gently stopping me from scooping in the stew. "I have a rule; cook gets first dibs, then the rest is free game." Okay that's reasonable. I heavy sighed as I stepped to the side, allowing her to take the ladle from my grasp. What? If it was Gourry or Zel I would have fought them both over who eats first! That was the case the moment she stepped away after getting her share. I shove the both off of my way as I continue to pile the stew as much as I could in my bowl as quickly as I could. Gourry snatch the ladle and I haul my way to the table, taking a seat across Proserpina. The surface of the food steamed as she waited for it to cool off. Gourry rushed to the chair next to me, as usual. Zelgadis took the seat at the opposite side; he slid his chair a bit closer to her, mostly due to the fact next to where he was seated as where we found that dead guy. At least that what I would assumed, I wouldn't want to sit so close to where I found a deceased person at, even though we did our best to clean up the mess. Then again, it would be a perfect excuse to sit a bit closer to Proserpina. That is something I would do if I was a dude, but again I can't speak for Zel. I'm only speculating things for my own entertainment. I bought a spoonful to my mouth; again the stuff she made was wonderful. This one was a bit better then the fish stew. I have to make a mental note to check to see if there were more jars after I finish until I can't eat more. A couple of empty bowl sat on the table as Gourry and I fight over who was going to finish off the last bit. Both of us sat inclined in our chairs, and I rubbed my belly encouraging it to disgust faster. At least that is what they say it suppose to do, although it does feel great at times. Even though I feel like it makes me look like I'm pregnant from the odd stares I get. No it's just a food baby, nothing to worry about. "That was good!" Gourry exclaim as he slammed his bowl down next to the small collection. There was no complaining as everyone else sat with a sound. Eventually Proserpina at some point grabs the bottle that Gourry was looking at earlier. She swirls it first, then twists the top open, it pops as the seal is release. Her face scrunches as the takes a quick whiff of it. "Whew." She took another sniff. "Smells like whisky." She took a quick glimpse around before bringing the bottle to her lips, taking a swig. Her lips perked as she shuts her eyes. "Oh yeah! That's definitely whisky." Zelgadis side glance at her, his look was that twisted with both amusing and seriousness.
"You're certainly confident enough to even trust something like that?" He inquired as she took another turn out of the bottle. "What if that was poisoned?"
"If it is," She briefly glances at the bottle, taking a third gulp from it. "Then it wouldn't be the first time it's happened, and it probably won't be the last." She winked as she toasts herself; there was a part of me that felt like she wasn't bluffing about that.
"So you survived being poison? Do share how that was like." Proserpina went on about how shortly she was experience almost a near death sensation shortly a bit after her transformation. Believing that someone, who she blamed to be her ex, and that it occur somewhere in what she referred as a 'club'. She than clammed up after that and the room started to have an uneasy feeling it. I think something sensitive might've came up after she mentioned that. She sat awkwardly, taking another drink from the bottle. I'm going with that being a cue to change the subject.
"So about that one spell..." I recalled earlier, the one where she use it make those handful of trolls disappear into gods know who part of oblivion. She caught on to what I was talking about, as she tilted her head. "Starving Maw?" I nodded. "Oh that one..." She said in between sips. Proserpina then began with how it basically summoning a bit of the essence of the void, into this state of being. So in lamest terms, from what I gathered it's like a miniature black hole, and as I expected from earlier, it can get out of hand, and big enough to consume a world if it isn't monitor well enough. She explained that in most circumstances and good timing, it can be cancelled with a Chaotic Blast, or what she called a "Supernova Burst" if the black hole got too big enough.
"That's one I would like to see." She laughed in a hesitate manner. "That one would be category as something I wouldn't be so keen on casting in this type of area." Apparently, it had the same effect, or double as a Dragon Slave does, but not on a grand scale like the Giga Slave. It sounded even more destructive then the other few spells I've have yet witness. If you know so much, then why do you hold out on it? Maybe she is afraid of someone finding out how to use that kind of magic and putting more of a threat into this world? I eyed her as these questions flooded my thought process, but I kept my mouth shut. There are some things you can't pressure, and how people conduct what they know, is completely on them. From what she is telling me, a lot of her magic is similar to the manner of ours, to be used in caution, of course. Even though a part of me felt called out on for not being careful in the past, and letting my temper get me. Oh well! That was something both parties had to learn in order to grow, right? Live and learn…not to blow up cities because people hurt your feelings. I still have my moments, but most of it has improved. Thanks to Gourry, and as long as people don't talk down about my built that is.
Sleep took its course over the four as they lay in the places they have claimed for the night; Lina and Gourry slept on one of the cots that Proserpina had provided. She softly snore as he occasionally grunts, shifting to his sides, yanking the blanket off the smaller girl. It wasn't long until the younger red head started to shiver as she snug up closer to the larger blond for warmth. Proserpina slept closer toward the fireplace; the ember glow a soft orange on the charred wood as the fire dyed down. A soft, dark color fleece blanket draped over her form, her arm cradle her head as she snooze peacefully. Meanwhile Zelgadis recline back on a chair, his feet prompt on the seat nearby. Although he was not truly sleeping, his eyes were shut, but his hearing remain active. An occasional twitch occurred whenever the slightest noise went off; the current now was that of a faint whimper. One of his eyes slowly opened, catching the movement by the fireplace as Proserpina turned in her sleep. This continues for a moment, until she sat up, heaving a few heavy breathes. She was recovering from a night terror of some sort, and Zelgadis watched her as she leaned forward.
"You aright over there?" His voice interrupted the stillness of the dead of night. Proserpina spun her head to him. "Yeah." Her voice laced with the drowsiness from sleep. "It was just a night mare. I get those often..." Placing her palms flat on the floor, she leaned back to stretch herself. The recurring nightmares where something of the norm to her; which she soon went back to her usual composer, as peaceful as the calmness around them. She sat within the stillness, listening in to the activity of the nighttime.
"How long have you been awake?" Her voice cracked slightly. Zelgadis readjust his arm as he turns his head to her. "I didn't really go to sleep, but I've been up for this whole duration of the time you three have been snoozing"
"You did that to keep watch over the place?"
"That and I don't really sleep as much as the average person. The longest I've gone without a wink was shy of four days." Proserpina hummed in contentment as if she was relating to what he had said.
"I guess it's a chimera thing. I'm the same way, and so are my brother and Jason." She fumbled with the blanket folding it neatly to her waist. "The most we get is like five hour, and the longest we all stayed awake was for a week. It's like the mentally and the metabolism change after being fused with more than one being. Being that we need less food and sleep, while humans would go mad and starve, it's like we resist a bit longer and persist under situation that would break a man in some many ways."
Zelgadis eyes shifted to the floor. "I've never seen it in that manner. You made it sound more like a blessing then a curse."
The corners of her mouth rose into a small grin. "It has its own duality. There are times I miss being human, and there are moments where I'm glad I had this done to me." Zelgadis lower his arms as he straightens his posture. "I could say the same; though this is something I never wanted to begin with..."
"I could tell." She folded her legs, decided that be comfortable to a conversation with the other chimera instead of the struggle of returning back to sleep. "The way you talked about it, you had some resentment in those words."
"You could tell?" He raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm glad that someone is able to read into these things and not say this like "Oh it could be worst!" His voice mimicking that of a high pitched female. "Or "Just get over it Zel!" He frown as he casted a glare towards where Lina laid.
"I'm pretty sure if it was the other way around, they would not be saying that, huh?" He bobbed his head in agreement. "That makes me ponder," He began. "If it they were the ones like this," He gesture at himself. "Would they even receive the same kind of treatment?" Proserpina stared off into the darkness, her eye dilated as they focus. "That's not easy to say." She whispered. "I wasn't treated any differently after they changed me."
"Sadly I was." Zelgadis mutter quietly, his head lower briefly before he looks back up and shot a look at both Gourry and Lina. "But not everyone was bad to me. Even though I have been used for an anchor and took a cannon ball to the face." Proserpina stared at him. "Look I wasn't quick enough to catch it." She giggles softly at this and Zelgadis smiled softly. "At first, it was hard to call them friends, but I suppose now we have gotten so comfortable around each other."
"Feels like some kind of patchwork family?" He lowers his gaze at her with a smirk. "I don't know if I would call it that, but they do feel like they are the closest thing I would consider as a family."
"That would make Lina the bratty little sister." Zelgadis rolled his eyes. "She is beyond bratty. That is an understatement."
"Gourry seems like he would be the older, but dumbass brother. Kinda like mines" He chuckled quietly. "What was your life like before you got here?"
"She glances over at him. "A struggle." He frowns at her reply. "How so?" She heaves a long sigh. "After the island got invaded by the undead, it was daily battle as we jumped from island to island, grabbing supplies and survivors before bunkering them down on the isle of Leto." It was something that wasn't entirely easy then how it was simply stated, Proserpina went into detail of the process, and how bad the zombies were when they begun to take over each island. The only reason why the isle of Leto was left untouched was that a while ago, since the citizens of Leto were mostly higher class, that they all invested into some community funding to built protection 'within the waves' in case of any future attacks from the mutated. Turns out they were apparently on to something, for over a hundred and fifty years later, the chain of island experience the mass outbreak and the undead raided across the shores, all but the isle of Leto were under sedge and completely void of all human life within days.
"That when the rest of us decided to resort to chimerism in order to face these undead, and whatever was a threat to our failing planet. My brother and mines batch was handcrafted by our own mother. The rest had to pick though the assortment that Mr. Lee made."
"So how was everyone that wanted to be one crafted?" she blinked a few times. "I'm going with that we didn't undergo the same procedure?" There was a second of silence, the chime of cricket chirped within the night air. "They used a serum to turn us-"
"A serum?"
"Yeah, it's a genetic based they used to fused with our original DNA. They took a bit of our genetics and mix them with the other compactable creatures." She added on about how they were placed in what looked like a human sized test tube, after they were placed in, they were connect to a monitoring system that both took their vitals and inject the serum. The tubes where then filled with an amino based liquid, and the machine released a substance that made them sedated. After the person knocked out, the system began to release the DNA, gradually changing the human into the sample of their choosing.
"Why would anyone really want to be like this?" There was a slight trace of venom in his statement, he honestly understood why everyone wanted to change, but why not go out as a human. "From my knowledge, there is no way of becoming normal after you transform…"
Proserpina laughed as she grinned at him. "Is that so, Zelgadis?"
Author's note: I'm back on my usual schedule with posting updates on each Sunday. Even if this story gets only a few hints, this is something I enjoy doing. For this is my story, my creation. For it is special and like no other. For it is my product of my creativity and my outlit at that. My intentions is to both complete this (And the other two arcs. Oh gods is she serious? There are two more arcs to this?) And improve my writing skills some maybe one day, I could just write as a side gig and see where it goes.
Again, if you are keeping up with this, thank you. You view means a lot. I'm not caring about reviews, but here's a shout out to that one who keeps reading. Yeah you know who you are. It could be me for all I know lol. I'm joking. Thank you!